Midway through Black History Month, the Iowa City Public Library continues to celebrate the remarkable contributions of Black Americans throughout history with an array of engaging events and activities, including presentations, performances, Storytimes, book discussions, and crafts designed to cater to all age groups.
Each event provides the community with an opportunity to appreciate the historical and current impact of Black Americans. For more information on the scheduled events and how you can participate, please visit the Iowa City Public Library's website at icpl.org/bhm.
This discussion will explore the future of our community in 2030, focusing on the role of local nonprofits in shaping the Iowa City area and their visions for the future. It aims to address how we can overcome the divisions between "city" and "neighborhood" to forge a more cohesive and inclusive community. The conversation will feature University of Iowa faculty and leaders from local nonprofits, discussing the use of the collective impact model as a strategy for community building. This model emphasizes the importance of collaboration among community members, organizations, and institutions to advance equity through shared learning and aligned actions. Panelists will also discuss the University of Iowa's contribution to this initiative.
Panelists include:
Nick Benson, Executive Director, University of Iowa Office of Community Engagement
Cady Gerlach, Executive Director, Better Together 2030
Paola Jaramillo Guayara, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Coordinator, Johnson County Board of Supervisors Office
Rachel Young, Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communications
For those requiring disability-related accommodations to participate in this event, please contact the Library.
"Eat Out to Read" at Oasis Falafel on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oasis Falafel offers a mouthwatering selection of Middle Eastern street foods, including hummus, falafel, fries, kebabs, and gyros.
Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy delicious food while supporting the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation. A generous portion of all sales will be donated to the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation.
Thanks to Oasis Falafel and all of our supporters for making this event possible!
Join the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation for an evening of conversation with Dave Eggers, benefiting the Iowa City Public Library. The event will include a Q&A session. Attendees can purchase pre-signed copies of Eggers' books, available for sale by Prairie Lights in the lobby. Ten percent of book sales will be donated to the library. For tickets, visit this link.
Dave Eggers is the acclaimed author of numerous books, including "The Eyes and the Impossible," "The Circle," "The Monk of Mokha," "Heroes of the Frontier," "A Hologram for the King," and "What Is the What." He founded McSweeney’s, an independent publishing company, and co-founded 826 Valencia, a network of youth writing centers that has inspired more than 70 similar organizations globally. Eggers has received the American Book Award, the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Education, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the TED Prize. He has been a finalist for the National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize, and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Eggers is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
For inquiries or to request disability-related accommodations to participate in this event, please contact Indya Finch at 319-887-6005.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, facilitated by Johnson County Social Services, offers free tax help and filing services for eligible individuals and families.
This year, participants have two options for using VITA's services:
Make an appointment to complete your tax return with the assistance of an IRS-certified tax preparer at the library. The preparer will work with you in person.
OR For households with an income of less than $79,000 in 2023, VITA provides software to prepare and file federal and state tax returns online at no cost. Access the software by emailing fileforfree@johnsoncountyiowa.gov. If you need in-person assistance while using the software, visit:
Iowa City Public Library, 2nd Floor Digital Media Lab
Drop-in between February 10 and April 13:
Mondays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At these drop-in sessions, you will have access to a dedicated computer station and VITA's tax software. IRS-certified tax preparers will be available to answer questions and review forms before electronic filing.
