FocusThe newsletter for friends and the foundation of the Cedar Rapids Public Library

Spring 2013

See you soon!

Address: 3750 Williams Blvd. SWCedar Rapids, IA 52404

Phone: 319.398.5123

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9-9Friday – Saturday, 9-5Sunday, 1-5

Website: www.crlibrary.org

Sign up for the Library’s monthly email newsletter on the home page.

Cedar Rapids Public Library • 2600 Edgewood Road SW• Suite 330 • Cedar Rapids • Iowa 52404

MissionFriends supports the Cedar Rapids Public Library services and programs; promotes literacy through

outreach programs that encourage and enhance reading throughout the community; and conducts fund raising activities to assist with library and outreach projects.

MissionThe Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation secures

resources in order to enhance and enrich library programs, services and facilities not normally

met by public resources.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library welcomed approximately 4,000 people through the doors of the Ladd Library, our new permanent branch on opening day, February 23, 2013. The Friends and Foundation took every opportunity to help the Library celebrate. Congratulations, Cedar Rapids Public Library!

Thank you, Marilyn!When Marilyn J. Ladd signed her will in 1986 naming the Cedar Rapids Public Library as the sole beneficiary of her estate, the last “new” library had been open in downtown Cedar Rapids for just one year. Marilyn passed away on November 29, 2011 after a short illness. Her transformative gift of nearly $750,000 has provided a legacy that the Cedar Rapids community will enjoy for generations to come – the Ladd Library.

Marilyn, who was known as “Patsy” by her family, was born on August 17, 1925 in Cedar Rapids to parents Philip and Dorothy (Stemlar) Ladd. She was a test tech at Rockwell Collins before retiring in 1988. She was a painter, sculptor, dancer, bridge player and lifelong library user. Marilyn’s gift is the largest the library has ever received from a single individual. Marilyn’s gift to Cedar Rapids, in helping to establish a permanent west-side branch, is one that will keep giving to our entire community.

Marilyn Ladd is 79 years old in this photo taken in 1999.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette featured Marilyn Ladd in celebration of the nation’s first National

Library week in 1958. The celebration continues at the Ladd Library during National Library

Week this year (April 14 – 20, 2013).

Library fans celebrating after

cutting the ribbon to officially

open the new Ladd Library.Families making themselves right at home in the new children’s area.

Bill and Monica Vernon enjoying Ladd Library.

2 Focus on Foundation - www.crlibrary.org/foundation

The new monthly giving program of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation

By making a monthly donation to the Foundation, you will be standing with the Cedar Rapids Public Library as a passionate advocate for literacy and lifelong learning in our community each month. Your sustaining gift as an Exemplary Giver allows you to spread your donation throughout the year while providing a steady stream of support to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation. Your monthly donation of $5 a month or more, paid by credit or debit card around the 15th of every month, is an easy way to make a big difference.

Become an Exemplary Giver online at crlibrary.org/foundation or use the enclosed envelope. For more information, please contact Katie Geiken at GeikenK@crlibrary.org or 319-739-0411.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

and Dennis McPartland Quartet

On February 22, 2013, the Foundation hosted a fundraising event in the soon-to-be open Ladd Library.Below are just a few of the folks who made the Love my Ladd Library fundraiser a smashing success.

Ron Stahlberg and daughter Emma taking in the new children’s space.

Suzanne Griggs, Laverne Flagel and Gingie Hunstad

smiling big, wearing CRPL pins made from recycled

book pages.

Susie Streit and Gayle & Doug Elliott celebrating the Library’s new digs.

Focus on Foundation 3

Author $500 - $999Jim & Ruth AffeldtConnie AltThe Altrusa Club of Cedar Rapids

Literacy Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

Gerald & Alice AndersonJohn & Mary-Jane BarlowBill & Lu BarronLawrence & Catherine BasileBetter World BooksCaroline CavanaughRobert & Roberta R. ClinePaul & Nancy CraigM. C. DickmeyerLaurie Evans & Lynn EvansJean W. FerringDick & Nancy GarbersonLes & Katrina GarnerMatthew & Katie A. GiorgioDavid & Kathleen GoodWayne & Rebecca GroffRobert D. & Diane L. HagartyJonathan Hammond &

Rebecca PalmerKevin & Anna HarderAlice HartMatthew P. Brown &

Gina G. HausknechtDr. Doug HortonGingie V. Hunstad

Reader $250 - $499Doug & Deborah AllemangZach & Rebecca BatsonChristopher & Moira BlakeCropLife AmericaPatrick & Carol DeignanJeffrey & Terry ElginKristen GallesWendell L. & Barbara J. GaugerBJ GoodSuzanne GriggsMax & Kathy HawkinsJack & Jackie HeinsJeff & Lisa HendersonRob & Kathryn HoggNed H. Kohl

Patron $100 - $249William G. AndersonDaniel & Harriette A. BahnsenLorna M. BarnesDean & Janice BarnumWendy BarthJohn J. BauckHenry Dickson & Diana BendorfTim & Mary BenningtonDavid & Donni BensonValissa & Jeffrey BergThomas Bergstrom

Greg & Teresa BestMarilyn BettmengLawrence & Judith BlumScott & Jo BoggussMark & Pauline BornsteinDuane & Janet BoschBarbara BowersoxScott M. BrittenBo BrockPatricia K. BryantRobert & Ann BuckheisterArnold D. & Elizabeth BucksbaumCheminovaGreg & Terri ChurchillCarolyn ClevelandSusan ClevelandJosephine CookWilliam A. & Yvonne S. DavisJames DayHarold & Lynn DentonJeanne DotzauerRichard D. & Mary L. DoyleErskine Parent Teacher AssociationDavid R. & JoAnn FaribaultArthur J. & Barbara A. FearnRobert & Carol FergusonFriends of the Cedar Rapids

Public LibraryFriendship Force IC/CRMelvin H. GalbraithKevin & Deb GertsenMary Lou GetzHarold GilbertJames GilbertGary & Kathe GoldsteinDiane Tipping GraberMarcia GrahameMike & Leah GreifIrene M. HaertherRich & Julie HansonScott HauserNancy HeaverloTodd A. & Sarah HendersonPaul D. & Peggy D. HeysseJim & Ann HoffmanWayne & Anna Gay HolstineDiane HornScot & Marcia Hughes

Bookplate $1 - $99William AbernathyGary & Donna AlbaughBilly & Karen AldayLarry & Diane AllenAlpha Xi DeltaRichard & Candace AltorferRon & Darlene AndreattaJohn & Janet AnstromBrice & Nancy Anton JensenGarland & Barbara AshbacherLois BakerCarrie Ball

Dale & Nina BappeDrs. Arthur & Marian BarnesJoel & Amy BarnumM. Violeth Barrera ZunigaWilma BauerSally & Dan BaumgartnerConrad & Jeannette BaumlerDevon & Lindsey BellLyndsay BenedictVirgil & Linda BerneyJoe Leone & Barbara BernsJP & Larisa BickelElizabeth BiesiotDale & Cathy Boddicker, Jr.Jagadeeshbabu BoggarapuSondra Bolsinger-LambEsther M. Bos O’DonnellRoger BouletMichael & Jerrie L. BourgoAmy BowerGrant BramelJoan BreesSallie F. BrewsterDoug & Michele BrockJeffery & Sarah BrownDouglas & Anne BuchacekBarbara BuchananRick & Kelli BureshRobert & Jacquie BuschetteDr. Scott CalwetiJerry & Marilyn S. CanadyCharles & Martha CannonKeith & Fonda CarrisRichard CarsonCedar Rapids Bank & TrustCedar Rapids

Community School DistrictCedar Rapids Downtown RotaryCedar Rapids

Ob Gyn Specialists P.C.David S. & Lijun L. ChadimaRuie ChehakJerry & Mary ChiltonClifton Gunderson LLPClipper WindpowerDonna ColbeckEverett & Ellen CollinsLarry ConawayPatricia CrawfordMarjorie Daft

Allen & Ann DalzielDavid Hite & Lynda DanielArbutus & Kenneth DavisDelores DavisJean DavisonMelba DavisonSteven & Kathleen DayBetty DebbanBarbara A. DeetzArthur & Lenarda DeManiaJessica A. DoroEdwin & Louise DowneyDaniel & Steffanie DreyErik & Susan DriessenRandy & Diana DrummerBarbara DunbarConnie Fullmer DunkinRaymond & Marjorie DutchikBernice DvorakBernie & Mary DvorakFrank & Patricia EichenlaubLarry & Marsha ErbKenneth & Georgianna ErgerDorothy A. EvansDoris FaasBeulah FalekFamily Medicine Specialists, P.C.Janet FarleyKatie FeldmanJoanne FickelNicole FieldsBarbara FitzgeraldFive Seasons Womens ClubMary FlandersMarjorie H. FletcherPatrick FordElaine S. FoxKaren FoxGlenn & Karen FrantzMary FratzkeRichard & Greer FryDr. William &

Mrs. Jo Anne GalbraithW C GallagherElwood & Cindy GarlockTim GarnerBrian & Karen GearhartGeneral Mills Foundation

Much deserved, overdue recognitionIn the fall 2012 issue of Focus, the following individuals were inadvertently omitted from the list of donors to the Library Foundation in fiscal year 2012 (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012). Your commitment matters so much; to the Foundation, to the Library and, most importantly, to the hundreds of people who rely on the Cedar Rapids Public Library each day. Please accept our apology for leaving you out of our written donor listing and remember that the omission is not a reflection of our true gratitude for your generosity.

A corrected version of the fall 2012 newsletter/annual report is posted online at http://bit.ly/Focus2012AnnualReport.

Children’s services staff performing a Mother Goose Revue as the first story time in the new branch.

Katie Giorgio and Sean Ulmer during the sneak peek event, Love my Ladd Library.

4 Focus on Foundation - www.crlibrary.org/foundation

Genova TechnologiesElizabeth & William GibbsJames & Beverly GiesemanRon & Pat GonderKeith & Neva GriemDuane & Ruth Ann GriggsDonald K. & Marjorie A. GrimmEllin GruberScott & Charlotte GunnufsonBasil & Lynn HadjisDonna HakesHarold & Sandra HallDoris HamiltonDorothy HamptonSusan HarfordJames & Keely HarkenNicholas HassingerBradley L. HaugeJames & Barbara HazeltonRichard & Debra HerrmannHills Bank and Trust CompanyJames D. & Anne HodgesRichard & Jane HoelzSandra HoffmannGary & Susan HollidayRobert Holmes & Sharon

Carmody-HolmesMary HookLori HorakDoris HotchkissTimothy A. HotzL.E. & Genevieve HowardJohn & Melinda HowertonGreg R. & Patrice HudsonMervin & Dorthea HuebnerCassie HuismanDiane HuntHyVee Drugstore #7022Jean K. ImoehlJill JamiesonDarci & Josh JanssWanda JohnsonMary JohnstonHarry & Margaret Jones, Jr.Kent JonesRobert M. & Stacy B. JonesPaul & Leanne Junko

Robert B. & Barbara A. KaneGeorge & Mary C. KanzCaroline & James KellyJames KellyTom & Linda KellyMary Ellen KenneyBetsy KiginDonald C. & June M. KingJames & Linda L. KippKaren KittCheryl KolarThies & Kelly S. KollnDean & Renee KonradLynn KorusEdward & Janalee KosowskiRichard & Darlene KrizLawrence & Peggy KuennenAlan & Kathy KuntzDel & Pam LaGrangeCarl & Mary LaLondeJames Matsuda & Tracy Langhurst

JoAnn LarsonWayne & Doris LarsonBill D. LawrenceDoug & Patricia LehmanLisa & Mark LehmkuhlJessica LevenduskyBrian & Cheryl LindoJoe & Jessica LinkW & Jane Lonergan-HighleyVirginia LudekingNancy MacTaggart

Robert & Susan MadrickConstance P. MalmerMatthew MarklandMatthew & Tiffany MarksJames & Traci MaxtedDavid & Ruth Mc GuireBill E. & Kathy A. McCauleyJohn & Roxanne McCraneLucinda & C Michael McDonaldOtis McGowanLaurie McGrathME&VEmily MeyerMary MillerMary MocklerFrancis & Cheryl MoeMonroe SchoolRobert & Sharon MorrowJames T. & Joan M. MoselDennis & Gail MurphyBrittany MyersDebra NachazelSandy NatalieKenneth & Kathy NathanVictor & Janice NaxeraRobert & Charlotte NechanickyLillian H. NeffRonald D. & Suzanne L. NeilMarilyn NelsonHelen Joy NicholsonGrace NoonanBurton OdellDelores OlsonJill OlsonWalter F. & Wanda L. OlsowskiDebra ONeilMaria Orlich-Healy & R. F. HealySteve & Susan OvelHannah OvertonMark & Nancy OwensRich & Marion PattersonDavid & Ann PattisonElwood & Nancy T. PaulTerry R. & Gail PaulsenStacey PawlakPepsico FoundationDaniel & Patricia Persico

Eric & Tracy PetersenKyle & Michelle PetersonKaren J. PfeilerJames L. & Roberta PhinneyWallace & Jeanne PinckneyDennis & Debra PintDorothy PoolCindy L. PreussnerHarold & Florence PrimrosePandian RameswaranStephen & Diane RarickPamela RazorKatherine RedlichRich & Sarah RheinschmidtJohn & Linda RyalThomas & Carol RyderWilliam & Ellen SabinVernon F. & Arlene SandLuvern Sauerbry &

Lois Jean SauerbrySteven & Laurie SauerbryBruce Bachmann &

Nancy J. SauermanCharles & Elsie SchilligBob & Jan Schobert

It was 1967 when they moved from England to the United States.  Aboard the original Queen Elizabeth ocean liner, Maureen and Ken Tipping, and their 4-year old daughter, Diane, “crossed the pond” to their new home in the U.S.  It was a trip Diane fondly remembers, and what little girl wouldn’t -- she had the ship’s second class playroom all to herself!

British transplants who’d earlier made the move to Iowa helped the Tippings get acclimated to the U.S., which in-cluded introducing them to the Cedar Rapids Public Library. Mr. Tipping, with little Diane in tow, made frequent trips to all the library’s branches, and brought books to his wife who was confined at home by rheumatoid arthritis.  Because she’d left school at the age of 14, these books were Mrs. Tipping’s connection to the world.  Despite having had no formal education, her voracious appetite for reading flourished. 

She read and read and read, and not surprising -- she really liked “the British stuff.”

There’s no question the Public Library was central to the lives of the entire family for many, many years.  When Mrs. Tipping passed away in October 2011, memorial gifts were directed to the Cedar Rapids Public Library.  Then in Janu-ary 2012, when Mr. Tipping unexpectedly died, Diane chose to honor both parents with generous memorial gifts to un-derwrite the material handler (automated book return) and the flag pole at the new CRPL west side branch, the Ladd Library.  These memorials stand as fitting tributes to a ma-terials handling engineer and to a bibliophile who became American citizens three decades after they arrived in the U.S.

In Memory of Maureen and Ken Tipping

We heart CRPL!

1969 photo of Maureen and Ken Tipping and their daughter Diane.

Two young patrons are all smiles on opening day.

Focus on Friends 5

F o c u s o n F r i e n d s

One Slot Stop: Returning Library Books or Donating Books for the SaleAs the saying goes, old habits die hard.With the opening of the new Ladd Library on Cedar Rapids west side, the two book return receptacles on the curb at Westdale Mall are “no longer.” Patrons returning library books now have the convenience of a drive-up book return on the east side of the new Ladd Library. Likewise, those wishing to donate books for the library’s book sales can put their donations in the same slot. Once inside, the books are magically sorted by the automated material handler which will separate the donated books from the return books. Donated books are put aside for Friends volunteers to place in the Book Nook or hold for another book sale. Library books are re-shelved by the Cracker Jack CRPL staff. Voilá!

Exclusive FRIENDS Author Event The Metro Library Network, Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha Public Libraries, recently announced an exciting 2013 author lineup for its 9th year of the Out Loud! Author Series. The public lecture series begins on Friday, June 7 with Ann Patchett. An exclusive FRIENDS event will precede the exciting series kickoff.

The library network will host an intimate gathering of FRIENDS with Ann Patchett, the author of Bel Canto, Run, and State of Wonder. The meet and greet event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 7. FRIENDS members of the respective libraries are invited to the reception at CSPS Hall, 1103 Third Street SE in Cedar Rapids. This members-only event grants access to a rare opportunity to meet Patchett. The author will sign books and

speak briefly at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The public lecture will follow at 7 p.m. at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center.

The Out Loud! Author Series will also host Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, Sharp Objects, and Dark Places, on Friday, June 14; and conclude with Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River, Shutter Island, and Live by Night, on Friday, June 28. All public events will be held at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center at 7 p.m. There is no charge to any of the events. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Ann Patchett is a best-selling and award-winning author. She is an alumna of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and was named one of Time magazine’s “World’s 100 Most Influential People” of 2012.

The drive-up book drop at the west side Ladd Library (left photo) is the port of entry for items to be sorted by the materials handler (right photo).

Focus on Friends 5

6 Focus on Friends - www.crlibrary.org/friends

Friends’ Support for Purchase of iPad Minis Helps Library Staff Be Technologically Savvy

While it may seem counter-intuitive that the staff of a bricks-and-mortar library filled with traditional books would encourage the use of electronic readers, they clearly understand that the future must be embraced, not ignored.

Likewise, it made sense to the FRIENDS of the Library board of directors when the staff ’s Innovation Council asked the FRIENDS for funding to equip members of the library staff with iPad mini tablets. The staff contended they needed a grasp of digital technology in order to adequately respond to library patrons in need of help with their electronic readers. The FRIENDS board agreed that investing in the staff was just as important as investing in the buildings that house the staff.

So it was like Christmas in February when members of the CRPL staff were each presented with a 32GB iPad mini. The staff was stunned (and touched) by the investment FRIENDS made. And they already have embarked on training sessions ranging from downloading to databases. The FRIENDS are proud to support the best staff in the best public library in the Midwest. No bias there, of course!

Strong Backs and Elbow Grease Grossed More Than $27,000 at Fall Book SalePatrons who take advantage of the FRIENDS’ annual fall book sale may never have considered the amount of physical labor that goes into executing the sale. From the months of sorting and schlepping of books prior to the sale to the stocking of tables and restocking of tables at the sale, to the disposition of leftover books at the close of the sale: let’s just say it’s hard work.

The success of the 2012 sale is thanks to the countless volunteers who gave their time and their muscles and netted $20,000 for CRPL FRIENDS to help support the public library.

Special thanks go out to students at Metro High school whose energy and brute strength were much appreciated by some of the more senior members of the FRIENDS’ volunteer corps.

Thanks to all who volunteered!Dee Anderson, Helen Anderson, Chris Ball, Dean Barnum, Bryan Banowetz, Mary Jen Bear, Cindy Beer, Diane Bergstrom, Alli Blake, Josh Blanck, Lorraine Blanck, Sondra Bolsinger-Lane, Jackie Brimmer, Nicky Bruns, Hailey Bush, Bob Buschette, Jaquie Buschette, Alyce Carlson, Randy Carlson, Fonda Carris, Pam Caster, Scott Chacey, Joan Chadima, Barbara Claire, Gerald Clemmens, Georgia Cook, Abbie Covenah, Charles Crawley, Eleanor Cromwell, Mary Russell Curran, Carol Cutler, Chris Dahle, Dan Daly, Kerri Davenport, Katie Davis, Bill DeKock, Margie DeKock, Natalie Ditmars, Susan Dryden, Velga Easker. Kathy Eggert, Cheryl Elliott, Barb Fearn, Don Frischkorn, Jan Frischkorn, Greer Fry, Rick Fry, Barb Fulton, Rosemary Gabe, Cindy Garlock, Emily Gaumer, Linda Gaumer, Katie Geiken, Kay Gloe, Karl Green, Charles Groth, Robin Groth, Greta Gustefson, Ingrid Gustefson, Noah Hagen, Jackie Hanna, Barb Hanson, Harlan Hanson, Alan Harms, Sally Harms, Marilyn Hartogh, Julia Hawkins, Carol Hoke, Al Holcomb, Rochelle Holcomb, Patricia Holderness, Karen Horak, Ellen Hull, Rich Hull, Gingie Hunstad, Marian Irmen, Payton Janney, Marsha Jennerjohn, Brian Johnson, Mary Johnston,George Kanz, Mary Kanz, Mary Keane, Carley Kenney, Karen Kessler, Amanda Kilts, Zach Klimesh, Nancy Kodros, Curtis Kraetsch, Carma Kucera, Heidi Landegard, Caroline Larson, Sue Latham, Mike LeMue, Laura Locher, Nicole McAlexander, Ida Martin-Sorensen, Helga Mayhew, Susie McDermott, Karla McGrail, Laura Melick, Cheryl Moe, Cindy Monroe, Jan Moore-Ecker, Gayle Morgan, Doug Mueller, Rachel Mueller, Rachel Mullin, Ron Neil, Sue Neil, Tim Oberbroeckling, Lynn Ocken, Tressa Ohrt, Steve Patterson, Rick Paulos, Johnna Percell, Allison Pilz, Sylvia Popelka, Ruth Quisling, Janet Rater, John Rater, Mary Reams, Jeni Reeves, Tegan Reeves, Sue Reider, Karen Reiman, Megan Reiman, Sarah Rheinschmidt, Barb Ridder, Randy Rieck, Janet Rooks, Sharon Rosenberg, Marcia Sanders, Wanda Sanderson, Joyce Sandrock, David Savino, Debbie Schroeder, Dwight Schroeder, Katie Schroeder, Tom Schroeder, Emily Schuff, Elaine Seifert, Virginia Seyfert, Katie Shaffer, Maria Shebetka, Jane Siegel, Mary Siegel, Jeannie Slauson, Jacklyn Skeele, Libby Slappey, Allie Smith, Joanne Smith, Leni Stastny, Sandy Steckler, Julie Stephenson, Joan Thaler, John Toerper, Alyssa Thompson, Carol Thompson, Melinda Tomsic, Kathy VandeZandschlup. Connie VanWoert, Helen Wall, Barb Waychoff, Jan Webster, Barbara Weeks, Bev Wehr, Barb Westercamp, Jacalyn Westercamp, Alice Wilkinson, Carolyn Wilson, Frances Woods, Adam Wright, Gretchen Wright, Leah Wright, and Marjorie Zalesky.

Reference Librarian Erin Horst demonstrates her iPad mini.

Focus on Friends 7

Volunteering at the LibraryThis spring, the Cedar Rapids Public Library launches its new Volunteer Program, developing exceptional volunteer opportunities to support and enrich the library through community engagement. The Friends of the Library are excited to learn how the organization and its members can support this vital new program. Working alongside staff, library volunteers will be at the heart of the library operations – greeting patrons, assisting with events, processing items on hold, and maintaining the beautiful new Ladd Library space. At the center of this rewarding program is Jessica Link, the new Cedar Rapids Public Library Volunteer Coordinator. Since joining the staff in November, Jessica has already worked with over 80 volunteers for the Ladd Library move. She has coordinated volunteers for World Read Aloud Day and other children’s events. Currently, Jessica is organizing a series of Summer Reading Program presentations in conjunction with United Way’s Day of Caring on May 9. She attends Friends board meetings, listening for opportunities to help the Friends and the Library by matching eager volunteers to meaningful roles.

Prior to joining the library, Jessica gained experience managing volunteers of all ages and backgrounds with Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at United Way of East Central Iowa and Meals On Wheels at Horizons.

To learn more about volunteering at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, please visit www.crlibrary.org/volunteer or contact Jessica at LinkJ@crlibrary.org. 319-739-0403.

Members of Cedar Rapids Girl Scout Troop # 8314 volunteering at the Ladd Library opening on February 23, 2013, greeting guests with a smile and a commemorative bag

Cedar Rapids Public Library Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Link

Winter Book Sale:The Perfect Antidote for the Cold Weather BluesLeading doctors all agree on the best cure for the wintertime doldrums. Buy a good book; go to bed early; and don’t worry about calling them in the morning. And the FRIENDS of the Library were happy to assist.

Part of the Very Cherry Holiday Open House, the first Saturday in December, the winter book sale brought in more than $2,000 through sales of “giftable” books, puzzles, bookmarks, blank paper books and of course, curl-up-and-read good books for all.

Focus Non-profitU.S. Postage Paid

Permit #381Cedar Rapids,

Iowa 524012600 Edgewood Rd. SWSuite 330Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Return Service Required

South entrance of the new library downtown under

construction, March 2013

Save the DateThe new downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library, located at 450

4th Avenue SE, will open its doors for the first time on Saturday,

August 24, 2013. Leading up to opening day in August, the Friends

and Foundation will be inviting members and donors to open

houses and sneak preview events. Grand opening will include a

special ribbon cutting ceremony in which the public is invited to

participate. Along with the ribbon cutting, everyone is invited to

take part in special programs, entertainment and refreshments

throughout the day. Look for more details in coming months in your

mailbox, email and on the library’s website at www.crlibrary.org.