Reviews of Cedar Rapids Public Library (Library)

Samantha Martinez

I love this library and so do my children. It's beautiful and inviting. The staff are all friendly and helpful. We love to visit. My kids request to visit the library daily lol

J. R. Skola

Premiere service, facilities and selection. One of the most modern and functional full services libraries. Regular activities for children of all ages including sing-a-longs, imagination stimulation and movies in the auditorium. All of these activities and services are free to the public.

Scytherene122190

Great place with lovely staff.

Cleo Xero

This really is the best, most beautiful library in town. The staff is always helpful and nice.

Melissa Zoutendam

BEST LIBRARY I have ever been to!! GREAT FACILITY. BIG COLLECTION. FANTASTIC WEBSITE & SEARCH ENGINE ONLINE. I've been to other libarys where the search engine was horrid and you couldn't find anything unless you spell it correctly or know name of author. The CR Library's search engine recognizes words even when misspelled like Google. Super easy to find stuff! Our current library when they don't have what you're looking for they reguide u to a website to buy the book and it's run by the library. They trying to rip you off! I thought books are free at Libarys! Not so the Cedar Rapids Library. The Cedar Rapids LIBRARY has a big collection from Books, DVD, Music, Kids books, Audio Books, Anime, Manga etc. They are very organized and always improving! I LOVED going to this library! Sad we moved and the current library sucks!

CJ Flynn

I come to this library often great amount of books DVDs & Free wifi. Along with great views and an awesome overall design

Maggie Clair

Great library, super modern and great renovations

koumassousegbe aloya

It is a great place for all students.

Kat Sheyko

Although it looks super pretty, its not very home-like. When I read I like to be comfortable. I dont like the fact that there is barely any free parking and for the amount of money it cost to build it I would like free wi-fi without the use of a password and be able to park without paying, which I am also guessing that the staff park in these spaces too. Also fuel-efficient parking spaces? Okay thank you, I understand wanting to save the planet, but really?my car isnt super efficient because I need the space to haul some things around. I do loves books and think a library is good to have but unfortunately I loved the old library and super disapointed in this one.

Valerie A

Our entire family appreciates this library... but the kids area is simply outstanding. My granddaughter could literally spend the entire day! (We know this from tantrums while leaving _ ha!) Thank you, Cedar Rapids for a stunning facility!

Calvin Kanz

A beautiful new location with multiple areas for private study, business functions, and outdoor reading. The rooftop is one of my favorite places to go on nice days at the library, so I recommend that those who are visiting for the first time check it out. There is a deli with coffee located centrally in the library offering great sandwiches and mental fuel for students preparing for exams. There is a vast selection of books and technology implemented throughout to give visitors an uncomplicated and swift experience applying for a library card with a librarian or checking out books. Overall, the CR library is a highly recommended location for bookworms and first-time visitors alike.

Jodi Whitaker

It's so beautiful!!! All the glass windows!!! The people who work here are so kind and helpful. I was able to get what i needed.

karen Ann

The staff are rude everytime I've been here, they act as though it's an inconvenience when you ask them questions or ask for any type of assistance.

Jeffrey Obadal

Great open atmosphere with good seating. Wonderful resources for children and adults. My only complaint is their overdrive ebook selection is limited due to not networking with more libraries.

David Toerper

Beautiful building - inside and out. Great staff and other resources. Good coffee. Cedar Rapids has a gem here!

Echo Morgan

It is such a wonderful place to study, I like how the place is laid out it just makes you feel comfortable

Jamason Stayton

Cedar Rapids has a great library. We enjoy the programs they offer and yes, we still read real books. LOL!

truth Savage

Absolutely amazing library especially for the size of CR this library has a very chic big city feel

Seth Fontenot

Wonderful Library and the new park next door makes it a great asset to the city.

Matt Uhlman

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!

Khalid Ali

Great architecture, but there are no quiet areas to study other than the rooms that you have to reserve (I don't know what the rules are for reserving them.) The tables are limited and they are located in the open so you can be easily distracted by people coming and going. I live in Cedar Rapid, but when I need to study for my exams, I drive all the way to Iowa City because their public library is cozier and have some quiet areas to study in. Another thing, last time I was there, the internet was extremely slow. I hope they fixed that issue as well.

Zac Lowder

Very sweet place... Definitely a melting pot

Harrison Mason

Love this place. I have been going here from the start. The staff are vary helpful and nice.

Zach Owens

Very nice library. If you have a few hours to kill this is a nice place to hangout.

Hugh

Beautiful facility!! Be sure to go check out the Roof Top reading area. Great view of Cedar Rapids.

Mary Elise

We’re very lucky to have such a great library downtown.

M Townsend

The Cedar Rapids Public Library is one of my family's favorite places to go. They have something for all ages. You can check out books, music, movies, video games and more! They have monthly activities for all. I highly recommend taking your family to the library, it is sure to provide you with great learning opportunities and chances to make great memories!

Active Shadows Gaming

Amazing place super quite and lots of books obviously :). they host alot of events like today they had a saint Patrick day and had musicians play songs in the food court section. They also have classes for kids like read alongs and fun stuff.

Michael

A real gem of Cedar Rapids; enjoy the green rooftop with views of Green Square Park.

Sharon Worley

Poblem with this library is one the chairs. Not everyone has the same seating needs and are the same height and body type so having everyone seated in the same height chair is not responsible and very inconsiderate. Two, you have to pay .15 for every copy consider how the Coralville Library does it. If you have a library card you get yhe first 10 copies free, every copy after that is .10.

Joel Lahey

Great place to relax, study, work, or just explore. New facility with lots of convenient amenities. My only major complaint is that the wifi keeps going out, especially in the study rooms in the back...which are also almost always full. Maybe take a bit of the wasted side space along that wall (there is a LOT of open space) and put in a few more study rooms and put a wifi repeater back there???

Reginald Williams

The youngest of the current public libraries in Iowa, the downtown CRPL is a LEED initiative building. Roomy, with plenty of books, media, social space, meeting rooms and computers. User and family friendly. Ballentyne Auditorium is a simply amazing space for community events.

Chris Wichert

One of the coolest places, only second to Newbo Market (in my opinion), that you can visit in Cedar Rapids. If you live anywhere in the vicinity, come!

Abigail Anthony

The Cedar Rapids Public Library hosted my wedding in June on their Garden Rooftop, and it was fantastic! The staff was super easy to work with and the rental price for the space was just right! Our ceremony went off without at hitch, and we couldn't be happier with their outstanding service to us and our community! THANK YOU!!

Good_Dawg

Helpful and friendly staff

Moosepie Atwood

Not good Wi-Fi

Andrea Chapman Day

The public library is such a great asset to our community!

Samuel Christiansen

This is the best library in Cedar Rapids in my opinion. It has a theater area, multiple computer areas, free interesting programs, and an elevator. In the summer you can go to the roof where there's a garden on succulents and plenty of places to sit and chat with friends. There's a Deli with good food and drink. (The food is kind of expensive but still good) Just across from the library there is a beautiful park and the library is close to many other little restaurants. It's a beautiful building in a good location. It's a good place to bring your family and a good place to relax with a book.

Kyle Nystrom

This is a fantastic public library. Tons of books, movies, music, and resources. There are private study rooms, however they tend to echo and have large pane glass with no blinds.

Cory P

the place is nice super clean but the hours are very inconvenient.

Tammi Bolender

They are open 9-5 on Saturday. Super great place though. Everyone is super kind and it feels like you have friends everywhere.

Cameron //

Essentially everything you could possibly need in a library. Plus, staff available to help with technology. A great place to be.

Lydia Frahm

I love going here to hang out and even study. It has a very relaxed feel to the whole place. :) Plus, there's also a little coffee shop inside. What better to help during studying than some coffee? Great place!

Maddy Bemus

Love this library! The librarians are always super helpful. If they don’t have a specific book I’m looking for, they always seem to know of a good alternative.

Marbett Daoud

Great place to study with study rooms and tables with excellent lighting. Also great big selection of books and cafe to get a snack or coffee. Absolutely love this library!

Jenni Weirup

Great selections and the staff is very helpful:)

Saba Fatemi

Great building architecture, atmosphere and wonderful staff! My only complaint is with the internet speed which is extremely low! Overall, happy that I have found this library.

Cheri Oehler-Terman

Absolutely beautiful, well staffed with knowledgeable, friendly, helpful (mostly) employees!

Magdaly Santos

I love the library. It is a fun and educational place for the whole family.

Dwayne Fry

I am actually at the library right now. I want to give this place a five star review. I come here often to write. It is clean and lovely and has a good assortment of books and materials. My biggest issue is this... Often times all through the day there are groups of people that come in here just to hang out. I see them here almost every time I'm here. The groups can be as big as twelve or so. They cluster together and socialize. Some are fairly quiet and respectful of others, but some are loud. Today I listened as two young men got into a loud argument, swearing and threatening to kill one another. Another young man paced around a while and told a young woman he was going to kill a man who had been bothering her, using profanity. Two women were chasing a toddler around and yelling. I finally asked them to be quiet, telling them that some of us are here to work. I have to wonder why the library staff allows this behavior to go on. If I had young children, I would NOT bring them here. This is not a good environment for kids. It's often not a good environment for adults who want to work or read.

jaelyn bowers

i love coming here but the study rooms frustrate me so much. When they are all full, you are randomly given one and some are smaller than others so you and 6 people might get stuck in a tiny room while the largest study room is only occupied by one person. It would be helpful if you could select the study room you want to reserve. Another thing is that when you have a room reserved and are waiting for the person in it to leave when their time is up, they never do and ignore that the room is no longer reserved to them & the employees do not help. If someone knows they will be in the room for longer than an hour or less than an hour, it would be nice if they could reserve it for that time initially so people are not stuck waiting for a room because the person does not want to leave. Aside from the study rooms, the library is great and one of my favorite places to go.

Sara Jones

Large, clean, modern, ROOF GARDEN.

Jason M

WiFi almost does NOT work...

Raquela Sgro-Gibson

The downtown location of the Cedar Rapids Public Library is a thoroughly modern facility featuring many computer stations, meeting rooms, electronic charging hubs, WiFi, a few treadmills (yes, treadmills), decent book and movie selections, and lots self-checkout stations, as well as a cafe. Please note that this address is for the downtown library. The Ladd Library is on the west side of the city.

Paul Phillips

The library is awesome, the people are awesome, the layout is awesome, the hours are awesome, but the food is absolutely atrocious. Ugh i can't get the taste out of my mouth.

Mel Armstrong

It's beautiful, and I love the funky furniture, unique artwork and lighting. The roof is one of my favorite spots to visit here. Just wish the hours to it were extended

Bryan Sanders

Let the beauty and usefulness of this library serve as a testament of what we can accomplish when we use our tax dollars for the well-being of the people. #ByThePeople #ForThePeople

Jaeson Kalmoni

Overbuilt, underfunded. Lied to the public about costs and even tried to basically extort the locals. Smh...........

Aji Peter

One of the best library building in the US. It is an attraction by itself.

ProCrafter 358

The best library I have been to, They have many books in every genre. Whenever I need to research I immediately go here as it usually always has something on that topic. Overall just a great place

mo ajram

I never saw a cooler library

Becca-Linn Lea

Great place for kids and adults to be themselves. Kids can be loud and have fun, so can adults. Coloring books you can color in, TV sized tablets, and now I checked out a how to crochet kit complete with needle and yarn

Muthukumar Kannan

Beautiful and well stocked library. Excellent service. Great coffee in Press Cafe.

Signe Henderson

I LOVE my library and all the helpful staff! !

Corey Grover

Overall, the best library in the iCR metro area. While I believe the Iowa City Public Library has a more extensive nonfiction collection, the Cedar Rapids Public Library boasts a modern, open-concept design, a wealth of private study rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, even an outdoor patio with a skyline view on the second floor.

Miles Alexander

The Cedar Rapids public library is so nice and still pretty new. Not only do they have a great adult section, they have so many books for kids and teens. Plus, there is many places to study, sit and relax. They also have events like movies for the kids. 5/5

KInG SHeamuS777

It has a lot of great books

Laura Poisel

I'm 65 and disabled. I was kicked out of your library for sitting quietly. The police were even called. Because they heard I slept outside to get out of the rain. You allow known criminals inside to drink and drug while using your tv and other study rooms. They swear, fight and cause commotion. Bad example.