When the number of “holds” on the newest Janet Evanovich mystery is no longer in the double digits, and the Library needs to clear multiple copies from the shelves to make room for the next best-seller, books usually end up in The BookEnd. It’s the used bookstore of the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation [...]

Chuck Klosterman Author Visit Klosterman will be reading from his new novel, “The Visible Man.” Told in a series of notes, correspondence, and session transcriptions, “The Visible Man” catalogs a relationship that moves from uncertainty to curiosity to concern and ultimately to fear. Klosterman asks readers to consider the nature of solitude, and what it [...]

Teen Chess Tournament Building on the success of our annual Kid’s Chess Tournament we’re now offering a Teen Chess Tournament. Teens in Grades 7-12 will play chess rounds beginning at 1 p.m. Trophies and ribbons awarded. Refreshments provided. Co-sponsored by the Hawkeye Chess Club. Registration required just prior to event. Sunday, November 20 Noon-5 p.m. [...]

The Library’s ebook collection is now available for Kindle users.  Go to http://overdrive.icpl.org, and click on the for the “Library eBooks for Kindle” icon on left side of the site to browse the Library’s collection of Kindle books! Watch a how to get library eBooks on the Kindle video:  http://overdriveblogs.com/library/2011/09/22/how-to-get-library-ebooks-on-the-amazon®-kindle/ “Amazon and OverDrive Roll Out [...]

Carol Bodensteiner, who grew up on an Iowa dairy farm, writes about country hospitality, the county fair, milking cows, house chores, and other topics that resonate with people who grew up and live in the Midwest. Recently, volunteer readers have been sharing Bodensteiner’s book, “Growing Up Country: Memories of an Iowa Farm Girl,” and leading [...]

Computer Access Hours: Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. No library card required. Guests will be asked to sign-in before using a computer station. The free computer access site is located on the southeast side of Iowa City, in Pepperwood Plaza, inside the Iowa City Police Department Substation at 1067 Highway 6 East, Pepperwood Plaza, [...]

“We’re visiting our grandchildren who insisted we come in to see ‘their’ library. Now we know why. We are amazed by everything, and especially the Children’s Room. Our library in California is nothing like this,” said a note included with a cash contribution left in the donation box across from the Fiction Desk. That donation [...]

The Iowa City Public Library has long encouraged the wonderful art of puppetry. Since back in the days of the Carnegie building, the Library has offered puppets for children to check out plus hundreds of live puppet shows. These include performances by the Kidspectacular drama group and shows about Popo the Puppet and Magic Dave. [...]

When family and friends are here for Hawkeye games, take them on a tour of the BookMarks public art project too! BookMarks Book Art in Johnson County™ features gigantic book statues displayed throughout Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, and the Eastern Iowa Airport. The final two statues are now out for public viewing. Artist Jo [...]

From the excited squeal of the child who just read his name on the gigantic book statue inside the Iowa City Public Library, to the breathless “OMG, I’m here in Iowa City and just walked by these two huge painted books, and they’re so cool, and I’m sending you pictures,” overheard during a young woman’s [...]