We have some great programs happening here at the Library for kids. Mark your calendar for these events!

Reading Assistance Dogs – Wednesday, January 4 at 6:30 p.m. No registration necessary. (1st Wednesday of each month)

Preschool Storytimes - Mondays at 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Tummy Times - January 9 and 23 at 10 a.m., January 11 and 25 at 6:30 p.m. (2nd and 4th Mondays at 10 a.m. and 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.)

B ‘Tweens – January 10 from 4-5 p.m. Ages 10-12 ONLY. This month we will be making projects with recycled and upcycled items. No registration necessary.

Eye Openers – Thursday, January 19 from 10-11 a..m. Our guest this month will be Lynn from the Figge Art Museum to talk about their new exhibit, Fins and Feathers. Participants will get to try a variety of art projects! No registration required. 

For more information about any of the programs, contact the Youth Services Staff at 344-4178.

We are currently on a break from our Preschool Story Times and Tummy Times. Sessions for both groups will resume on Monday, January 9. Tummy Time for children birth to age 3 to will be held at 10 a.m. and Preschool Storytime for children ages 3-5 at 6:30 p.m. No registration is required for either program.

Check our Calendar of Events for free movies this week for kids, Wednesday-Saturday. Movie titles and show times vary.

You can also call the Youth Services Desk for additional information at 344-4178.

Kids ages 2-5 are invited to join us for our monthly EyeOpeners program on Thursday, December 15 from 10-11 a.m. The program consists of a shortened storytime and a variety of related activities based on the theme. This month we are Stirring Up Some Fun in the Kitchen! Activities include simple things that kids can do in the kitchen – both play and pretend!

No registration is required for the program which meets in the Junior League Program Room.

EyeOpeners is sponsored by Eye Surgeons Associates and the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.

In with the new and out with the old! Have your kids outgrown their fascination with Legos and Duplo Blocks? Well, here is your chance to give them a good home. Later this year we are planning a series of events where we will be using these toys and want to have our own supply. Rather than purchasing all new items, we thought we’d ask our patrons first if they have some to donate. We’ll take care of sorting and cleaning, you can just drop them off at the Youth Services Desk. We appreciate your help!

Once we have collected enough for our needs we will begin to announce our exciting upcoming plans. For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at 344-4178 or Miss Tami at tfinley@bettendorf.org.

Do you have a child that needs some practice with their reading? Does your child have some self-esteem issues? Pups Assisting the Disabled is a group that can help with these issues through their reading assistance dogs program. The dogs and their owners have been trained to work with kids one on one where they get a chance to read to the dogs. The group has been providing similar programs at other libraries and we are thrilled to have them on board with us.

The first Wednesday of each month the pups will be available from 6-7 p.m. the first session will be on November 2 in the Youth Services area. We will monitor the number of kids that come to participate so that everyone gets a chance to read. The amount of time available will be dependent on how many show up. For right now, we will not be taking reservations for time, but if the need arises we will make that announcement.

Everyone is welcome to come read, find some new books and explore the library!

Sponsored by the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library.

It’s time for our fall reading program designed for children ages birth-age 5. This is a perfect opportunity for families to read to their young children and promote literacy skills that will be helpful to them as they grow. “Reading Is the Key” is the theme and kids will receive a simple reading log where adults will help them record the books that they read. Each child that completes the set reading goal will receive a new book. Registration begins on Monday, October 3 and will continue through October 24. All completed logs must be returned by Saturday, October 29 to be guaranteed a new book.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library