Don't have a library card? Now's the perfect time to get one!
Since 1987, libraries across the nation have celebrated Library Card Sign-up Month to highlight the benefits of having a library card.
At the Iowa City Public Library, cardholders can:
Check out books, videos, and music.
Access premium databases and our digital collection, including eBooks and eAudiobooks*
Use our public computers and Digital Media Lab.
Reserve private study spaces.
Check out an Adventure Pass for local attractions (available for adults with resident cards).
And much more!
Apply online at icpl.org/cards or visit us in person at the Library or on our Bookmobile. Remember to bring an Iowa address verification and photo ID!
Card Types:
Residents: For those living in Iowa City, Hills, University Heights, Lone Tree, or rural Johnson County.
Non-Residents (Open Access): For Coralville, North Liberty, and most other Iowa residents.
Temporary: For those staying in the area for 1-8 weeks.
In-House: For individuals without a local address.
Institutional: For businesses in our resident areas.
AIM Student: For Iowa City Community School District students using their school-issued ID.
Sign up today and unlock endless possibilities!
*Note: Some resources are only available to those with specific card types.
September 22 - October 19, 2024
In 1995, the Iowa City Public Library established the annual Carol Spaziani Intellectual Freedom Festival to honor Carol Spaziani’s 27-year career at ICPL and her lifelong commitment to the freedom of ideas. Spaziani believed that the public library's role is to be a resource and a forum for an individual's pursuit and expression of diverse points of view.
The festival is planned by a library committee that monitors current intellectual freedom issues and organizes programs of interest for area residents. This year’s festival will address the numerous recent challenges, book bans, and legislative restrictions affecting libraries, classrooms, and workplaces. Many of the targeted books involve stories and experiences of marginalized populations, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. ICPL is dedicated to highlighting these issues during the festival, with events and displays kicking off during the American Library Association’s annual Banned Books Week: Freed Between the Lines, in the last week of September.
Celebrate your intellectual freedom and join us at the library for programs and discussions. Details at icpl.org/iff.
Get ready for a September filled with fun, food, and fashion, all while supporting the Iowa City Public Library! Mark your calendars for these can't-miss events:
New to ICPL? Been a while since your last visit? Or just curious about what’s new? Join us for a special tour with Library Development Staff and discover everything the library has to offer!
Eat Out to Read at Yotopia Thursday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Celebrate Yotopia’s 13th anniversary and treat yourself to some delicious self-serve frozen yogurt! A portion of the day’s sales will be donated to ICPL—enjoy a sweet treat and support your Library at the same time!
Wright House: 10 Years of Fashion in Iowa City Saturday, Sept. 28, 3 - 4 p.m. Join us at the Old Capitol Senate Chamber as we celebrate the launch of the new, limited release book “Wright House: 10 Years of Fashion in Iowa City” which reflects on a decade of art, creativity, and innovative design all built by local youth under the leadership of founder, artist, and designer Andre Wright. Wright will discuss an evolving legacy of fashion in Iowa City alongside Friends Foundation director Katie Roche.
Don’t miss out on these opportunities to connect with your Library community and make a difference!
How Do You Stay Informed? Help Us Understand!
At the Iowa City Public Library, we want to make sure you never miss out on the programs and services that interest you most. To do that, we need your help!
We’ve put together a quick, anonymous survey to learn how you find out about our events and services. Whether you prefer hearing from us on social media, through our website, or other channels, your feedback will help us reach you in the ways that work best for you.
Why is this important?
Your responses will guide us in optimizing our communication, so you’re always in the loop about what’s happening at the Library.
By knowing your preferences, we can ensure our announcements and updates are more effective and aligned with your needs.
What we’d like to know:
Which channels do you use to stay updated about library events and services? (e.g., Facebook, our website, newsletters, etc.)
What types of events or programs do you usually attend or are most interested in?
This survey will only take a couple of minutes of your time, but it will make a big difference in how we connect with you!
Thank you for helping us improve our communication and making sure you never miss out on the amazing things happening at the Iowa City Public Library!
The Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation has a new way to stay in touch! An online newsletter will be sent out six times per year via email. It’s a great way to stay informed about ICPLFF news, upcoming events, and opportunities to support the Iowa City Public Library.
Eight new sculptures created by five Iowan artists are now on display at parks and trails throughout the community as part of the Iowa City Sculptor’s Showcase.
The sculptures will be on exhibit until July 2026 and are located at Terry Trueblood Recreation area, along the Iowa River Trail, in Riverfront Crossings Park, at Mercer Park, and at Scott Park. See the location map for more details.
New this year, the public is invited to complete the “Sculptor’s Showcase Chase,” a scavenger hunt challenging community members to visit all eight sculptures for a chance to win a prize.
Scavenger hunt maps and checklists can be picked up from the Iowa City Public Library, Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, Mercer Aquatic Center, or City Hall Front Desk during those facilities’ regular operating hours. After participants visit each sculpture and fill in the checklist, it can be returned to one of those same facilities to win exclusive coloring sheets inspired by the artwork, with options for all ages available.
The Sculptor Showcase is a recurring public art program that gives Iowa sculptors the opportunity to showcase their work around the Iowa City community for a two-year display period. The City of Iowa City’s Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) selects sculptures and display locations based on submissions from Iowa-based artists.
The 2024-2026 Sculptor's Showcase exhibits will be on display from August 2024 through July 2026. Visit www.icgov.org/publicart to learn more.
