The Davenport City Library Board of Trustees meeting on December 17, 2024, highlighted the library's extensive programming for children and teens, showcasing its commitment to fostering literacy and community engagement.

During the meeting, library staff detailed various initiatives aimed at enhancing early literacy and providing engaging activities for young patrons. The library offers multiple story times throughout the week, including specialized sessions for different age groups, such as lap sit story time for infants and pre-K prep story time focused on school readiness. These programs have seen significant attendance, particularly during busy Wednesday sessions.

In addition to story times, the library has introduced innovative programs like sensory exploration activities and themed events, such as a "studywear tea time" where children practice social skills in a relaxed setting. The library also facilitates a "1,000 Books for Kindergarten" program, which has registered over 2,100 children since its relaunch in 2021, with participants collectively reading over 340,000 books.

The meeting also addressed the library's efforts to engage older children and teens through programs like the Kids Advisory Board and Teen Advisory Board. These boards allow young patrons to contribute ideas for future programming, fostering a sense of ownership and community involvement. Recent activities included a magic workshop and a Pokemon Club, which has gained popularity among local youth.

Library staff reported a 13% increase in return visits from first graders, attributed to outreach efforts that provide each child with a library card and encourage them to visit the library multiple times. The board discussed strategies to further promote summer reading programs, which have seen declining participation, particularly among children aged 4 to 11. Plans include outreach at local schools and playgrounds to raise awareness and encourage engagement.

Overall, the meeting underscored the library's proactive approach to serving the community, emphasizing the importance of literacy and social development through diverse programming tailored to the needs of children and teens in Davenport.