Dr. Mel Oliven, astronomy and physics professor 1968-1975, died unexpectedly in an air plane crash on March 5, 1975. This photo was taken in 1971 at an all-college open house. The Mel Oliven lecture series was initiated in his memory to educate…
The ICPL at 123 South Linn Street began construction in October 1979 and opened its doors to the public on June 14, 1981 after hundreds of volunteers moved all of the library materials across the street. Crowded conditions in the Carnegie Library…
The second location for the ICPL was at 212 East College Street in the Cannon & Pratt building opening in June of 1901. Today most of this site is occupied by the present public library building. While rent at this new location was an additional $125…
The first ICPL was on the second floor of the C.O.D. Steam Laundry building at 211 Iowa Ave. opening its doors on Thursday January 21, 1897. The library initially employed one librarian and held a total of 1,300 books. Public outcry for more positive…
Photo of the Iowa City Public Library. Carnegie Library with north side addition, June 1975.
An addition of 14,000 square-feet was built onto the Carnegie building and dedicated on Sunday, November 10, 1963. The need for more library space was…
