Your Story Starts Early
Features & Highlights
What's Going on at cfpl for YOUTH
During storytime, we read fun stories, utilize fingerplays, rhyme, and sing songs that will help your child begin the journey of being a lifelong reader as well as 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. Scholastic explains it well in this article. We also have crafts!
Are you an educator looking for resources? Look no further than our Youth Services for Educators page.
Cedar Valley's Youth Read with Jennifer Nielsen
Wednesday, April 24th at 6:30 p.m.
Each April, the Cedar Falls Public Library hosts an author-in-residence program for 5th graders called Cedar Valley's Youth Read. This year's author is Jennifer Nielsen. Jennifer Nielsen was born and raised in northern Utah, where she still lives today with her family, a dog that won’t play fetch, and a cat that hallucinates. She is the author of The Ascendance series, beginning with THE FALSE PRINCE; the TRAITOR’S GAME series, the historical novels, RESISTANCE, A NIGHT DIVIDED, WORDS ON FIRE, RESCUE, and several other titles. She loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains. Jennifer has won multiple awards including the Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award (RESISTANCE, 2019), multiple Whitney Awards, and several state book awards. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. on April 24th for a public session of Ms. Nielsen's presentation.
Funding for CVYR was provided by the Cedar Falls Community Foundation Rob and Shirley Berg Fund for use by the Library.
Youth Bookmark Contest
The Summer Reading Theme for this summer will be Read, Renew, and Repeat. We challenge you to create a bookmark that captures that theme.
Your bookmark must be between 2.5"x5" - 2.5"-8". The submissions can be sent to us physically via the school van or in person, or participants can submit their design virtually by emailing it to youth@cedarfallslibrary.org. If they do submit it virtually, the preferred file formats are .png or .jpg, but PDFs are acceptable as well.
Submit your design by April 30th and the winning design will be chosen in early May. The winner will receive a certificate and their design will be featured on bookmarks for our Summer Library Program.
Summer Reading Program
Monday, June 3 to Saturday, August 3rd
Join us for another fun summer full of performers, crafts, scavenger hunts, special programming, and, of course, reading! Pre-registration for our Summer Library Program will be available beginning in mid-May. However, reading logged before June 3rd does not count. You can register by calling or emailing the youth desk or through Beanstack.
Who can sign up for the Youth Summer Library Program? Children ages birth through 6th grade. If you are going into 7th grade, you can participate in our Teen Summer Library Program. There is also an Adult Summer Program available for anyone over the age of 18.
How does it work? We challenge you to read 15-20 minutes a day. Log the days you read on Beanstack or our paper log. For every 15 days you read, you earn one free book. You can log your minutes either through our paper Summer Reading Log 2024 or virtually through Beanstack. Also, you can complete activities to earn virtual badges.
Learn more 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
Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
1 event,
March Book Madness Ends
Youth Department. The winners of the March Book Madness brackets will be announced shortly after this. Check the huge bracket in the youth department to see the which books are […]
1 event,
Sprout Storytime for Babies
Sprout Storytime for Babies
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,
Sapling Storytime
Sapling 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. […]
2 events,
Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
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 […]
Get Into It! A Special Interests Club
Get Into It! A Special Interests Club
APRIL'S THEME: CUBING! Can you solve a Rubik's Cube? Are you interested in cubes and other logic puzzles? Come test your skills as we explore cubing during this month's "Get […]
2 events,
Sensory Stations for Little Learners
Sensory Stations for Little Learners
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
Curious Kids: A STEAM Program - Eclipse Edition
Curious Kids: A STEAM Program - Eclipse Edition
Co-LabCurious kids is a new monthly STEAM program where we will explore different STEAM related activities. We will meet on the 1st and 2nd Thursday of the month in the […]
1 event,
Music & Movement Storytime
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 Friends […]
1 event,
Storytimes Around the World: Middle East/Ramadan
Storytimes Around the World: Middle East/Ramadan
Youth Department. In collaboration with the UNI's International Engagement Office, join us for Family Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and learn about other cultures. For this session, we'll welcome […]
0 events,
1 event,
Canceled: Sprout Storytime for Babies:
Canceled: Sprout Storytime for Babies:
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,
Canceled: Sapling Storytime
Canceled: Sapling 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. […]
2 events,
Canceled: Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
Canceled: Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
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 […]
Canceled: Tween Time
Canceled: Tween Time
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 […]
1 event,
Curious Kids: A STEAM Program
Curious Kids: A STEAM Program
Co-Lab Curious kids is a new monthly STEAM program where we will explore different STEAM related activities. We will meet on the 1st and 2nd Thursday of the month in the […]
1 event,
Music & Movement Storytime
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 Friends […]
1 event,
Grove Storytime
Grove Storytime
Youth DepartmentEnjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing!Youth, Ages 0-5
0 events,
1 event,
Sprout Storytime for Babies
Sprout Storytime for Babies
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,
Sapling Storytime
Sapling 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. […]
Little Illustrators
Little Illustrators
Youth Department Calling all little artists! Learn about creating illustrations with Ms. Chelsea! Illustrations are the pictures you see in storybooks. These pictures may have been painted, drawn, carefully crafted […]
2 events,
Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
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 […]
Tween Time
Tween Time
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 […]
1 event,
Drop-in D.I.Y Bracelets
Drop-in D.I.Y Bracelets
Join us at the Youth Department for a drop-in program! Beading stations will be set up for kids to create and take home their own beaded bracelets! No registration needed. […]
2 events,
Music & Movement Storytime
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 Friends […]
Special Storytime on Kindness!
Special Storytime on Kindness!
Youth Department. Join us for a special storytime! We'll have lots of fun reading books, rhyming, and dancing while learning about how to be kind! Afterward, join us for super […]
1 event,
Grove Storytime
Grove Storytime
Youth DepartmentEnjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing!Youth, Ages 0-5
0 events,
3 events,
Sprout Storytime for Babies
Sprout Storytime for Babies
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 […]
5th/6th Grade Book Club
5th/6th Grade Book Club
Youth DepartmentFifth and sixth graders are invited to join us for a discussion and activity on this month’s book, The Stonekeeper (Amulet book 1) by Kazu Kibuishi. To register and […]
Chess Club
Chess Club
Meeting Room.Checkmate boredom and join the Cedar Fall Public Library for Chess Club! Open to all ages, but a firm grasp of chess is expected from all players as there […]
2 events,
Sapling Storytime
Sapling 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. […]
3rd/4th Grade Book Club
3rd/4th Grade Book Club
Youth DepartmentJoin our book discussion! We’ll go through some questions and have an activity based on this month’s book, Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings. Please register by calling the Youth Desk […]
2 events,
Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
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 […]
Cedar Valley's Youth Read with Jennifer Nielsen
Cedar Valley's Youth Read with Jennifer Nielsen
Each April, the Cedar Falls Public Library hosts an author-in-residence program for 5th graders called Cedar Valley's Youth Read. This year's author is Jennifer Nielsen. Jennifer Nielsen was born and […]
0 events,
1 event,
Music & Movement Storytime
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 Friends […]
1 event,
Grove Storytime
Grove Storytime
Youth DepartmentEnjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing!Youth, Ages 0-5
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Sapling Storytime
Sapling 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. […]
Sapling 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. […]
3rd/4th Grade Book Club
Youth DepartmentJoin our book discussion! We’ll go through some questions and have an activity based on this month’s book, Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings. Please register by calling the Youth Desk […]
Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
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 […]
Cedar Valley's Youth Read with Jennifer Nielsen
Each April, the Cedar Falls Public Library hosts an author-in-residence program for 5th graders called Cedar Valley's Youth Read. This year's author is Jennifer Nielsen. Jennifer Nielsen was born and […]
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 Friends […]
Grove Storytime
Youth DepartmentEnjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing!Youth, Ages 0-5
Sapling 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. […]
Seedling 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 […]
Seedling Storytime for Toddlers
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 […]
Music & Movement Storytime with Kindermusik!
Youth Department.Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Join us as a special guest Michelle from Little Light Studio leads a Kindermusik-themed Music & Movement! Get ready to dance and be silly! […]
Iowa Chamber Music Concert & Instrument Petting Zoo
Cedar Falls Community Center, 528 Main St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, USACommunity Center. Have you ever wanted to learn how to play a stringed instrument? Join us at the Community Center for a Chamber Music Concert followed by an instrument petting […]
Reading Pals
Reading Pals is a program that allows primary-grade students (grades 1st-3rd grade) the opportunity to develop reading fluency by practicing reading to a dog from the Cedar Valley Pet Pals […]
Resources for Parents
Youth Department
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.
Big Woods Lake StoryWalk®
Spend time with family/friends, enjoy nature, and read the more recent storybook installation.
Spooky Story Contest Winners
Check out the annual spooky story contest winners along with links to their stories!
Youth Book Recommendations
A list of CFPL librarian-curated youth book recommendations.
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.
Kids Links
Fun, educational links for kids to enjoy!
Kids' Homework Help
Recommended websites and databases for homework help!
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.
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.
The Importance of Early Childhood Literacy
A collection of stats in keys areas in child literacy to help prepare you to make a difference in the lives of your children.