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We're celebrating 125 years!

The Iowa City Public Library is celebrating 125 years of being the center of community life. Stay up-to-date throughout the year as we mark our 125th anniversary.

Explore the highlights of our history, reflect and share your own ICPL memories, and connect through celebratory events in 2021.

Decades of service

See the growth of ICPL decade by decade with new photos posted each month

An aerial view of downtown Iowa City, with the four past and present library buildings outlined and their years of opening
The library has been homed in four separate buildings between 1897 and the present. Each building is marked here on an aerial map of Iowa City, showing that they were all located within these few city blocks. Two of the four buildings, the present one and the Carnegie building, are still standing. One, the Cannon & Pratt building, used to be almost exactly where the current Children's Room is located.
A damaged poster advertising a play called Honour Before Wealth to support the new library 1897
To benefit the newly formed library, a play was performed at the Opera House called "Honour Before Wealth" in 1897. The original poster, although very damaged, still exists in the library's institutional archives.
Needlepoint of the COD Steam building
Needlepoint building designed by Carol Krob and stitched by Alice Kurtz, representing the first location of the library in the C.O.D. Steam building.
First location of the Iowa City Public Library, the C.O.D. Steam building
The C.O.D. Steam Laundry, the first location of the Iowa City Public Library. The library itself was located on the second floor, housed a rather modest collection, and had limited hours and staffing compared to today's standards.
Needlepoint of the Cannon and Pratt building
Needlepoint building designed by Carol Krob and stitched by Jeanette Lynch, representing the second location of the library in the Cannon & Pratt building.
Workers laying the groundwork for the Carnegie building
The dimensions of the Carnegie building plans are laid out on the ground at it's new location on South Linn Street.
Horses and workers preparing the ground for construction
The ground is prepared for construction of the Carnegie building.
Horses and workers preparing the ground for construction, with move of the ground torn up
Horses are used to prepare the ground for the construction of the Carnegie building.
A single worker poses for a photo in the dug out foundation of the Carnegie building
The corners are marked for the foundation of the Carnegie building, and excavation is underway.
Workers pose in the dug out foundation of the Carnegie building
A group of workers pose for a photo in the dug out foundation of the Carnegie building.
Workers even out the walls of the foundation for the Carnegie building
The walls of the foundation are evened out to prepare for the stones of the soon-to-be Carnegie building.
Workers pose in the dug out foundation of the Carnegie building next to a large pile of gravel
A larger group of workers can be seen in the excavated ground where the Carnegie building will soon be built.
Workers pose as the initial internal framing and superstructure progress.
With the first bit of framing in place, the foundation and interior superstructure are in a very early stage of being constructed.
Workers laying bricks for the Carnegie building
Large stones are being brought onto the construction site to begin building up the walls.
Workers laying bricks for the Carnegie building
Stones are moved into place, by pulleys and man power.
Worker poses in front of what will be the rear of the building.
Still in its early stages, what will be the rear of the building begins to take shape.
Construction is well underway.
The building is beginning to take shape as construction progresses through cold weather. Most of the initial foundation work is complete and the rest of the building is progressing nicely. This view is of the front of the building.
Workers building up the walls, stairs, and windows of the Carnegie building
This angle of the developing construction shows the holes where the side windows will be installed, and the developing exterior.
View of the building's North face.
Taken at the same time as image showing the progress on the building from its front side, this captures the state of progress looking at the north side of the building (where part of Iowa Avenue is now).
Needlepoint of the Carnegie building
Needlepoint building designed by Carol Krob and stitched by Denise Wilcox, representing the third location of the library, the Carnegie building.
Completed building from Linn St. side looking east
The finished Iowa City Public Library building in the classic Carnegie style of the time. However, some landscape and street work still needs to be completed.
Finished building open for business
Now completed, the building is open and ready to serve the public.
Interior view of completed building
Interior view of lobby area with staff desk and first and second floors. Notice how few books are on some of the second floor shelves.
Invitation from the Board of Trustees to the dedication of the Carnegie library
The library's Board of Trustees sent out invitations for the dedication of the Carnegie building in 1904.
Program for the dedication of the Carnegie building on November 29th, 1904
The dedication for the library was held at the Opera House, which had since undergone fire damage and a restoration since the benefit play was preformed for the library in 1897. The dedication itself occurred on Tuesday, November 29th, 1904.
The second page of the program, including names of the trustees and library staff
The second page of the dedication even program includes names of the Board of Trustees and library staff at the time.
The third page of the program, including the order of events
The events of the dedication are listed, including mention of a reception at the library after the events at the Opera House.
Children sit around tables in the children's room of the Carnegie building
The children's room in the Carnegie building was located in the lower floor and opened in 1905.
A newspaper article listing books of practical use
In order to market the library to more than just the academic or fiction minded patron, since early on the library has added books to the collection on a variety of topics. This article describes these materials as "practical," which was used to mean that they described such skills as carpentry, book binding, and different types of engineering. City Library Practical Aid. (1910, January 13). Iowa City Daily Press, p. 5.
A newspaper article describing the library's history and services.
The local newspapers supported the library by publishing articles such as this one. These articles were used to describe the history and promote current services of the library. At the time, newspapers were a large form of communication in the community, similar to our use of websites now. The Iowa City Library. (1910, February 22). Iowa City Republican, p. 3.
A newspaper article describing the library, its history, and staff
This is another example of the local newspaper supporting library services by publishing information on them. This article also praises the growth of the "reading public" that was seen as the library continued to update services and offerings. Iowa City Public Library. (1910, December 5). Iowa City Daily Press, p. 18.
A newspaper article discussing the updated library building
Since the library was settled in the Carnegie building for a much longer time than the previous buildings, that meant it was periodically updated and refreshed to be a comfortable place for the community. Here is also an example of the library using the newspaper to make announcements, including the building being updated and materials from before the remodel coming due. Repaired Library Very Attractive. (1911, September 8). The Iowa City Citizen, p. 2.
A news article describing the public library's good relationship with schools
The library has always been involved with the community, and that includes local schools. This article describes ways the library has supported local education specifically. Library is School-Lover. (1912, January 31). Iowa City Daily Press, p. 8.
A newspaper article discussing a library exhibit that was at the County Fair
Before we were able to communicate with the community directly via email, or indirectly on our website, we needed to reach out in person. One way that was achieved was through the County Fair. This Fair in 1915 was a success for the library. Booklists were provided, services were advertised, and its use to the entirety of Johnson County was demonstrated. New Light on Public Library. (1915, August 19). Iowa City Daily Press, p. 2.
A newspaper article announcing new hours of the library
As was the norm at the time, the newspapers also published information regarding updated library hours. The building itself was open for a fairly robust amount of time, but reading rooms and the children's room tended to have shorter hours. Library Opens Longer Hours. (1915, September 14). Iowa City Republican, p. 4.
The 1917 yearly report published in a news article
Each year the library puts out an annual report to gather up statistics from throughout the year. These reports commonly discuss major events, the amount of materials checked out, and how many new cardholders exist. McRaith, H. (1917, January 18). Library is Active Center. Iowa City Daily Press, p. 3.
A short news article detailing the accomplishments of the library in 1916
During the year of 1916 the library saw massive growth. This included circulation growth and a rise in the number of patrons registered with the library. Library Year One of Success. (1917, January 18). Iowa City Daily Press, p. 2.
A board report from the library published in a newspaper article
The extensive board report from 1918 details different aspects of library statistics, the same way that modern library board reports do. McRaith, H. (1918, January 17). Library Board Learns Facts. Iowa City Daily Press, p. 7.
A newspaper article detailing the annual report of the public library
Reports from the library were periodically released to the public via newspaper. This report is the 21st and was directed towards the Board of Trustees. McRaith, H. (1918, January 18). Annual Report of City Librarian is Given Out. The Iowa City Citizen, p. 4.
A newspaper article calling for book donations to soldiers
With many soldiers stationed at military camps during the war, a call was sent out to donate books to them for entertainment purposes. The public library served as a collection point for these endeavors. Campaign for Camp Libraries is Urgent. (1918, March 18). Iowa City Citizen, p. 8.
A short newspaper bio on Miss Ethel Tiffy, who was the Head Librarian at Iowa City Public Library in the early 1920s. Miss Ethel Tiffy New Librarian. (1920, July 22.) Iowa City Daily Citizen, p. 7.
A newspaper bio on Mrs. Jessie Gordon, who was hired as Head Librarian at Iowa City Public Library in 1923. Mrs. Gordon heavily prioritized Children's Services during her time as Librarian. Mrs. J Gordon Selected for Library Post. (1923, September 10.) Iowa City Press Citizen, p.12
An article talking about the extensive use of the Iowa City Public Library and attempting to persuade citizens to use Library resources to their fullest extent. Use Library More Often. (1922, January 25.) Iowa City Press Citizen, p.7
Children's room in the Carnegie Building
The seating in the Jennie Brubaker Music Room. The Music Room was added to the Library in the early 1950s, and was funded by a generous donation from Jennie Brubaker.
The seating in the Jennie Brubaker Music Room.
The seating in the Jennie Brubaker Music Room.
The Music Room included a Magnavox Windsor Imperial record player and a collection of 33 1/3 RPM Records. This was the first audio collection offered by the Library.
Patrons relaxing in the Jennie Brubaker Music Room.
Patrons relaxing in the Jennie Brubaker Music Room.
Patrons relaxing in the Jennie Brubaker Music Room.
Patrons relaxing in the Jennie Brubaker Music Room.
A newspaper article showing Director Joyce Nienstedt supervising the groundbreaking of the addition. (1962?) Press-Citizen Photo.
Construction is beginning on the back side of the Carnegie building, making room for the 14,000 square foot addition that was finished in 1963.
Continuing construction on the 1963 addition to the Carnegie building.
A view of the completed addition and parking lot, facing the East side of the building.
A view of the new check out desk and card catalog after the addition was completed.
An advertisement in a local business for the 1964 National Library Week celebration.
Local advertisements for the 1964 National Library Week celebration.
Buttons for the "A New Library for Everyone" campaign. The campaign was aiming to get public approval for a new building for the Iowa City Public Library. The Carnegie building was increasingly cramped, in disrepair, and not accessible.
Cramped conditions in the Carnegie building. This photo was taken for the New Library for Everyone campaign.
Cramped conditions in the Carnegie building. This photo was taken for the New Library for Everyone campaign.
Using the dumbwaiter to move books between floors of the Carnegie Building. This photo was taken for the New Library for Everyone campaign.
A lack of accessibility in the Carnegie Building. This photo was taken for the New Library for Everyone campaign.
A lack of accessibility in the Carnegie Building. This photo was taken for the New Library for Everyone campaign.
The display for the New Library for Everyone Campaign. When the issue went to vote, it was passed by a margin of only 2% (244 votes) even though 90% of all voters had voted on the issue.
Director Lolly Eggers before the groundbreaking of the new Library building.
Director Lolly Eggers at the groundbreaking of the new Library building.
A team of volunteers helping to move books from the Carnegie building into the New Library building. Over 600 volunteers helped to move the contents of the Library, supervised by Susan Craig.
The introduction of the digital catalog system. The Library created 125,000 digital book records that corresponded to 125,000 new barcodes. The cost of this automation project was included in the proposal for the new Library building that was passed in 1978.
The introduction of the digital catalog system led to the introduction of the yellow Library Cards. Staff and volunteers had to sign every Library user up for a new yellow Library Card after the transition to the digital system.
The exterior of the new Iowa City Public Library building, completed in 1981.
A street-view of the completed 1981 Library building.
The interior entrance to the new Library building, with an original stained glass piece from the Carnegie building on display.
The Information Desk in the new Library building.
An interior view of the Children's Room in the new Library building.
A seating area in the new Library building with a view of one of the new digital catalogs.
The new inter-shelved AV materials.
The CD bins from the AV section.
A Micro-Computer fair hosted by the Library in 1985, designed to help people compare different types of software and hardware for the first time.

Best of the Best

Best of the Best 2021

The results are in. See what books staff enjoyed from 2021!

Top recommendations from ICPL staff

125 Recommended Fiction Titles for YA and Adults

See what fiction titles made the top 125 for adults and YA!

125 Recommended Nonfiction Titles

Try out these top nonfiction picks from staff.

125 Recommended Titles for Children

See what children's titles made the best list!

Top borrowed items in 2020

125 Most Borrowed Fiction Books of 2020

See what general fiction, mystery, and science fiction titles made the top 125!

125 Most Borrowed Nonfiction Books of 2020

How many of these nonfiction titles have you checked out?

125 Most Borrowed Teen Books of 2020

See what teens were reading in 2020.

125 Most Borrowed Kids Books of 2020

Graphic novels, picture books, chapter books, oh my!

125 Most Borrowed DVDs of 2020

See what our community watched most in 2020.

125 Most Borrowed Kids DVDs of 2020

Tried and true plus new favorites - see the top 125 kids DVDs.

Explore our history

Highlights from our past

We've been in six different buildings, but we've always been at the heart of downtown. See how your library has evolved with the community, reflecting your needs, supporting digital literacy, and expanding services with outreach.

Lolly's Legacy

Former Library Director Lolly Eggers was a powerful influence on ICPL's trajectory, helping shape who we are today. Learn more about her contributions not only to the Library but also to the City of Iowa City.

Support the library

Represent your library with swag from the ICPL's Society 6 page. Pick out a canvas bag or print with your favorite library design or slogan.

Or if you'd like to support the Library but don't need another bag, you can donate directly to the Friends Foundation.

Events

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