Please join us in welcoming Miriam, the newest member of Children’s Services.
Miriam offers Spanish bilingual storytimes on Monday mornings, special programs, and outreach on the Bookmobile. Be sure to attend one of her Spanish bilingual storytimes. Expect a dynamic session with singing, dancing, activities, stories, and rhymes in both Spanish and English. Children of all ages, along with their caregivers, are invited to participate. And when you see her, don't hesitate to say hello!
Saturday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Celebrate our third annual comic con, Lib Con, at the Iowa City Public Library. Tour the Artist Alley to explore and purchase local comics and artwork. Step into the Fandom Room for creative pursuits, enjoy a superhero storytime, click photos with our green screen, and indulge in anime screenings. Costume-clad heroes will be around, so make sure to sport your favorite costume. Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed in all age categories.
ICPL proudly hosts Fair Winds, a versatile woodwind ensemble known for its diverse styles spanning classical, military marches, and patriotic compositions. This delightful and instructive concert, open to all, will be held outdoors on the Ped Mall stage. A contingency plan is set with Meeting Room A serving as the rain location. The Navy Band Great Lakes offers musical accompaniments for military and public events across 11 states, including Iowa.
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 4 p.m., Storytime Room
Join our new monthly World Club every third Tuesday. Explore global cultures through intriguing stories, games, crafts, activities, and food. This month, we're inaugurating the World Club with a pre-celebration of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival - 中秋节, popularly known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival. Analogous festivals are observed in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other East and Southeast Asian nations. Come, engage with the bilingual picture book, "A Big Moon Cake for Little Star," and try your hand at making snowy mooncakes. Each attending family can craft and savor one mooncake, while supplies last.
The Book to Art Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month, catering to school-aged children. Every month, we read a picture book and craft art inspired by the story. September is Intellectual Freedom Month, celebrating the liberty to read and acknowledging censorship attempts, both past and present, in libraries and schools. Tomie DePaola's "Strega Nona," a tale about a magical pot that cooks pasta, has been controversially banned from numerous children's libraries in the U.S. for its positive portrayal of magic and witchcraft. Today, we're commemorating our reading freedom by crafting pasta art and savoring this timeless tale.
Girls Who Code Club is for girls and non-binary youth in grades 3-5 interested in coding. No previous experience necessary! The club aims to provide a safe, supportive environment where students envision themselves as computer scientists. Engage in coding challenges using Scratch, and delve into video game design, digital art, and robots.
For registration details, visit the calendar events page.
Celebrate National Library Card Sign-up Month this September! If you or someone you know hasn't yet gotten a Library Card, now's the perfect time. Swing by our Downtown Library or Bookmobile to register.
A Library Card isn't just a means to check out books or eBooks—it's your passport to a universe of exploration and knowledge. Did you realize that with your card, the following are at your fingertips?
An array of music CDs, the latest video games, and specialized Book Club Kits.
Engaging board games, like our puzzle table.
The opportunity to accentuate your living space with our Art-To-Go collection, allowing you to keep two art pieces for a couple of months.
Access to our in-house computers, offering you two hours of free usage daily.
Adventure Pass: The Iowa Libraries Adventure Pass Program offers Iowa City Public Library cardholders complimentary entry to several attractions including Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens, History Center in Cedar Rapids, Reiman Gardens in Ames, and the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines.
For our patrons from Iowa City, rural Johnson County, University Heights, Hills, and Lone Tree, your card opens the door to:
A vast Digital Library teeming with eBooks, eAudiobooks, exclusive movie streams via Kanopy and Hoopla, Digital Magazines, the New York Times Online, and more.
In-depth insights from Consumer Reports online to aid your buying choices.
If you're ever in doubt or in need of assistance, don't hesitate to call us at 319-356-5200. You can also reach out online at icpl.org/ask or just pop by in person. We're always happy to help!
