The Iowa City Public Library (ICPL) is excited to announce the 2024 Summer Reading Program, running from May 28 to August 10, 2024. The official kickoff celebration, ABC Saturday (Arts, Books, & Children) at the Iowa Arts Festival, will take place on June 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Ped Mall.
Participants can sign up in person at the Library, at the Bookmobile, online through Beanstack, or by printing and submitting a PDF of the Summer Reading log available at icpl.org/summer. This program is open to readers of all ages, from infants to adults, and is completely free.
All participants will earn a free prize book donated by the Iowa City Friends Foundation upon turning in a completed game card at the Library or Bookmobile by August 10. Once you reach your milestones, choose from our selection of prize books. Special rewards are available for younger readers: children under 12 can earn a stylish Summer Reading t-shirt, and passes donated by the Blank Park Zoo and The Iowa Children's Museum. Toddlers ages 3 and under can receive a cute dog stuffed animal! All prizes will be available while supplies last.
The Library aims to inspire curiosity and exploration through this summer program. Participants can look forward to a lineup of engaging, free events designed to spark imagination and learning. Find details about all of the fun, free events happening all summer long at icpl.org/calendar.
The Summer Reading Program is inclusive and celebrates reading, learning, and exploring for all. We are happy to customize reading programs and activities to meet individual needs. For more information, please visit icpl.org/summer or call 319-356-5200.
Don't miss out on ICPL Bookmobile Pop-Ups! The Bookmobile, a mobile library service from the Iowa City Public Library, is bringing the joy of reading directly to your neighborhood. With a collection ranging from new releases to beloved classics, you can browse and check out books and DVDs right from the Bookmobile. Plus, you can even request pickups from the Downtown Library’s collection on the spot!
Bring the whole family for a day of arts, books, and fun at the Iowa Arts Festival, where the Bookmobile will be waiting to spark imagination.
Friday, May 31, 5 to 7 p.m. | First and second floors of the Downtown Library
We're bringing browsing back! Pick out books to start your summer reading during our first-ever Browsing Party. Spend some time flipping through fiction and nonfiction books with refreshments, music, and extra librarians on hand to offer recommendations. We'll have some interactive ways for you to share your favorites with others, activities in the teen area, plus new designs of stickers and buttons for those who check out a book. There will be no shushing during this noisier-than-usual time at the Library. If getting excited about books is your idea of a party, join us for some fun! Registration is optional if you'd like to receive an email reminder. See you there!
Saturday, June 1, 2 to 3 p.m. | Meeting Room A
The Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra (IWJO) is a jazz big band made up of women musicians from across the state dedicated to showcasing and encouraging the participation of women and girls in jazz. The IWJO Sextet (Jen Tiede - alto sax, Lynne Hart - tenor sax, Toni LeFebvre - trumpet, Alayna Ringsby - piano, Jeanette Welch - bass, Farren Johnson - drums) will present and perform pieces composed or arranged by women of the past and present.
This event series is made possible by donations to the Lolly Eggers Memorial Fund via the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation. Learn more about Lolly Eggers' life and career at the Iowa City Public Library on our website.
Saturday, June 15, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Meeting Room A
The Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation is hosting its largest book sale of the year during the Iowa City Pride Festival! Shop an assortment of fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, young adult, juvenile fiction, children’s books, DVDs, and audiobooks. All sales support the Library's programs, collections, and facilities. Find more information about book sales and supporting the Library, and more information about the day's activities here.
Meet Nügget Larkai, the artist behind the "2024 Literary Loot: Book Bags with Benefits." Nügget, a junior at Liberty High School, created a design featuring a striking heroic figure. This artwork pays tribute to the spirited advocacy of free speech, intellectual freedom, and access, embodying the core principles of the "Library Bill of Rights."
Nügget plans to pursue secondary education after graduating next year and aims to earn a doctorate in sociology or political science.
We asked Nügget about their experience working on this project and what they learned about public libraries:
"Public libraries are truly the core of the community. They provide a space for people to meet for business, DnD campaigns, talk to their local politicians, and, of course, check out books. For many, the local library is a safe space where they can explore their interests and start new hobbies. The recent legislation calling for certain books to be banned is extremely unfair, especially since intellectual freedom is a fundamental right in the Constitution. I'm glad to be welcomed to raise awareness and fight back, so to speak."
