Celebrate your #RightToRead with Banned Books Week!
The Bettendorf Public Library Newsletter
September 23, 2025

SPOTLIGHT ON:
Banned Books Week
Celebrate your freedom to read at the library October 5-11! Visit the Creation Corner to learn about censorship, share your favorite challenged book, make a bookmark, and press your own button to show off your #RightToRead.
 
Then take a trip upstairs to the Creation Studio to make an "I read banned books" T-shirt or bag.
  • Heat transfer vinyl is provided in black and white.
  • You must supply your own T-shirt, bag, or other material to heat press.
  • Available only during Creation Studio Open Work Hours.
Further pull back the curtain on book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools with Banned Together, a 2025 documentary that follows three students and their adult allies who evolve from local to national activists as they fight to reinstate 97 books suddenly pulled from their school libraries. Banned Together is free to watch on Kanopy with your Bettendorf Public Library card.
LIBRARY NEWS
New StoryWalk® Installed
In partnership with the City of Bettendorf Parks and Recreation Department, we've installed a permanent StoryWalk® at Kiwanis Park! A StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children—and adults—to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Along the Kiwanis Park trail, you will find pages of a picture book spaced out in intervals. As you walk, take time to stop and read each successive page. The goal of the StoryWalk® is to build children's interest in reading while encouraging healthy outdoor activity for both adults and children. The story will change every one-two months, so there will always be something new to enjoy.
The StoryWalk® is funded by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.
 
StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Toddler Reading Program
Get fired up for the Toddler Reading Program! We're encouraging children ages birth to five who have not yet entered kindergarten to become roaring readers this fall by listening to 20 books.
To help them on their journey, we're giving each child who signs up a small plush dragon reading buddy. Registration is available in person at the library starting October 1. Meet the goal of 20 books by October 31, and your little one will get to pick a book to keep!
Learn More

Fall Book Sale. Friends members preview sale is October 3 5-7:30 p.m. Public sale is October 4 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and October 5 12-3 p.m.
SERVICE UPDATES
New Events Emails and Change to Pages
Make sure you are signed up for our new event emails! Pages will switch to a monthly schedule with the next edition on October 7.
 
Whether you are intersted in library events for adults, teens and tweens, children, or a combination of all three, there is a list for you. Events emails will be sent once a month.
Sign Up for Events Emails

Upcoming Library Closures
The Library will be closed Wednesday, September 24, for staff in-service. Regular hours will resume Thursday, September 25. 
FEATURED EVENTS
TeenTober Contests and Reading Challenge
October 1–31
Quad Cities teens aged 11-19 are encouraged to particpate in the Teentober Reading Challenge and Creative Contests October 1-31. All participants are invited to the Teentober Red Carpet Awards Event November 13 at the Putnam Museum and Science Center for pizza and a showing of contest entries.
 
Reading Challenge: Teens are challenged to read 1,000 minutes throughout the month for a chance at a $50 Visa gift card.
 
Creative Contests: Teens can submit an original creative work in one of the following categories: film, art, or writing. Winners are announced and prizes given out at the awards ceremony.
Learn More
All-ages events
Bettendorf Public Library Chess Club
Saturday, October 4
1:30–3:30 p.m. 
Stop in and join us for friendly games of chess! No experience is required; we are happy to teach you the rules to get you started. This club meets every other Saturday, and all skill levels are welcome.
Learn More

Creation Studio Open Work Hours
The Creation Studio, the library's makerspace, has weekly Open Work Hours for free drop-in use of the tools and space. Use the sumblimation printer, laser engraver (appointment recommended), 3D pens, heat press, spiral binder, and much more!
Learn More

Youth events
StoryDance: Move and Groove with Books!
Thursday, October 2
1:30–2 p.m. 
Join us for a joyful, movement-filled storytime designed for young children ages three to five and their grown-ups. Weekly themes are presented. No registration is required.
 
This event is presented in collaboration with the Family Museum.
Learn more

Child's Play | Create : Explore : Experience
with Davenport Junior Theatre
Saturday, October 4
10–10:45 a.m. 
The cast of Davenport Junior Theatre's Honk Jr. is joining us for 15 minutes of stories and songs, followed by 30 minutes of imaginative playtime. 
 
Kids can play dress up, put on a puppet show, make a craft, and much more. This program is best-suited for ages two to six years old, but all ages are welcome to attend.
Learn more

Kids Book Club: Graphic Novel Edition
Saturday, October 11
3:30–4:30 p.m. 
Kids in grades 4-6 are invited to embark on an adventure in which two siblings, a mysterious Night Librarian, and a motley cast of book characters try to save the New York Public Library!
 
Visit the youth desk at the library to pick up a copy of The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln to read prior to the discussion. Registration is required.
Register
Teen and tween events
Fan Club: K-Pop & J-Pop Edition
Thursday, October 2, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Has KPop Demon Hunters taken over your household? Tweens and teens ages 10-14 are invited to share their love for the movie and all things K-pop and J-pop at this fun club!
 
Geek out with new friends as you enjoy themed snacks, books, shows, games, and crafts. No registration is necessary. Each Fan Club meeting is dedicated to a different fandom, chosen by club members. 
Learn More

Tween Role Playing: Dread
Thursday, September 25
4-5 p.m.
Get ready to face your nightmares with Dread!
 
Tweens and teens ages 10-13 are welcome to join us for an interactive session of Dread, the horror role-playing game based on your fears. Registration is required.
Register

Teen Book Club
Saturday, October 11
3-4 p.m.
Celebrate Global Gathering Vietnam with a book perfect for spooky season!
 
Get a copy She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran from the youth desk (which is your to keep!) to read before our meeting. We'll discuss the book while crafting and enjoying snacks.
 
About the book: Staying in Vietnam at the house her estranged father is restoring, Jade, plagued by sleep paralysis, bugs, and a ghostly apparition, must expose the evil lurking in its walls with help from a delinquent girl before dark forces consume them all.
Register

Adult events
World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities:
Teaching Vietnam War Literature Abroad
Tuesday, September 30
7-8 p.m.
Professor David Crowe of Augustana College shares the insights that reshaped his understanding of the Vietnam War's impact after having taught Vietnam War literature in both Vietnam and Norway.
 
The World Affairs Council of the QC (WACQC) is non-partisan and a 501(c) (3) organization affiliated with World Affairs Council of America. Visit www.wacqc.org for more information. 
 
Global Gathering Vietnam is funded by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.
Learn more

Creation Studio Workshop:
A Global Gathering Vietnam Maker Event
Saturday, October 4
2-4 p.m.
Join Quynh Nguyen, paper flower artist and author, for a cherry blossom workshop where she'll share insights from her Vietnamese heritage. You'll learn to create delicate cherry blossoms from crepe paper and assemble them into a branch. Quynh will be instructing us over Zoom.
 
This workshop is open to ages 16 and up, with all tools and materials provided. Registration is required. As part of the 2025 Global Gathering Vietnam program series, this workshop is funded by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.
Register

Death Cafe
Tuesday, October 7
5:30-7:30 p.m.
At a Death Cafe, people gather to discuss death over coffee and treats with no agenda, objectives, or themes. It is a group-directed discussion of death rather than a grief support group. All are welcome to attend and participate to what extent they are comfortable.
 
For more information on Death Cafes, please visit deathcafe.com.
 
The Death Cafe is funded by the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library.
Learn More
Check out our calendar for a complete list of upcoming programs and events!
Full Calendar of Events
 
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LIBRARY HOURS
 
Monday-Thursday:
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
 
Friday-Saturday:
9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
 
Sunday (Sept.-May):
1-4 p.m.
FRIENDS BOOKSTORE HOURS
 
Monday-Thursday:
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
 
Saturday:
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
DRIVE-UP WINDOW HOURS
 
Monday-Thursday:
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
 
Friday-Saturday:
10 a.m.-5 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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