Friends Of The Cedar Rapids Public Library

CONG. SETASIDES, LIBRARIES

CEDAR RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY IN IOWA WILL EXPAND ITS INITIATIVES TO PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY ACCESS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. THE LIBRARY WILL USE ITS NEW VAN, KNOWN AS THE MOBILE TECHNOLOGY LAB, TO PROVIDE PORTABLE LAPTOPS, PRINTERS, AND OTHER SERVICES AT PARKS AND COMMUNITY PARTNER LOCATIONS. THE LIBRARY ALSO WILL SUPPORT COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THEIR JOB SEARCHES BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH RESUME WRITING, CONVENING WORKSHOPS ON INTERVIEWING SKILLS TO HELP JOB SEEKERS SET THEMSELVES APART IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT, AND GOING TO EMPLOYER-DRIVEN JOB FAIRS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY TO HELP PEOPLE APPLY ON-SITE. THE FOCUS ON BUILDING SKILL SETS WILL HELP ADDRESS THE COMMUNITY'S UNEMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES AND WORKFORCE SHORTAGES THAT WERE EXACERBATED BY COVID-19.

AFTER A MAJOR FLOOD STRUCK CEDAR RAPIDS IN 2008 AND DESTROYED THE MAIN LIBRARY, THE CEDAR RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY NOT ONLY REBOUNDED WITH A NEW BUILDING IN 2013, BUT TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DIALOG WITH THE COMMUNITY AND IDENTIFY AREAS OF GREATEST NEED. THE LIBRARY HAS FACILITATED COMMUNITY AND PARTNER CONVERSATIONS TO CHAMPION EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY, AND IT RECENTLY PILOTED A SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM WITH THE YMCA TO REACH UNDERSERVED YOUTH. IT HAS ALSO PARTNERED ON A MICRO LOAN PROGRAM TO ASSIST BUSINESSES IN THE CEDAR RAPIDS CITY LIMITS, AND IT WORKS WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION ON A LEGACIES PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS THE COMMUNITY TO TELL THEIR STORY. IN 2016, ANOTHER FLOOD STRUCK THE AREA, AND THE LIBRARY RESPONDED BY INCREASING HOURS AND DEPLOYING STAFF TO RED CROSS SHELTERS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND TEMPORARY HOUSING.