Westside Library Project

The community has used the existing Ladd Library space consistently since it opened in 2013. Tens of thousands of items have been checked out, hundreds of programs attended, and thousands of hours of computer use and WiFi connections have taken place.

The Ladd Library has been a critical resource for neighborhood support and resiliency throughout the pandemic, after the derecho, and after the Downtown fire, as well as during more typical times in our community. It serves as a key location for strategic partnerships that help fulfill our mission: to connect people to information, experiences, and services that enhance their quality of life so our community can learn, enjoy, and thrive. 

In 2020, the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation received a significant gift, which will lead the way toward establishing a permanent library location on the city’s west side. 

In 2022, the Library Foundation began a feasibility study for a capital campaign and secured land at the corner of Wiley Boulevard SW and 20th Avenue SW. This is walkable from the current location of the Ladd Library, preserving easy access for our patrons living in the nearby apartment buildings and mobile homes. This location will support the board’s ongoing commitment to equity, access, walkability, and place making for the Westdale neighborhood.

In October 2022, OPN Architects were hired as the architect for the new Westside Library Project.

This new facility will be larger than the current Ladd Library and will include multiple community rooms and additional space for partners utilizing the Opportunity Center. The library is also working with the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department on integrating a public park into the site design. 

The City of Cedar Rapids has allocated $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the Westside Library Project, and the Linn County Board of Supervisors has allocated $4 million in ARPA funds.  

The design process is currently underway. Public input will be sought in several ways, including open houses, surveys, and interviews. 

More information on this project will be shared as the process continues. 

First Look at the New Library Design

An open house was held on Monday, May 1, at the Ladd Library, to share the first design concepts of the Westside Library Project. These concepts will change as the design process continues, so these are just the first glimpse at what's to come. We will update the information that's available as the process continues.

First Look at the New Library Design

Open House

Two open houses have been held so far for this project. More will be held in the future.

Check our Event Calendar or this page for updates. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The library and community have used the existing Ladd Library space consistently as an opportunity for strategic partnerships to help the Library fulfill its mission: to connect people to information, experiences, and services that enhance their quality of life so our community can learn, enjoy, and thrive.  

The current Ladd Library is leased and not available for purchase. Additionally, the current location does not have adequate children’s area, young adult area, or programming and community space.

In 2020, the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation received a significant estate gift from Nadine E. Sandberg, which will lead the way toward establishing a larger, permanent library location on the city’s west side. 

Linn County allocated $4 million in ARPA funding for the Westside Library Project. 

The City of Cedar Rapids allocated $6 million in ARPA funding to the Westside Library Project.

No, the Library Trustees have known that there would be a need for a permanent location at some point, and have been strategically seeking a solution for some time. The bequest kick started the ability to fundraise for a new building, and this project meets the specific requirements of ARPA funds.  The allocation of ARPA funds speeds up the project and ensure the new facility will be open in 2026 ahead of the current lease expiration in 2027.

This is the largest public-private partnership on the west side in a long time. Public dollars will help fund and we are seeking private dollars as well. This is a public facility, one that everyone in our community will be able to enjoy without barriers to access such as fees or memberships.

The design phase of this project is currently underway. The committee intends to design a welcoming, accessible library that fits the neighborhood and the community it serves. There will be opportunities for community input and feedback moving forward.  

Existing community partners like those at the Opportunity Center are looking at their service delivery and permanent facility needs at this time as well. Locating services within neighborhoods has proven critical during emergency response, such as the derecho, and added to the resiliency of the community.  

OPN Architects have been hired to lead this project as of October 2022. They will work with Library Trustees, staff, and key stakeholders to ensure a quality building process.  

Public input will be critical to the project. Two open houses have already been held, and additional open houses will be held as the process continues. Check our Event Calendar or this page for updates. 

Before the flood of 2008, the library had a small storefront location in Westdale Mall. After the flood, the library operated solely out of space in Westdale Mall, and the location quickly became one of the busiest libraries in the state. Library use came primarily from residents of the city’s west side. The library had to vacate its previous Westdale Mall location and needed a home on the west side.  

Funding was not available for a permanent location at that time. Ladd was developed using funds from the Marilyn Ladd estate, a gift left to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation in 2012, combined with a smaller fundraising campaign. Materials were brought over from the Westdale location.