Find Your Joy at the Library!
What brings you joy? Whether it’s cozying up with a book, learning a new skill, gathering with community or something else, you can find joy at the Coralville Public Library.
National Library Week is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning. At the Coralville Public Library, we invite everyone to join the celebration! Whether you’re a longtime patron, a new neighbor, or haven’t visited in a while, now is the perfect time to explore all the library has to offer. Our library checks out not only books, DVDs, and digital resources but also Playaways, art and even blood pressure kits!
Whatever brings you joy, the library has something for everyone. Join us for one of these free regular events or find more free events on the Library Calendar.
Events for Everyone
- Craft & Chat: 1st & 3rd Mondays @ 5:30 pm – All kinds of projects are welcome at this free community gathering. Bring your knitting or bring your computer. All are welcome!
- Chat ‘n’ Chai: Tuesdays from 10:00-11:30 am – Chat ‘n’ Chai is an informal community meet up where everyone is invited to sit with a free cup of chai and chat with their neighbors.
- Community Writing Center: Tuesdays, 4:00-6:00 pm – free one-on-one 20 minute writing assistance for ANY kind of writing project. Open to all ages.
Events for Children
- Storytime Together: Tuesdays @ 10:30 am – Parents and caregivers of preschoolers ages 3-5 come build your children’s literacy skills as we talk, sing, read, and play together.
- Wee Read: Thursdays @ 10:30 am – How do you grow a reader? Begin with Wee Read — your special time to enjoy sharing songs, rhymes, and books with your babies and toddlers.
- Family Storytime: Saturdays @ 10:30 am – Picture books are for everybody and so is Family Storytime! Making reading and language fun is the best way to ensure children will be readers. Come enjoy!
Events for Teens
- Homework Help for grades 5-12: Tuesdays, 4:00-6:00 pm – Free help with homework, study skills, and educational planning. Come with questions, study materials, or homework.
- Teen Hang Out: Thursday, 3:30-4:30 pm – Teens, come hang out every Thursday after school in the Teen Area. We’ll have snacks, crafts, games, and wifi.
Events for Adults
- English Language Learning: there are multiple ELL events a week, see the calendar – The Library has Free Beginning English Language Classes for adults and ELL Conversation Hours to practice with native English speakers. Attend as many or few classes as fit your schedule and needs. All are welcome. Join anytime!
- Movie Nights: twice a month @ 6:00 pm – Join us for free Movie Nights at the Library. We are showing Superman on Thursday of National Library Week!
- Adult Learning: various times and days – The Library has book groups, workshops, and seminars that change monthly. Join us on Friday of National Library week for a free seminar on Building Credit & a Budget. On Saturday join us for the free workshop Make It: Seed Bombs. Register for Make It: Seed Bombs on the calendar.
April 20 is Right to Read Day
Right to Read Day is a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read.
Did you know that the Library Bill of Rights was written 88 years ago by an Iowa Librarian? Forrest Spaulding, who was the Director of the Des Moines Public Library, drafted the Library Bill of Rights to convey the importance of protecting people’s right to read, for free and equal access to information, and to freely use the Library. Written during a time of looming threats of censorship, the Library Bill of Rights was adopted by the American Library Association in 1939 to guide libraries in providing unbiased, balanced and open access to information and remains a living, guiding document for libraries today.
The American Library Association (ALA) kicks off National Library Week with the release of its State of America’s Libraries Report, including the list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2025.
April 21 is National Library Workers Day
April 21 is National Library Workers DayThis is the day to celebrate the staff who are at the core of Library services.
Library workers create services and spaces for everyone in the community, from building early literacy programming and summer reading programs for all ages to developing broad and varied library collections and teaching information literacy skills. Take a moment to thank a library worker today!
April 22 is National Library Outreach Day
April 22 is National Library Outreach DayNational Library Outreach Day is a day to celebrate how libraries connect with people out in the community.
You might see a librarian…
- Reading to you at your school or daycare
- Riding the Book Bike
- Participating in the 4th of July parade or a community festival
- Changing out the Book Walk in North Ridge Park
- Helping with homework at your neighborhood center
- Bringing library materials to you — in homebound situations, retirement communities, and transitional housing
April 23 is Take Action for Libraries Day
Take Action for Libraries Day is an opportunity to take stock in how you as an individual can be involved in and advocate for your library.
Advocating for your Library might be as simple as letting your City Council member or legislator know how important the Library is to you, or sharing information about the Library with a friend or colleague. The Coralville Public Library has two auxiliary non-profit groups who support and advocate for the Library in our community — becoming a member of the Friends of the Library or contributing to the CPL Foundation are also ways of taking action for your Library!