Holiday Hours

Both locations of the Cedar Rapids Public Library will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25. 

Event List

Featured Events

A portrait of Jane Austen.

Jane Austen Birthday Tea Party & Trivia

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities

Age Group:

Teen, Adult
maker spaces words over a gear

Holiday Express Maker Hours

Friday, December 19, 2025 at 9:30am - 12:30pm
Maker Spaces at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Maker Room and Technology

Age Group:

Adult
The characters of the Fellowship of the Rings look at the camera as Ringwraiths gallop below them.

"Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" Movie & Costume Contest

Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
Characters from "The Two Towers" stare into the distance in front of the tower of Sauron.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" Movie & Craft

Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
Frodo holds up the Ring while Aragorn brandishes a sword, with other characters between them

"The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" Movie & Craft

Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs, Other

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
Family Fun written over a green circle.

Family LEGO Challenge Night

Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library

Program Type:

Family Programs, Games and Activities

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
Dolly Parton's Birthday Party written with an illustration of red and green balloons.

Community Crafting for Dolly

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:00am - 12:00pm
Library Commons at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies

Age Group:

Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
Filters
Age Group
image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool

Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5. This high-energy story time features stories, songs, parachute play, and bubbles! 

ducks coming out of an egg and words baby and toddler story time

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers

A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime. 

sensory story time

Sensory Story Time

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

Children and caregivers are invited to a story time designed for attendees with multi-sensory needs, including low lights, reduced sounds, and opportunities for social interaction and play.

ducks coming out of an egg and words baby and toddler story time

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Friday, January 30, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:30am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers

A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime. 

image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool

Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5, featuring stories, songs, parachute play, and bubbles! 

image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool

Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5. This high-energy story time features stories, songs, parachute play, and bubbles! 

ducks coming out of an egg and words baby and toddler story time

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers

A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime. 

sensory story time

Sensory Story Time

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

Children and caregivers are invited to a story time designed for attendees with multi-sensory needs, including low lights, reduced sounds, and opportunities for social interaction and play.

ducks coming out of an egg and words baby and toddler story time

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Friday, February 6, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:30am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers

A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime. 

image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Monday, February 9, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool

Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5, featuring stories, songs, parachute play, and bubbles! 

image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool

Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5. This high-energy story time features stories, songs, parachute play, and bubbles! 

ducks coming out of an egg and words baby and toddler story time

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers

A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime. 

sensory story time

Sensory Story Time

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

Children and caregivers are invited to a story time designed for attendees with multi-sensory needs, including low lights, reduced sounds, and opportunities for social interaction and play.

The words Library Music Concert over an illustration of a guitar on a blue circle.

Pied Piper: Percussion

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:15am
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, Adult

Orchestra Iowa presents a free concert designed for preschool-aged children. February highlights percussion.

Shows will be at 9:30 and 10:30 am in Whipple Auditorium.

ducks coming out of an egg and words baby and toddler story time

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:30am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers

A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime. 

The words Library Music Concert over an illustration of a guitar on a blue circle.

Pied Piper: Percussion

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, Adult

Orchestra Iowa presents a free concert designed for preschool-aged children. February highlights percussion.

Shows will be at 9:30 and 10:30 am in Whipple Auditorium.

Illustration of animal puppets with the words "Story Time."

Saturday Story Time

Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool

Story time activities support early literacy and foster a love of reading. Participating in activities such as story time contributes to learning, social skills, and school readiness.

Family Fun written over a green circle.

Family Valentine Party

Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Drop in for Valentine’s Day crafts and activities immediately following Saturday Story Time. All ages welcome. 

image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Monday, February 16, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool

Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5, featuring stories, songs, parachute play, and bubbles! 

image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool

Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5. This high-energy story time features stories, songs, parachute play, and bubbles! 

ducks coming out of an egg and words baby and toddler story time

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers

A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime. 

sensory story time

Sensory Story Time

Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

Children and caregivers are invited to a story time designed for attendees with multi-sensory needs, including low lights, reduced sounds, and opportunities for social interaction and play.

image of a puppy with words read to dogs

Read to Dogs

Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

Trained, certified therapy dogs provide companionship to emerging readers as they earn a free library book and bookmark. Everyone is welcome to read to the dogs. Stay for a performance at 7 p.m.! 

ducks coming out of an egg and words baby and toddler story time

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:30am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers

A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime.