The Downtown Library is located at 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, and the Ladd Library is located at 3750 Williams Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

The Mobile Technology Lab travels throughout the community; visit the event calendar for details. 

Both locations are open Monday to Thursday, 9 am-8 pm; Friday and Saturday, 9 am-5 pm; and Sunday, 1-5 pm. Please check ahead for holiday hours.  

You can send an email to info@crlibrary.org or call the library at (319) 261-7323. 

At Ladd Library, free, non-metered parking is available in the lot in front of the building. 

At the Downtown Library, free, non-metered parking is available for up to two hours per day in the south lot.  

Library visitors may also receive up to two hours of free parking at any metered space in the Fourth Avenue parking ramp, or any of the spaces around the library block or Greene Square. Learn more.

Book drops are located within and outside the Downtown and Ladd Libraries, the Hiawatha Public Library, and the Marion Public Library, as well as inside the main entrances of local Hy-Vees. 

We believe a vibrant community needs free public space for meetings, programs, training sessions, and events. We also welcome you to celebrate your special day or event at the library! The library has a number of meeting spaces and rooms available to the public by reservation. 

Learn more and get started on your reservation.

Sign up for a free library card in person at any Metro Library Network location, online, or by calling (319) 261-7323. Learn more. 

Place a hold by accessing your account, on the MLN Mobile app, in person at any Metro Library Network location, or by calling (319) 261-7323. 

You will be notified by email, telephone, or mail when a reserved item is available for pickup. Items can be held at any of the Metro Library Network libraries, regardless of where you live. You may place holds on existing items as well as items that are on order or that are being processed by our cataloging staff. Once a hold has been placed, you can access your account online to see your position in the hold queue. 

Most items can be renewed twice. Some items, like Quick Picks, cannot be renewed. Items that have holds on them cannot be renewed.  

Renew by accessing your account, on the MLN Mobile app, in person at any Metro Library Network location, or by calling (319) 261-7323.  

The Cedar Rapids Public Library (and all of the Metro Library Network) is fine free.

Fees are assessed if an item is not returned to the library after 30 days. Refunds will be given for lost items that are found and returned in good condition within 6 months of the loss date. 

We host everything from story times and craft sessions to trivia nights and live music and more. Find our public programs on our events calendar.

You can also view past recorded virtual programs on our YouTube channel. 

Connect to the wireless internet for free at the library! The network name is CRPL-Public, and the password is MyLibrary. 

The library provides free access to public computers at both locations. Users must have a valid library card and personal identification number (PIN). If you do not have a PIN, you may go to any service desk to have a PIN added to your account.

The library also has laptop kits with Wi-Fi hotspots included or Chromebooks which you may borrow for use inside the library or to take home. 

Learn more about computer access at the library. 

You can print from any of the public computers, or use the library’s MobilePrint Service during regular library hours to print from smartphones, tablets, and computers. Pick up your printouts at the library. The library also offers curbside printing pickup. Learn more. 

The Opportunity Center at Ladd Library is a collaboration between the Cedar Rapids Public Library, Kirkwood Community College, the United Way of East Central Iowa, HACAP, and the City of Cedar Rapids. Services include creating and updating resumes, completing online job applications, connecting with local employers and finding job leads, accessing education and training opportunities, and navigating resources and overcoming barriers to employment. Call (319) 739-0456 or email opportunitycenter@crlibrary.org to set up an appointment.  

Roasters Coffeehouse is located inside the Downtown Library, with drive-up access available during their open hours. Learn more.

The library has a Books by Mail program for patrons unable to visit the library because of a temporary or permanent disability. Learn more.

Yes, we offer curbside pickup for items put on hold.  Learn more. 

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides Cedar Rapids children with one free, age-appropriate book per month from birth to their 5th birthday, regardless of income. These high-quality books are mailed to the child’s home. Children enrolled at birth will have 60 books in their home before kindergarten, promoting early literacy and kindergarten readiness.  

Learn more.

Public notaries are available at the Downtown and Ladd Libraries by appointment.

Learn more.

Our library uses Beanstack to manage our reading and learning challenges.

To register for reading challenges, visit our Beanstack page or download the Beanstack app. Once you’ve created an account, you’re ready to log your reading for Summer Dare, the Winter Reading Challenge, and more. 

Learn more.

The Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library gratefully accept new and gently used books and media, which they resell to support literacy programs at the library.  

Please donate only items that are in good condition and which people would want to purchase. Please discard or recycle at home books that are chewed, soiled, musty, or moldy, tattered books missing pages, books with excessive writing in the text, and books that smell of smoke or have water damage or mildew.

Learn more.

Monetary donations in support of the library can be directed to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation. The Foundation advocates for and provides a reliable and growing funding source so that the library may impact our community and transform its quality of life through education, civic engagement, the arts, and entertainment. 

Learn more.

We have volunteer opportunities available for adults, families, teens, and retirees with a wide variety of interests and abilities. We also enjoy working with small groups and corporate volunteers for special projects. Learn more. 

Jobs at the library are posted by the City of Cedar Rapids. You can find employment opportunities and application instructions on the city’s website.