FAQ

How do I know where to find you?

Our stops change every season. Our services are at their height during the months of June, July, and August, but we do have stops that extend beyond the summer months. Check out our schedule to find a stop near you!



How do I return my books?

You can return you books at any of our bookmobile stops. You can also return our books to the Coralville Public Library, Iowa City Public Library, North Liberty Community Library, or Solon Public Library and they'll get them back to us! If you are unable to return your books at any of these locations, give us a call at 319-343-6872 or shoot us an email at info@antelopelendinglibrary.org. We don't have late fees or lost book fees, we just ask that you return your books so that others can enjoy them, too. It's never too late to return a library book!



How do I check out books?

To check out books with Antelope all you need to do is sign up for a free membership account when you visit the bookmobile. A photo ID or proof of address are not required. If you are under 14 you will need an adult's signature. You can also download an application here, fill it out and bring it with you the first time you visit us.



Do you accept book donations?

We are always accepting book donations! If the books make their way into our circulating collection they will be given away to children and families in the community or used in our fundraising book sales. We do ask that if your books have any identifying information in them (names, addresses, etc) that you black them out or remove them before donating them. That will make our process of processing them so much easier. If you have books you would like to donate, email info@antelopelendinglibrary.org or call 319-343-6872 to arrange a pick up or drop off. Thank you!



How long have you been doing this?

Antelope Lending Library became an endeavor of the James Gang in 2012, a local non-profit incubator that helps folks like us with crazy ideas make them a reality.



Are you part of a public library?

We are an independent bookmobile service operating in Johnson County and beyond. We are not a part of any public library.



Where does your funding come from?

Funding for our bookmobile service, maintenance, fuel, books, and programming materials are raised through grants, in-kind donations, monetary donations, and fundraising events. You can donate to us online or through the mail: Antelope Lending Library, 450 HWY 1 W #126, Iowa City, IA 52246.



How can I support you?

Your help is what makes it possible for our service to continue! You can support us by visiting us at our stops and checking out books, donating books, money or volunteering your time to support our organization. You can donate online or through the mail: Antelope Lending Library, 450 HWY 1 W #126, Iowa City, IA 52246. Both one-time donations and monthly support help us to continue our fees-free service to our patrons. If you are interested in volunteering, contact info@antelopelendinglibrary.org or call 319-343-6872.



How can I contact you?

If you have any questions, concerns, or some library books you'd like to return please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach us at 319-343-6872 or info@antelopelendinglibrary.org. You can send mail addressed to Antelope Lending Library, 450 HWY 1 W #126, Iowa City, IA 52246.



How do the books stay on the shelves?

The shelves in our bookmobile are specially built at an angle so the books stay on the shelves even while in transit.



Why antelope?

The name of our library was inspired by the article "What is a 'document'?" by Michael K. Buckland. As a library student at the University of Iowa, this article caught the imagination of the cohort of Antelope Lending Library's founder and University of Iowa School of Library and Information Science graduate, Cassandra Elton, and the antelope became their unofficial mascot. As Elton was working on the project that became Antelope Lending Library, the spirit of the antelope, the idea that if a document can be anything then a library can be anywhere, seemed the perfect fit for this one-of-a-kind library.