News & Updates

April 3, 2024 – Technology and creativity will meet at the Cedar Rapids Public Library with the Maker and Technology Fest, coming to the Downtown Library on Saturday, April 13, from 10 am-2 pm.

April 3, 2024 – April is National Poetry Month, and we're celebrating with this reading list of new poetry available at the library. These collections from a diverse array of voices were all published in the last two years.

March 18, 2024 – Darcy Doughtery Maulsby, author of "A Culinary History of Iowa" will bring her tales of Iowa history and food to the Downtown Library on March 30, 1-2 pm.

March 14, 2024 - Pi Day is celebrated every year on March 14, which in month-day format (3-14) represents the three digits of the value of π. Pi is the mathematical constant of the ratio of any circle's circumference divided by its diameter. 

March 13, 2024 – In honor of March Madness, we wanted to collect a list of sports stories to read in between games. Most of these are related to Iowa, with a few stories about women in sports, specifically basketball, in honor of Iowa's current star, Caitlin Clark.

March 6, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library has received funding from Humanities Iowa, a private non‐profit, to host a presentation called “Savor Iowa’s Culinary History” by author Darcy Dougherty Maulsby at the Downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave.

March 4, 2024 – The theme for Women's History Month 2024 is "Women who Advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," and Materials Librarian Allison Zordell curated a list of nonfiction reflecting this theme.

Feb. 26, 2024 – The library has more than books – we also have Spark Kits. These kits are designed to help spark imagination and curiosity and to let people explore a new hobby without first needing to invest in supplies for it.

Feb. 21, 2024 – In honor of Black History Month, Cedar Rapids Public Library Materials Librarian Kim Martens-Tyo curated a list of books for children that celebrate Black history.

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 – Cedar Rapids artist Akwi Nji has been many things over her career, including a teacher, a poet, a performer, a community arts facilitator, and a visual artist. 

Feb. 12, 2024 – Romance has long been one of the most popular genres of literature, and recent offerings feature a diverse array of characters and settings, from Regency England to Ancient Greece and even contemporary Iowa.

Feb. 5, 2024 – In honor of Valentine's Day, Materials Librarian Allison Zordell put together a list of books in the quickly growing and wildly popular "romantasy" genre.

Jan. 31, 2024 – February is Black History Month, and Materials Librarian Allison Zordell put together this list of recently published books that celebrate African Americans and the arts, with books about poets, dancers, actors, musicians, and more.

Jan. 26, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation has launched the “Inspiring Big Dreams” capital campaign for the Westside Library project. 

Jan. 23, 2024 – When patrons visit the Downtown Library, they may notice new shelves in the center of the second floor with books in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, Swahili, Chinese, Nepali, and more.