Cedar Rapids Public Library

When a 2008 flood destroyed the physical structure of the Cedar Rapids Public Library, the response from library staff and volunteers was to rebuild a new library centered on the community's needs. When another flood threatened the library's resources and services in 2016, the library responded by increasing hours and deploying staff to Red Cross shelters, community centers, and temporary housing. In 2015 the library redesigned its traditional summer reading program, partnering with the Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA to pilot Summer Dare Everywhere. The partnership brought summer reading activities to underserved youth who experienced barriers to accessing library resources and programs. Through the library's MICRO program, staff assist entrepreneurs in the city of Cedar Rapids in applying for micro loans. Since the program's inception, 50 clients have benefitted from the advice of the library's staff members, and seven loans have been approved.