The Book End sells gently used fiction, general nonfiction, cookbooks, poetry, history, biographies, young adult, and children’s books, as well as DVDs, audiobooks on CD, and LPs. The store features a selection of new and noteworthy books on display, and recommendations from our volunteers.
The Book End is staffed entirely by ICPL Friends Foundation volunteers, and proceeds benefit the programs, collections, and facilities of Iowa City Public Library.
Visit supportICPL.org for more information about how the ICPL Friends Foundation is working to inspire every member of our community to support the Library as a Library user, volunteer, or donor!
Hours
- Sunday
- 12:30 - 4:30pm
- Monday
- 10:30am - 7:30pm
- Tuesday
- 10:30am - 4:30pm
- Wednesday
- 10:30am - 7:30pm
- Thursday
- 10:30am - 4:30pm
- Friday
- 10:30am - 4:30pm
- Saturday
- 10:30am - 4:30pm
The Book End Volunteers
Volunteers staff The Book End. Interested in becoming a volunteer? Fill out the online application.
Apply to be a volunteer
Donation Guidelines
Do you have gently used items you’d like to donate? We’d love to accept them! Drop off your donations at the first floor Help Desk any time the Library is open.
If you have more than two boxes of items to donate, contact the Development Office at 319-356-5249 or development@icpl.org to arrange a drop-off time. We'll meet you at the 10-minute parking spots in front of the Library to accept your donations.
Please bring your items in bags or boxes you do not need returned to you.
We accept:
- Gently used books in good condition
- Audiobooks on CD
- CDs in original case (no burned CDs)
- DVDs in original case
- LP records
- World language books with ISBN
- Textbooks (published within the past 5 years)
- Historical materials about Iowa City, Iowa, etc.
- Intact/complete puzzles and games
We do not accept:
- Damaged, dirty, or ripped materials
- Wet or moldy books
- Magazines
- Reader’s Digest or other condensed books
- VHS tapes
- Cassette tapes
- Encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauruses
- Used fill-in-the blank books
- Advanced reader editions of books
- Burned CDs or DVDs
- Incomplete collections (e.g. a DVD collection missing a disc)
Alternative drop-off location
You can also support the Library by donating and recycling books at the recycling center.
Bring up to 6 boxes without an appointment. You'll find the self-service book collection containers in the electronic recycling garage bay along the back wall.
Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center
3900 Hebl Ave. SW, Iowa City
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 7am - 4:30pm
Learn more about the book reuse and recycling program on our blog.
Contact Us
The Book End Store
319-887-6050
thebookend@icpl.org
ICPL Development Office
319-356-5249
development@icpl.org