Library Closed for Staff Training

Both locations of the Cedar Rapids Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, for an all-staff training day. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

Event List

Featured Events

image of gears and the words adult program

Dip Recipe Swap

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

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies

Age Group:

Adult
A book cover says Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief with an image of a boy looking at a city skyline from a raging sea.

Camp Half-Blood

Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Family Programs

Age Group:

Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
Solve the Mystery! written over an illustration of a magnifying glass.

Murder Mystery Club

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library

Program Type:

Games and Activities

Age Group:

Teen, Adult
A logo has a colorful geometric shape around the words "Sounds Heal Studio."

Sound Bath Mediation

Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Special Performances

Age Group:

Teen, Adult
image of a puppy with words read to dogs

Read to Dogs

Thursday, November 20, 2025 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
Family Fun written over a green circle.

Family Fort Day

Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:30am
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Books and Reading, Family Programs

Age Group:

Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age
opportunity center logo

Explore ChatGPT & Conversational AI

Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Opportunity Center Classroom at Ladd Library

Program Type:

Job Skills Training, Maker Room and Technology, Opportunity Center

Age Group:

Adult
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Age Group
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. 

image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Monday, February 23, 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 24, 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 25, 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 26, 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 27, 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. 

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

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, March 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. 

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

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, March 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. 

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

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, March 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. 

image of a puppy with words read to dogs

Read to Dogs

Thursday, March 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

Wednesday, March 25, 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. 

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

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, April 1, 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. 

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

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, April 8, 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. 

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

Baby & Toddler Story Time

Wednesday, April 15, 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. 

image of a puppy with words read to dogs

Read to Dogs

Thursday, April 16, 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

Wednesday, April 22, 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.