News & Updates

Jan. 5, 2026 – Legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton's 80th birthday is Jan. 19, and the Cedar Rapids Library Foundation is celebrating with a family-friendly birthday party at the Downtown Library.

Jan. 2, 2026 – A new year is here, and many people are setting resolutions and embracing fresh starts. From self-help to food to fitness, here are a few recently published books that might help on a resolution journey.

Dec. 23, 2025 – As 2025 draws to a close, we're looking back on the most popular books of the year at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. In several categories, here's what was borrowed most often.

Dec. 16, 2025 – It is a truth universally acknowledged that a beloved book in the public domain must be in want of a retelling.

Dec. 11, 2025 – The holidays are a time to indulge in Hallmark Channel-style movies – and in their literary counterparts, aka holiday-themed romance novels. Some are heartwarming and some are silly – "A Mannequin for Christmas"?

Dec. 3, 2025 – 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. 24, 2025 – The holiday season is here, and that means a season of cooking, sharing meals, and celebrating with loved ones. So we decided to highlight 10 cookbooks that came out this year to help you find a little inspiration.

Nov. 19, 2025 – 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. 13, 2025 – Murder mysteries are one of the most popular genres of books - and many put books themselves at the center of story.

Nov. 5, 2025 – November is Native American Heritage Month. We've curated a list of recently published books by and about the diverse Native peoples in the United States.

Oct. 28, 2025 – Halloween is around the corner - what better time to dive into a scary story? Horror is hot right now, and these new novels are sure to send shivers up your spine.

Oct. 21, 2025 – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Gazette asked the library to contribute a list of books for their October issue of HER Magazine.

Oct. 14, 2025 – 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. 5, 2025 – Banned Books Week is Oct. 5-11, and the library is celebrating the freedom to read! Join us as we highlight books that have inspired, challenged, and connected readers everywhere. 

Sept. 29, 2025 - The inaugural Cedar Rapids Storytelling Festival, a new event put on by local nonprofit TellersBridge and the Cedar Rapids Public Library, is coming to the Downtown Library Oct. 1-4.