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

Twinkle lights in an orange circle around the words "Holidays at the Library."

McKinley STEAM Academy Jazz Band Holiday Concert

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Library Commons at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Special Performances

Age Group:

Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
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
Filters
Age Group
A chess piece with the words "Cedar Rapids Chess Club".

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Beems Auditorium A 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.

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.

image of a kitten and the words cat cafe

Cat Café

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B, Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Meet cool adoptable kittens and cats while you enjoy cool treats and fun activities! After you become acquainted with our feline friends, make a cat toy for your own cat or the adoptable cats, create a cat button, and check out cat books.

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

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Beems Auditorium A 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 chess piece with the words "Cedar Rapids Chess Club".

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Beems Auditorium A 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 chess piece with the words "Cedar Rapids Chess Club".

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Beems Auditorium A 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.

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.! 

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

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Beems Auditorium A 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.

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.! 

image of a puppy with words read to dogs

Read to Dogs

Thursday, May 21, 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.! 

image of a puppy with words read to dogs

Read to Dogs

Thursday, June 18, 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.! 

image of a puppy with words read to dogs

Read to Dogs

Thursday, July 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.!