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!

Summer at the Library

Thank you for participating in Summer at the Library 2026: Plant a Seed, Read! We'll be back in 2027 with another Summer challenge.

Fall Reading Challenge

October 2026--More information coming soon.

Winter Reading Challenge

January 2027--More information coming soon.

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!

Eastern Iowa Battle of the Books

Battle of the Books is a team-based reading competition for students in grades 4–12. Teams study the books nominated for their division’s current Iowa book award and answer questions about the books during a trivia-style competition.

There are three Battle divisions:

  • Elementary (grades 4–6): Iowa Children’s Choice Award (ICCA)
  • Middle school (grades 6–8): Iowa Teen Award (ITA)
  • High school (grades 9–12): Iowa High School Book Award (IHSBA)

Teams generally consist of three students and are formed through participating schools. Registration, team selection, and school-level activities vary by school, so students should contact their teacher librarian or classroom teacher for participation information.

Homeschool students are also welcome to participate. Contact the person listed under the appropriate division for more information.

Finding the Books

Books for the 2026–2027 Battle of the Books are available now! Many titles are offered in formats beyond conventional print, including large print, read-along, Playaway, e-book, and e-audiobook editions.

Participants do not necessarily need to read every book themselves. Team members may divide the list, read together, or use another strategy that works for their team.

Anyone may read and enjoy the nominated books—you do not have to participate in Battle of the Books!

Elementary Battle: Grades 4–6

Elementary teams answer questions about the current year’s Iowa Children’s Choice Award nominees.

2026–2027 Book List and Resources

How the Elementary Battle Works

Elementary teams advance through three levels of competition:

  1. School Level: Each participating school determines which team will represent it at the North Scott District Battle. Schools may use written tests, bracketed mini-battles, formal competitions, or another selection method. All North Scott participants receive a ribbon, and the winning team from each school receives medals.
  2. North Scott District Battle: One team from each participating North Scott school competes in a trivia-style battle, typically held in early March at the Scott County Library System’s Eldridge Branch. The top two teams receive individual trophies. The winning team also receives a traveling trophy and advances to the regional competition.
  3. Eastern Iowa Regional Battle: District champions from North Scott, Davenport, Pleasant Valley, Bettendorf, and other participating Eastern Iowa school districts compete for the regional championship. The Battle is typically held in late March or early April at the Bettendorf Public Library. All participants receive certificates, the top two teams receive individual trophies, and the winning team takes home the regional traveling trophy.

2026–2027 Regional Battle

     Saturday, April 3 at 10:30 AM.
     Bettendorf Public Library

2026–2027 North Scott District Battle

     Friday, March 5 at 1:30 PM
     Regional Innovation Center 

Contact your school’s teacher librarian or classroom teacher for information about forming a team, signing up, and school-level competition dates.

SCLS Contact:  Emily Haage | Youth Services Coordinator | [email protected]

Middle School Battle: Grades 6–8

Middle school teams answer questions about the current year’s Iowa Teen Award nominees.

Sixth-grade students may compete in either the elementary or middle school division, depending on their school district. Sixth graders should contact their teacher librarian or English teacher to learn which division their school participates in.

2026–2027 Regional Battle

Thursday, March 4 at 10:30 a.m.
Bettendorf Public Library

2026–2027 Book List and Resources

  • [Place holds through the library catalog]
  • [View the 2026–2027 Iowa Teen Award list]
  • [View the middle school Battle rules and participation guide]
  • [Add additional middle school resources, if applicable]

How the Middle School Battle Works

  1. School Level: If a school has multiple teams, the school determines which team will represent it at the regional competition. Schools may use written tests, mini-battles, or another selection method.
  2. Eastern Iowa Regional Battle: Each participating school sends its selected team directly to the regional Battle. Teams from schools throughout Eastern Iowa compete in a trivia-style event at the Bettendorf Public Library. The top two teams receive individual trophies, and the winning team receives a traveling trophy to display at its school until the following year’s Battle.

Contact your school’s teacher librarian or English teacher for information about forming a team, signing up, and school-level selection.

SCLS Contact:  Jeraca Fite | Outreach Services Librarian | [email protected]

High School Battle: Grades 9–12

High school teams answer questions about the current year’s Iowa High School Book Award nominees.

2026–2027 Regional Battle

[Day, date and time]
Bettendorf Public Library

2026–2027 Book List and Resources

  • [Place holds through the library catalog]
  • [View the 2026–2027 Iowa High School Book Award list]
  • [View the high school Battle rules and participation guide]
  • [Add additional high school resources, if applicable]

How the High School Battle Works

  1. School Level: If a school has multiple teams, the school determines which team will represent it at the regional competition. Schools may use written tests, mini-battles, or another selection method.
  2. Eastern Iowa Regional Battle: Each participating school sends its selected team directly to the regional Battle. Teams from schools throughout Eastern Iowa compete in a trivia-style event at the Bettendorf Public Library. The top two teams receive individual trophies, and the winning team receives a traveling trophy to display at its school until the following year’s Battle.

Contact your school’s teacher librarian or English teacher for information about forming a team, signing up, and school-level selection.

SCLS Contact:  Jeraca Fite | Outreach Services Librarian | [email protected]

TEENTOBER & TEEN READING CHALLENGE

Teentober

QC area teens (ages 11 - 19) are invited to participate in a reading challenge and/or contests during the month of October. All participants will be invited to the Teentober Red Carpet Awards Event on November 12 at the Putnam Museum and Science Center.

Reading Challenge:

Read for at least 1,000 minutes to receive a completion prize from the Scott County Library and to enter into the QC grand prize drawing for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card. Sign up using the link below or in person at any SCLS branch beginning October 1. The Reading Challenge runs October 1 - October 31

Contests:

Create a work and/or works that showcase your creativity and explore the 2026 theme of "I Volunteer as tribute." Who would you risk your life to save? What would you sacrifice to save a person (or something else)? Is there something you can't live without, and if so, how far would you go to protect it? We have so many questions! We want to see mystery. We want to see horror. We want to see romance. We love a nonfiction piece. We are here for silliness and whimsy. We applaud passion and earnestness. We want to see what your mind creates from this theme. 


Each teen can enter one entry per contest category and will need to fill out a form for each entry. Each entry will include an artist's statement of up to 150 words where you can discuss how and why you created the work and how it fits the theme. All entries should be "rated" PG-13 or under and be appropriate for general audiences. Submit original work and do not use copyrighted work or characters. 

Click here to fill out a form for your entry. 

Who can enter?

Teens (ages 11-19) from the QC area. Teens can work on their own or in teams of up to 5 members and can submit only one entry per contest category. A Google account is needed to submit entries through the online form.

What are the categories?

  • Film Contest | Videos must be under 5 minutes. Teens can work on their own or in teams of up to 5 members.
  • Teen Art Contest 3-D art | Submit a photo of a sculpture, ceramic piece, or other three dimensional art.
  • Teen Art Contest 2-D art | Art entries must be submitted digitally. Let us know if you need help scanning your work.
  • Teen Writing Contest | Writing entries must be 1000 words or less. 

What are the prizes?

Winners will be announced at the Teentober Red Carpet Awards Event at the Putnam Museum' and Science Center's Theater on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. Pizza will be served in the theater's lobby beginning at 6:00pm followed by a red carpet entrance into the theater at 6:30pm. In addition to viewing the video contest entries, the Librarians will also present a digital slideshow of art contest entries and share favorite lines from writing contest entries. 

Special awards will be given out at the event by the QC Librarians. Participants are encouraged to attend the Teentober Red Carpet Awards Event, but you do not need to be present to win. Winners in each category will receive a $50 gift card.

When are submission due?

All contest entries must be submitted no later than October 31, 2026. For more information and to upload your entry, click the button below.

Click here to fill out a form for your entry. 

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.