News & Updates

Dec. 19, 2024 – We're counting down the most popular books of the year. We've compiled lists of the most borrowed titles by Cedar Rapids Public Library patrons in several different genres.

Dec. 12, 2024 – When Nyota Chantal, Maria Mukeni, and Zawadi Nsanzimbabazi greet patrons at the Opportunity Center at Ladd Library, they can welcome them to the library not just in English, but in French, Swahili, Lingala, Kinyarwanda, or Kirundi.  

Dec. 9, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is made possible by our incredible staff. And we are staffed by book lovers. To celebrate the people who keep our library running, we're highlighting different staff members and books they love.

Dec. 4, 2024 – 'Tis the season for romance. If Hallmark movies are your jam during the holiday season, or you're looking for a cozy winter read, we have the books for you.

UPDATE: After the ice storm led to Merry TubaChristmas being cancelled at the Downtown Library on Dec. 14, the organizers have found a new date and location for this annual event.

Nov. 25, 2024 – The holiday season is here, and that means cooking with family and friends.

Nov. 21, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is made possible by our incredible staff. And we are staffed by book lovers. To celebrate the people who keep our library running, we're highlighting different staff members and books they love. 

Nov. 14, 2024 – The library hosted the official Westside Library Goundbreaking Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 18. The event was attended by over 100 community members.

Nov. 14, 2024 – November is Native American Heritage Month, and Materials Librarian Allison Zordell has curated a list of books by Indigenous authors to read this month and all year.

Nov. 8, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is a certified “Dementia Friendly Organization” by Dementia Friendly Iowa after staff underwent training to be “Dementia Friends.” 

Nov. 7, 2024 – November is NaNoWriMo, aka National Novel Writing Month. An idea that began in 1999, NaNoWriMo participants aim to write the 50,000 words for a first draft of a novel in just 30 days. 

Oct. 28, 2024 – Horror abounds as Halloween approaches, and the library has plenty of books to send tingles down your spine.

Oct. 23, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is made possible by our incredible staff. And we are staffed by book lovers. To celebrate the people who keep our library running, we're highlighting different staff members and books they love. 

Oct. 21, 2024 – The lights are low at Sensory Story Time, and Programming Librarian Renee Greenlee speaks in a quiet voice as she reads books and leads the small group of children and caregivers who gather at the Downtown Library each Thursday in songs and activities.

Oct. 17, 2024 – Spooky season is upon us, so here is a collection of creepy YA thrillers just in time for Halloween. In these novels, sometimes the monsters are ghosts and ghouls ... and sometimes they're the people living next door.