Your Story Starts Early
Features & Highlights
What's Going on at cfpl for YOUTH
**There are no Storytimes in August. They will resume Tuesday, September 1st. **
We have storytime most Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. During storytime, we read fun stories, use fingerplays, rhymes, and sing songs to help your child begin the journey of becoming a lifelong reader and develop pre-literacy skills. Pre-literacy skills are the things children know about reading and words before they can read, such as letter shapes and sounds. Storytimes also typically include a craft on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays! Following Baby Storytime on Mondays, we have a free play session, and following Music & Movement Storytime on Fridays, we have a dance party.
Are you an educator looking for resources? Look no further than our Youth Services for Educators page. Ask our librarians to select books for your classroom, book a field trip, invite us to your school's literacy night, or collaborate with us on a program! Educators who live or work in Black Hawk County have the opportunity to sign up for Educator Accounts, which allow you a six-week checkout (with no renewals) of books for your classroom.
The following supervision expectations shall be adhered to while at the library:
- A responsible caregiver must be at least 12 years old AND in 7th grade; may be required to verify age.
- Children ages six to nine must be attended and adequately supervised by a responsible caregiver. This caregiver must be on the same floor of the library as their child.
- Children five and under must be under direct visual supervision of their responsible caregiver at all times while they are in the library.
Peter Rabbit Escape Room
August 10-14
Can you get through Farmer McGregor’s puzzles and “rescue” his prize golden carrots? Register for a time slot by calling the youth desk at 319-859-3282.
Special Storytime: School Buses!
Friday, August 21 at 10:30 a.m.
Join us just in time before the start of the school year for a special storytime on school buses! We'll have lots of fun reading books, rhyming, and dancing while learning about how a school bus works. Afterwards, join us in the parking lot of the library to tour an actual school bus and ask a bus driver questions! You can also take a craft home to enjoy.
Havens Mobile Petting Farm | District Street Party
Saturday, August 29th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Join us for the 4th annual District Street Party! With new activities being added, we think this year might be the best yet. Bring your friends and family and enjoy all of the fun activities taking place in the district! Stop by the Library's Parking Lot for some animal fun with Havens Mobile Petting Farm*! There'll be lambs, goats, a donkey, a cow, a pig, chickens, geese, bunnies, and more!
*The Havens Mobile Petting Farm Event is funded by the Marguerite Lybbert Memorial Fund for use by the Library.
Book Bundles
Don’t know what to read next? We’ve got you covered.
Step One
FILL OUR OUR “BOOK BUNDLE REQUEST” FORM BELOW.
Step Two
We’ll let you know when your curated selection of books is ready to pick up.
Step Three
Enjoy a selection of books chosen with you in mind.
Upcoming Programs & Events
Youth Department
Events
Calendar of Events
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Location: Various parks across Cedar Falls. This week's stop is the Tallgrass Prairie Center on W 27th St.Visit Fable and friendly library staff each week in a new park! Bike, walk, roll, or use any transportation suitable to you. At each park you find Fable at over the summer, you will be entered to win […] |
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Youth Department. Join us for baby storytime as we sing, read, bounce, and rhyme! It's a great time to cuddle your baby close and have fun while introducing them to skills that will help them become future readers. After storytime, join us for a free play session. For babies 0-23 months Youth. Sponsored by the Friends […] |
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Youth Department. Join us for Preschool Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and play. Parents are encouraged to embrace their inner child and dance and sing along with their child/ren. For preschoolers, ages 3-5.Youth Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library. |
1 event,
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Youth Department. Join us for Toddler Storytime as we read, sing, dance, rhyme, and get silly. Storytime is a great way to introduce your toddler to the joy of reading and to the preliteracy skills that will help them become future readers. For toddlers, ages 2-3. Youth. Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public […] |
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Youth Department. Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Get ready to dance and be silly! We'll read books that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out! Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library. |
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Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5 Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library. |
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1 event,Youth Department.Have you ever wanted to be a librarian? Well, here is your chance! Kid Librarian at CFPL is where one lucky kid will be drawn every month and picked to be a librarian for an afternoon! They will get to make their very own book display of their own interests that will be up […] |
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Youth. Upstairs in Co-Lab. Discover the world of letter writing! At this event, kids (ages 8-12) will learn how to write and send a letter and find out about a cool new pen pal library program starting this fall! For kids ages 8-12. No registration needed. Youth. |
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1 event,Can you get through Farmer McGregor’s puzzles and “rescue” his prize golden carrots? Register for a time slot by calling the youth desk at 319-859-3282. Registration opens July 25. |
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2 events,Youth Department. Stop by the Youth Desk to register and fill out a friend match-making form to participate in our new Youth Pen Pals program. Your librarian friends will then work hard to match you up with your new pen-pal. Registration will be open until the end of the day on Friday, September 4th, unless all […] |
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Would you care for a game of chess? Join fellow players at the Cedar Falls Public Library's meeting room (2nd floor) to meet your next opponent. The club meets regularly on the 3rd Monday of each month.This gathering is open to all ages, but a firm grasp of chess is expected from all players as […] |
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Youth Department, Storytime Corner. Join us just in time before the start of the school year for a special storytime on school buses! We'll have lots of fun reading books, rhyming, and dancing while learning about how a school bus works. Afterwards, join us in the parking lot of the library to tour an actual […] |
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2 events,Youth Department.Have you ever wanted to be a librarian? Well, here is your chance! Kid Librarian at CFPL is where one lucky kid will be drawn every month and picked to be a librarian for an afternoon! They will get to make their very own book display of their own interests that will be up […]
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Youth Department. Join us for Preschool Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and play. Parents are encouraged to embrace their inner child and dance and sing along with their child/ren. For preschoolers, ages 3-5.Youth Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library. |
2 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for Toddler Storytime as we read, sing, dance, rhyme, and get silly. Storytime is a great way to introduce your toddler to the joy of reading and to the preliteracy skills that will help them become future readers. For toddlers, ages 2-3. Youth. Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public […]
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Youth, ages 6-9, Storytime CornerSeptember's Theme: Outdoor Explorers A new, screens-free monthly program for kids ages 6-9! As kids navigate the everyday challenges of a screen-filled world, this program's themed, screen-free exploration stations help kids and grown-ups learn new activities to help reclaim real-world fun, friendships, and independence.Each month will have new, themed exploration stations. After […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for some hands-on learning. Children and their caregivers will navigate sensory stations and discover new ways to learn and play. Ages 0-5 Youth.
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Youth.Storytime Corner.For Families.Join us every month at the library for Lego Builders! A drop-in program to explore your creativity through Lego building. All ages welcome.Each month, we will alternate between Story Builders and Free Build. Story Builders will include a short story with four challenges. Free Build is a freestyle LEGO building time. Duplos will […] |
2 events,Today is the last day to stop by the Youth Desk to register and fill out a friend match-making form to participate in our new Youth Pen Pals program. Your librarian friends will then work hard to match you up with your new pen-pal.Registration will be open until the end of the day on Friday, […]
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Youth Department. Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Get ready to dance and be silly! We'll read books that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out! Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library. |
1 event,
-
Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5 Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library. |
Events
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Peter Rabbit Escape Room
Can you get through Farmer McGregor’s puzzles and “rescue” his prize golden carrots? Register for a time slot by calling the youth desk at 319-859-3282. Registration opens July 25.
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Pen Pals: Pair-Up Registration Opens TODAY!
Youth Department. Stop by the Youth Desk to register and fill out a friend match-making form to participate in our new Youth Pen Pals program. Your librarian friends will then work […]
-
Chess Club
Would you care for a game of chess? Join fellow players at the Cedar Falls Public Library's meeting room (2nd floor) to meet your next opponent. The club meets regularly on the 3rd Monday of each month.This gathering is open to all ages, but a firm grasp of chess is expected from all players as […]
-
Special Storytime: School Buses!
Youth Department, Storytime Corner. Join us just in time before the start of the school year for a special storytime on school buses! We'll have lots of fun reading books, rhyming, and dancing while learning about how a school bus works. Afterwards, join us in the parking lot of the library to tour an actual […]
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Kid Librarian!
Youth Department.Have you ever wanted to be a librarian? Well, here is your chance! Kid Librarian at CFPL is where one lucky kid will be drawn every month and picked […]
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Preschool Storytime
Youth Department. Join us for Preschool Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and play. Parents are encouraged to embrace their inner child and dance and sing along with their child/ren. For preschoolers, ages 3-5.Youth Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.
-
Toddler Storytime
Youth Department. Join us for Toddler Storytime as we read, sing, dance, rhyme, and get silly. Storytime is a great way to introduce your toddler to the joy of reading and to the preliteracy skills that will help them become future readers. For toddlers, ages 2-3. Youth. Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public […]
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Unplugged Play Lab: IRL Fun for Real-Life Kids
Youth, ages 6-9, Storytime CornerSeptember's Theme: Outdoor Explorers A new, screens-free monthly program for kids ages 6-9! As kids navigate the everyday challenges of a screen-filled world, this program's themed, screen-free exploration stations help kids and grown-ups learn new activities to help reclaim real-world fun, friendships, and independence.Each month will have new, themed exploration stations. After […]
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Sensory Stations for Little Learners
Youth Department. Join us for some hands-on learning. Children and their caregivers will navigate sensory stations and discover new ways to learn and play. Ages 0-5 Youth.
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Lego Builders
Youth.Storytime Corner.For Families.Join us every month at the library for Lego Builders! A drop-in program to explore your creativity through Lego building. All ages welcome.Each month, we will alternate between Story Builders and Free Build. Story Builders will include a short story with four challenges. Free Build is a freestyle LEGO building time. Duplos will […]
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Pen Pals: Pair-Up Registration Closes Today
Today is the last day to stop by the Youth Desk to register and fill out a friend match-making form to participate in our new Youth Pen Pals program. Your […]
-
Music & Movement Storytime
Youth Department. Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Get ready to dance and be silly! We'll read books that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out! Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.
Resources for Parents
Youth Department
Kid Librarian
Have you ever wanted to be a librarian? Well, here is your chance! We are introducing Kid Librarian at CFPL, where one lucky kid will be drawn every month and picked to be a librarian for an afternoon! Read about our kid librarians here!
Big Woods Lake StoryWalk®
Spend time with family/friends, enjoy nature, and read the most recent storybook installation.
Spring into Summer Writing Contest
Check out the winning stories of the first Spring in Summer Writing Contest!
Spooky Story Contest Winners
Check out the annual spooky story contest winners along with links to their stories!
Our Music Garden
Visit our Music Garden behind the library! Colorful instruments now fill green space by State St., creating an area that fosters multi-generational entertainment, encourages creativity, and engages the senses. Create music, play together, and have fun!
Check Out E-Books
We offer access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, movies,etc. through a variety of digital libraries, such as Hoopla, Libby, Comics Plus, and Tumblebooks.
Kids Links
From educational games and tutorial sites, like ABC Mouse and Citation Machine, to yoga for kids videos, browse our curated list of websites for kids.
Adventure Pass
Have you heard of our Adventure Pass system? Check out passes to fun places, such as the Blank Park Zoo, The Science Center of Iowa, and the Grout Museum District.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
This program is part of a national literacy initiative to encourage parents and caregivers to read often to their children before they begin school.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, quality books to children from birth until age five.
Books & Baby Bumps
Books & Baby Bumps is a pre-birth early literacy program designed to help families start a reading ritual before the baby arrives.
Youth Book Recommendations
A list of CFPL librarian-curated youth book recommendations.
Resources for Parents/Guardians
A list of educational and library-related resources for parents and gaurdians.
Tumblebooks
TumbleBooks are animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love.
The Importance of Early Childhood Literacy
A collection of stats in keys areas in child literacy to help prepare you to make a difference in the lives of your children.
