Library Tours & School Visits - Council Bluffs Library

View the CDC’s COVID-19 community levels to find masking and other prevention guidance.

400 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503 712-323-7553

Schedule a Visit

Groups from local schools and other organizations are welcome to visit the Library for an orientation and tour. Library staff are also available to visit your school for special events. Both of these services are a great chance to interact with Library staff and learn about what the Library can offer to students, parents, and teachers. To arrange a tour and/or school visit, please contact the Council Bluffs Public Library at least two (2) weeks ahead of time. You can also submit your information and a staff member will be in touch.

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Scatter Joy Acres

Scatter Joy Acres is a therapy and rescue ranch on the north side of Omaha that is home to a hundred animals, including alpacas, sheep, rabbits, and much more. Visit the ranch and experience animal interaction, hands on STEM education, picnic and playground areas with ample parking.

A family pass to Scatter Joy Acres is available to borrow. The pass must be returned to the library within 5 days of checkout. The family pass admits 2 adults and children under 18 from the same household. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Holds cannot be placed on passes.

Visit Scatter Joy Acre's Website

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Get Started with TumbleBook Library

TumbleBook Library is a curated database of children’s e-books, with over 1,100 titles for grades K-6.

You can find unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, and graphic novels, as well as books in Spanish and French.

Go to TumbleBook

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El Museo Latino

El Museo Latino is a Latino Museum located in South Omaha. As the only Latino Museum within a 500-mile radius, the museum is a unique cultural destination. Art exhibits are presented throughout the year, as well as educational programs including films, art classes, workshops, demonstrations, gallery talks, bi-lingual guided visits, and dance classes. Special events during the year highlight the annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration in May and Hispanic Heritage Month in September-October, as well as a variety of Family Day celebrations. El Museo Latino has limited open hours, so please check out their website prior to making a visit.

A family pass to El Museo Latino is available to borrow. The pass must be returned to the library within 5 days of checkout. The family pass admits 2 adults and children under 18 from the same household and includes entrance to current exhibits. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Holds cannot be placed on passes.

Visit the El Museo Latino website

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Backyard Movie Night Kits from 712 Initiative

In pursuing its mission to create tools for neighbors to connect – The 712 Initiative is proud to unveil its Backyard Movie Program! Blockbusters, prime-time sporting events, gaming tournament, binge watching soap operas with your friends (we don’t judge!)- the equipment in the BYMN kits are easy to setup and fun for the whole family.

Movie Kit includes:

projector
blu-ray dvd player
sound bar
120 inch screen
set-up instructions

The Backyard Movie Night Kits are available for reservation through the 712 Initiative and can be picked up and dropped of at the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor of the Council Bluff Public Library.

Free to Council Bluffs residents ($50 refundable deposit), the Backyard Movie kits will provide you and your neighbors with the equipment to create a memorable evening.

Reserve a Backyard Movie Night Kit

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Pottawattamie Conservation

Pottawattamie Conservation includes 5 parks and 6 habitats that encompass nearly 2,000 acres across Pottawattamie County. The parks and habitats showcase the diverse landscape of the county while offering a variety of activities, from hiking to camping to fishing.

Day passes to Pottawattamie County Conservation parks are available to borrow. The pass must be returned to the library within 5 days of checkout. Passes admit one vehicle for one day into any Pottawattamie Conservation area, including Arrowhead Park, Botna Bend Park, Hitchcock Nature Center, Narrows River Park, and Old Town Park. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Holds cannot be placed on passes and only one pass can be checked out on an adult card at one time.

Visit Pottawattamie Conservation's Website

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If you don’t want or can’t use a computer or an app on your phone or another device, please come to the teen or youth desk and let us know so we can assist you with an alternative.

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Baby Reads

What is Baby Reads?
Baby Reads is a program that sets your family up for reading success by making reading easy, fun, and part of your daily routine.

Why Baby Reads?
Research shows that reading to babies contributes significantly to their brain development. Reading, singing, playing, and cuddling stimulate intellectual and emotional development.

Free Book and a Fresh Start
With Baby Reads you get a library card for your baby and a free board book to keep. Any fees you have will be erased when your newborn gets a library card before their first birthday. This offer is good for first-time baby cardholders. Non-resident card fees may apply if you live outside CBPL’s service area.

How Do I Get Started?
Visit the Circulation Desk at the Council Bluffs Public Library. Bring along a photo ID with your current address on it. If your ID doesn’t have a current address, bring a utility bill, car registration, government assistance letter, or bank statement that does.

You can also request Raising Reader Benchmark cards from Raise Me to Read, the Library’s Baby Reads partner organization.

Visit Raise Me to Read's Website

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Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Unavailable at this time, check back the last week of March 2023 for the April 2023 session.

LIMITED QUANTITIES

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, consistently ranked one of the world’s best zoos, is the ultimate interactive zoo experience and a biological park leading the nation’s conservation efforts. Walk through the world’s largest indoor desert and the largest indoor rainforest in North America. Explore exotic locations and underground caves to see thousands of animals from across the globe in their natural habitat. With more than 7 acres of indoor exhibits, Omaha’s Zoo is a year-round must-do.

One-time use passes are available to adult library card holders residing in Council Bluffs, Crescent, Minden, McClelland, Treynor, Underwood, or unincorporated and rural areas of Pottawattamie County. A finite number of passes are distributed throughout the year during 4 sessions. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis and admit up to 2 adults and 6 children. Holds cannot be placed on passes and an individual can only receive one pass per session. Other restrictions may apply.

Visit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium's Website

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The Durham Museum

Making its home in one of Omaha’s most unique treasures, Union Station, The Durham Museum offers a fascinating look at the history of our region and offers a broad-range of traveling exhibits covering subjects ranging from history and culture, to science, industry and more through their affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution and strong ties with the Library of Congress, National Archives and the Field Museum.

A family pass to The Durham Museum is available to borrow. The pass must be returned to the library within 5 days of checkout. The family pass admits 2 adults and children under 18 from the same household and includes entrance to all exhibits. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Holds cannot be placed on passes.

Visit the Durham Museum's Website

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Omaha Children's Museum

Omaha Children’s Museum is the most visited museum in Nebraska and features outstanding interactive permanent exhibits focused on art, science and early childhood education, providing a variety of hands-on exhibits, workshops, programs, presentations and special events that put children in touch with their ever-changing world.

A family pass to the Omaha Children’s Museum is available to borrow. The pass must be returned to the library within 5 days of checkout. The family pass admits 2 adults and up to 6 children under 18 from the same household and includes entrance to all exhibits. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Holds cannot be placed on passes.

Visit Omaha Children's Museum's Website

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Heartland Bike Share

Heartland Bike Share is the first large-scale municipal bike sharing system in the Omaha metro area, with over 60 station locations throughout the metro! Checking out a pass will give you FREE unlimited 1-hour trips. For a list of stations, please visit the Heartland Bike Share website.

Heartland Bike Share passes are available to borrow. Passes will give you FREE unlimited 1-hour trips and must be returned to the library within 5 days of checkout. Bikes cannot be kept over nights. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Holds cannot be placed on passes and only one pass can be checked out on an adult card at one time.

Visit Heartland Bike Share's Website

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Lauritzen Gardens

Lauritzen Gardens is a living museum of unique four-season plant displays, maintained to the highest standards consistent with environmental stewardship. Escape to an urban oasis of beauty and tranquility to experience the glory of the garden. Discover a hidden sanctuary in the heart of the city. Relax while cultivating your mind in this living plant museum, conveniently located in the beautiful riverfront hills.

A family pass to Lauritzen Gardens is available to borrow. The pass must be returned to the library within 5 days of checkout. The family pass admits 2 adults and children aged 17 and under from the same household. A library pass is eligible only for and is not eligible for any Lauritzen Garden membership benefits other than admission. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Holds cannot be placed on passes.

Visit Lauritzen Garden's Website

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Get started with Overdrive Audiobooks

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Fontenelle Forest

Fontenelle Forest encompass nearly 2,000 acres of forest, prairie, and wetlands along the Missouri River and is one of Nebraska’s oldest conservation organizations and one of the largest private nature centers in the nation.

Day passes to Fontenelle Forest are available to borrow. Passes are valid only on the day indicated and must be returned to the library within 5 days of checkout. Passes admit 2 adults and up to 5 children under 18 from the same household. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Holds cannot be placed on passes and only one pass can be checked out on an adult card at one time.

Visit Fontenelle Forest's Website

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Get Started with Overdrive Magazines

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Get Started with Overdrive

Browse thousands of e-Books, digital audiobooks and digital magazines and download to your smartphone or digital device.

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Get Started with Hoopla Digital

Digital movies, television shows, music albums, graphic novels, e-Books and audiobooks. Here’s how to get started:

Have your library card ready.
Click Login in the top right corner, and select “Sign Up.”
Enter an email address and choose a password.
Browse Movies, Music, Audiobooks, Comics, and more. Select a title and click Borrow.
Access the item in your browser or on the App*

*Apps available for iOS (iPad, iPhone), Android, and Kindle.

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Go to Hoopla

View the CDC’s COVID-19 community levels to find masking and other prevention guidance.

Get Started With OverDrive

Schedule a Visit

Free to Council Bluffs residents ($50 refundable deposit), the Backyard Movie kits will provide you and your neighbors with the equipment to create a memorable evening.