Library Events
Chaos Embroidery
Embrace the unexpected with Chaos Embroidery, a laid-back, creative program where there are no rules—just thread, fabric, beads, trinkets, and your imagination! Instead of following a pattern, participants will stitch freely, layering colors, shapes, and textures to create something totally unique.
Whether you’re brand new to embroidery or already love to stitch, this is a great chance to experiment, relax, and see where your creativity takes you. The result might be abstract, colorful, a little messy—and completely your own.
Back-to-School Bling: For Kids
Get ready to sparkle this school year! Join River Valley District Library to bedazzle your back-to-school gear. Bring your backpack, notebooks, folders, pencil pouch, or any other school supplies you'd like to decorate. We'll provide gems, glitter, paint, markers, stickers, and more so you can create a look that's uniquely you before the first day of school!
*Some folders, notebooks, and pencils will be provided while supplies last
Tween D&D
Create a fantasy character and embark on an epic journey! This famous tabletop roleplaying game encourages creativity and imaginative play while helping kids sharpen their math and reading skills.
Salsa Dancing for Beginners
Ready to learn something new? Join Michael from Salsa Essentials and Melissa of Acroyoga for a fun, beginner-friendly salsa dance class! During the first hour, you'll learn the basic steps, turns, and rhythms of salsa in a welcoming, no-pressure environment. Then, stay for an hour of open dancing to practice your new moves, meet fellow dancers, and enjoy the music. No experience necessary, and no partner required. Register now to secure your spot!
String Stories: For Kids!
Join retired elementary school librarian and author for a fun, hands-on program where stories come to life through string figures! Listen to entertaining stories, then learn how to create your own simple string figures to take home!
Homeschool Tween D&D
Create a fantasy character and embark on an epic journey! This famous tabletop roleplaying game encourages creativity and imaginative play while helping kids sharpen their math and reading skills.
River Valley Readers
Join us for a stimulating conversation and coffee! The River Valley Readers meet on the 4th Saturday of every month on the second floor of the library, after regular library hours. We will be reading "The Berry Pickers" by Amanda Peters. It's available on Libby, and also on Hoopla as an audiobook.
Salsa Taste Test
Celebrate harvest season by dropping by the library between 4pm and 5pm to taste test a variety of salsas! Fill out a scorecard to rank your favorites and you will be entered into a drawing for a salsa-themed prize basket! Registration is required.
Please fill out the form below if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Tween Chocolate Olympics
Chocolate lovers, this one's for you! Join us for the Tween Chocolate Olympics and enjoy a variety of silly, chocolate-themed games and challenges. It's a fun afternoon filled with laughter, teamwork, and plenty of sweet surprises. For ages 8–12.
For any allergies or dietary restrictions, please fill out the form below.
Spy Night: For Kids!
Your mission awaits! Decode secret messages, design the perfect disguise, sneak past lasers, and complete thrilling spy challenges at RVDL's Spy Night!
Tween D&D
Create a fantasy character and embark on an epic journey! This famous tabletop roleplaying game encourages creativity and imaginative play while helping kids sharpen their math and reading skills.
Tween Scene: Wooden Trolls
Get ready to build your own magical wooden troll at RVDL! Inspired by the larger-than-life troll sculptures of artist Thomas Dambo, you'll create a whimsical wooden troll to take home. Unleash your creativity and bring your own forest friend to life!
Teen Anime Day at the Figge Museum
Dust off your cosplay and grab your sketchbooks! We invite teens (ages 11-19) to the Figge Art Museum for an afternoon of manga, anime, Japanese culture, and art. We will be giving out event prizes, offering fun, interactive sessions, and provide light snacks. Attendees are welcome to bring their own drawing supplies and dress up in their favorite cosplay or anime merch. The event is free, but registration is required and space is limited.
Rams Spirit Wear: For Kids!
Get Homecoming-ready with River Valley District Library! Create custom signs, noise makers, spirit hats, decorated shirts, and more to show off your school pride!
Adult Craft: Mini Gallery Wall
Create your own tiny masterpiece! Design a charming miniature gallery wall by painting a canvas to resemble a wall, then arrange miniature frames filled with tiny works of art to create a one-of-a-kind display. All supplies will be provided, and no artistic experience is necessary.
River Valley Readers Book Club
Join us for a stimulating conversation and coffee! The River Valley Readers meet on the 4th Saturday of every month on the second floor of the library, after regular library hours. The book to be discussed will be announced soon!
Veterans Luncheon
Join us for a special Veterans Luncheon as we honor and celebrate the service and sacrifice of our local veterans. This gathering offers an opportunity for veterans and community members to come together for an afternoon of appreciation, connection, and fellowship.
Tween D&D
Join us for an exciting Dungeons & Dragons adventure designed just for preteens ages 8–13! Whether you're brand new to the world of dragons, dice, and daring quests or already have some experience, this program is the perfect place to jump in. Library staff will guide players through character creation, storytelling, and gameplay in a fun, welcoming environment. Work together, solve problems, and let your imagination lead the way!
No experience necessary, and new players are welcome.
Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance to secure your spot on the adventure!
River Valley Readers
Join us for a stimulating conversation and coffee! The River Valley Readers meet on the 4th Saturday of every month on the second floor of the library, after regular library hours. This month’s book is While You Were Out by Meg Kissinger
Pick up a copy at the circ desk, or find it on Hoopla or Libby
Have any questions? Contact Holly!
Absolute Science Foam Party
Celebrate an amazing summer of reading with a splash of fun at our End of Summer Foam Party by Absolute Science!
As we wrap up our “Plant a Seed, Read” program, it’s time to celebrate all the growth, imagination, and stories you’ve discovered with the ultimate foam-filled party!
What to Expect:
Mountains of cool, fluffy foam to play in
High-energy music and outdoor fun
A one-of-a-kind experience led by the experts at Absolute Science
This is our BIG finale! It’s time to celebrate all your hard work and reading achievements with friends, laughter, and lots of bubbles!
Make sure to wear clothing that can get wet, and don’t forget to bring a towel! Goggles will be provided, but feel free to bring your own!
WQPT PBS
Plant a seed of community and get ready for a PBS powered adventure!
Join River Valley District and WQPT PBS for a lively storytime where your favorite characters jump right off the screen and into the fun! Spend time with Daniel Tiger, the Wild Kratts crew, Molly of Denali, and more as we explore exciting stories together.
Sing, create, and discover through hands-on crafts, interactive activities, and playful learning moments. It’s a joyful celebration of imagination, friendship, and fun you won’t want to miss!
Monday Movie Matinee
Join us for Monday Movie Matinee all Summer long! Every Monday we will screen a family friendly movie in the community room of the library, paired with a craft and snacks. This week we’re watching Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. Register today to reserve your spot.
Pollinator Party for Kids
Get ready to buzz, bloom, and create at our exciting Pollinator Party! Kids will discover the amazing world of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators through hands-on fun.
Activities Include:
Bubble Flower Art – Create colorful, blooming masterpieces
Flower Crowns & Wings – Make your own flower crown and wings
Bee Hotels – Build a cozy home for helpful bees
Nectar Relay Game – Race to collect nectar just like a pollinator
Clay Bee Creations – Sculpt your very own buzzing friend
Bee Sensory Bins – Explore textures and play in a pollinator-themed station
This program is perfect for kids who love to craft, play, and learn about nature. Come celebrate the tiny creatures that help our world grow!
National Mississippi River Museum: Not So Creepy Crawlers
Plant a seed of curiosity! Join the River Valley District Library and the National Mississippi River Museum for an unforgettable adventure into the hidden heroes of our ecosystem. Discover how tiny invertebrates play a BIG role in growing the food we eat! Meet a variety of critters such as beetles, roaches, and tarantulas and learn about their amazing adaptations. All ages welcome!
Tween D&D
Join us for an exciting Dungeons & Dragons adventure designed just for preteens ages 8–13! Whether you're brand new to the world of dragons, dice, and daring quests or already have some experience, this program is the perfect place to jump in. Library staff will guide players through character creation, storytelling, and gameplay in a fun, welcoming environment. Work together, solve problems, and let your imagination lead the way!
No experience necessary, and new players are welcome.
Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance to secure your spot on the adventure!
Monday Movie Matinee
Join us for Monday Movie Matinee all Summer long! Every Monday we will screen a family friendly movie in the community room of the library, paired with a craft and snacks. This week we’re watching Shrek. Register today to reserve your spot.
PBHS Trivia Time
The Port Byron Historical Society and the Village of Port Byron are planning an event to celebrate the semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of the signing of the U. S. Declaration of Independence. A free social event, Trivia Time, is set for Sunday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m. at the River Valley District Library. This will be a time for our local area citizens to reflect on the history of our country. Attendees can participate in an informal trivia contest, where we can also learn about the Declaration of Independence, the founding of our country, and the state, regional, and local history. This will be free and open to all ages.
The PBHS is also planning some history talks at our monthly meetings on May 13, June 10, and July 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the library to review our natural and cultural history as we lead up to our semiquincentennial celebration.
Wapsi River Ed. Center Presents: Birds of Prey
Plant a seed of environmentalism! Get ready for a wild, up close encounter with nature! Join the River Valley District Library and the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, along with their incredible feathered ambassadors, for an unforgettable adventure into the world of Birds of Prey.
Come face-to-face with owls, eagles, hawks, and more as you discover what makes these hunters of the sky so extraordinary. Learn how they live, how they hunt, and why protecting them, and their habitats, matters more than ever.
Kids of all ages are welcome!
Scavenger Hunt and Owl Pellet Dissection for Kids
Get ready to explore the wild side of nature at Dorrance Park! Join River Valley District Library there for a hands-on, outdoor adventure where kids will become nature detectives, searching for animal signs and discovering what wildlife leaves behind.
What We’ll Do:
Go on a scat scavenger hunt to identify animal tracks and clues
Learn how to tell which animals live in our area
Take part in an exciting owl pellet dissection to uncover what owls eat
This interactive program is perfect for curious kids who love nature, science, and a little bit of messy fun!
Best for children age 6 and older
Faux Stained Glass
Create colorful, light-catching art in this fun, hands-on program for teens! In this workshop, participants will design and craft their own faux stained glass décor using simple materials and easy techniques—no glass cutting required.
Choose your design, add vibrant colors, and outline your piece to mimic the look of real stained glass. The result is a unique decoration perfect for windows, lockers, or your room.
Monday Movie Matinee
Join us for Monday Movie Matinee all Summer long! Every Monday we will screen a family friendly movie in the community room of the library, paired with a craft and snacks. This week we’re watching Spiderwick Chronicles. Register today to reserve your spot.
Tween Scene: Seed Mosaics
Create your own unique mosaic in this fun, hands-on program for tweens! Using air-dry clay as a base, participants will design patterns and pictures, then decorate them with a variety of seeds to build colorful, textured designs.
Experiment with shapes, arrange your materials, and bring your ideas to life one piece at a time. It’s a relaxing and creative way to explore art while making something special to take home. This program is intended for tweens age 8 to 12.
Cookies and Canvas for Kids
Get ready to celebrate with a burst of creativity! Join us at the library for a special Cookies & Canvas class where kids will paint their very own fireworks masterpiece, just in time for the 4th of July!
What’s Included:
Step-by-step painting of a colorful fireworks scene
Delicious cookies to snack on while you create
A fun environment perfect for young artists
This festive program is a great way to spark imagination, celebrate the season, and take home a dazzling piece of art!
Best for children age 6 and older
Spots are limited so be sure to register!
Seed to Stage: Dance Class for Kids
Kids Dance Class with Abbey Gustaf!
Get ready to move, groove, and shine! Kids ages 6–12 are invited to join a fun and energetic dance class taught by Abbey Gustaf.
What’s Included:
Three exciting practice sessions where kids will learn new dance moves
Opportunities to build confidence, coordination, and teamwork
A final showcase where students perform for family and friends
This class is perfect for beginners and experienced dancers alike—come ready to learn, have fun, and show off your skills on stage!
Dates & Times: July 1st, 15th, & 29th (Showcase TBD)
Ages: 6–12
Spaces are limited, so sign up today and get ready to dance your heart out!
Tween D&D
Join us for an exciting Dungeons & Dragons adventure designed just for preteens ages 8–13! Whether you're brand new to the world of dragons, dice, and daring quests or already have some experience, this program is the perfect place to jump in. Library staff will guide players through character creation, storytelling, and gameplay in a fun, welcoming environment. Work together, solve problems, and let your imagination lead the way!
No experience necessary, and new players are welcome.
Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance to secure your spot on the adventure!
Monday Movie Matinee
Join us for Monday Movie Matinee all Summer long! Every Monday we will screen a family friendly movie in the community room of the library, paired with a craft and snacks. This week we’re watching Ferdinand. Register today to reserve your spot.
River Valley Readers
Join us for a stimulating conversation and coffee! The River Valley Readers meet on the 4th Saturday of every month on the second floor of the library, after regular library hours. This month’s book is Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Pick up a copy at the circ desk today!
Have any questions? Contact Holly!
Quad City Botanical Center: Miniature Green Houses
Plant a seed of gardening! Step aboard the QC Botanical Center’s Plant Discovery Bus and dig your hangs into learning! Create your own miniature Green House while discovering what it takes to help plants grow and prosper!
Figge Art Class for Kids
Plant a seed of art! Join the River Valley District Library and the Figge Art Museum for a hands-on class you won’t want to miss.
Travel through time as you explore the stories behind some of the world’s most famous masterpieces, and then bring those techniques to life with your own creative twist! Perfect for curious minds and budding artists alike!
Monday Movie Matinee
Join us for Monday Movie Matinee all Summer long! Every Monday we will screen a family friendly movie in the community room of the library, paired with a craft and snacks. This week we’re watching The Jungle Book Register today to reserve your spot.
Magician Zach Percell
Plant a seed of magic! Get ready for an unforgettable experience as the River Valley District Library presents an incredible live magic show with the one and only Zach Percell of TnZ Magic!
Prepare to be amazed as Zach brings the impossible to life with a thrilling mix of jaw-dropping visual magic, laugh-out-loud comedy, mind-bending mentalism, daring escape artistry, and masterful sleight-of-hand.
This isn’t just a magic show, it’s an interactive adventure that will leave audiences of all ages wondering… “How did he do that?!”
Don’t miss your chance to experience the wonder, the laughter, and the magic at River Valley District Library!
Mini Book Shelves
Create your own mini bookshelf in this fun, hands-on library program! Participants will design and decorate a small bookshelf that’s perfect for holding tiny books, trinkets, and keepsakes.
Use a variety of craft materials to customize your shelf and make it uniquely yours with decorative touches and creative details. Whether you love books, crafting, or both, this program is a great way to make something special to take home!
Tween D&D
Join us for an exciting Dungeons & Dragons adventure designed just for preteens ages 8–13! Whether you're brand new to the world of dragons, dice, and daring quests or already have some experience, this program is the perfect place to jump in. Library staff will guide players through character creation, storytelling, and gameplay in a fun, welcoming environment. Work together, solve problems, and let your imagination lead the way!
No experience necessary, and new players are welcome.
Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance to secure your spot on the adventure!
Become a Published Author
Calling all young storytellers ages 10 and up!
In this 8-week workshop, kids and teens will turn their ideas into real, published books.
This program is all about choice and creativity. Writers can create whatever inspires them, including graphic novels, picture books, chapter books, poetry collections, or short story anthologies. The workshop will provide these authors time to write, share, and give each other feedback in a supportive group setting.
In the final weeks, we’ll polish and prepare each project for publication. Library staff will format books for Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), and during our last session, families will help their child upload their books and hit “publish”!
No writing experience is necessary. Every participant will leave a published author, and will be acknowledged at the reading and signing at the end of the Summer.
Monday Movie Matinee
Join us for Monday Movie Matinee all Summer long! Every Monday we will screen a family friendly movie in the community room of the library, paired with a craft and snacks. This week we’re watching The Secret World of Arrietty. Register using the form below to reserve your spot.
Family Museum Presents: Seeing is Believing
Plant a seed of science! Join River Valley District Library and The Family Museum for a fun and educational program! Learn how our eyes work and how they help us to see. Experiment with optical illusions that show how parts of how vision works.
Best for kids in grades 2-6th
Skippy The Drum Machine: A Music Show For All Ages
Plant a seed of music! “Skippy The Drum Machine” is an educational concert showing how music is made through the voice, body, and beatboxing, the art of making drum sounds with your mouth. Led by Luke “Skippy” Harbur, you’ll learn something new, make silly sounds, wiggle your body, and leave with tools for how to make your own music! No experience necessary: no matter your age, this program proves we are all smarter, kinder, and better together!
