![Children play with bubbles in the library.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-05/IMG_4003.jpg?itok=jg9CuF2p)
Even More Summer Story Times
The library is adding more story times to our schedule, just in time for summer.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "How to Grill Vegetables," "Korean BBQ," and "Horn Barbecue."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-05/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Untitled%20Design.png?itok=qKT4FiVX)
Check These Out: Books for Barbecuing
Ready to take your barbecue game to the next level? The library is here to help. Check out these cookbooks and barbecuing guides - featuring everything from recipes by renowned restauranteurs and pitmasters to information-packed tutorials.
![A woman in a blue t-shirt that reads "America Needs Librarians" smiles in front of book shelves.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-04/2S0A5519.jpg?itok=bKEYThyv)
Summer Dare is Coming Soon - Here's Why We're Excited
We have big things planned for you at the library this summer.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "The Regenerative Garden," "New Wild Garden" and "Perennial Combinations."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-05/Copy%20of%20Untitled%20Design%20%281%29.png?itok=6JoZVqdy)
Check These Out: Garden Design and Inspiration Books
My partner and I just moved into a new house. With gardening season here, we're taking time this first summer to see what will come up in our yard, but we're also making plans for what we want to plant in the future.
![A graphic says Blues Night in the Park featuring Kevin BF Burt & The Keesha Pratt Band.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-05/Blues%20Night%20Social%20Poster.jpg?itok=C5ReI0cp)
Road Closures for Blues in the Park
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance will hold Blues in the Park in Greene Square on Friday, May 19, from 6-10:30 pm. Gates open at 5 pm.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: Me, the Mob, and the Music, 360 Sound, and Cash..](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-05/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20check%20this%20out.png?itok=744QD4TJ)
Check These Out: True Stories of the Music Industry
Public Service Associate Curtis Kraetsch is a big music fan. He also loves nonfiction, especially biographies.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: Year of the Reaper, Daughters of the Dawn, and A Thousand Steps into Night.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-05/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20check%20this%20out.png?itok=mpEG7CtW)
YA Fantasy & Sci-Fi with Asian Protagonists for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To celebrate, dive into a story featuring an Asian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander protagonist.
![A graphic says "Check These Out" with the library's logo and book covers for "Where Do We Go When We Disappear?," "Gentle Willow," and "Always Remember."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-05/Untitled%20design.png?itok=KjquGa1H)
Check These Out: Books About Grief for Children
Talking to children about grief is not easy. Patron Service Specialist Abby Cornelison put together this list of books about grief for children after a patron asked her for help finding books to share with her children who had recently lost someone they loved.
![Hoopla Logo](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2022-07/Hoopla-Logo.png?itok=CEMm63GR)
Changes to hoopla and cloudLibrary
As of May 1, 2023, hoopla and cloudLibrary borrows will be limited to 10 per month. Patrons will be able to borrow up to 10 titles each month from either service.
![A woman in a blue t-shirt that reads "America Needs Librarians" smiles in front of book shelves.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-04/2S0A5519.jpg?itok=bKEYThyv)
Celebrating Our Commitment to Your Right to Read
Today is National Right to Read Day, the first day of National Library Week. Throughout the week we’ll be celebrating the ways our staff serve our community, but there is a reason we are celebrating the right to read first and foremost.
![Graphic says "Check These Out" with book covers, "The One Thing You'd Save," "Legacy," and "Take Off Your Brave."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-04/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20check%20this%20out.png?itok=ZKa72lHw)
Check These Out: Poetry for Children
In celebration of April as National Poetry Month, the library will host a Poetry Power Workshop for third through sixth graders at the Downtown Library on April 29 from 10 a.m. to noon.
![A graphic reads "Libby will soon replace the legacy OverDrive app. Make the switch today!"](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-04/SwitchLibby-v2-1200x628.jpg?itok=hw6qmN6_)
Libby Replacing OverDrive App
Attention, OverDrive app users! OverDrive is discontinuing the legacy OverDrive app on May 1 and transitioning users to the Libby app. Libby is OverDrive’s newer app for browsing and enjoying digital content from our library.
![A graphic says "Check These Out" with book covers for "Ghosts of Eden Park," "Unbroken" and "Liar Temptress Soldier Spy."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-04/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20check%20this%20out.png?itok=PI9G_DE1)
Check These Out: Fascinating True Stories
Patron Services Specialist Alyssa Telecky put together a list of books she's recently enjoyed.
![A graphic shows three book covers, "Women Holding Things," "Respect the Mic" and "Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-04/Copy%20of%20check%20this%20out.png?itok=pWNwbO4w)
Check These Out: New Poetry Picks for National Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month, and we wanted to showcase some new poetry for adults in the library's collection.
![A graphic reads "check these out" with three book covers: "Femina," "Vanguard" and "Sensational."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-03/Untitled%20design.png?itok=aIqQpSNa)