The new downtown library continues to make progress as we head deeper into spring and hopefully toward warmer weather. The interior is taking shape as drywall continues to be completed throughout the building, light fixtures are installed and functional, and flooring and wall treatments are being completed. Take a look at the latest images and let us know what you think.
Construction on the new downtown library continues to progress and each of the spaces is starting to look more finished. Installation of lighting fixtures, painting and laying carpet all add to the feeling of excitement as we get closer to opening day, August 24.
The new Cedar Rapids Public Library will open to the public on Saturday, August 24, 2013. The public is invited to participate in a grand opening celebration, including an interactive ribbon-cutting, special programs and events, refreshments and more throughout the day. Stay tuned to our website in coming months for more information.
Construction continues inside the building with more drywall being completed, drop ceilings being installed, and fixtures in place. On the exterior, we continue to see work on the siding, including the special siding and lighting on the exterior of the auditorium.
As the construction of the new downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library continues we look to spring as a season of renewal and of complicated Iowa weather. Fortunately, most of the work taking place at the Library takes place indoors.
Work on the footing for the skywalk connecting the Library with the parking ramp next door continues. The Library will have a skywalk leading from the second floor into the third floor of the ramp.
Drywall is being installed throughout the facility and paint is starting to go up. The stairs have been installed and the light wall is ready to be completed. Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to opening day.
The new Ladd Library at 3750 Williams Blvd. SW will open on Saturday, February 23, at 10:00 am. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held inside the new library at 10:00 am. The public is invited and encouraged to attend and celebrate this special day.
The Ladd Library is named for Marilyn Ladd, a life-long Cedar Rapids resident who left her estate to the Cedar Rapids Public Library, the largest gift ever received from a single individual. This gift, along with support from the community through the West Side Story campaign, made it possible for us to open a permanent, state-of-the-art library on the city’s west side.
Ladd Library will have twenty public computers, two study rooms, one community room, a children’s library, comfortable seating, natural light, and a broad collection of materials.
After the ribbon cutting, the first story time will be held at 10:30 am, followed by a visit from Clifford, who will give each child a free book. The Corridor Therapy Dogs will visit at 11:30 am for a meet-and-greet, and another story time will happen at 1:30 pm, again followed by Clifford and his free books.
Refreshments will be served and the public is invited to check out the new library space for themselves.
Two weeks from today the Cedar Rapids Public Library will begin the move to its new 
permanent west side branch, called the Ladd Library, at 3750 Williams Blvd SW. The move will mean closing the west branch February 18 through 22. The Grand Opening celebration and ribbon cutting will be on Saturday, February 23, at 10:00 am.
The Ladd Library will be a more efficient location with many features currently not available, such as public restrooms, natural light from large windows, and many opportunities for comfortable seating. There will be a children’s library, a community room for programs and public use, two study rooms, 20 public computers, free wifi, and, of course, a wonderful collection of materials to borrow.
You can help the Library make the move by coming in before February 17 and checking out as many books, movies and cds as you can handle! The check-out limit is 99 so think big! The more you check out, the fewer items we have to move.
The public is also invited to attend the “Love My Ladd Library Fundraiser” on Friday, February 22, and get a sneak peak at the new library. Tickets are $40 each and go to support the CRPL Foundation. Click here for more information.
**The downtown location in the Armstrong Centre will be open Tuesday, Feb 19 – Friday, Feb 22, 9 am to 5 pm (Both Libraries are closed on Monday, February 18 for President’s Day).
The Ladd Library, located at 3750 Williams Blvd. SW, is starting to look more and more like a library. One of the most highly anticipated features of this new permanent branch began installation this week–windows. The amount of natural light in this former retail space will be a wonderful addition for both our customers and our staff.
Along with the window installation, work continues on the bathrooms, which are another highly anticipated feature in the Library.
The CRPL hopes to make the move from the current Westdale Mall location to the new Ladd Library the week of February 18-22, with a grand opening celebration on February 23. Move details will be finalized in the next week and we will be able to share our plans then, but be sure and pencil in the dates on your calendar. And look for information from the CRPL Foundation on the upcoming “Love My Ladd Library” Fundraiser to be held on February 22.
Siding is still going up and two of the three exterior paneling colors are now in place. Drywall is being installed and the study rooms and conference rooms are starting to take shape. The new library will have a variety of meeting rooms available for public use, including the “Unconference Room”, a space that is non-traditional and includes soft seating perfect for any group or book club. Check out the photos below and stay tuned to the Connect blog for regular updates.
As construction continues at the new downtown library, we see more and more of the spaces taking shape. The children’s programming room has been drywalled and is ready for the next step. The white paneling on the south side of the building has begun to be installed. This swill pearl paneling is a stark contrast to the espresso color of the rest of the building. It is the second of what will be three colors on the exterior of the new library. The drive-through is wide enough for two cars to pass, allowing people to pick up their coffee from our friends at Brewed Awakenings and drop off returns in the drive-up book drop. The teen space is taking shape and includes to rooms for content creation where teens will be able to work on videos, music, and art. Stay tuned to our blog for regular updates on the building progress as we continue into 2013.
Two libraries are under construction in our city and progress on both sites continues to move at a dramatic pace. The new downtown library has been fully enclosed for winter and temporary heat has been installed so that work can continue during the coldest months of the year.
On the west side of town, the new branch library now has cut-outs for windows, interior walls are framed, and drywall is up.
Check back often for more images and information on both construction projects.Visit our website at http://www.crlibrary.org for additional information on programs and events at the Cedar Rapids Public Library.
