Libraries across the country are transforming how they serve their communities. New programs pop up to meet current trends; new platforms are developed to support emerging technologies; and new materials are added to library collections. The Cedar Rapids Public Library has a very special collection of items called Spark Kits, which are specifically designed to… View more
The Metro Library Network, made up of the Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion public libraries, is proud to announce that the three libraries in the network will eliminate overdue fines on library materials effective July 1, 2020. “The mission of our libraries is to provide equal and universal access to information for all of our… View more
The Cedar Rapids Public Library invites everyone to stay healthy and engaged with their community this winter, despite falling temperatures. The Library offers a variety of programs to keep everyone moving, learning, and creating throughout the cold weather months. Programs include: Cooking Up Nostalgia: Bring your favorite recipes and stories from days gone by! We’ll… View more
The Metro Library Network announced today that the three libraries in the network will again accept non-perishable food items in lieu of fines for overdue materials from November 1-30, 2019. All food items will go to the HACAP Food Reservoir. Library patrons may bring one non-perishable item for each $1 owed for overdue library material…. View more
Banned Books Week (September 22-28, 2019) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types —… View more
The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation announced that more than 5,000 children are actively enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This figure represents 55% of children ages 0 to 5 living in Cedar Rapids and puts the program on track to mail their 100,000th book by year-end. Any child under the age of five who… View more
The Cedar Rapids Public Library invites you to celebrate the end of the Summer Dare with our Summer Dare Circus Party on Saturday, July 27, from 10 am to Noon at the Downtown Library. This community celebration is our final event in the 2019 Summer Dare, the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s inter-generational summer learning program…. View more
The Cedar Rapids Public Library is now offering a new digital service called Hoopla, offering Cedar Rapids citizens access to downloadable audiobooks, ebooks, music, comics, movies, and television delivered directly to your device. “Hoopla offers access to a new library of digital content for our community,” said Dara Schmidt, Director of the Cedar Rapids Public… View more
The Ladd Library will open on Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm beginning July 1. The additional open hours come two years after budget cuts forced a reduction in service hours at both Cedar Rapids Public Library locations. “We are very excited to be able to offer additional hours for our community,” said Dara… View more
Teens ages 12 – 18 are DARED to register for free half-day camps at the Cedar Rapids Public Library as part of the 2019 Summer Dare. The 2019 Summer Dare is not your average summer reading program. It is an intergenerational summer learning program that challenges the entire community to get out, explore, learn, connect,… View more
