News & Updates

Sept. 11, 2025 – The Downtown Library Urban Plaza will receive an update this fall through a project funded by the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation. Beginning Monday, Sept.

Sept. 11, 2025 – Everyone has a story – and we need to listen to each other’s stories.

Aug. 19, 2025 – The public is invited to be part of the Tiny Art project - and have their masterpieces displayed at the library and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.   

June 4, 2025 – Everyone is welcome at the library this summer – and everyone is welcome to join us for the Summer Reading Challenge. Summer reading is for kids and families – but it is also for everyone else! 

May 15, 2025 – The Summer Reading Challenge welcomes a series of big performances for kids to the library on Mondays throughout June and July. All performances are first-come, first-serve; wrist bands will be handed out one hour prior to each performance.  

March 26, 2025 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation and Lion Bridge Brewing Company have partnered to release Library Lager, a specialty limited-release beer, in celebration of the Westside Library project and National Library Week.&nb

March 12, 2025 – The library's second annual Maker Fest is coming up at the Downtown Library on Wednesday, March 19, from 1-3 pm. This open house will feature an afternoon of hands-on, family-friendly STEAM activities with both the library and community partners.

March 6, 2025 – Drop into the Downtown Library on Wednesday, March 19, from 1-3 pm for the second annual Maker Fest.

Jan. 6, 2025 – Iowa author Katie Hopkins writes about Iowa history - and loves diving into the spooky and mysterious side of the state. She wrote "Iowa: Haunted Corridor" with her husband, Josh Hopkins, and on Thursday, Jan.

UPDATE: After the ice storm led to Merry TubaChristmas being cancelled at the Downtown Library on Dec. 14, the organizers have found a new date and location for this annual event.

Nov. 8, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is a certified “Dementia Friendly Organization” by Dementia Friendly Iowa after staff underwent training to be “Dementia Friends.” 

Oct. 11, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library will host an Ask-A-Lawyer event Oct. 24-25, in partnership with the Linn County Bar Association, the State Library of Iowa, and the University of Iowa’s Law Library. 

Oct. 7, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library invites community members to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Westside Library on Friday, Oct. 18, at 10 am.

Aug. 30, 2024 – Welcoming Week in Cedar Rapids is Sept. 13-22, 2024, and the library is participating.

Welcoming Week fits under the City of Cedar Rapids “Welcome is Our Language” campaign, seeking to highlight and celebrate the diversity of the community.

Aug. 28, 2024 – Local children's author Charlotte Gunnufson will visit the Downtown Library on Tuesday, Sept. 3 for a very special story time.