News & Updates

Oct. 3, 2024 – On Oct. 1, the National Book Award announced 25 finalists in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people's literature. The winners will be announced Nov. 20.

Sept. 20, 2024 – Banned Books Week is September 22-28, 2024. Established in 1982, Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to read.

Sept. 16, 2024 – National Hispanic American Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15. Started in 1969 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson, it expended to the 30-day Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan. 

Sept. 12, 2024 – Love it or hate it, pumpkin spice season has arrived. We've got just the book collection to help you lean into the cozy vibes and embrace all things fall.

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.

Sept. 3, 2024 – Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month this September with the Cedar Rapids Public Library and the American Library Association!

Sept. 4, 2024 – 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. 

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

Aug. 19, 2024 – 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. 

Aug. 12, 2024 – The return to school is just around the corner, and the library has free resources to help kids and families as they dive into the new year. All are available with a library card.

Aug. 5, 2024 – The 2024-2025 Iowa Children's Choice books have been announced, and the library has them available at both the Downtown and Ladd locations.

Aug. 5, 2024 – Looking for a great summer read? Cedar Rapids Community School District teacher librarians Roby Davis, Stephan Frischkorn, Jessica Zimmerman, Andrea Schoenbeck, Frank Scherman, and Michelle Kruse shared some of the books their students love. 

Aug. 1, 2024 – 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. 

July 26, 2024 – The New York Times published their list of "Best Books of the 21st Century" last week, a list they compiled by polling hundreds of literary critics and authors.

July 15, 2024 – Musician and children's entertainer Tom Pease has been delighting Cedar Rapids children for more than 30 years with energetic songs and interactive performances.