Upcoming Events
🎁 Iowa City Holiday Toy Redistribution If you are looking to find affordable (free!) toy gifts, reduce consumerism and waste for the betterment of the planet, or just want your gently used toys to go towards making a child happy this holiday season, we're here for you! We are working to collect and redistribute quality used toys in our community. Donations are being accepted Nov 1 through Dec 10. Learn more about how to donate here. Toy distribution dates are Thurs, Dec 11, from 6:30-8:00 pm, and Sun, Dec 14, from 1:00-2:30 pm at 1121 S Gilbert Ct, Iowa City. The Iowa City Holiday Toy Redistribution Project is presented by Antelope Lending Library, The LENA Project, and is headed by local social justice advocate Anne Ventullo. Huge thanks to support provided by CommUnity and Velvet Lotus Tattoo.
Past Events
☕ Tea Cup Charcuterie Class Create your own charcuterie in a tea cup on Nov 15 from 2:00-4:00 pm at 1927 Keokuk St, Iowa City! Learn to make meat roses and cheese fans for a tasty display. Participants will leave with their creations, including a vintage teacup and saucer. Open to participants ages 14-adult. Purchase tickets here.
🛍️ Second Saturday Sales Join us on the second Sat of each month, Apr through Oct, from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at 1122 5th Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240, to find your next great read! Books are priced between 50¢ to $2, or buy a bag and fill it for free! If you have an existing Antelope tote bag, bring it to fill for $10 or $15 (depending on size). The sale will include kid’s books, young adult books, adult books (fiction & non-fiction), comics, games, puzzles, and Antelope merchandise. All proceeds to go to support fees-free library services at Antelope Lending Library. Check out our Facebook Event and event flyer for more details.
🚒 Move it! Dig it! Do it! The Iowa Children's Museum's annual Move it! Dig it! Do it! event is on Oct 12 from 10:00 am-3:00 pm at the Coral Ridge Mall parking lot located at 1451 Coral Ridge Ave, Coralville. Grab your hard hat and take an up-close look at large construction equipment, big trucks, emergency vehicles, and of course, our Antelope Lending Library bookmobile! Join us for free outdoor games, activities, and vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
🍎 Back to the Classroom Sale Everyone is welcome to shop on Sep 13 from 9:00am-12:00 pm at our Second Saturday Sale at 1122 5th Ave, Iowa City. We will have a special a $5 sale for educators of any kind to take as many books as they'd like. View this flyer to pre-pay $5 for your child's teacher by adding their name in the note field! For all others, books are individually priced between 50¢ to $2, or buy a bag and fill it for free.
🌎 Rock the Block We're partnering with IC Compassion for their Welcome Weekend block party on Sep 12 from 5:00-9:00 pm in the Towncrest area. There will be live music, information booths with giveaways, and a "Tour the World" scavenger hunt. We aim to create a welcoming atmosphere for both long-time residents and newcomers.
♻️ Donation Drive Thru Donation Drive-Thru is an event on Jul 20 from 12:00-4:00 pm that is hosted by the City of Iowa City in collaboration with several non-profit partners to offer donation and recycling options for a variety of materials during the peak of lease turnover season. Enter the event from the Washington Street ramp entrance located at 415 E Washington St, Iowa City. This event keeps tons of usable materials out of the landfill while providing the donations to many non-profit partners. Find a list of accepted items this year here.
🎨 Art-Making Sunday We're partnering with Summer of the Arts among other local nonprofits in a day not just for viewing art, but making it! This event is on Jun 8 at 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at 210 Dubuque St, Iowa City. Enjoy a variety of music, performances and your favorite swing band and international sounds too. Antelope Lending Library will be at the event making collage buttons from damaged/discarded books.
🗺️ Crawl for A.L.L. Antelope Lending Library, Daydreams Comics, Haunted Bookshop, Prairie Lights, and SideKick Coffee & Books are proud to present the first ever Crawl for A.L.L.! Join local readers and book lovers to explore small businesses and support library services for all. Check in for the event and pick up your swag bag at our Second Saturday Sale on Jun 14 at 1122 5th Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240. Check in begins at 9:00 am and goes until 12:00 pm. Pre-registration is optional, but encouraged, and will close on May 23. General admission tickets will be available for purchase at our check in location on the day of the event for $15/person while supplies last.
💥 Free Comic Book Day We're partnering with Daydreams Comics for the biggest event in the comic book industry—a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops! This event will be at Daydreams Comics on May 3 from 10:00 am-6:00 pm. There will be signings by local comic artists Phil Hester and Eric Gapstur, free coffee samples by Brass Ring Coffee, free button making, and raffle prizes with proceeds benefitting Antelope Lending Library.
🌎 Earth Expo This free event for all ages is on Apr 5 from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center. It will feature information and activities from various environmental organizations in Iowa about addressing climate change and how individuals can take action. In its 6th year, Earth Expo is brought to you in collaboration with Climate Action Outreach and presented by Green Iowa AmeriCorps. Registration is not required. Come and learn more about the earth-friendly things Antelope Lending Library offers! We'll have buttons made from damaged/discarded books, book art, and information about the little free libraries we support in the South District.
We have so much fun in store! Check back regularly for our most updated events schedule.




