Sept. 25, 2025 — The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation is proud to announce a transformational $3.5 million gift from the Busse Foundation, closing out the organization’s $10 million Inspiring Big Dreams capital campaign to build a new westside library. In recognition of this extraordinary gift, the new library facility will be named the Cedar Rapids Public Library Busse Branch.
The Library Foundation’s $10 million Inspiring Big Dreams campaign launched publicly in January 2024. Money raised will help fund the construction costs for the library’s new facility located on 20th Avenue SW off of Edgewood Rd SW. The new Busse Branch will be approximately 40,000 square feet and provide double the collection and meeting room space found in the library’s current westside location known as Ladd Library.
“This incredibly generous contribution marks a historic milestone in the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation’s commitment to this vital community project,” said Charity Tyler, Executive Director of the Library Foundation…