Cedar Rapids Public Library — Downtown

🏢 Cedar Rapids Public Library · Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids Public Library — Downtown

The Cedar Rapids Public Library Downtown is the flagship branch of Iowa's second-largest city, offering a makerspace with Cricut machines and 3D tools, an in-building Horizons Cafe, and a full career and opportunity center — all free with a library card.

📞 +1-319-261-7323🌐 crlibrary.org🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday 9 AM – 8 PM
Tuesday 9 AM – 8 PM
Wednesday 9 AM – 8 PM
Thursday 9 AM – 8 PM
Friday 9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 1 PM – 5 PM

Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 450 FIFTH AVE SE, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52401

Phone: +1-319-261-7323

Website: crlibrary.org

Plus Code: 86HCX8GP+RV (CEDAR RAPIDS, IA)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&🔍Search the Catalog →&📱Borrow eBooks with Libby →&🌎Bridges eLibrary (Iowa) →

📖 About Cedar Rapids Public Library — Downtown

The Cedar Rapids Public Library Downtown branch at 450 Fifth Ave SE serves as the central hub of the Cedar Rapids Public Library system, which also operates the Busse Branch on the city's west side. The downtown library is a modern civic anchor offering far more than books: inside you'll find a makerspace stocked with Cricut machines and other fabrication tools, a Mobile Technology Lab van that extends services into the community, and Horizons Cafe for a coffee stop mid-visit. The library's Opportunity Center connects job seekers with career resources, resume help, and computer access, while the tax assistance and micro-loan programs address real financial needs in the community. Validated parking at nearby metered ramps and a complimentary two-hour lot to the south make the downtown location easy to reach by car. The system's Busse Branch, named for an estate gift from Nadine E. Sandberg (Sandberg Lane), rounds out coverage on the west side.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Makerspace with Cricut machines and other fabrication equipment — free to cardholders
  • In-building Horizons Cafe for patrons and visitors
  • Opportunity Center offering career resources, job assistance, and resume help
  • Notary services and tax preparation assistance on site
  • Mobile Technology Lab van extending library services into the community
  • Complimentary 2-hour parking in the south lot; validated ramp parking for cardholders

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Your Cedar Rapids library card unlocks Iowa's statewide digital resources:

&📚 Bridges eLibrary (Iowa Statewide)Free eBooks and eAudiobooks for all Iowa public library cardholders via OverDrive/Libby. Borrow titles 24/7 on any device.
&🎬 KanopyStream thousands of free films, documentaries, and Great Courses lectures with your library card.
&📄 Research DatabasesAccess newspaper archives, business databases, genealogy resources, and academic journals free with your Cedar Rapids library card.
&👔 Curbside Pickup & Books-by-MailRequest items online and pick them up at the curb, or have them mailed to your home.

📚 Services

  • Makerspace (Cricut, fabrication tools)
  • Notary services
  • Tax preparation assistance (seasonal)
  • Career resources & Opportunity Center
  • Meeting and study room reservations
  • Public computers & free Wi-Fi
  • Mobile printing
  • Interlibrary loan
  • Curbside pickup & books-by-mail
  • Micro-loan program
  • Citizenship and voting information resources

🎸 Programs

  • Story times for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers
  • Summer Reading Program for all ages
  • Tai Chi and wellness classes
  • Technology and digital literacy workshops
  • Art exhibitions throughout the year
  • Community events and author talks

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Cedar Rapids Public Library Downtown have a makerspace?

Yes. The downtown branch has a makerspace with Cricut machines and other fabrication equipment that cardholders can use free of charge. Ask at the reference desk for availability and instructions.

Is there parking near the Cedar Rapids Public Library Downtown?

Yes. A complimentary two-hour parking lot is located to the south of the building for daily library visits. Library cardholders can also receive validated parking at the metered Fourth Avenue ramp — ask staff for details.

Is the Cedar Rapids Public Library open on Sundays?

Yes, the Downtown branch is open Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Monday through Thursday hours are 9 AM–8 PM; Friday and Saturday are 9 AM–5 PM.

What is the Horizons Cafe inside the library?

Horizons Cafe is a food and beverage service located inside the Cedar Rapids Public Library Downtown branch, giving visitors a convenient place to grab a coffee or snack during their visit.

📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.

🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.

📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.

🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.

✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.

✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.

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