History
About the Iowa Book Festival
The Iowa City Book Festival began in 2009 when the University of Iowa Libraries was in search of an event to commemorate the acquisition of the Libraries’ 5 millionth volume. The University of Iowa Press was also celebrating its 40th anniversary. To recognize these events and celebrate our longstanding partnership, the Libraries selected one of the Press’ recent publications – The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa, edited by David Hudson, Marvin Bergman and Loren Horton - as its 5 millionth volume. The Libraries and Press launched a book festival to celebrate these activities in the newly-designated UNESCO City of Literature, with the intention of developing an annual event celebrating books, writing, and reading.
In 2010 the Iowa City Book Festival brought authors from around the country including Pulitzer prize winner Jane Smiley, All Iowa Reads Author David Rhodes.
