Center for the Book | The University of Iowa

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

Students in a classroom painting with watercolors

New Course Immerses Undergraduates in Global Book History

Friday, May 19, 2023

Yasmeen Khan delivers William Anthony Conservation Lecture

Thursday, May 18, 2023

A group of people stand around a papermaking screen with yellow pulp drying

Japanese Papermakers' Residency

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Upcoming events

Coming Soon: 100-Word Microstory Contest

Monday, July 10 9:00am to Friday, July 21, 2023 4:00pm

Mark your calendars to take part in our 100-Word Microstory Contest—a free online writing competition for a variety of age groups. You don't have to be an Iowa Writers' Workshop grad—or even have participated in a flash writing contest before—to join in the fun. Just create a story in 100 words or less that uses one of two specific writing prompts. We will announce the writing prompts on our website on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 9 a.m. CDT. Learn more: https://www.foriowa.org/write-now...

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