Reviews of Iowa City Public Library (Library)

Oona Burke

A great sanctuary for the community.

caitlin little

Great space and awesome library !

Paul Otteson

For families with children this library is outstanding! They have really put a lot of thought and creativity into their children’s section. There are puzzles, toys, educational games, and a small house made out of books. It’s a great place to take children, particularly on cold or rainy days.

Wei Bao

My son's favorite place.

Daniel Goldenstein

As an Iowa City Native, it is probably my favorite place in the city. Great selection, if you suggest a book they don't have they'll get it for you! Wonderful, wonderful establishment.

CJ Flynn

If your visiting Iowa city this is definitely worth checking out. Helpful staff good section of books & nice used book room.

Rudi M

Great library

Tareq Owais

An excellent library, you can find whatever in your mind, but there is only one problem which is the parking, and it is very important point for all of the people. The another problem is that you can only use the computer for 2 hours, which could be not enough for some people.

Julie Aschenbrenner

LOVE the ICPL! Books movies magazines they have it all. If they don't have a book I want I can suggest they purchase it and more times than not they will.

Nicole Cullen

Love the children’s section here.

Charles C

A fantastic library right in the heart of the ped mall. One of the best public libraries I've been to. Lots of books and tons of CDs to boot. Give it a shot if you like reading or listening to music.

Gwenhwyfar Dickens

One time I had some materials I had checked out from the library stolen from me by an ex roomate(who also stole many of my own things from me). I returned everything I had and explained the situation, and on top of it donated a ton of very valuable out of print D&D books. I owed $70 and I offered to work it off, or at least give me some time and I would pay it. They told me not to worry about it, to pay when I could! So a month later they reported me for theft and had me arrested and now I have a fifth degree theft on my record for life, owe 700 dollars to the state and still owe the fine to the library. Because of the theft charge I now have difficulty getting a job and I had worked in sales and retail previously, so naturally no one wants to hire me. I also know one other person this happened to for owing less. You at least need to give people a chance to make amends when accidents happen, rather than destroy people's lives. It's still a great library, despite this issue I have. Such a shame.

Philip Huang

Only library in the area. Solid decor, open design.

Adam Ciha

great facility, helpful and kind staff and lots of regular events.

Lucy Murphy

Thank you to the Bookmobile. I appreciate their appearance each Tuesday morning here at Melrose Meadows. This morning in pouring rain the nice gentleman brought my book into the building and retrieved the one I needed to return. How nice. Thank you. We are blessed to have the IC Library and the Bookmobile.

Hui Lin

quiet and very good location，well equipped.

Anthony Sonnheim

It a very nice library!

Matt Uhlman

Iowa City Public Library how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. In all reality I have only been here 2 or 3 times however each trip to the library has been a pleasant one. The book selection is vast and the DVD and video game selections are ample as well. Back in my day we didn't rent no video games from the library , we only sat around and read or listen to other people read. Despite the changing times the library remains solid! The free WiFi is always nice and there are plenty of places to sit and study while you're waiting for friends, studying for class or just killing some time. It's very bright and the decor is upbeat. Plenty of windows overlooking the ped mall give a reason to people watch when you should be studying. Additionally, there are plenty of corners to stick your nose in to actually study. Overall a fantastic library and a wonderful staple of the downtown area.

Wade Summers

Apart from parking, a wonderful Library

Elizabeth L.

I absolutely love this library! I always feel at home when I visit and rarely leave empty handed.

Haydar Aljaafari

This is the best place for a family day. The are welcoming to all ages. Actives start for infants with 6 weeks (book babies) and up. They have wonderful schedule of different activities as the kids garden where kids practice planting vegetables and keep track of how they grow. Variety of books, old and new. Easy check out, and self checkout is available too. Very convenient hours during the entire week.

Dan Junis

I really must say, this institution is a staple in our community and I would truly be lost without this wonderful resource. The staff are a healthy dose of weird (especially the upstairs crew) which, admit it, we all need in our lives. However...when seemingly everything hinges on complete focus and accurate information-gathering, these public servants drop everything and dutifully assist me with whatever I need help with. Also, never have I witnessed a city employee wake a sleeping patron with such grace and professionalism.

Johan Zioka

am only here for the comupters : )

zzz Lei

This Wednesday, we went to the Iowa City Public Library in downtown. It’s quiet inside, also clean and tidy. There are various books there include the old and newest ones. In addition, the videos there are available to be lent. We picked a table near the window and chose some books to read. It has quite a wonderful environment to read and go over for the test. All of us like this library so much. We will come here more frequently in the following days.

Yi Frank

I have a perfect day with ICPL.

Michelle Rarick

The staff is amazingly kind and very helpful. The movie section has a good variety. This place is like my wonderland. I don't know what I'd do without it.

Jeana

I love going to the library, namely this one! It has to be one of my favorite parts of Iowa City. It is nice and modern and they have a great selection of books, both new and old.

Jessica Biggs

A modern two-story library with just about everything you need including: study rooms, computers and printers, a used book store, separate teen and children's areas, and extended hours. In addition to books, you can rent video games, movies, music records, and art!

Garik Himebaugh

Nice library. Wonderful place to study or read. Great selection of books and movies. Nice study rooms upstairs.

Thomas Pierce

Lots of books and many different activities and events to do here

Caitlyn Baxter

This is absolutely the best library in the country. The staff is always kind, helpful, and friendly. The selection of books is fantastic, and if you want something they don't have on hand, just ask! The children's area is well thought out, and the ability to check out puzzles, games, etc is wonderful. I lived a block away from the library, and visited often. Now that I've moved, it's one of the places I miss the most in Iowa City.

Herbie H

One of the best public libraries I've been

Kaelyn Hagens

The YA section here is HUGE! I love everything about this library and it's definitely my favorite compared to Coralville.

Kevin Wolfe

They have internet and books, I basically lived here growing up. 10/10.

Aditya Roshan

Good place for all kind of readers. Enough reading rooms and open seating. Members can rent movies, games and all kind of books. Coffee stop is next door.

Elaine Mahler

The book selection is very good. They also have a wide selection of CDs and DVDs. There are many programs for children and teens. There is one parking ramp on the same block and two others within three blocks. If you ride the bus, there is a Read & Ride program.

Ron Cunningham

Great place and great community resources. Much more than just a library.

Patrick W. Deegan

This is my favorite public library in the world, and I've been a cardholder since 1982. They have an amazing kids' section, very good adult offerings, and on and on. This library has had very strong community support for over a half-century and continues to be a resource for everyone. Beloved by the local residents, it shows where the community's heart really is.

Ray M

I've visited a variety of libraries across the nation--some smaller, some larger--and I feel this is one of the best in the country. An amazing comics collection, outstanding community services and top-notch circulation capabilities are merely a handful of the reasons I'm proud to support this library.

Kenzie Rose

This is one of the best libraries I have ever been to! They order what I ask them to (it takes time sometimes but I eventually get what I ask for if they don't have it) They have a wonderful selection for downloads while I am traveling. There are PERFECT study spots in this library! The staff is always extremely friendly and helpful. I love ICPL. If you have children there are lots of activities that go on throughout the month for them.

Jason M

BRING YOUR EARPLUGS!!! Otherwise, it's an "excellent" indoor playground for CHILDREN AND ZOO ANIMALS - lots of yelling, running, skipping, etc... BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND READING ELSEWHERE!!! TO YOU INDIFFERENT LIBRARIANS: I'VE TRAVELED THE COUNTRY, AND LITTLE OL' IOWA CITY, LITERALLY POSSESSES THE LOUDEST, MOST OBNOXIOUS LIBRARY THAT I HAVE "EVER" SEEN - AND I'M COMPARING THAT TO SEVERAL MAJOR CITIES!!! YOU NEED TO TAKE SOME CONTROL - THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!

photinoman

Lots of poke stops around and they have great selection of pokemons. Definitely my favorite place to go after work. While I am studying, I can catch all the pokemons.

George Michael

Fantastic place for students and general public. Provides a Broad array of services, thus building a sense of community. Interact with different groups of patrons and suppliers, host/run many events, and a long etcetera

J Bailey

Parking is annoying. Expect to use parking ramp instead of nearly non-existant street parking. Library itself is beautiful, unique and resourceful.

Andrew Bohnenkamp

A very nice public library with a wonderful staff.

Stephen Chase

Best Iowa library!!