Event List

Featured Events

image of a book and words book sale

Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 9:00am - 5:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B, Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Book Sale

Age Group:

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

Dip Recipe Swap

Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies

Age Group:

Adult
A book cover says Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief with an image of a boy looking at a city skyline from a raging sea.

Camp Half-Blood

Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Family Programs

Age Group:

Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
Solve the Mystery! written over an illustration of a magnifying glass.

Murder Mystery Club

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library

Program Type:

Games and Activities

Age Group:

Teen, Adult
A logo has a colorful geometric shape around the words "Sounds Heal Studio."

Sound Bath Mediation

Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Special Performances

Age Group:

Teen, Adult
image of a puppy with words read to dogs

Read to Dogs

Thursday, November 20, 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
Family Fun written over a green circle.

Family Fort Day

Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:30am
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Books and Reading, Family Programs

Age Group:

Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age
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art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Wednesday, January 21, 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.

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

Saturday Story Time: PJs & Hot Cocoa

Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Early Learning, Family Programs
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age

Come in your coziest PJs, snuggle up with your favorite stuffy or blanket, and settle in for some winter reads, followed by hot cocoa, cookies, and coloring.

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Tuesday, January 27, 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
Family Fun written over a green circle.

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.

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Wednesday, February 4, 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.

An owl sits on a handler's arm.

Superb Owl Party

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B, Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Are you ready for some raptors. Join us to celebrate all things owl beginning at 5:30 pm with a scavenger hunt, owl art, and owl games. Stay for an informative presentation from Raptology to see these majestic creatures in person!

Clay creatures made by area third graders.

Opening Exhibition: Third Grade Clay

Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Join local third grade artists and teachers to kick-off the week-long exhibition of Cedar Rapids Community School District's Third Grade Clay.

A clay creature with feathers, big blue ears, a purple head, and beads for legs.

Third Grade Clay

All Day 2/8 - 2/14
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Beems Auditorium will be open all week, during open hours, for patrons to drop in and visit an exhibit of clay projects made by Cedar Rapids-area third graders.

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Tuesday, February 10, 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
Family Fun written over a green circle.

Family Valentine Party

Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Drop in for Valentine’s Day crafts and activities immediately following Saturday Story Time. All ages welcome. 

art supplies and words create art

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.

image of a puppy with words read to dogs

Read to Dogs

Thursday, February 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.! 

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Tuesday, February 24, 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
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.

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.! 

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.!