The Book Bike stops for today, Wednesday, June 18, 2025 are cancelled due to the forecasted bad weather.
The Downtown Library will be open 10am - 6pm on Thursday, June 19, 2025 for Juneteenth. The Bookmobile will not be in service.

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Featured Collections On the shelf & ready to reserve

Color Our World with the Iowa City Public Library. Pick up a reading tracker at the library today!

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Beautiful useful things : what William Morris made
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Woodpecker girl
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Cowboy Charlie : the story of Charles M. Russell
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Olive Oh gets creative
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A strange thing happened in Cherry Hall
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Paper son : the inspiring story of Tyrus Wong, immigrant and artist
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13 art mysteries children should know
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The Titan's curse
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Doodleville
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Sitti's bird : a Gaza story
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Keynan Masters and the peerless magic crew
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Artificial intelligence : building smarter machines
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What is color? : the global and sometimes gross story of pigments, paint, and the wondrous world of art
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The art teacher from the Black Lagoon
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Flying paintings : the Zhou brothers : a story of revolution and art
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Rox's secret code
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Anonymouse
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What's the point of art?
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Subway story
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And the winner is...
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Art baby : spots and dots
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The painting that wasn't there
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Van Dog
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Louie!
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The tontine caper
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This book will make you an artist
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The Morrigan's curse
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Diego Rivera : his world and ours
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Frida Kahlo : she painted her world in self-portraits
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Saige paints the sky
More featured collections

Events

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ICPL Recommends

I keep my exoskeletons to myself : a novel book cover
I keep my exoskeletons to myself : a novel book cover

I keep my exoskeletons to myself : a novel

Marisa Crane

SCIENCE FICTION Crane Marisa
Fiction, Dystopian, LGBTQ+

When the Department of Balance adopts a radical new form of law enforcement, Kris, a new mother raising a child alone after her wife dies, finds support in a community of fellow misfits who defy the Department to lift one another up in solidarity and hope.

cschula's picture

This book stood out for its vibrant characters and nuanced depiction of grief. I really loved that Kris was able to heal from her grief through building community, and that the book acknowledged the necessity of balancing resistance and safety. -Chelsea
Girl on girl : how pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves book cover
Girl on girl : how pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves book cover

Girl on girl : how pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves

Sophie (Sophie G.) Gilbert

305.42 /Gilbert
Nonfiction, Art / Art History, Music

"From Atlantic critic and Pulitzer Prize finalist Sophie Gilbert, a blazing critique of how early-aughts pop culture turned women and girls against each other-and themselves-with disastrous consequences. What happened to feminism in the 21st century? This question feels increasingly urgent...

amangano's picture

This book struck a chord with me because Sophie Gilbert and I are around the same age; we were both teenagers when she starts describing this shift in the culture, so my cultural touch-points are hers. But I think the argument will appeal to anyone who wants to explore the changing perceptions of women and our role in our society. It was a really engaging and enlightening book. It would make for good conversation for a book club. -Anne M
The salt grows heavy book cover
The salt grows heavy book cover

The salt grows heavy

Cassandra Khaw

FICTION Khaw Cassandr
Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ+

"You may think you know how the fairytale goes: a mermaid comes to shore and weds the prince. But what the fables forget is that mermaids have teeth. And now, her daughters have devoured the kingdom and burned it to ashes. On the run, the mermaid is joined by a mysterious plague doctor with a...

cschula's picture

A strange and monstrous queer love story, perfect for pride month! -Chelsea
Do you see the tiger? book cover
Do you see the tiger? book cover

Do you see the tiger?

Ardagh, Philip, author.

jE Ardagh
Kids, Picture Books, Animals, Poetry

"One rainy night, Penny and her daddy take an underground train packed with passengers. As they stand in the crowded car, Penny can't believe what she's seeing. A tiger's tail? A tiger's paw! No, that's just a person with a striped glove, assures Daddy. But when they...

CMaynard's picture

Wonderful rhyming and rhythm, incredibly expressive illustrations, and a mysterious tiger make for perfect storytime reading. I can't wait to share this one out loud! -Casey
Bird bath book cover
Bird bath book cover

Bird bath

Antony, Steve, author, illustrator.

jE Antony
Humor, Kids, Picture Books

These four mucky birds are in need of a bath! They've got soap, shampoo and a big bottle of bubble bath, but can they be trusted not to use it all? And will they keep the water inside the tub? Well, at least they'll be squeaky clean! The real trouble is, when bath time is this much fun,...

CMaynard's picture

Antony's new adorable series is bound to be a hit. Be on the lookout for Cat Nap as well! -Casey
The River Has Roots book cover
The River Has Roots book cover

The River Has Roots

Amal El-Mohtar

OverDrive Audiobook
Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ+

"In the small town of Thistleford, on the edge of Faerie, the mysterious Hawthorn family tends the willow trees there. For as long as anyone can remember, the Hawthorns have paid tribute to the willow trees, honouring an ancient compact to sing to them in thanks for their magic. None, though,...

cschula's picture

El-Mohtar's writing is every bit as lyrical as it was in "This is How You Lose the Time War." I think my only criticism of this story is that I wish there was more of it! I want to continue to explore the grammar of this world. I want to specifically recommend the audio book because this novella is full of songs and music, and the audio book performances are wonderful. -Chelsea

Staff Lists

More staff picks

NEW

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Visit the catalog record for Five talents that really matter : how great leaders drive extraordinary performance
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Visit the catalog record for The next one is for you : a true story of guns, country, and the IRA's secret American army
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Visit the catalog record for A passing west : essays from the borderlands
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Visit the catalog record for The mysterious Mr. Nakamoto : a fifteen-year quest to unmask the secret genius behind crypto
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Visit the catalog record for Behooved
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Visit the catalog record for Building a storybrand 2.0 : clarify your message so customers will listen
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Visit the catalog record for Breaking the patterns that break you : healing from the pain of your past and finding real hope that lasts
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Visit the catalog record for The Latina anti-diet : a dietitian's guide to authentic health that celebrates culture and full-flavor living
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Visit the catalog record for The bright years : a novel
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Visit the catalog record for The golden hour : a story of family and power in Hollywood
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Visit the catalog record for Bad friend : how women revolutionized modern friendship
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Visit the catalog record for I don't believe in astrology : a therapist's guide to the life-changing wisdom of the stars
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Visit the catalog record for The impossible thing
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Visit the catalog record for Rewrite your rules : the journey to success in less time with more freedom
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Visit the catalog record for Kin : Caribbean recipes for the modern kitchen
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Visit the catalog record for The radiant king
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Visit the catalog record for Valley of forgetting : Alzheimer's families and the search for a cure
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Visit the catalog record for The page turner
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Visit the catalog record for Go figure
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Visit the catalog record for Land of dreams
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Visit the catalog record for A dead draw
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Visit the catalog record for The decline and fall of the human empire : why our species is on the edge of extinction
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Visit the catalog record for The new rules of investing : essential wealth strategies for turbulent times
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Visit the catalog record for The bane witch : a novel
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Visit the catalog record for Hell in boots : clawing my way through nine lives
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Visit the catalog record for Home buying kit
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Visit the catalog record for Home of the happy : a murder on the Cajun prairie
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Visit the catalog record for Paradise Bronx : the life and times of New York's greatest borough
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Visit the catalog record for Austen at sea
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Visit the catalog record for Fire in his soul : Van Gogh, Paris, and the making of an artist
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Visit the catalog record for Rose of Jericho
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Visit the catalog record for The worst trickster story ever told : Native America, the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Constitution
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Visit the catalog record for Rose/House
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Visit the catalog record for Skin and bones : and other Mike Bowditch short stories
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Visit the catalog record for No one was supposed to die at this wedding : a novel
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Visit the catalog record for The money school : 12 simple lessons to master financial markets and investing
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Visit the catalog record for Fatherhood : a history of love and power
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Visit the catalog record for We, the Casertas : a novel
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Visit the catalog record for Vera Miles : the Hitchcock blonde who got away
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Visit the catalog record for One final turn
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Visit the catalog record for The last great dream : how bohemians became hippies and created the sixties
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Visit the catalog record for In the lost lands
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Visit the catalog record for The searchers
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Visit the catalog record for The cell
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Visit the catalog record for Unbroken
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Visit the catalog record for The alto knights
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Visit the catalog record for Queer
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Visit the catalog record for Marcello Mio
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Visit the catalog record for My hero academia. you're next
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Visit the catalog record for Great migrations : a people on the move
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Visit the catalog record for Outlander. The complete seventh season
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Visit the catalog record for Track 143
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Visit the catalog record for Geo sar utha kay
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Visit the catalog record for The wind will carry us
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Visit the catalog record for The cell
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Visit the catalog record for Father Brown. Complete season twelve
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Visit the catalog record for Warboy
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Visit the catalog record for The constitution
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Visit the catalog record for Sublime
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Visit the catalog record for Why Siegfried Teitelbaum had to die
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Visit the catalog record for Star Trek. Section 31
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Visit the catalog record for Van der Valk. Season 4
More new materials

Check out our Digital Library

Our Digital Library is always open! Check it out 24/7.

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OverDrive Ebooks OverDrive Magazines hoopla The New York Times The Washington Post The Wall Street Journal

Watch

Kanopy Movies hoopla The Library Channel

Listen

OverDrive Audiobooks hoopla Local Music Project The Library Channel Interviews

Explore

Online Resources Digital History Project Consumer Reports Mango Languages Historical Iowa City Newspapers Creativebug LinkedIn Learning

Kids

OverDrive Kids Ebooks OverDrive Kids Audiobooks Tumblebooks Kanopy Kids The Library Channel Storytimes

More digital options

Children's Summer Reading Program. How-To Tuesdays. Draw Pokemon with Casey, June 10. Watercolor Techniques, June 17. Tae Kwon Do Skills, June 24. 1 p.m. Meeting Room A. Iowa City Public Library. icpl.org/summer
Join us for the Summer Reading Program
Bookmobile schedule

News

Show your love for your favorite used bookstore and the Iowa City Public Library!

by Amber — June 9, 2025
The Book End -- ICPL's used book store located on the second floor of...

The Bookmobile is on a Break - Where are my Holds?

by Shawna — May 30, 2025
The Summer 2025 ICPL Bookmobile schedule begins Monday, June 9 and...

Clear Your Shelves for a Great Cause: Donate to the ICPL Friends Foundation Book Sale!

by Katie — May 7, 2025
The Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation is gearing up for one...

Celebrating a True Standout: Volunteer of the Year, Inaiyah Smith

by Manny — April 28, 2025
The Iowa City Public Library is proud to name Inaiyah Smith as our...

Support the ICPL on Johnson County Great Give Day - May 7!

by Katie — April 16, 2025
Love Your Library? Support the ICPL Friends Foundation for Johnson...

Support the ICPL on Johnson County Great Give Day - May 7!

by Katie — April 16, 2025
Love Your Library? Support the ICPL Friends Foundation for Johnson...

Empowering Teens Through Summer Work: The YES! Program Returns

by Manny — April 5, 2025
Paid Opportunity Offers Job Skills, Mentorship, and More As summer...

Bright Future Fundraising Party - April 11! Ticket sales close Sunday at midnight!

by Katie — April 4, 2025
Are you ready for a night of creativity, community, and library love? 

Look What's Growing on the Second Floor - A Seed Library at ICPL!

by Heidi K — April 4, 2025
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