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
image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Monday, December 15, 2025 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, December 16, 2025 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! 

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

The McKinley STEAM Academy Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Band will perform seasonal music in the library Commons. These groups are made up of 6th-8th grade students from curricular instrumental music classes.

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen

Join us for Family Art Night this winter! Different art supplies will be provided each program for families to experiment and learn new concepts with. Each program will be presented at Ladd and Downtown with the same materials.

Register
Registration Required
sensory story time

Sensory Story Time

Thursday, December 18, 2025 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.

art supplies and words create art

Expressive Arts With Tanager

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age

Arts, movement, and music for youth and their caregivers at the Ladd Library. This program is geared to pre-K to second graders. 

image of a puppy with words read to dogs

CANCELLED - Read to Dogs

Thursday, December 18, 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

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.! 

Cancelled
art supplies and words create art

Expressive Arts with Tanager

Friday, December 19, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age

Arts, movement, and music for youth and their caregivers at the Downtown Library. This program is geared to pre-K to second graders. 

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen

Join us for Family Art Night this winter! Different art supplies will be provided each program for families to experiment and learn new concepts with.

Register
Registration Required
image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Monday, January 5, 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, January 6, 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! 

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen

Join us for Family Art Night this winter! Different art supplies will be provided each program for families to experiment and learn new concepts with. Each program will be presented at Ladd and Downtown with the same materials.

Upcoming
Registration Required
sensory story time

Sensory Story Time

Thursday, January 8, 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.

art supplies and words create art

Expressive Arts with Tanager

Friday, January 9, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age

Arts, movement, and music for youth and their caregivers at the Downtown Library. This program is geared to pre-K to second graders. 

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

Saturday Story Time

Saturday, January 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

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.

image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Monday, January 12, 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, January 13, 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! 

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen

Join us for Family Art Night this winter! Different art supplies will be provided each program for families to experiment and learn new concepts with.

Upcoming
Registration Required
sensory story time

Sensory Story Time

Thursday, January 15, 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

CANCELLED - Read to Dogs

Thursday, January 15, 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.! 

Cancelled
art supplies and words create art

Expressive Arts with Tanager

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age

Arts, movement, and music for youth and their caregivers at the Downtown Library. This program is geared to pre-K to second graders. 

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

Drop by our crafts table to make a craft to honor Dolly Parton's 80th birthday. Crafts will be used to create a community display at Dolly's Birthday Party on Jan.

Dolly Parton's Birthday Party written with an illustration of red and green balloons.

Dolly Parton’s Birthday Party

Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B, Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning, Family Programs
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Adult

Join the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation as we celebrate Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday with a morning of family-friendly fun! The celebration features story times, activities, cookies, and a dance party. 

image of a fairy and the words early learning storytime

Early Learning Story Time

Tuesday, January 20, 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!