Programs & Events for Children

Storytimes

Our current storytime schedule can be found by viewing the City's event calendar. Click the purple "Public Library" button on the left to narrow the events to the library's only. 

Reach Out and Read

A third of children in the U.S. under the age of 5 arrive at Kindergarten without the skills necessary for succeeding at school. Often missing at home is a consistent schedule of caregivers reading aloud to children, which research shows is the single most important activity leading to language development and early literacy skills. Reach Out and Read is a national nonprofit organization that helps encourage these skills by training and supporting medical providers who will give books to children at well-child visits, along with advice to parents/caregivers about the importance of reading aloud.

The Waverly Public Library spearheads the local Reach Out and Read program, which includes participation by Christophel Clinic, MercyOne Family Medicine, and UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine - Rohlf Memorial.  Young patients and their families are served by these clinics in Waverly, Shell Rock, Tripoli, Janesville, Allison, and Nashua. At each well-child appointment, children receive a new book to explore with parents. By the time they are 5 years old, they will have their own personal library of 10 books. Because of this program, parents are 2.5 times more likely to read to their children, and children’s pre-school language development is improved by 3-6 months.

Support for this program is provided by:

Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation
Waverly Health Center Foundation
Friends of the Waverly Public Library
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Delta Kappa Gamma

The Waverly Public Library continues to seek additional donations for book purchase costs. Any interested individuals or organizations can direct their donations to the Waverly Public Library Foundation. If you have any questions about Reach Out and Read, please do not hesitate to reach out to the library at (319) 352-1223.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

This ongoing early literacy initiative (called 1KB4K for short) began in February 2016 and encourages parents to read aloud at least 1,000 books with their children before they enter school.  Families log their reading either through the app and website Beanstack or on paper (picked up at the library). At the milestones of completing 100 books, children receive a library bag, and at completion of 500 books, they receive a finger puppet. The culminating prize is a book and certificate the child can keep.

Get Started on Beanstack

Paper versions: Level 100 Log     Parent Letter     Registration Card

Current Weekly Events

Keep an eye out on our website and social media for changes/additions to programs!