Mission Statement

The mission of the Cedar Rapids Public Library is to provide a complete spectrum of information to the community through a variety of materials, appropriate technology and a well-trained staff.

The library board of trustees has a strong commitment to supply the materials and services needed by its constituents and to meet the foregoing mission of the library on a free and continuing basis.

The board recognizes the necessity of minimum fees for certain services and uses of its facilities which may be considered by the board to be beyond the scope and responsibility of normal public library service. Rather than restrict such uses, the board wishes to encourage such use, on a fee basis when necessary. Fees must be levied on a fair and equitable basis for all constituencies served by the Cedar Rapids Public Library, according to statute or contractual relationship as allowed by law.

The board also believes that full and free access to information is a basic right of all citizens in a democracy, and such access must never be dependent upon the economic status of any individual. The Cedar Rapids Public Library is the only institution serving the entire community which has as its main objective the acquisition of materials needed for personal information and entertainment, and the provision of the necessary skilled staff and facilities to permit and encourage their broad and effective use. For these reasons the board of trustees believes that intellectual freedom in the acquisition and use of library materials is of prime importance and hereby affirms the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, the Freedom to View Statement, Statement on Labeling, and the Labels and Rating Systems as adopted and interpreted by the American Library Association.