It's time for the Iowa City Public Library‘s 2018 Carol Spaziani Intellectual Freedom Festival! Named for former librarian Carol Spaziani in honor of her life-long commitment to the freedom of ideas, this annual event affirms everyone's right to freedom of thought and expression. This year’s Intellectual Freedom Festival includes the following programs:

Tuesday, September 25, noon to 1 p.m. in Meeting Room A: Reading Aloud – Objectionable Poems

Reading Aloud, the Iowa City Senior Center’s-based poetry reading group, will present a program of objectionable poetry.

Thursday, September 27, 10:30 to 11: 30 a.m. in Meeting Room A: Preschool Storytime – IFF Short Film Festival

Enjoy several animated shorts of frequently banned or challenged picture books such as Where the Wild Things Are, Strega Nona, The Snowy Day, Little Red Riding Hood, and Babar. This program will be longer than a normal storytime, so feel free to stop in for part or all of the movies. Popcorn will be served.

Thursday, September 27, 2:30 to 5 p.m. in the Storytime Room: Banned Books Week – Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is one of the most celebrated children's books of all time, but did you know it’s been banned by many schools and school districts over the years? Find out why this afternoon as we watch the full length featured film of Where the Wild Things Are. Enjoy snacks and crafts, read the picture book, and learn about the author. Crafts and celebration of the picture book begin at 2:30 p.m. The film will begin at 3 p.m.

Thursday, September 27, 6 to 8 p.m. in Meeting Room A: Film Screening – “Ex Libris: The New York Public Library”

Go behind the scenes of one of the greatest knowledge institutions in the world. With 92 locations throughout Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, the New York Public Library is committed to being a resource for all the inhabitants of this diverse and cosmopolitan city, and exemplifies the deeply rooted American belief in the individual's right to know and to be informed. An intermission will be held in the middle of the film, and free popcorn will be available.

All programs are free and open to the public.

The Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation is now accepting donations of handmade arts and crafts for the Seventh Annual Arts & Crafts Bazaar.

This year’s bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 8, in Meeting Room A. Proceeds from the sale support the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation to benefit Library programs and collections.

Those wishing to donate items may bring them to the Library during open hours before Thursday, December 6. All items must be handmade and be delivered with an ICPL Arts and Crafts Bazaar donation form, available at the Library and online.

For more information, contact Kelley Schlitz at 319-887-6005 or kelley.schlitz@icpl.org

Little Village needs your help selecting the Best of the CRANDIC (Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the surrounding area).

Voting for the Best of the CRANDIC is now open! The Library is proud to sponsor the Best Place to Read a Book category. We can't wait to see where you take your library books to read after leaving ICPL!

There's also a Best Library category, if you're so inclined to name us.

Voting continues through September 30. You are allowed to vote once per day until the end of the month.

The Iowa City Public Library Westgate Collection of original children's book art was started by former Children's Librarian Hazel Westgate, who wrote authors and illustrators to request original artwork to decorate the Storytime Room. It features nearly 60 pieces of original artwork by internationally-known artists like Dr. Seuss and Ezra Jack Keats, as well as art by renowned illustrators with a connection to the Iowa City area.

The book art is back on display throughout the Children’s Room after a year-long absence for preservation efforts. To welcome the collection back to the Library, the Westgate Collection of Original Children's Book Art will be part of the Downtown Gallery Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 5.

The Downtown Gallery Walk is a self-guided tour of downtown shops, galleries and other locations that have curated featured artists and pieces of art. This free, family-friendly event requires no tickets or reservations. Go here for more information.