Community Reading Programs
Track your reading and other activities, earn prizes, and join seasonal reading fun for all ages, all year long.
Whether you're reading one book or one hundred, the library has a reading challenge for you! Our challenges are open to all ages and change throughout the year, with seasonal programs like Summer at the Library, Fall Reading, and Winter Reading, plus special challenges like Read 26 in 2026, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Eastern Iowa Battle of the Books, and more.
Track your reading online through the Beanstack website or app, or stop by any branch for a traditional paper log. Select a category below to learn more and start your next reading adventure!
Visit any Scott County Library System branch to pick up a paper reading log or participate online via Beanstack. Read and attend library events to complete levels and earn prizes. Summer at the Library is free and readers of all ages and abilities can participate!
How the Challenge Works
Build a reading habit! Track the days this summer that you read for 20 minutes or more.
Level 1: Read 10 Days (free book)
Level 2: Read 20 Days (free passes)
Level 3: Read 30 Days (raffle ticket)
Level 4: Read 40 Days (raffle ticket)
Level 5: Read 40 Days (raffle ticket)
Important Dates
June 1st--start tracking your reading any time on and after June 1st
August 1st--return your reading log to any SCLS branch by August 1st to collect your prizes and submit raffle tickets
August 10th--raffle winners will be announced this week!
Bonus Opportunities
All ages can earn extra raffle tickets by completing a Bonus Bloom challenge (attending 5 Scott County Library System events!).
Families and groups can also participate in the Summer Gaming Adventure from June 1st-September 5th to earn raffle tickets for a special Board Game Adventure Prize Pack.
Download a copy of the printed June and July calendars, the Read Everyday challenge log, the Bonus Bloom challenge log, the Quick Sprout challenge for adults, and the Summer Gaming Adventure challenge log from the attachments at the bottom of this post.
1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM!
The Scott County Library System is excited to participate in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative to get parents and young children reading!
Did you know that reading to your child is one of the most powerful ways to boost his or her brain power? The simple and enjoyable act of sharing books helps your child learn pre-reading skills such as understanding the sounds letters make, developing a bigger vocabulary, and building background knowledge—all important skills that help prepare your child for learning to read and entering kindergarten.
Scott County Library System’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a fun, exciting, and free way to start your child on the path to success! Any child ages birth to five years can participate. Just follow these steps:
- Register: Sign up at your branch of the SCLS or online at scottcountylibrary.beanstack.org. Pick up reading logs at the library, print them from our website, or track your reading online. Have you participated in the Summer Reading Program? You may already have a beanstack account!
- Track Your Reading: Fill in a circle for each book you read with your child on your reading record or record books through the online Beanstack system.
Every Book Counts: Even if your child wants to hear the same book again and again, you can count it each time. You can also count the books your child hears in story time, in daycare or preschool, or with a friend or family member, as long as your child listens to the entire book.
- 100-Book Milestones: Each time you read 100 books, bring your reading record to an SCLS branch to receive a small prize.
- 1,000 Books: You did it! Come celebrate at the library and receive a free book.
- Keep on Reading: Don’t stop at 1,000! Keep on reading together; there’s more learning ahead!
Singing songs, saying rhymes, telling stories, and playing with your child are all great ways to build their literacy skills. Visit the Scott County Libraries often for free programs that are fun and educational for your little one and to find great books to share with your child.
One thousand books may seem like a lot, but if you read just one book a night, you’ll meet your goal in less than 3 years. If you read three books a night, you could reach your goal in just one year! Ask our friendly staff for suggestions—we’re here to help you on your journey to 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten!
Happy Reading!
ICCA BATTLE OF THE BOOKS (4th-6th Grade)
Books for the 2026-2027 Battle of the Books are available now! Many titles are available in formats beyond conventional print, such as large print, read along, Playaway, and e-book/e-audio. Place holds on titles via the library's online catalog. [2026-2027 list link coming soon!]
What is Battle of the Books?
The Battle of the Books tests 4th-6th grade teams on their knowledge of the current year’s Iowa Children’s Choice Award titles. Teams of three are formed in their schools. Battles are performed at three levels to determine the final grand champion for the Eastern Iowa region.
The basic run down of determining the Battle grand champion is:
- School Level – Schools determine their best team. At the School Level, teachers and teacher librarians may use whatever method works to determine the top team to represent them in the next level of competition. Schools have used paper tests, mini bracketed battles at recesses, and even formal battles during school time in a mini assembly format. All North Scott participants will receive a ribbon. The winning teams from each school will receive medals.
- District Level – The District and Regional Battles styled like a trivia night. One team from each participating school in the district will battle each other for the right to represent their district in the final Eastern Iowa Regional Battle of the Books. The North Scott District Battle takes place in early March and is usually held at the Scott County Library System Eldridge Branch. The top two teams will receive individual trophies. The winning team will also receive a traveling trophy to live at their school until the next district battle.
- Final Battle – The Eastern Iowa Regional Battle of the Books takes place in late March/early April and is usually held at the Bettendorf Public Library. Teams from North Scott, Davenport, Pleasant Valley, Bettendorf, and other school districts will compete to determine the ultimate champion. All participants will receive a certificate; the top two teams will receive individual trophies; and the winning team will take home a large traveling trophy to house until the next year’s battle.
Ask your school’s teacher librarian or classroom teacher for specific information about signing up for Battle of the Books, forming teams, and school competition dates. This information will vary from school to school. The Scott County Library System staff can help with locating books and answer questions about the North Scott District Battle.
Homeschool students can also participate in Battle of the Books. Contact the SCLS Youth Services Coordinator at [email protected] for more information.
What books do participants read?
Participants read the Iowa Children’s Choice Award nominee books for the current year. The ICCA nominees are chosen by students and teachers across the state of Iowa and one book is selected as the best title of the year via student vote in the spring. Anyone can read the ICCA books; participation in Battle of the Books is not mandatory. Also, Battle participants do not necessarily have to read all of the ICCA books.
Additional Information, Links, & Printables
View this handout or download from this post for more information on official Battle rules, structure of the competition, tips & tricks for participating, etc.
Watch book talks, book trailers, and learn more about the Iowa Children's Choice Award books by exploring this (2026-2027 link coming soon!). This link has also been shared with the North Scott elementary schools.
Download and print this graphic organizer to help you or your student take notes while reading and studying for the competition.
See the attachments section of this post for more downloadable information.
PAST NORTH SCOTT DISTRICT WINNERS
2026-2027...TBD in March 2027
2025-2026...Edward White
2024-2025...Edward White
2023-2024...Edward White
2022-2023...Virgil Grissom
2021-2022....Alan Shepard (also 1st place at the Eastern Iowa Regional Battle)
2020-2021....Alan Shepard (also 2nd place at the Eastern Iowa Regional Battle)
2019-2021....Virgil Grissom
2018-2019….Virgil Grissom
2017-2018….Virgil Grissom
2016-2017….Edward White
2015-2016….Virgil Grissom
2014-2015….Alan Shepard
2013-2014….Edward White
2012-2013….Neil Armstrong
2011-2012….Neil Armstrong
2010-2011….Alan Shepard
2009-2010…Alan Shepard
2008-2009…Neil Armstrong
2007-2008…Alan Shepard
2006-2007…Alan Shepard
& Neil Armstrong
2005-2006…John Glenn
2004-2005…Neil Armstrong
2003-2004…Virgil Grissom
Adults and Teens (13+) are challenged to read 26 books in 2026 for a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards!
To participate, pick up a paper log at any SCLS branch, track online using Beanstack, or print a log at home (see attachment in this post).
Paper logs should be returned to any SCLS branch by Saturday, January 9, 2027. Winners will be selected via raffle the week of January 11, 2027.