
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.
Share your ICPL story

You're a part of our story too! Each month we'll post a new prompt and we're looking for your contributions. Share your thoughts, photos, and memories here or on social media using the hashtag #LibrariesAreForEveryone or #LasBibliotecasSonParaTodxs.
Submit here to be a part of our collective story. We'll be posting your responses throughout the year.
What was your favorite ICPL event?
Decades of service
See the growth of ICPL decade by decade with new photos posted each month
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.
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
More info
- Read more about our history in A century of stories: the history of the Iowa City Public Library, 1896-1997 by Lolly Eggers