Busse Branch Library opens

(9/21/2026) Cedar Rapids' new west side branch library opened this weekend. I was deterred from Saturday's opening ceremonies by pelting rain, but got myself there Sunday afternoon for a guided tour. The 40,000 square foot facility replaces the Ladd Library, which had been located in a former Target on Williams Boulevard.The tours started in the staff areas, which having been library staff in the 1970s and 1980s was mildly interesting and reassuring to me...Staff lounge...but I was mainly there for the placemaking details, which would be in the public facing areas. A pretty decent number of people were using the library already.Children's area, with whimsical indoor landscaping:Trees light up, hanging lights are shaped like mothsThe Busse Branch struck me as a smaller version of the downtown library, capable of providing a variety of services to west side and other metro residents. The Allsop Auditorium, like downtown's Beems Auditorium,can host speakers, films, and chair yoga classes…