School’s out and it’s officially summer; which means it’s time for our annual kickoff event for the summer. Join us for ABC Day! Produced by the Iowa City Public Library, ABC’s: Arts, Books & Children is a feast for kids and kids-at-heart! Activities are spread along the Pedmall, featuring Paint the Town, Bubbles, life size games, music, art and crafting and more! Check out materials or register for a library card on the ICPL Bookmobile, and be sure to register for the Summer Reading Program! The Family Stage will offer family-friendly programming all day on the Pedmall Stage by the fountain.
The Iowa Arts Festival is an award-winning, weekend-long community celebration featuring over 100 local and national visual artists. On Saturday and Sunday, they will feature high school and college artists in the Emerging Artist Pavilion. But that’s not all: there will be music performances, food vendors serving regional and international dishes, and creative, educational activities and entertainment for children. The Iowa Arts Festival is the most anticipated art event of the summer!
The Summer Reading Program is in full swing, so come to the Library to begin your adventure! All ages can register to receive a game card to track their summer reading goals and receive a prize at the library or bookmobile. The summer is the busiest time of year at the library, so we offer fun and educational programming for all ages every single day! Check out our digital program guide to find out all about programming for kids, tweens, teens, and adults!
For Younger Kids Catch an all-ages Storytime at one of ourStories in the Park locations at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays at Willowcreek Park, Wednesdays at Wetherby Park and Fridays at Mercer Park. Note the new time to beat the summer heat at the parks and visit us on the ICPL Bookmobile while you’re there to borrow books to log onto your gamecard! Requested by many, we will also offer a daily Storytime at 10:30 a.m. in the building with rotating librarians, except Thursday mornings when you can catch a special all-ages performance at the library at 10:00 a.m., with a variety of musicians, magicians, animal programs and more! We will also offer a family Storytime at the building on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
For Tweens Join us for various hands-on activities and book clubs tailored just for you! More information is available on our website.
Join us for a week of exciting and engaging activities designed especially for elementary-age kids! Each day at 1 p.m., we will offer a unique program to spark creativity, curiosity, and joy. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Make-It Mondays: Help us create a kid-friendly magazine, make pins, tiny art, and more! How-To Tuesdays: Learn a little bit about a fun skill or hobby that maybe you haven’t tried before! World Wednesdays: Broaden your knowledge of cultures around the world! Thrilling Thursdays: An encore of the morning’s all-ages performance with musicians, magicians, animals and more! Friday Flicks: Movies rated either G or PG will be shown! All ages welcome!
Sunday Fun Days will continue all summer from 2 to 4 p.m. with an all-ages craft!
Totally Tweens will be at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are programs aimed at independent learners in grades 3 to 6.
Celebrate Pride Month with us! The Library is hosting several events and activities throughout June to honor and support the LGBTQ+ community.
ICPL is excited to be a partner in celebration for the annual Iowa City LGBTQ+ Pride in Downtown Iowa City!
On Wednesday, June 12, Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department and Iowa City Pride are partnering to host Pride at the Pool from 5 to 8 p.m. at City Park Pool. Event activities and special pool admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m.. The fun-filled evening includes a Drag Family Storytime (5:30 to 6 p.m.) with local kings and queens, sidewalk chalk, temporary tattoos, pride flags galore, and much more! All individuals are encouraged to attend.
Fifty years ago, a group of LGBTQ+ students marched in the University of Iowa Homecoming parade which paved the way for Iowa City Pride. ICPL is proud to be part of the Pride Parade on Saturday June 15, from noon to 12:45 p.m.. Floats and marchers will make their way through the streets of Iowa City, winding through downtown from Clinton and Jefferson to Gilbert and College. The parade ends at College & Linn.
While celebrating Pride downtown on Saturday, be sure to stop at the ICPL Bookmobile from 1 to 6 p.m. to make a library card, check out an item, or simply say hi! And also check out the numerous displays and collections celebrating Pride in June at the library!
Saturday, June 29, 4 to 5 p.m. Storytime Room
Tweens in grades 3 to 6 are invited to join us for a very special book club with local author Katherin Nolte! Katherin's newest novel, The Wonderful Wishes of B., is the story of a smart, quirky girl learning what she wants and what she needs—and how, sometimes, the wishes we hold dearest are granted in the most unexpected ways. Listen as Katherin reads an excerpt, then join in a Q&A and discussion with Katherin and a librarian about the book. After the discussion, enjoy a light snack and a craft based on the book!
Reading the book beforehand is very strongly encouraged! Fifteen free copies of the book will be available while supplies last, beginning June 4. Just ask at the Children's Desk anytime the Library is open for your free copy to read in advance and keep. Bring it to the discussion for signing!
Didn't snag a free copy? The book is also available for checkout in print, e-book, and e-audiobook from the Library.
Did you know you can use your library card to check out an Adventure Pass? The pass gives two adults and two children free access to several Iowa attractions and museums, such as the Blank Park Zoo, the Figge Art Museum, or the Science Center of Iowa.
To reserve an Adventure Pass, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Iowa City, Hills, Lone Tree, University Heights, or rural Johnson County. You will need an unexpired Iowa City Public Library card with no billed items. You'll also need a valid photo ID to access the venue. You can reserve one pass per venue every 365 days.
Have questions not answered here? Call us at 319-356-5200 or visit our website.
