Prairie Lights, Grove Press, and the Iowa City Public Library welcome Abraham Verghese back to Iowa City to read from his latest novel, "The Covenant of Water." Prairie Lights will have copies of his work for sale at the event. Seating is limited, and doors open at 6 p.m.
Set in Kerala, on South India's Malabar Coast, "The Covenant of Water" follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning. At the turn of the century, a young girl, grieving the death of her father, is sent by boat to her wedding, where she will meet her 40-year-old husband for the first time. From this unforgettable new beginning, the young girl - and future matriarch, Big Ammachi - will witness unthinkable changes over the span of her extraordinary life, full of joy and triumph as well as hardship and loss, her faith and love the only constants.
Abraham Verghese, a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, is the recipient of a National Humanities Medal. He lives and practices medicine in Stanford, California, where he is the Linda R. Meier and Joan F. Lane Provostial Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine. His previous novel, "Cutting for Stone," remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years; his novel "My Own Country" was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, and "The Tennis Partner" was a New York Times Notable Book.
Wednesday, Sept. 20 5 to 8 p.m. Big Grove, 1225 S Gilbert Street
Come out to Big Grove to celebrate all of our climate successes this year! Various community organizations will be onsite with information and activities.
Climate Action's mascot, Goldie, will be giving away glasses at this event while supplies last! Meet The Bike Library outside of Big Grove with your bike to join the Ride for Climate at 5:30 p.m.
Celebrate the freedom of ideas with ICPL’s annual Carol Spaziani Intellectual Freedom Festival this fall. This festival honors Carol Spaziani's 26-year career and commitment to intellectual freedom, especially crucial this year in Iowa, where library workers and advocates have battled legislation and policies attacking civil liberties, including the freedom to read, learn, and communicate.
There have been numerous challenges, protests, book bans, and legislative restrictions affecting libraries, classrooms, and workplaces. Most targeted books involve stories and experiences of marginalized populations, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. The Iowa City Public Library is dedicated to highlighting these issues during this year’s festival, featuring events and displays aligned with the American Library Association’s annual Banned Books Week: Let Freedom Read in the first week of October. Details at icpl.org/iff.
You can get a library card online by accessing the Library's webpage at icpl.org/cards or complete the entire process in person at the first floor Help Desk whenever the Library is open. You also can apply for a library card on our Bookmobile.
People living in Iowa City, Hills, University Heights, Lone Tree, or rural Johnson County are eligible for a resident card at ICPL, and people living in Coralville, North Liberty, and most other Iowa residents may obtain an Open Access library card.
Free Things to Do with Your Iowa City Public Library Card:
Enjoy free access to an amazing collection of books, films, and music.
Download an e-book or e-audiobook.
Stream television shows and movies.
Learn a new language with lessons in 70-plus languages, including English.
Check out works of art, Discovery Kits, WIFI hotspots, and laptops.
Research your purchases with Consumer Reports.
Fresh off the press! Dive into our most recent Fall Window newsletter, which highlights insightful discussions on our Strategic Vision, the importance of intellectual freedom, the celebration of Library Card Sign-Up Month, and a plethora of other exciting topics! Access the Fall Window immediately online or pick up a print copy at the Downtown Library or the ICPL Bookmobile.
Over the summer, many Library patrons noticed that the Iowa City Public Library staff were wearing shirts with the phrase "Take a look, it's in a book." These shirts featured a graphic of a book opening into a cheerful rainbow. People were asking where they could get this ICPL merchandise. The great news is that this design is now available in a variety of colors and in both adult and youth sizes. It can be purchased as tees, crew neck and hoodie sweatshirts, and totes!
