A new festival in Iowa City this summer will celebrate the city’s literary connections: the inaugural Iowa City Book Festival will be held Saturday, July 18, in Gibson Square outside the University of Iowa's Main Library’s south entrance.

Presented by the University of Iowa Libraries and the University of Iowa Press, the festival will feature a mix of local and regional booksellers with new and used books for sale, a music stage, children’s activities, food vendors, book arts demonstrations, readings and panel discussions.

The Shambaugh Author Series will bring a mix of local, regional and national authors from a variety of genres to the festival. Additionally, 'how to' discussions and workshops will give festival-goers opportunities to interact in a small group setting with other readers, writers and local literary experts on a wide range of topics.

Discussions will focus on a variety of topics including finding a book discussion group, getting involved with adult literacy programs in Iowa City and writing a literary blog. The workshops will provide hands-on opportunities to use library resources to find consumer health information, add historical context to genealogical research or read reviews of the latest best-sellers.

The Iowa City Book Festival will depend on the efforts of volunteers to be a success. You can sign up or view possible duties for Book Festival volunteers at the volunteer website.

Visit the Iowa City Book Festival website for more information.