Library Events

Location: Gateway Park parking lot across from Cedar City Creamery

NOTE: This program will be held at Gateway Park.  NO transportation will be provided to or from the library.

Join city arborist Toby Sires as he leads us through the proper tree planting techniques, followed by actual tree planting!  YOU can help be apart of the city's greenification and visit the tree you planted for years to come!

For this program it is required that all participants wear long pants and closed toed shoes or boots.  Program will occur rain or shine, but will be canceled in the event of thunderstorms with lightening.

Co-Lab

Ever wanted your own (nearly completely) self-sustaining ecosystem?  If yes, here's your chance to make your own 1 - 3 gallon system while learning how each part of the hydroponic system works in conjunction with the other!

Note: This program will require the transportation of roughly 8 to 25 pounds of water and live fish and snails.  If you do not believe you can continually care for the animals, do NOT sign up for this program. Sponsored by Funded by the Cedar Falls Community Foundation: Robert and Shirley Berg Fund for use by the Library..

Location: Hartman Reserve

NOTE: This program will be held at Hartman Reserve.  NO transportation will be provided to or from the library.

See behind the scenes of what it's like working in conservation at a nature center. Tour the center and learn more about the different jobs you can do in conservation!

Grab your favorite doll, stuffed animal, or action figure, and join us for a tea party filled with snacks and fun! Come dressed in your tea party best as we read a story, enjoy tea-time treats, play games, and make a craft together. This program will be held in the Storytime Corner of the Youth Department. For children ages 5-8. Registration required.

Join us in the Co-lab for some conservation-minded crafting!  In this session, we will repurpose old T-shirts into tote bags.  Transform your favorite worn-out or shrunken tops into functional accessories!

We will have extra T-shirts here for those who don't bring their own, and all materials will be provided for you to create your own tote bag.  No sewing or experience is required (though we will have sewing machines available).  This program is intended for adults; however, teens and capable children may participate with supervision.  Registration is required.

Note:  We have a limited supply of rotary cutting tools, so you may wish to bring your own in order to expedite your crafting! Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.

Geared 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 that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out!
If it rains, we'll have storytime at the library. Registration Required.  Sponsored by Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.

Location: Washington Park Shelter 6 [Rain location - CFPL Co-Lab]

NOTE: This program will be held at shelter 6 by the river in Washington Park.  NO transportation will be provided to or from the library.

Join DNR staff Josh Balk in testing a local water source!  Knowing the health of a waterway allows communities to more accurately treat sources of pollutants and work toward a measurable impact on improving water quality.  Come and learn how to have a lasting impact on the Cedar Valley's water quality!

Participants may get wet - please keep this in mind when choosing attire for the program.

Join us in the library CoLab for our Tote Bag program! Children will be able to customize, decorate, and paint their very own canvas tote bags. Great for carrying all those library books! All supplies will be provided. Registration required. Ages 8-12.

Funded by the Cedar Falls Community Foundation: Robert and Shirley Berg Fund for use by the Library.
 

Meeting Room

Waves of Danger murder mystery:  A relaxing cruise in the Caribbean to celebrate the dedication of its crew to the ship hits a port not on the itinerary...murder. Take a trip into secret meetings, dangerous minds, and unknown clues. Become a passenger on the S.S. Carnage to help find the killer or maybe be the killer yourself. During this fun excursion you can play detective, accomplice or murderer. You choose to be a part of the mystery or sit back and try to figure it out. Pack your thinking cap, keen eye and good memory to put together all the clues and solve the mystery in Waves of Danger.

Snacks provided.
  Sponsored by Funded by the Cedar Falls Community Foundation: Robert and Shirley Berg Fund for use by the Library..

Join us in the Co-lab for some conservation-minded crafting!  During this session, we will be using old Tyvek envelopes to create a zipper pouch - perfect for holding art supplies, toiletries, or utensils!

The library will provide all the materials needed to make your own zipper pouch.  This program will require the use of cutting tools, needles, and thread -- hand sewing experience is advantageous, but not required.  You may also choose to use paint or ink stamps, so please dress accordingly.  This program is intended for adults.  Registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.

Location: UNI's Center for Energy and Environmental Education

NOTE: This program will be held at UNI's Center for Energy and Environmental Education.  NO transportation will be provided to or from the library.

Teens will learn how to create a field journal to take home with them while learning about Iowa's native plants at UNI's Biological Preserves. Participants will learn what they may want to include in their field journals, plant anatomy, and will be aided with plant identification. 

We will be beginning at UNI's CEEE and walking to the adjacent Daryl Smith Prairie.  Teens are encouraged to wear close-toed shoes and pants as the walking may take them off-path.  Teens are also encouraged to bring water bottles, sunscreen, bug spray, or any other necessary items they might need for an afternoon spent outside. Sponsored by Funded by the Cedar Falls Community Foundation: Robert and Shirley Berg Fund for use by the Library..

Join us at the Ragged Edge Art Bar and Gallery to learn how to make cocktails using items directly from your garden! Kendra will show us how we can use seasonal produce to create different mixers and garnishes to be used in a variety of mocktails and cocktails. All participants must be 21+ to attend this program. Registration is required and limited to 20 people.
  Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.

Learn how to make reusable bowl covers.  We will provide all the  materials for you, but if you want special fabric, please bring your own cotton fabric.  We guarantee you will have time to make 1 cover, but if time allows you can make more.  This program is for adults and will take place on the second floor in the Co-Lab.

Co-Lab

Looking to be more self-sustainable and learn a few edible plants you can cook with?  Join us for a foraging walk along the trail leading to Washington Park where we will identify some basic wild edibles and afterwards cook with them in the Co-Lab!  We will meet in the Co-Lab to begin.

Due to the nature of this program, registration is required, teens are asked to wear clothes appropriate to go off-trail in (close-toed shoes and pants), and it is understood that there will be wild food cooked.

The anticipated menu is a wild greens pesto (likely nettle and/or garlic mustard) with pasta and a mulberry syrup on ice cream, but this is subject to change depending on what is available in the wild.

Open to teens ages 12-18 and in grades 7-12.  Registration required.

WARNING AND DISCLAIMER:  Foraging for and consumption of wild noncultivated food carries with it inherent risks.  Although great care will be taken in the selection of wild edibles for consumption, reaction to such consumption varies, and may include allergic reaction.  Participants acknowledge the risks of such foraging and consumption, and to the fullest extent of the law, participants agree to expressly hold harmless and release the Library and staff and to assume all risks of injury or death in connection with the foraging consumption activity in which participants will be voluntarily engaging. Sponsored by Funded by the Cedar Falls Community Foundation: Robert and Shirley Berg Fund for use by the Library..

Geared 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 that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out!
If it rains, we'll have storytime at the library. Registration Required.  Sponsored by Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library..

Join us in the Co-lab for some conservation-minded crafting!  During this session we will be making upcycled "yarn" out of used T-shirts or sheets.  You can bring your own worn-out clothing from home or feel free to use the items we have available.

All of the T-shirt yarn that you make is yours to keep.  It can be used in place of traditional yarn for crochet, macrame, weaving, or hand-knitting projects.  We will have ideas and patterns available so you can get started right away!  This program is intended for adults; however, teens and capable children may participate with supervision.  Registration is required.

Note:  As we have a limited number of rotary cutting tools and mats available, they will be prioritized by order of registration.  Scissors will be available for the rest of the participants.  If you have your own rotary cutter and/or cutting mat, feel free to bring it in for your own use! Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.

Love sweet treats? In this program, you can make and eat your creations! Join us for the first installment of our Sweet Tooth program. We will be learning to make freshly squeezed lemonade. As well as decorating and boxing cookies to take home! Ages 8-12
Registration Required.
Youth.