The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is a community of 56 Affiliated Centers, promoting reading, libraries and literacy through the Library of Congress and its Affiliated Centers across the country.
The Iowa Center for the Book at Ames Public Library celebrates and promotes Iowa's unique literary heritage.
News
10 Beautiful Things Photo Contest
Iowa is full of beautiful things!
Celebrate our state and Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin—Iowa’s 2024 “Great Read from Great Places” selection for youth—with a photo contest.
Photo submissions are due September 30, 2024.
Use the online form to send a photo...
Great Reads from Great Places
Every year, a list of books representing the literary heritage of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is distributed by the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book during the National Book Festival.
The National Book Festival Roadmap to Reading is made possible by the generous support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Iowa's 2024 Great Read for Children
“Ten Beautiful Things”
by Molly Beth Griffin, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga
Lily and her grandmother search for ten beautiful things as they take a long car ride to Iowa and Lily's new home with Gran.
A heartfelt story of changing perspectives, Ten Beautiful Things gently explores loss, a new home, and finding beauty wherever you are.
Hey Iowans, join a photo contest and show off some beautiful things in your state!
Find out more here >>
Iowa's 2024 Great Read for Adults
"The Swine Republic: Struggles With the Truth About Agriculture and Water Quality"
by Chris Jones
The Swine Republic has been an unexpected hit across Iowa. Jones, a retired University of Iowa researcher, writes for a popular audience about how politics and economics have influenced changes in Iowa’s water quality.
His ability to simplify the complex relationship between agriculture and water makes his science writing uniquely accessible. Jones is passionate about getting the truth about the water we consume out to everyday Iowans, farmers, and scientists alike.
Author Event
Join us for an event with Author Chris Jones online or at Ames Public Library October 30. Find out more at www.AmesPL.org/event/TheSwineRepublic
Literary Events
Library of Congress National Book Festival
https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-book-festival/about-this-program/
Around Iowa
All Iowa Reads
June 11-12, 2024
www.statelibraryofiowa.gov/index.php/libraries/programs/all-iowa-reads
AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines)
www.dmpl.org/attend/featured-programs/AViD
DMPL Fall Author Series
Iowa City Book Festival
October 14-20, 2024
www.iowacityofliterature.org/icbf/
Literature to Life: The Giver by Lois Lowry
February, 2025
desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/the-giver/
Poetry Palooza
at Ames Public Library
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Join Swine Republic author, Chris Jones, for an author talk and book signing.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Come meet the author of Ten Beautiful Things, Iowa's youth selection for the 2024 Great Reads from Great Places initiative through the Library of Congress Center for the Book.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
More Resources
List of Independent Bookstores (from Midwest Independent Booksellers Association)