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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Bringing Authors to You
In 2025, Ames Public Library (APL) was designated as the Iowa Center for the Book. This Library of Congress program works to promote literature and the literary heritage of each state and U.S. territory. Through the Center for the Book, APL staff help select books each year t...
Iowa Center for the Book Announces Selections for 2025 Roadmap to Reading
The Iowa Center for the Book is pleased to announce the two books that will represent Iowa’s rich, literary heritage at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC, on September 6, 2025.
The Center for th...
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 Chief Officers of State Library Agencies.
Iowa's 2025 Great Read for Children
“Hard Hat Hank and the
Sky-High Solution”
by Charlotte Gunnufson,
Illustrated by Brian Biggs
Hard Hat Hank and his hardworking crew are ready to build in this rollicking, rhyming celebration of teamwork, and the ways we can live in harmony with the natural world.
This book is part of the Disney Planet Possible Books program, aiming to inspire and empower young readers to take care of planet Earth.
Author Charlotte Gunnufson is a former teacher who frequently visits schools and libraries to entertain, encourage curiosity and get kids excited about science, nature and reading. She lives in Cedar Rapids.
Iowa's 2025 Great Read for Adults
"América del Norte"
by Nicolás Medina Mora
This kaleidoscopic story moves between Mexico and Iowa City as Sebastián navigates conflicting identities, both seen as “too white” as a member of the wealthy elite in Mexico and as an otherized person of color in the United States.
While incorporating Mexican literary and colonial history, the novel is also a timely reflection on relationships and political systems, told with humor and sharp insight.
Nicolás Medina Mora’s work in English has appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Reuters, Buzzfeed News, and other publications. He holds a BA in Humanities from Yale and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Iowa. Nicolás lives in Mexico.
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
It’s time for Ames Public Library’s Author Fair!
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.
We all know about Caitlin Clark, but did you know that the state of Iowa played a vital role in the growth of women’s basketball across the country even before Caitlin’s rise in popularity?
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.
Join us for a virtual visit with Nicolás Medina Mora, author of “América del Norte.”
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.
Great Reads from Great Places: Author Event Hard Hat Hank and the Sky High Solution
Author Charlotte Gunnufson will join us to talk about her new book, "Hard Hat Hank and the Sky High Solution" (illustrated by Brian Biggs).
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)