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

After School Decompression Session

Monday, February 16, 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 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! 

This event is in the "Teen" group

Teen Maker Club

Tuesday, February 17, 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 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. 

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 18, 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 "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group

Family Art Night

Wednesday, February 18, 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.

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, February 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.

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, 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.

This event is in the "Adult" group

Tango Práctica

Thursday, February 19, 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 "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School Age" group

Expressive Arts with Tanager

Friday, February 20, 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 "Adult" group

Tai Chi for Older Adults

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Beems Auditorium B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Games and Activities
Age Group:
Adult

Learn and practice the gentle forms of Tai Chi in this 12-week series with Bryan Bruner of Heritage Area Agency on Aging. Skills will build on each other from the first session to the last. The series runs Feb. 20-May 8. 

This event is in the "Adult" group

Steeped in Books

Monday, February 23, 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, 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! 

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group

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. 

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 25, 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, 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.

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, 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.

This event is in the "Adult" group

Chair Yoga

Thursday, February 26, 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, February 26, 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, February 26, 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 "Adult" group

Tai Chi for Older Adults

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Beems Auditorium B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Games and Activities
Age Group:
Adult

Learn and practice the gentle forms of Tai Chi in this 12-week series with Bryan Bruner of Heritage Area Agency on Aging. Skills will build on each other from the first session to the last. The series runs Feb. 20-May 8. 

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

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.

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group

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. 

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, 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.