The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading announced it is recognizing Cedar Rapids with Pacesetter Honors for its work supporting student success during the twin crises of the derecho and COVID-19 pandemic. The Cedar Rapids and Marion Public Libraries worked with the Cedar Rapids Community School District, Linn Mar Community School District, and Marion Independent School District… View more
With the Downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library closed temporarily after a fire on July 27, library staff have partnered with Waypoint to open a cooling and computer center next to the Madge Phillips Center Shelter at 520 Fourth Ave. SE. “We recognize the vital role the library plays in our community, and having access to both… View more
Reading Into Success and the Cedar Rapids Public Library are partnering with Urban Dreams to host a Children’s Health Fair. The event will be 9:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 2 at Ladd Library, 3750 Williams Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids. Parents of young children are invited to attend to meet with health and dental providers and receive information,… View more
The Cedar Rapids Public Library Board of Trustees elected Clint Twedt-Ball as president and Monica Challenger as vice president at the July 7 board meeting. The board also welcomed two new members, Christine Casey and Elsabeth Hepworth. The Board of Trustees is composed of volunteers who serve as the policy-making body for the Cedar Rapids… View more
The library is excited to unveil three new resources for patrons on July 1: Newspapers.com, PressReader, and Fold3. These services replace Newspaper Archive, which will no longer be available through the Cedar Rapids Public Library. The additions will ensure expanded access to historic newspaper archives and historical research via Newspapers.com and Fold3 while adding access to… View more
United for Libraries awarded a Trustee Citation award to Cedar Rapids Public Library Board of Trustees member Susan McDermott at the American Library Assocation’s annual conference on June 24. Established in 1941 to recognize public library trustees for distinguished service to library development, the award honors the best contributions and efforts of the estimated 60,000… View more
By Librarian Kristine Olsen Pick it up at the library or put it on hold in our catalog. I, along with many others, I’m sure, dismissed the idea of yet another Mad Max film when I first learned another movie was in production. I didn’t know how they were going to continue the story, especially… View more
This article is from the summer edition of OPEN+ magazine, available at the library and metro-area Hy-Vees or online at CRLibrary.org/open. When Dot Hinman’s husband Gene developed dementia, she struggled as his caregiver. She felt isolated, and didn’t always know how best to help him. Gene had been a geology professor at Cornell College in Mount Vernon,… View more
This article is from the summer edition of OPEN+ magazine, available at the library and metro-area Hy-Vees or online at CRLibrary.org/open. Cedar Rapids Public Library Services Navigator Wes Shirley said the best part of his job is also the most challenging – helping people on their hardest days. “Being there for somebody when they’re at their… View more
When McKinley STEAM Academy principal Jason Martinez walked into the Downtown Library April 29, he saw about 20 of his students, using the computers and spending time in the Union, the library’s teen area, after school. Right behind them were another McKinley group – teachers. They were here for a professional development collaboration between the… View more