Your Story Starts Early
Features & Highlights
What's Going on at cfpl for YOUTH
We have storytime most Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. During storytime, we read fun stories, use fingerplays, rhyme, 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 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.
Summer Reading
June 8-August 1, 2026
Join us for another fun summer full of performers, crafts, scavenger hunts, special programming, and, of course, reading! Learn more here.
Fable's Book Bike Tour
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 our book bike at over the summer, you will be entered to win various prizes from area businesses!
Every visit to a Book Bike Tour stop is an entry to win prizes from local businesses, and five visits guarantee you a Book Nook gift certificate! Check out the available prizes starting June 1st - they will be on display in the display case by the staircase in the library. Names will be drawn and prize winners will be contacted on August 12th!
- 6/7: Big Woods (south)
- 6/14: Policeman's Park
- 6/21: Prairie Lakes
- 6/28: Overman Park
- 7/5: Place to Play Park
- 7/12: Kiwanis Bluff
- 7/19: Seerley Park
- 7/26: Tallgrass Prairie Center
Power Up This Summer with SUN Meals!
You can help fuel your kids’ summer fun with SUN Meals. Designed to keep children energized instead of hungry, these delicious summer meals pack
nutrition and plenty of summer smiles. SUN Meals are available to all Iowa kids and teens ages 18 years old and younger. Meals are free of charge
and served throughout the summer break. The library will be a meal site from June 8 to July 31.
USDA helps to ensure that children have access to nutritious meals and snacks in schools, summer programs and childcare centers and homes. Please take meals from the summer meal site only for the days your children are not receiving USDA Child Nutrition Program meals while attending childcare and only from one summer meal site. This will help ensure access to healthy meals and snacks for all children in the community. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Grab N' Go Meals: Lunch & Snack
Distribution Days: Monday-Friday
Distribution Time: 12 pm-2 pm
Find meal menus here.
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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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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0 events,
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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 […]
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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 […] |
1 event,
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Meeting Room. Join us for a special storytime with a mermaid from Lost Island! We'll read, sing, dance, and learn about mermaids! For families. |
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 […] |
1 event,
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Community Center This summer, get ready for a magic show that feels like stepping into areal-life cartoon! Kids will be wide-eyed with excitement, parents will be entertained, andeveryone will be […] |
1 event,
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Overman Park. 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 […] |
1 event,
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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. |
1 event,
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Location: Various parks across Cedar Falls. This week's park is Big Woods Lake at the south side shelter. Visit Fable and friendly library staff each week in a new park! Bike, walk, […] |
2 events,
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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 […] |
2 events,
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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. […]
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Meeting RoomYouth. 6-12.Bring your book and cozy up at the library at our Summer Stories & Sips book club. Read quietly from your book of choice and enjoy a sip! […] |
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 […] |
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 0-5Youth.
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The Falls Aquatic CenterGeared toward toddlers and preschoolers. We're taking Movement and Movement Storytime to the Falls Aquatic Center! Get ready to dance, splash, and be silly! We'll read books […] |
1 event,
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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 […] |
1 event,
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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. |
1 event,
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Location: Various parks across Cedar Falls. This week's park is Policeman's Park. Visit Fable and friendly library staff each week in a new park! Bike, walk, roll, or use any transportation suitable […] |
2 events,
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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 […]
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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 […] |
2 events,
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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. […]
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Youth Department, Storytime Corner. Come paint some rocks while snacking on a popsicle! During this drop-in program, we will provide some delicious popsicles and all the materials needed to paint rocks […] |
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 […]
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Ages 9-12. Youth Department (Storytime Corner) This is a social program just for tweens (for ages 9-12) that entertains, enriches, and empowers. Tweens are invited to drop in and check it out on the […] |
1 event,
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Meeting Room. Plant a letter, Grow a word, Harvest a story, Enjoy an adventure.Become a farmer to new and unique stories. Words, words, words everywhere! We will take all those words […] |
1 event,
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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 […] |
1 event,
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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. |
1 event,
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Location: Various parks across Cedar Falls. This week's park is Prairie Lakes Park at the north shelter of Prairie Lake (the largest of the two lakes). Visit Fable and friendly library staff […] |
3 events,
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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 […]
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Youth, all ages, Storytime Corner.Join us for monthly movie screenings that are fun for the whole family! We'll provide the popcorn, but feel free to bring your own snacks, refreshments, […]
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Meeting Room. All ages! Join us for a night of Minecraft with NirvanaOnline! Registration required if you need access to a Minecraft account and computer. If you have BOTH a Minecraft account and laptop computer you […] |
2 events,
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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. […] |
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 […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department, in the Storytime CornerDid you know the library has American Girl® Dolls available for check out? Drop in and explore our Historical Doll Kits and make new friends while […]
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Youth, ages 6-9, Co-LabCatch the Sun!Get creative and let your art shine! In this fun, hands-on arts program, kids will rotate through four stations to create colorful suncatchers. Each station […] |
1 event,
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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 […] |
0 events,
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1 event,
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Location: Various parks across Cedar Falls. This week's park is Overman Park on the corner of 3rd and Franklin Sts.Visit Fable and friendly library staff each week in a new park! […] |
1 event,
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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 […] |
1 event,
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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. […] |
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 […] |
2 events,
-
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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The Falls Aquatic CenterGeared toward toddlers and preschoolers. We're taking Movement and Movement Storytime to the Falls Aquatic Center! Get ready to dance, splash, and be silly! We'll read books […] |
1 event,
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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 […] |
0 events,
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Events
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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 […]
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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 0-5Youth.
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Sunshine Storytime at The Falls Aquatic Center
The Falls Aquatic CenterGeared toward toddlers and preschoolers. We're taking Movement and Movement Storytime to the Falls Aquatic Center! Get ready to dance, splash, and be silly! We'll read books […]
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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 […]
-
Family Storytime
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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Fable's Book Bike Tour!
Location: Various parks across Cedar Falls. This week's park is Policeman's Park. 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 various prizes from area businesses!More information to […]
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Baby Storytime
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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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 […]
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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.
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Reading Rocks!: Painting and Popsicles
Youth Department, Storytime Corner. Come paint some rocks while snacking on a popsicle! During this drop-in program, we will provide some delicious popsicles and all the materials needed to paint rocks (popsicles and painting supplies are available while supplies last) that will be a part of a new program at CFPL, Reading Rocks! Once your painted […]
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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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Tween Time
Ages 9-12. Youth Department (Storytime Corner) This is a social program just for tweens (for ages 9-12) that entertains, enriches, and empowers. Tweens are invited to drop in and check it out on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesdays of most months from 3:00-4:00 p.m. This program is held once a month during June and July and then returns to […]
Resources for Parents
Youth Department
Summer Reading 2026
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.
