![A woman, Akwi Nji, stands in front of her abstract paintings featuring blocks of color.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-02/akwi%20artist%20in%20residence_17.jpg?itok=oqaVXYqz)
Continuing Conversations: Akwi Nji is the Library’s 2024 Artist in Residence
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.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Part of Your World," "The Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel," and "Neon Gods."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-02/Check%20These%20Out%20Romance.png?itok=YBCS1uyu)
Check These Out: Valentine's Day Reads
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.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and book covers: "A Marvellous Light," "Iron Flame," and "The Hurricane Wars."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-01/Check%20These%20Out%20Romantasy.png?itok=uMkB2VS2)
Check These Out: Romantasy
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.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and book covers: "Now You See Me!", "This is the Honey", and "The Black Joy Project".](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-01/Check%20These%20Out%20African%20Americans%20and%20the%20Arts.png?itok=a2Q5BBCX)
Check These Out: Black History Month: African Americans and the Arts
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.
![Rendering of new westside library from the west with people outside](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-01/Image%20for%20support%20page%20without%20text.jpg?itok=hEFv575-)
Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation Launches Inspiring Big Dreams Campaign to Raise Funds for a Permanent Westside Library
Jan. 26, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation has launched the “Inspiring Big Dreams” capital campaign for the Westside Library project.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and book covers, one in Chinese, one in Swahili, and one in Spanish.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-01/Check%20These%20Out%20Multilingual%20Collections.png?itok=BcozsfNJ)
Check These Out: Multilingual Collections
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.
![A woman in a red sweater looks at a computer while another woman helps her.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-12/opportunity%20center.jpg?itok=08-USENU)
Opportunity Center Removes Barriers for Job Seekers
Jan. 22, 2024 – On a rainy October morning, several people visited the Opportunity Center at Ladd Library, looking for assistance building resumes and applying for jobs.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "The Bear and the Nightingale," "Legends & Lattes," and "The Only Purple House in Town."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-01/Check%20These%20Out%20Cozy%20Winter%20Reads.png?itok=Bk9WOCzG)
Check These Out: Cozy Winter Reads
Jan. 17, 2024 – Snowstorms and freezing temperatures have us wanting to just curl up under a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book. So we asked library staff for their book recommendations for books to read when you need to feel cozy on a cold winter day.
![A teen boy looks at the camera while working on a laptop.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-12/city%20view%202.jpg?itok=9Z0bYTpK)
School is in Session: City View Holds Classes at the Library
Jan. 16, 2024 – Usually when school is in session, student-aged kids and teens are absent from the library. But this school year, most days have seen groups of ninth and tenth graders heading to the Downtown Library.
![A graphic is a green circle with a hand holding a plant and the words "In our community."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-01/COMMUNITY-49.png?itok=uCkcQaw4)
Resources After Tragedies in the News
Jan. 5, 2024 – After any tragedy, it can be hard to know where to turn or how to talk to children about what has happened. In response to the school shooting in Perry on Jan.
![A graphic says "Dolly Parton's Birthday Party" with illustrated balloons over a pink circle.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-01/dolly%20partons%20birthday%20party.png?itok=EUtJdH2Q)
Join Us For Dolly Parton’s Birthday Party with the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation
Jan. 4, 2023 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation is throwing a birthday party in Dolly Parton’s honor and inviting the public to join the celebration.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and book covers: "The Self Care Year," "The Sugar Jar," and "Real Self-Care."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2024-01/Check%20These%20Out%20New%20Year%20You%20Do%20You%20%281%29.png?itok=d6oj6bGb)
Check These Out: New Year: You Do You
Jan. 3, 2024 – As 2024 begins, many people are committing to new routines and new resolutions. Materials Librarian Allison Zordell, however, wanted to approach the idea of a new start a little differently.
![A man in a wheelchair smiles at the camera while holding cleaning supplies in front of bookshelves.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-12/max.jpg?itok=Vh9_nitD)
From Volunteers to Pursuing Library Careers
Dec. 31, 2023 – Patron Services Specialist Maria Jose Eyzaguirre never dreamed she wanted a career as a librarian – until she started serving at the library.
![An older man and a woman smile at the camera in front of book shelves in the library.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-12/reference%20help_0.jpg?itok=RbWwGWTM)
When a Patron Brought in Korean War Documents, the Library Was Here to Help
Dec. 27, 2023 – For Librarian Rebecca Vernon, taking the time to answer reference questions is just part of her job – but a rewarding part.
“It’s a pretty good feeling when you can find the answer someone’s been looking for,” she said.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, banners with "2023 Top Borrows" and "adult fiction, nonfiction, audiobooks, ebooks & movies" and four book covers.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-12/1_0.png?itok=geOfJfU2)
Check These Out: 2023 Top Borrows – Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, Audiobooks, & Movie
Dec. 27, 2023 – What did Cedar Rapid read this year? We're here to tell you with our lists of the the top borrows of 2023.