Cedar Rapids Public Library

10/23/2026

October is spooky season, and with high profile new witchy releases this fall from bestselling authors Freida McFadden, Nora Roberts, and Alice Hoffman, it seemed like a perfect time to feature books about witches.

The topic is timely. Those buzzy books are just a few of the many witch-themed new releases this year – from horror to romance and historical fiction to contemporary literary fiction. Find your next haunted read and put one of these titles on hold before Halloween.

Browse the books: https://www.crlibrary.org/news/check-these-out-season-witch

10/23/2026

It is National Friends of Libraries Week, and we want to send a huge thank you to the of the Cedar Rapids Public Library! Their volunteers do so much to support our library, and we are truly grateful for all they do.

One of the best ways to support their Friends of the Library? Come shop at one of their book sales. Their Big Fall Book Sale is coming up in just a couple of weeks, Nov. 6-8 at the Downtown Library.

Learn more: https://www.crlibrary.org/news/friends-cedar-rapids-public-library-holding-annual-big-fall-book-sale-november

10/23/2026

We're sharing older but timeless videos from our YouTube archives!

Get lost in Stiles, Buckhorn, and Rockville Iowa in this episode of "Get Lost in Iowa," featuring abandoned towns. See what’s left of these place while you learn a bit about their history and why they disappeared.

Get Lost in Stiles, Buckhorn, and Rockville Iowa in this episode of...

10/23/2026

We're sharing older but timeless videos from our YouTube channel!

In this video, Mary Beth shows you how to create a simple, moisturizing hand scrub with materials you probably already have at home.

Mary Beth shows you how to create a simple, moisturizing hand scrub...

10/22/2026

Linn County residents can vote early this weekend at the Cedar Rapids Public Library Busse Branch.

Short term satellite voting for the upcoming election is available at the Busse Branch on Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 am-4 pm and Sunday, Oct. 25, 1:30-4:30 pm.

Voters may also cast an in-person absentee ballot at the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center, 935 Second St. SW in Cedar Rapids, at Lindale Mall, or at any of the 1- to 2-day Satellite voting locations listed on the Linn County Elections website.

Learn More: https://www.crlibrary.org/voting

10/22/2026

Thanks for visiting us at the Busse Branch, Hoover Elementary School! We love connecting students with library resources!

10/22/2026

Check out a Junior Spark Kit from the library! We have kits designed to help children practice letters, counting, tell stories with animal puppets, and move to music. You can browse and put them on hold on our website:

https://www.crlibrary.org/kit-collection?field_eg_category_target_id%5B146%5D=146

10/21/2026

Free for All week comes to the Downtown Library Thursday at 6:30 pm with a concert by the New Horizons Band of Cedar Rapid and Sunday at 2 pm with "Stories of Sondheim" by the Cedar Rapids Opera. Check out these and more free arts and culture events around the community all week!

https://www.gcrcf.org/resources-for-nonprofit-organizations-serving-linn-county-iowa/learning-events/free-for-all/?fbclid=IwY2xjawVDXEBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXRGMlVmVVRWUXdLM1NjYzNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEegnDs2jUlpXNtWwofTTBTTaJgq79MVadoPWRRVfMAiMORuCP4RFtn7CWmKx0_aem_9Fc7kFpvlq5RfbEJjpAnbA

10/20/2026

Looking to trade houseplants that don't bring you joy anymore? Bring in your healthy plants or rooted cuttings for the library's semi-annual plant swap this Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6-7:30 pm at the Busse Branch.

Participants may bring potted plants or rooted cuttings for the swap. Each cutting or plant brought in will be awarded a ticket for trading. There will be no repotting at the event. All plants should be in containers they can go home in. Rooted cuttings need to be in a sealed plastic baggie with a damp paper towel. Please label plants and cuttings with the type of plant being swapped. We ask that all plants and cuttings be healthy and pest free as a courtesy to other plant lovers.

Plant and rooted cutting check-in is 6-6:30 pm. The swap begins after all plants have been checked in at 6:30 pm. After everyone with tickets has made their choices, leftover plants will be available to those without tickets.

https://www.crlibrary.org/event/plant-swap-13188

10/20/2026

Congratulations to Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation Executive Director Charity Tyler on being recognized as the 2026 Outstanding Fundraising Professional for National Philanthropy Day!

Join us in celebrating our National Philanthropy Day honoree, Charity Dawn Roberts Tyler. Charity has been selected for the NPD Outstanding Fundraising Professional honor! Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Charity!

Register for the National Philanthropy Day Reception on November 12: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/national-philanthropy-day

Charity Tyler has served as Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation since 2015, helping expand access to learning, literacy, and technology. Through annual giving, advocacy, and planned giving, including the successful $10 million Inspiring Big Dreams campaign for the new Busse Branch, her leadership has strengthened community support for the library and the people it serves.