The Iowa City Public Library, in collaboration with the Library’s Friends Foundation and Iowa City Parks & Recreation bring to Iowa City a brand new, BookWalk installation each month in Willow Creek Park, located at 1117 Teg Drive. BookWalk is an interactive way for readers of all ages to enjoy storytime and the outdoors. This month’s story is "Skulls!" by Blair Thornburgh and illustrated by Scott Campbell, a non-fiction picture book about skulls, and all the things they are good for. Although sometimes seen as scary, this important part of the body provides a safe home for our brains, and a shape for our faces and more! Take a walk at Willow Creek Park this month to find out more about skulls!
Latin American Music and Storytelling with Karin Stein
Join us for a very special outdoor Storytime celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Colombian musician Karin Stein. She will present a bilingual, family-friendly, music and storytelling program right on the Ped Mall! Ms. Stein is part of a group called EcoMadres. Ecomadres is a group of mothers and fathers who fight for clean air and the health of our children. She will read the picture book, "Señorita Mariposa", about the monarch butterfly migration and based on an original, bilingual song by Mister G. She will also share her passion and talent for Latin American music through an interactive concert to be enjoyed by the whole family!
Fall Yoga Storytelling with Karen
Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021-10:30 a.m. Meeting Room A
Join us for a yoga session designed for the whole family to enjoy. All ability levels are welcome! For this program, stories and actions will focus on the relaxing practice of yoga as we celebrate the fall season, plus some Halloween fun! Children's librarian and yoga instructor Karen will be here to teach us some mindful breathing, poses, fun stories about yoga, and even some yoga games! This is a great opportunity to participate in accessible, socially-distanced yoga for all ages. We will have some yoga mats available, or feel free to bring your own.
Orchestra Iowa: Pied Piper
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 -10:30 a.m. Meeting Room A
Join Orchestra Iowa’s talented chamber ensembles as they introduce preschool-aged children to the instruments of the orchestra! Focused on fun and learning, Pied Piper Concerts offer children the opportunity to enjoy an up-close and personal chamber concert. This week we will be learning about the Strings section and sampling music performed by a string quartet.
All ages are welcome to attend! Visit the online calendar for more information.
Preschool Stories & More: Pumpkin Storytime at Wilson's Orchard
Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 -10:30 a.m.
Do you love going to pumpkin patches and picking out the best looking pumpkin? Of course! There's no better place to be on a crisp fall morning! But wait, there's more! Pumpkin Storytime too! Join us for a special Storytime all about pumpkins, then go out with your family and friends and pick some of your own, or buy some delicious pumpkin treats at the farm store! We will meet at 10:30 a.m. in front of the farm store for Storytime, and then feel free to explore the many offerings of the Orchard, including a pumpkin craft, hayrides and pumpkin picking!
Wilson's is located at 4823 Dingleberry Rd NE, Iowa City, IA 52240. In the event of inclement weather, we will cancel Storytime.
Halloween Storytime at Tot Time Monster Mash
Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 -10:30 a.m. Mercer Park
For Storytime we are are joining in on the action at Mercer for Tot Time Monster Mash, happening from 9:30-11:30 a.m.! In addition to all of the fun activities going on at Tot Time, we will host a special outdoor Halloween Storytime at 10:30 a.m.! The Bookmobile will also be at this event!
Youth ages 6 and under are invited to put on their Halloween costumes and join the staff at Mercer Park Aquatic Center and Scanlon Gym. Activities will include inflatables, carnival games, prizes, stories, crafts, and more. This event is free and no registration is required.
Take Advantage of Your Student’s AIM Library Card
Did you know that every K-12 student in the Iowa City Community School District has a card that functions as a library card for the Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty public libraries? They do! Your ICCSD Student ID number is your library card to the three public libraries! At each library, the card - called an AIM card - can be used to check out three books or books on CD. Students can have three books checked out at any one time on their AIM card, and there are no late fines or fees for lost items.
When the Library is closed, students can also use their AIM card to access our digital collections of movies, e-books or e-audiobooks online, with no limit on the number of items they can check out. It's easy - there's no password required to log in. They just need the number on the front of their AIM card, which is their student id number. If you've lost your AIM card or have trouble, visit the Ask Us page and we can help. Visit the AIM Information page to find out more!
Weekly Spanish and Chinese Bilingual Storytimes
With the return of in-person programming, the Children’s Department is very pleased to offer weekly bilingual Storytimes with the addition of two new staff members. Spanish Bilingual Storytime is on Mondays with Raquel MacKay and Chinese Bilingual Storytime is on Tuesdays with Fang Wang, both at 10:30 a.m. in Meeting Room A. Attendees will enjoy songs, rhymes and stories in both English and the second language! Children of all ages and their caregivers are welcome to join us. Please check the online calendar for locations and updates as programs are subject to change as we navigate the constantly changing safety precautions at the Library. Storytimes will also be available to live stream from home from the ICPL YouTube Channel.
