Calendar Listing of Events

To view all upcoming ICPL Friends Foundation events click HERE.

Arts & Crafts Bazaar

The Arts & Crafts Bazaar taking place 12/7.2024 is the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation’s annual winter fundraiser for the Iowa City Public Library. The Arts & Crafts Bazaar features handmade items donated by Library supporters, as well as a used book sale, with all sales benefitting the Iowa City Public Library.

If you’d like to donate your hand-crafted items please visit www.icpl.org/arts-and-crafts

If you have any questions, please email development@icpl.org.

Begin with Books

In partnership with Hills Bank & Trust Company, we provide free board book to every baby born in an Iowa City hospital, with a library information packet including information about Early Literacy programs, including 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.

Bright Future

Bright Future: Celebrating the Iowa City Public Library is a special after-hours fundraising party taking place April 11, 2025 dedicated to fostering appreciation and growth of our beloved library. We begin with registration in Meeting Room A, where the grand piano will fill the room with music, and guests, with drinks in hand, can bid on packages in our silent auction! Shortly after the Library closes at 8 pm there will be a warm welcome and recognition of our sponsors. Guests will then be free to enter the main part of the Library to begin exploring the space as they’ve never seen it before. With food and drink stations scattered throughout the library, pop-up performances, live music, readings, and more, guests will mingle, enjoy, and learn more about this incredible community resource! Together, we’re building a Bright Future for our Library!  Find ticket and sponsorship information here.

Book Gala

2024 marked the 31st Annual Book Gala. The Annual Book Gala at Prairie Lights Books invites members of the public to enjoy light refreshments while shopping this after-hours benefit for the Library. Online sales on the day of the event on also benefit the Library until midnight by visiting https://www.prairielightsbooks.com (type “ICPL library sale” in the comment box) will also be included. Date coming soon!

Bring your wish list so the knowledgeable staff at Prairie Lights Books may help you find books, children’s toys, and other special gifts. A percentage of the night’s total sales will be donated to the ICPL Friends Foundation.

Donate two or more used books for The Book End, ICPL’s used bookstore, and be entered for a prize!

Eat Out To Read + Community Give Back Days

Eat Out to Read events allow community members to enjoy a delicious meal knowing that a generous percentage of all sales will be donated to the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation!

In addition to the generosity of local restaurants, retail businesses also participate in supporting the Library through Community Give Back Day’s where a portion of daily or weekly sales are donated to the Library.

For more information visit: icpl.org/EOTR

If your business would like to participate, please contact development@icpl.org.

Johnson County Great Give Day

Johnson County Great Give Day is an annual collective day of giving, where donors are encouraged to learn more about new-to-them nonprofit organizations, the work of the nonprofit sector in Johnson County, and make a gift (or a few!) to support philanthropy in Johnson County. On this single day – May 7, 2025 – ALL Johnson County nonprofit organizations share, with one voice, the incredible work they are doing, how they support our communities and fundraise for their individual organizations. Support the ICPL Friends Foundation on Johnson County Great Give Day by making a gift at www.supportICPL.org!