(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 Jane and I got ourselves 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 us...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...