Image: Gwendolyn Clouse, 7, uses a wheelchair, and her mother Natalie said the adjustable-height changing table will make Busse Branch more accessible for their family. (Courtesy Natalie K. Clouse)
March 24, 2026 — The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation has received a grant from Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa to fund an adjustable-height changing table for the new Cedar Rapids Public Library Busse Branch.
The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation supports the library in fulfilling its mission of Welcome to All. The Cedar Rapids Public Library is an essential community resource where everyone is invited to learn, connect, and explore. Through free access to books, media, programs, technology, and welcoming gathering spaces, the library ensures that all community members have the resources they need to thrive. With the Foundation’s help, the library continues to be a welcoming space where everyone belongs and everyone has the opportunity to discover something new.
The Variety grant dollars will be used to purchase an adjustable height changing table to be installed in a single use restroom at the new Cedar Rapids Public Library Busse Branch. The Busse Branch is expected to open in September 2026.
The adjustable height changing table offers a safe option for caregivers to change diapers or provide personal care on a surface that is adjustable to the users’ needs. It has a capacity of 500 pounds and is 76 inches in length, making it large enough for any age.
“An adjustable height changing table isn’t just a piece of equipment, it’s a statement that dignity, access, and belonging don’t end at childhood,” said Dara Schmidt, Library Director. “This aligns perfectly with our mission: Welcome to All.”
Natalie K. Clouse, an attorney in Cedar Rapids and a former Library Foundation board member, said an adjustable height changing table would make the library welcoming and accessible for her family. Her 7-year-old daughter, Gwendolyn, uses a wheelchair and diapers, and changing her in public is a challenge.
“I wish people really understood just how something like this that seems so simple and such an easy addition to new buildings can be so impactful,” Clouse said. “Going out and about when you have a kid with such disabilities is already hard. This just takes away one of the barriers. It really just makes you feel like you’re welcome there. It says, ‘We want you here, and we want you to stay and hang out and have a good time.”
A 2022 Iowa Disabilities report showed that over 60,000 residents over the age of five need assistance with daily activities, including restroom use. Providing access to an adjustable height changing table allows caregivers and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to use the library comfortably for longer, stress-free visits.
About Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa
Variety – the Children’s Charity is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are underprivileged, at-risk, critically ill, or living with special needs. Grant funding is provided to programs and initiatives that directly impact the well-being of children in our community. For more information on Variety grants and programs, please visit varietyiowa.com.