World Class library in a mid-size Iowa city. Was it really necessary to spend so much dough on such a lavish repository of books? Time will tell. However, it is a very nice welcoming facility. Very technological in nature, but don't let that scare you off. The staff is very friendly and professional. Your library card can be used at both Cedar Rapids libraries as well as Hiawatha and Marion. The parking lot is very small in size, but with helpful tutoring from library staff you can park on the street and in the adjoining parking ramp for two hours with no charge. Just ask how to do it. I'm looking forward to nice weather so I can sit up on the expansive, expensive 'green' roof. That should be delightful. read more

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Cousin got married in the Whipple auditorium of the library yesterday, and the reception was at one of the conference rooms close by. Initial plans were to hold the ceremony up on the roof, but outdoor temperature and humidity, coupled with daily forecasts of thunderstorms, necessitated the change in plans. No worries, as they were all still able to get photos of the wedding party up on the roof and at other library locations. Since we were all here for rehearsal and wedding the two days I visited the library, I was not able to explore much, except for the Greyhound Deli & Cafe on the first floor, which was right underneath the conference room where the reception took place and the nearby Whipple auditorium, which were on the second floor. The space outside the conference room had tables, chairs, and couches and was designed so that you may look into the cafe's "courtyard" below. Oh, and I really enjoyed checking out the "green" roof and the porcelain patio furniture! Nice views of Pepsi's delivery areas... Hehe! All three levels are easily accessed by stairs and elevators. Would like to explore more on a return visit sometime in the future. read more

Cedar Rapids Public Library - Mothers of the bride and groom! - Libraries Near Me - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

What a great place is the CR library - I stopped in when I had a few unexpected hours to study and after spending a few hours here, all I can say is "Wow"! The parking situation is a bit cramped as the lot only houses ~ 30ish cars, but if you find a spot, you're gold. Upon walking in, I was impressed with how modern and open the place is. There are tons of windows letting plenty of light in and lot of fun lighting throughout. Whilst walking up the stairs, I noted the random illumination of the wall next to me- it's the little things! I didn't explore tons of different areas, but did find the computers upstairs as I'd left mine at home. The computer section had around 50 machines and with a photo ID, I was able to log on for a couple hours. Tons of study space as well, including a bunch of private study rooms upstairs. The children's area was quite extensive and something our little dudes would enjoy. The furniture in the kids area had a healthy dose of modern art mixed in and made me want to sit/play on it. Café downstairs had plenty to drink/eat and made for some good caffeinating. Cool factor - They have a video game check out section for multiple different systems. Take home message - Great place to work, study, read or learn. If we lived up here, we'd be here A LOT! read more

Cedar Rapids Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I went to the Cedar Rapids Public Library to one of their meeting rooms to witness my two friends getting married. It was after hours and it was a wonderful experience. When we went inside, there was a lady who directed us to where the wedding was. The room that we were in was kind of like an auditorium style room with a lot of seating and of course decorations for the occasion. I had a great time there. read more

I keep feeling the need to update this review. Is the library beautiful? Without question, it is. From the outside, and the inside, it is gorgeous. Every square inch is pleasing to the eye. Also, absolutely no real world constraints limit this library. Despite being a horribly inefficient use of space, there is not a single book shelf that would require the target demographic to step on a step stool, or ask for help. When I go into the children's section with my five year old, he can reach every book. That's excellent, right? Well, if square footage was free, or if this library had an incredibly wide array of books, it would be excellent. Neither is the case, though. I'm not a big reader, but every time I visit this beautiful library to find a specific book, I find that they don't have it. Is that the mark of a good library? Why do libraries in Marion and Hiawatha always seem to have the books that this library lacks? The bottom line is that this library cost $46 million, and it has a disturbingly small selection of actual books. Computers are great. Conference rooms are great. Movie theatres are great. Libraries are about books, though. ...except this library, I guess. I'm sure people will disagree with this review, but do me a favor. As you walk through the giant foyer, don't stop at the coffee shop. Look at the marble floor. Look at each tile, and ask yourself how many books each tile is worth. Look at the weird light display next to the stairway. Ask yourself how many hours of availability each light panel is worth. Those are the questions that plague me as I walk through a $46 million library which is unquestionably a work of art, but equally unquestionably contains way too few literary works of art, and which is not open nearly enough. read more

I don't read nearly as often as I should, but every now and again I get the urge to plow through some books or generally utilize library services. The downtown location is a beautiful, modern, open space with really cool features like two rooftop reading patios, a cafe, and even those treadmill-powered computers. I often visit the online catalogue and place holds for pickup throughout the Cedar Rapids/ Marion/ Hiawatha system. My fiancé has been getting into audiobooks for his commute and CRPL has quite an extensive collection. We've on occasion dropped in to use the computers or study rooms to get work done or print. The in-suite reservation screens for the study rooms were really convenient. And as always, I like the self-checkout machines throughout the library. I highly recommend grabbing a good book and spending some time on the patios with a snack from downstairs. read more

This library is top notch. We saw the Pied Piper Brass Quintet play a special kids music concert in the auditorium. I appreciated the detail that was taken in the kids section with the various interactive play areas. Its a real gem of a place. read more

Libraries are wonderful places. The Cedar Rapids Library is at the top of the list! And Rebecca, a research librarian there is a terrific resource person who helped me navigate publications to find information I was looking for. She was patient, pleasant and kind in her help to me. Libraries are so valuable in any community. Thank you! read more

Hooray! The decimal system range is now shown on the ends of the bookshelves. Can't wait to enjoy the warmer weather on the rooftop terrace come spring, summer and fall. read more

Cedar Rapids Public Library - Rooftop garden view. - Libraries Near Me - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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I stumbled across this treasure while attending a workshop in one of their public meeting rooms. What an amazing place!!!! I love the many librarian desks scattered throughout the facility. It makes it more convenient to get assistance than one main desk. With Iowa Open Access, I was lucky enough to be able to check out books from their incredible selection. If I lived in Cedar Rapids, I would spend hours a week in this great facility. read more

Libraries are one of my favorite places to visit. Ever since I was a child I always looked forward to going to the library. CR's downtown library is magical - millions of books new and old, great study areas, an outdoor patio overlooking Greene Square Park, and when you need a coffee hey also have a cafe! I could spend all day here and be perfectly content. read more

What a beautiful and well equipped library! Friendly staff. Wonderful meeting rooms with the latest technology. Great cafe. Innovative modern architecture! This is a 'destination' library. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. read more

Cedar Rapids Public Library - Cedar Rapids Public Library. - Libraries Near Me - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

There is no where nearby that isn't 2hr parking so prepare for that if you plan on staying to study. My other complaint is that it's just too loud, there are too many distractions. There was literally a family who sat down and had a meal and took phone calls and chatted while I was here and no one said anything to them and a few librarians walked by. Otherwise, nice, well kept, and the built in coffee shop is a huge bonus. read more

This is a beautiful library has a section for every one. You can check out books or movies or even video games. You can have a privet room for a few hours. There is a balcony read more

Great library with some really cool things. We enjoyed the rooftop garden and the mini museum up on the third floor. Cool meeting rooms, and a book sale going on. Highly recommend. read more

Cedar Rapids Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I love this library, but they seriously need to update its books. It's really a great place to study and an amazing place to be, but there just isn't enough books in the place. I get it, this is probably an unpopular opinion, but even though it's gorgeous and a true work of art, people come here for the BOOKS. The children's section is very child friendly, so all the kids can reach the books without needing a step-stool, and there's a kitchen set they can play with and other little interactive things for them to use as well. The other thing that gets me is that there's so much tech for the kids to just play on. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a high school student. I'm not some grandma who thinks that technology is the devil's work and is trying to eradicate it. I'm a sixteen-year-old girl who is a little upset at the fact that a place of wonder, filled with countless stories and adventures just waiting to be picked up by a child to broaden their imagination is encouraging them to play with technology. Usually parents bring their children there to get AWAY from tech. To urge them to read something. Then it all gets ruined by the giant four foot by two and a half foot tablet (or whatever the demensions are) that all the kids flock to. Other than that, I love the place. There's a cafe, a greenhouse-area thing on the top, conference rooms and study rooms you can rent out. It's clean and sanitary and an awesome place to be! But not everything is perfect. Except for the (slight) lack of range and number in the books, it's really an awesome place. Check it out. :) read more

Cedar Rapids Library was spacious and open. It was very crowded for a Saturday. I wasn't able to find a quiet place to study. There are only 3-4 study rooms which have 1 hour time limits but I'm not sure how that is regulated. It would be a nice place to meet a friend for a cup of coffee but I wouldn't recommend trying to study or get work done on the weekend. read more

This library is TOO LOUD. Do a better job of grouping people who want to visit into downstairs common areas or private rooms. It's impossible to read or study upstairs because of all the noise. Not a very functional library as far as I'm concerned. I do like how the staff on the main floor is always asking people if they need help. read more