Programs & Events Calendar
We offer a wide range of programs and events for youth of all ages. From science and math to the arts and literature, you’ll find a variety of youth programming on the
Programs & Events calendar.
Every Child Ready to Read Storytimes
VBPL offers age-specific storytime programs for children 6 months to 5 years old built on the Every Child Ready to Read literacy framework. Details on age groups and registration can be found on our
Storytimes & Early Literacy page.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Reading to preschool-age children builds vocabulary and helps develop the language skills they need for Kindergarten. The
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program encourages all Virginia Beach families and caregivers to read at least 1,000 books with their young children (ages 0-5) before they enter Kindergarten. Enroll and pick up your reading logs at any library branch.
Pawsitive Reading
To encourage children to read aloud, VBPL regularly brings therapy dogs into the library to whom the children can read. Pawsitive Reading with Therapy Dogs is available for any child in Kindergarten through 5th grade who wants to improve his or her reading skills. Children may bring their own books to share or read books provided by the library. Visit our
Pawsitive Reading page for a list of libraries and for the permission forms required to participate.
Summer Reading Challenge
From June to August each summer, young readers are invited to join our
Summer Reading Challenge. This library program allows them to read whatever they want throughout the summer. By logging what they read online, children can win incentives for participating! Adults and teens can also sign up for the Challenge.
Battle of the Books
The
Battle of the Books is an annual program for 5th graders that is designed to encourage reading and give recognition to those who like to read. Teams read from a list of 10 preselected books, and then compete with other teams by answering questions based on the books. The book list is released in November each year with the Battle competitions taking place in February and March of the following year.