News & Updates

Feb. 26, 2026 – Winter weather has not slowed progress on the Busse Branch, which is set to open this fall. Spaces are beginning to take clear shape, including staff offices, meeting rooms, and collection areas. 

Feb. 23, 2026 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is made possible by our incredible staff. And we are staffed by book lovers. To celebrate the people who keep our library running, we're highlighting different staff members and books they love.

Feb. 16, 2026 – February marks Black History Month, and we've collected a list of recently published novels that dive into that history. Some follow families across generations, some focus on one point in time, but all illuminate essential parts of the American story.

Feb. 11, 2026 – Dearest Gentle Reader, it is almost Valentine's Day, so what better time for a romantic read? And with the current season of "Bridgerton" underway on Netflix, what better time for period romance?

Feb. 6, 2026 – The news can be overwhelming and scary sometimes, even for adults. Talking to kids about hard things they see on TV and in the news – or in their own community – isn't easy, and there's no set script for caregivers to follow.

Jan. 26, 2026 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is made possible by our incredible staff. And we are staffed by book lovers. To celebrate the people who keep our library running, we're highlighting different staff members and books they love.

Jan. 22, 2026 – The show "Heated Rivalry" is burning up TV screens and social media right now. The story of two rival hockey players who start a secret steamy love affair is based on books in the "Game Changer" series by Rachel Reid.

Jan. 12, 2026 – It's the season to curl up with a good book – perhaps a murder mystery might feel appropriate in the cold of winter. If you don't want your fiction to be too dark and dire, the cozy mystery genre might be for you.

Jan. 5, 2026 – Legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton's 80th birthday is Jan. 19, and the Cedar Rapids Library Foundation is celebrating with a family-friendly birthday party at the Downtown Library.

Jan. 2, 2026 – A new year is here, and many people are setting resolutions and embracing fresh starts. From self-help to food to fitness, here are a few recently published books that might help on a resolution journey.

Dec. 23, 2025 – As 2025 draws to a close, we're looking back on the most popular books of the year at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. In several categories, here's what was borrowed most often.

Dec. 22, 2025 — The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation is excited to announce a major gift for the new westside library project from the Robert & Elizabeth Allsop Charitable Trust.

Dec. 16, 2025 – It is a truth universally acknowledged that a beloved book in the public domain must be in want of a retelling.

Dec. 11, 2025 – The holidays are a time to indulge in Hallmark Channel-style movies – and in their literary counterparts, aka holiday-themed romance novels. Some are heartwarming and some are silly – "A Mannequin for Christmas"?

Dec. 3, 2025 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is made possible by our incredible staff. And we are staffed by book lovers. To celebrate the people who keep our library running, we're highlighting different staff members and books they love.