Children’s musician Tom Pease was busy one recent afternoon, tending to the maple syrup he was making in his Wisconsin kitchen. But he wasn’t too busy to talk about one of his true passions – making music, and joy, for generations of children.

If you're planning a summer road trip, or just want to daydream about travels you could take, America's 63 national parks might be calling.

Kristin Hanggi wants to help you get your story out.

"I've been working with writers for the last 15 years at every level of the game. I have a deep desire to help free people up to express themselves," she said. 

It is the season of the beach read. We collected recommendations from library staff members for books to distract you on your next summer excursion, whether you're looking for something light and breezy to read by the pool or an engrossing book to help while away a summer afternoon.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library is partnering with Linn County Public Health to increase access to bike maintenance education among area youth.

E.E. Walker hopes her art helps people step back from their lives and notice the beauty in the small details around them.

"I focus on things people might miss and try to help others see things they might miss in their busy lives," she said. 

After we published a list of children's books for Pride Month, CR Pride asked us to also make lists for middle school and h

After we published a list of children's books for Pride Month, CR Pride asked us to also make lists for middle school and high school students.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States by marking the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. 

The library's big summer performance series is underway. In the coming weeks, there will be music, magic, storytelling, live animals, and even interactive dinosaurs, all of it free and open to all ages.

To celebrate Pride Month, librarian Renee Greenlee shared this list of picture books that celebrate the lives and families of LGBTQ+ people. 

The library is adding more story times to our schedule, just in time for summer.

Ready to take your barbecue game to the next level? The library is here to help. Check out these cookbooks and barbecuing guides - featuring everything from recipes by renowned restauranteurs and pitmasters to information-packed tutorials.

We have big things planned for you at the library this summer.

My partner and I just moved into a new house. With gardening season here, we're taking time this first summer to see what will come up in our yard, but we're also making plans for what we want to plant in the future.