Center for the Book | The University of Iowa

two student carving wax tablets sitting across a table from one another

The Center for the Book

Bookbinding, Letterpress Printing, Papermaking, Lettering Arts, Artists Books, Book Design, and Historical & Cultural Book Studies.

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A distinctive degree-granting program that integrates training in book arts practice and technique with research into the history and culture of books.

Facilities

We offer a wide variety of experiences in bookbinding, letterpress printing, papermaking, lettering arts and more.

Student Handbook

References for procedures, policies and resources for all UICB students.

Graduate study opportunities

The UICB offers an MFA degree and a graduate certificate in book studies or book arts.

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A person inspecting a print in front of a printing press.

The Center for the Book is an innovative arts and research program dedicated to the past, present, and future of the book. The Center pursues a distinctive mission, integrating practice in the art of the book with a study of the book in society. We offer curricula in the arts of printing, binding, papermaking, and calligraphy, in the history and culture of books as a field of study, and in the expressive power of the book form. The Center also supports an active program of visiting lectures and workshops with renowned book scholars and artists.

Interested in learning about our program? We welcome inquiries from prospective students and are happy to set up tours of our facilities and meetings with faculty.

Center news

Caution: Monsters Inside

Thursday, April 4, 2024

UICB Professor offers Stedman Lecture at Midwest Victorian Studies Association Meeting

Monday, April 1, 2024

UICB Faculty, Students, and Alums Gather at Codex 2024

Monday, March 25, 2024

Upcoming events

Curator Guided Tour with Eric Ensley and Emily Martin

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 4:00pm to 5:00pm

University of Iowa Main Library

Join co-curators Eric Ensley and Emily Martin for a special guided tour of the Making the Book, Past and Present exhibition in the Main Library Gallery! All are welcome to attend this free event. About the exhibit: Making the Book, Past and Present explores the intersections of history, art, and practicality. What can we learn by placing books, materials, and makers from the Middle Ages through today in conversation with one another? Many techniques and materials common centuries ago...

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