Posted by Melody on Thursday, Jun 6, 2019
The Iowa City Public Library is proud to be a sponsor of Iowa City Pride this year. It is the 49th anniversary of Iowa City's own Pride Parade, and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, which catapulted the gay liberation movement onto the national scene.
New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969. This led to more protesting and public unrest in a city where police would routinely harass an entrap homosexuals by posing as men cruising the street.
And although society has come a long way in 50 years, we still have more work to do. Finding a single-stall bathroom can still be a challenge for transfolk, for example. (The Library has a single-stall restroom available in the Children's Room, open to anyone.)
So what is the Library doing to support Pride this year? We are delighted to be participating in the following ways:
Pride Picnic at City Park: Friday, June 14, 5-7 p.m.
ICPL's Bookmobile will head to City Park and be open during the Pride Picnic. Stop by and say Hello!
Drag Storytime at the Library: Saturday, June 15, 10:30-11 a.m.
We are having a special Drag Storytime Party! Fun costumes are encouraged and we will have silly props available as we read LGBTQ stories and sing and dance with some local drag kings and queens. Bring the whole family!
Pride Parade Downtown: Saturday, June 15, 12 p.m.
Look for us in our Summer Reading Program t-shirts! ICPL staff will be hootin' and hollerin' in this year's Pride Parade.
Pride Fair Downtown: Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Visit the ICPL Bookmobile at the vendor fair Downtown!
Curated Pride Reading Lists
This year, ICPL librarians have scoured our collections for excellent recommendations so that you can read the rainbow. Visit our Staff Picks Lists to explore these LGBTQ+ reads. There is something for everyone.
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About the Author
I've been at the library for more than 10 years now, and I still find joy when choosing the best books for our readers. My current reading journey is taking me book by book through different genres. I'm challenging myself to find books that are enough outside my wheelhouse that I'd pass them by on first glance. The genre I'm looking forward to... more
If you judged a book by its cover, this would would taste like a plastic but romantic cheese. Ilona Andrews is such a beloved writer (duo) in the urban fantasy world, they don't need attractive book design! Their books will sell despite the cheese. I listened to this audiobook series out of turn and regret it after finishing the explosiveness that was Book 1, Burn for Me. I had complained that Book 2 (White Hot) was a little too action packed. Book 1 would have set up that action nicely. This book reminded me of superhero movies--lots of high powered magic and muscle. And that muscle? Apparently the book designer took that to heart, giving the hero a 6-pack so tight it required extra shading in the tendinous intersection. LOL. Who was the art editor that cried "more shadow!" But back to Book 1. Burn for Me began and ended with well developed characters in addition to all that action. I couldn't wait to revisit Book 2 so I can move on to Book 3 (Wildfire). -Melody