Pages: The Bettendorf Public Library Newsletter

The Bettendorf Public Library Newsletter

September 9, 2025

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library Fall Book Sale

Save the date for the annual Friends of the Library Book Sale this October! Find great books of all genres and for all ages, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, and silent auction items.

Sale Dates

Friends Members Only Preview Sale:
Friday, October 3, 5–7:30 p.m.

Public Sale:
Saturday, October 4, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, October 5, 12–3 p.m.

If you want early access to the book sale but aren't a current Friends of the Library member, fill out an application and return it to the library to join, or sign up at the door the night of the preview sale. Memberships are available for as little as $5.

About the Friends

Download Membership Application

Applications are also available at the library.

LIBRARY NEWS:

100 Books Before Graduation

We have new, ongoing reading initiative for students in middle school and up! If students commit to reading 100 books before they graduate high school, they'll receive a free tote bag, a book, and more. This challenge is open to homeschooled students as well.

Upon sign-up, participants receive a tote bag and a coupon for a free vinyl name sticker to personalize their bag in the Creation Studio makerspace. For every 10 books they read, they'll earn a collectible pin or patch. A final prize awaits those who reach 100 books! The one rule: select books that are appropriate for your reading level.

Happy reading!

Toddler Reading Program

Did you know listening to stories is an essential step in eventually learning to read? Help your child become a roaring reader this fall by signing them up for the Toddler Reading Program!

Register in person at the library starting October 1. Each child receives a small plush dragon reading buddy upon registration, and after listening to 20 books, they earn a book to keep!

This reading program is open to children ages brith to five who have not yet entered kindergarten.

Learn More

New Events Emails and Change to Pages

In case you missed it, we have new monthly emails that feature all library events in your preferred age range: adult, teen and tween, or children. Sign up for one list or a combination of the three. Events emails will be sent toward the end of each month.

With this new addition to our communications, Pages will switch to a monthly schedule on October 7. Pages will continue to be our primary source for delivering library service announcements and news about large-scale events and programs, and we hope to expand our community news, reading recommendations, and more.

Upcoming Library Closures

The Library will be closed Wednesday, September 24, for staff in-service. Regular hours will resume Thursday, September 25.

Sunday Hours Have Resumed

The Bettendorf Public Library's Sunday hours resumed September 7. The library is now open 1-4 p.m. on Sundays through Memorial Day.

FEATURED EVENTS

Tet: The Most Important Celebration in Vietnam
Saturday, September 13, 2-3 p.m.

Discover Tet, Vietnam's largest festival, celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar. It's a time for honoring ancestors and welcoming the New Year with family, and it can last up to seven days depending on the region of Vietnam. The festival features traditions similar to Christmas and New Year’s, with family gatherings and house decorations.

CultureALL Ambassador Vinh Nguyen, originally from Saigon, now active in Iowa’s Vietnamese community, leads this workshop. Presented by CultureALL, the program aims to foster cultural understanding and is part of the 2025 Global Gathering Vietnam series, funded by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.

Learn More

All-ages events

English Language Learners Conversation Club

Thursday, September 11

4–5 p.m.

English language learners and ESL students of all ages can chat with volunteers to practice English in a relaxed, real-world environment. No registration is required.

Learn More

Homeschool Hangout

Monday, September 22

11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Kids of all ages are welcome to socialize with games and crafts at this homeschool-friendly event.

Learn More

Youth events

After School Kids Lab

Wednesdays,

3–4 p.m.

After School Kids Lab is a program for school-age kids to have fun on early-out Wednesdays with STEAM-based activities. Drop-ins are welcome. We'll be undertaking fingerprint analysis on September 10 and making DNA gene bracelets September 17.

Come create, have fun, and explore something new!

Fingerprint Analysis

DNA Gene Bracelets

Kids Book Club

Saturday, September 13

3:30–4:30 p.m.

We still have a few spots open for this Saturday’s Kids Book Club!

This book club is for grades 1-3, and our book pick—Mighty Meg and the Melting Menace—is a quick read for its intended audience. Children should be able to finish it in well under an hour. Copies of the book are available at the library for participants. Registration is required.

Write On: Kids Creative Writing Group

Thursday,

September 18

4–5 p.m.

Kids in grades 3-6 are invited to learn about creative writing, work on their writing skills, and share their works with others as part of this new writing group!

Learn More

Teen and tween events

Teen Anime Day at the Figge Art Museum

Saturday, September 13
12-3 p.m.

Only a few seats remain open for Teen Anime Day! Enjoy a fun afternoon of manga, anime, Japanese culture, and art. We'll be giving out prizes for a Super Smash Bros tournament, an art workshop, a drawing contest, a cosplay contest, and more.

Learn More & Register

Audiobook Club

Friday, September 19
4-5 p.m.

Meet once a month this fall and winter to complete a simple craft while listening to Slugfest by Gordan Korman, a 2025-2026 Iowa Teen Award book. This laid-back book club is perfect for kids ages 11-17 who want to meet new friends, relax, and read together. No book checkout or registration is necessary. New listeners are welcome! We'll catch you up if needed.

Learn More

Adult events

Unusual Jobs: Meet a Licensed Midwife

Thursday, September 11

6-7 p.m.

Discover the unique career of Midwife Rebecca Greene, who offers prenatal, birth, and postpartum care outside the hospital. Ms. Greene, an expert in healthy pregnancy and childbirth, works extensively with Amish families, which often means doing her job without electricity!

This informational and engaging event—funded by the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library—welcomes anyone interested in home birth or simply curious about the midwifery profession.

Learn More

Small Business Class Powered by SBA

Tuesday, September 16

5:30–7 p.m.

Learn entrepreneurial skills in this hands-on blend of workshop, coaching, and think tank designed to grow and develop your new or existing business. Advisors from SCORE, the Small Business Development Center Iowa, and the U.S. Small Business Administration are ready to help fuel your ideas.

Hors d'oeuvres will be available during the event. Register by Monday, September 15, to attend.

This event is funded by the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library.

Global Gathering Vietnam Film Series: The Scent of Green Papaya

Tuesday, September 22
6-8 p.m.

Released in 1993, The Scent of Green Papaya was the first and only Vietnamese film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Directed by Trần Anh Hùng, it won the César Award for Best Debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film follows a young girl, Mùi, who arrives in Saigon in 1951 as a servant. While learning the household routines and family dynamics, she closely observes the smallest details of her new world.

Global Gathering Vietnam is funded by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.

Learn More

Check out our calendar for a complete list of upcoming programs and events!

Full Calendar of Events

If you're waiting to read My Friends by Fredrik Backman, try one of these similar reads!

Browse Materials

VISIT US

LIBRARY HOURS

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Friday-Saturday:
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sunday (Sept.-May):

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

FRIENDS BOOKSTORE HOURS

Monday-Thursday:
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday:
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

DRIVE-UP WINDOW HOURS

Monday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday-Saturday:
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

ADDRESS

2950 Learning Campus Dr.
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Library Board of Trustees
Val Horvat, President
Darrin Lindquist, Vice President
John Rabine, Secretary

Doug Lindstrom
Archana Wagle
David Pratt
[Vacancy]

Library Administration

Jillian Aschliman, Director

Hayleigh Covella, Administrative Assistant

Library Division Heads

Heather Gibbs, Customer Service Supervisor

David Otten, Collection Services Manager

Paul Odell, Programming & Public Services Manager

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Bettendorf Public Library
2950 Learning Campus Dr. Bettendorf, Iowa 52722
Phone: (563) 344-4175

The Library is a department of the City of Bettendorf. The City complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against by an action of the City may grieve such action by filing the appropriate notice. Forms are available at all City Facilities.

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