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

Age Group
Age Group
Program Type
Library Branch
Library Branch

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This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, January 21, 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.

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School Age" group

Sensory Story Time

Thursday, January 22, 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.

This event is in the "Adult" group

Tango Práctica

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Adult

Join us weekly for Tango Práctica (practice), where you will learn the basic steps of tango and grow your skills in an encouraging, welcoming group. No partner required. Smooth-soled shoes recommended. 

This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group

Zippered Pouch Sewing Class: Beginner Sewing Class

Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Technology Classroom at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Maker Room and Technology
Age Group:
Teen, Adult

Learn how to make a zippered pouch perfect to store small items or organize items for travel. These pouches also make a great gift! Sewers will learn how to put a universal zipper foot on a sewing machine and sew a zipper.

Upcoming
Registration Required
This event is in the "School Age" group

After School Decompression Session

Monday, January 26, 2026 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
School Age

Need a space to hang out and decompress after a busy day at school? We'll have comfy lo-fi music and a rotating series of stations with passive activities like coloring pages, puzzles, a reading corner, and more!

Cancelled
This event is in the "Adult" group

Steeped in Books

Monday, January 26, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
UnConference Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading
Age Group:
Adult

Bring your favorite mug and enjoy a cuppa while discussing books with fellow readers at our new book club.

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group

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! 

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group

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. 

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group

Dungeons & Dragons

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Beems Auditorium B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
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.

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group

Cedar Rapids Chess Club

Wednesday, January 28, 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.

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School Age" group

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.

This event is in the "Adult" group

Chair Yoga

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Beems Auditorium B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Games and Activities
Age Group:
Adult

Join us for a beginner level chair yoga class. Instructor Tammy Bayer will adapt the class as needed to fit your needs and mobility levels. 

This event is in the "Teen" group

Teen Steam

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Union at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Teen

Join us every other Thursday for various STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, & math) projects. 

This event is in the "Adult" group

Tango Práctica

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Library Commons at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Adult

Join us weekly for Tango Práctica (practice), where you will learn the basic steps of tango and grow your skills in an encouraging, welcoming group. No partner required. Smooth-soled shoes recommended. 

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group

NASA Voyager Film Showing with the Cedar Amateur Astronomers

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Special Performances
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join the Cedar Amateur Astronomers for a night of films about NASA's Voyager space craft. Learn about the voyager missions and their connection to the James Van Allen Observatory at the University of Iowa.

This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School Age" group

Expressive Arts with Tanager

Friday, January 30, 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. 

This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group

Family Karaoke

Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Join us for family-friendly karaoke! We set up the machine and provide the tunes (and lyrics), while you get to show off your amazing vocal talents. Bring your cheering squad and your set list for a fun afternoon making music together.

This event is in the "Adult" group

Corridor Games on Demand: Community Game Day

Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Conference Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Games and Activities
Age Group:
Adult

Come play some tabletop games with us! Bring your favorite indie RPG to share with the group or try a new game that one of our GMs has prepared. No experience necessary. 

This event is in the "School Age" group

After School Decompression Session

Monday, February 2, 2026 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
School Age

Need a space to hang out and decompress after a busy day at school? We'll have comfy lo-fi music and a rotating series of stations with passive activities like coloring pages, puzzles, a reading corner, and more!

Cancelled
This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group

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! 

This event is in the "Adult" group

Between the Covers Book Club

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
UnConference Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading
Age Group:
Adult

The Between the Covers book group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10 am. If you enjoy reading and good conversation in a relaxed atmosphere, then this is the book group for you. Anyone is welcome.

Discussion books for fall:

This event is in the "Teen" group

Teen Maker Club

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Technology Classroom at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Maker Room and Technology
Age Group:
Teen

Teens will learn skills related to our Maker Spaces and equipment, such as the 3D Printer, laser cutters, sewing, and an introduction to basic designs using computer software. This club meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group

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. 

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group

Dungeons & Dragons

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Beems Auditorium B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
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.