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.
Becoming a Musical Superhero Storytime
Saturday, March 30th at 10:30 a.m. at the Community Center
Come hang with UNI’s Jazz Combo “Watch for Squirrel” for an interactive storytime! Heroes! Villains! Jazz? Dress up as your favorite superhero and learn how you can be a musical hero.
Youth, Ages 0-8
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.
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
0 events,
2 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 Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart. To register and arrange a […]
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, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. Please register by calling the […]
1 event,
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 […]
1 event,
Book Buddies: A Reading Tutoring Program
Book Buddies: A Reading Tutoring Program
Meeting Room. Is your child struggling or just learning how to read, and do you think they'd benefit from one-on-one reading time with a UNI student or retired teacher? Join […]
2 events,
March Book Madness Begins
Youth Department Picture books and youth chapter books go head to head this month in a March Madness style bracket. Stop into the youth department anytime to fill out a […]
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
1 event,
Author visit: Amber Sawyer
Author visit: Amber Sawyer
Youth Department. Join us in the youth department to meet Amber Sawyer! Listen to a story, complete a craft, touch and see horse racing equipment, and learn all about horse […]
2 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 […]
Drop-In Seed Starting
Drop-In Seed Starting
CoLab.Thinking ahead to spring already? Get a jump start on spring planting or just bring some green into your home by joining us for a seed starting event! In this […]
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
MARCH'S THEME: COLLECTIONS! Do you collect anything? Rocks? Coins? Objects that are the color pink? Trading cards? Dolls? You collect it - we wanna hear about it! At this month's […]
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
Curious Kids: A STEAM Program
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,
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 […]
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 […]
Tween Time
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 the […]
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,
2 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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
1 event,
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 […]
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,
Storytimes Around the World: South Asia/Holi
Storytimes Around the World: South Asia/Holi
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 […]
1 event,
Drop-in Miniature Painting
Drop-in Miniature Painting
CoLab.Ever wanted to bring life and color to the character you play in a tabletop game? Join us in painting a miniature to represent you!Attendees are welcome to bring in […]
4 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, A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass. To register and arrange a […]
Lord of the Rings Trivia
Lord of the Rings Trivia
Meeting Room. Celebrate the Gondorian New Year with Lord of the Rings Trivia! Delve into the depths of Middle Earth's and the War of the Ring's history with us and see […]
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, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Please register by calling the Youth […]
1 event,
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 […]
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,
Becoming a Musical Superhero Storytime
Becoming a Musical Superhero Storytime
Community CenterCome hang with UNI’s Jazz Combo “Watch for Squirrel” for an interactive storytime! Heroes! Villains! Jazz? Dress up as your favorite superhero and learn how you can be a […]
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 […]
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 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
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 […]
Storytimes Around the World: South Asia/Holi
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 […]
Drop-in Miniature Painting
CoLab.Ever wanted to bring life and color to the character you play in a tabletop game? Join us in painting a miniature to represent you!Attendees are welcome to bring in […]
Lord of the Rings Craft
Youth Department. Drop-in and complete a Lord of the Rings themed craft!
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
Youth DepartmentFifth and sixth graders are invited to join us for a discussion and activity on this month’s book, A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass. To register and arrange a […]
Lord of the Rings Trivia
Meeting Room. Celebrate the Gondorian New Year with Lord of the Rings Trivia! Delve into the depths of Middle Earth's and the War of the Ring's history with us and see […]
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, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Please register by calling the Youth […]
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 […]
Resources for Parents
Youth Department
Big Woods Lake StoryWalk®
Spend time with family/friends, enjoy nature, and read the more recent storybook installation.
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.
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.