Event List

Featured Events

image of a book and words book sale

Friends of the Library Big Blowout Sale

Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 9:00am - 4:00pm
Offsite

Program Type:

Book Sale

Age Group:

Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
image of gears and the words adult program

Corridor Games on Demand: Community Game Day

Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Conference Room at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Games and Activities

Age Group:

Adult
art supplies and words create art

Experimenting with Blackout Poetry

Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
Small fossils are embedded in rock at the Devonian Fossil Gorge.

Devonian Fossils: Ocean Life in Iowa

Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Beems Auditorium B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Other

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
opportunity center logo

Explore ChatGPT & Conversational AI

Monday, May 4, 2026 at 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Opportunity Center Classroom at Ladd Library

Program Type:

Job Skills Training, Opportunity Center

Age Group:

Adult
A circle has a painting of a woman in a red headscarf with the words "Czech Village: 48th Houby Days."

Learn About Houby Days with the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Other

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
gardening tools

Plant Swap

Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies

Age Group:

Adult
Filters
Age Group
Picture of LEGOS

LEGO & KEVA Plank Club

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Games and Activities
Age Group:
School Age

Builders are invited to construct and create with LEGO and KEVA blocks. Activities will include both challenges and free play. Geared to K-5th graders. 

image of a dragon and words dungeons and dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join us for Dungeons & Dragons, the world renowned table top role-playing game. Our tables meet weekly for adventure and excitement. Handbooks (2014) and dice are provided.

A chess piece with the words "Cedar Rapids Chess Club".

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Games and Activities
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join the all-ages meeting of the Cedar Rapids Chess Club from 5:30 to 7:30 pm weekly on Wednesdays at the Downtown Library for a relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Children and adults hold on to all sides of a giant parachute at Redmond Park.

Your Library at Redmond Park

Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 8 to Friday, Aug. 7 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too.

Offsite Event
A child looks at prizes with an adult behind her, while a library staff member smiles from behind a table.

Your Library at Daniels Park

Friday, June 26, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 8 to Friday, Aug. 7 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too.

Offsite Event
A movie poster for "Muppet Treasure Island" shows Kermit in a pirate hat at a ship's wheel with Miss Piggy.

A Very Muppet Summer: "Muppet Treasure Island"

Friday, June 26, 2026 at 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movies and TV
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Each week this summer we show a different classic Muppets or Jim Henson film. Join us and your favorite Jim Henson creations for a summer of adventure, mystery, and laughs. This week: "Muppet Treasure Island" (1996).

Magic The Gathering on an icon.

Friday Afternoon Magic

Friday, June 26, 2026 at 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Games and Activities
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Play some friendly games of Magic: The Gathering. We have tables for any format you wish. Looking for a Commander pod? Trying to meet fellow Pauper and Pioneer players? Bring your deck and bring it on!

Children watch as a man in a lab coat blows a fire ball.

Absolute Science: Mega Levitator

Monday, June 29, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

See a marvelous display of what magnets and conductors can do with energy. You will be amazed at how this show seems to defy logic, as if it was made with magic.

A librarian reads a book to children and adults sitting on blankets and the grass at a park, with a library activity table in the background.

Your Library at Jacolyn Park

Monday, June 29, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 8 to Friday, Aug. 7 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too.

Offsite Event
A man in a white lab coat calls on children who are raising their hands.

Absolute Science: Mega Levitator

Monday, June 29, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

See a marvelous display of what magnets and conductors can do with energy. You will be amazed at how this show seems to defy logic, as if it was made with magic.

Children cover their ears as a man in a white lab coat prepares an experiment that will pop a line of balloons.

Absolute Science: Mega Levitator

Monday, June 29, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

See a marvelous display of what magnets and conductors can do with energy. You will be amazed at how this show seems to defy logic, as if it was made with magic.

Library-branded van parked on grass next to a library-branded canopy tent

Your Library at Twin Pines Park

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 8 to Friday, Aug. 7 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too.

Offsite Event
image of a dragon and words dungeons and dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join us for Dungeons & Dragons, the world renowned table top role-playing game. Our tables meet weekly for adventure and excitement. Handbooks (2014) and dice are provided.

A chess piece with the words "Cedar Rapids Chess Club".

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Games and Activities
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join the all-ages meeting of the Cedar Rapids Chess Club from 5:30 to 7:30 pm weekly on Wednesdays at the Downtown Library for a relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Children and adults hold on to all sides of a giant parachute at Redmond Park.

Your Library at Redmond Park

Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 8 to Friday, Aug. 7 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too.

Offsite Event
six musician on stage

Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra Sextet

Monday, July 6, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

The Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra Sextet will feature women jazz composers and arrangers in this show for all ages. 

A boy in a crown talks to a woman at a table in a Cedar Rapids Public Library tent in Bever Park.

Your Library at Bever Park

Monday, July 6, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 8 to Friday, Aug. 7 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too.

Offsite Event
six musician on stage

Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra Sextet

Monday, July 6, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

The Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra Sextet will feature women jazz composers and arrangers in this show for all ages. 

six musician on stage

Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra Sextet

Monday, July 6, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

The Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra Sextet will feature women jazz composers and arrangers in this show for all ages. 

Library-branded van parked on grass next to a library-branded canopy tent

Your Library at Twin Pines Park

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 8 to Friday, Aug. 7 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too.

Offsite Event
dinosaur breaking through the background of a poster, with program information included

There's a Dinosaur Loose in the Library! with author Kelly Crull

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

Look out! A dinosaur is loose in the library, and he has razor-sharp claws, bone-crushing jaws, and … feathers??? Come and see for yourself!

image of a dragon and words dungeons and dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join us for Dungeons & Dragons, the world renowned table top role-playing game. Our tables meet weekly for adventure and excitement. Handbooks (2014) and dice are provided.

A chess piece with the words "Cedar Rapids Chess Club".

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Games and Activities
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join the all-ages meeting of the Cedar Rapids Chess Club from 5:30 to 7:30 pm weekly on Wednesdays at the Downtown Library for a relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

A man reads a book to watching children sitting with some adults on a blue blanket in Cleveland Park.

Your Library at Cleveland Park

Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Family Programs, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 8 to Friday, Aug. 7 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too.

Offsite Event