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.
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News
Library of Congress to Host 25th Anniversary National Book Festival in September 2025
The Library of Congress will host the 2025 National Book Festival on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Washington Convention Center, festival organizers announced.
This will mark the 25th anniversary of the Library of Congress National Book Festival, which was co-founded in 2001 with first la...
State Library of Iowa Announces the 2025 All Iowa Reads Selections
The State Library of Iowa has announced the All Iowa Reads books for 2025!
Established in 2003, the purpose of the All Iowa Reads program is to foster a sense of community through reading. Iowans are encouraged to come together in their communities to read and talk about a si...
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.
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.
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 17-25, 2025
www.statelibraryofiowa.gov/index.php/libraries/programs/all-iowa-reads
AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines)
March-June, 2025
www.dmpl.org/attend/featured-programs/AViD
Des Moines Arts Festival: Literary Arts
June 27-29, 2025
www.desmoinesartsfestival.org/literary-arts
Iowa City Book Festival
October 6-12, 2025
www.iowacityofliterature.org/icbf/
Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour
July-September, 2025
Literature to Life: The Giver by Lois Lowry
February 17-19, 2025
desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/the-giver/
Poetry Palooza
April 4-5, 2025
Do you know about another large literary event in Iowa? Drop us an e-mail at iowacenterforthebook@amespubliclibrary.org
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.
More Resources
List of Independent Bookstores (from Midwest Independent Booksellers Association)