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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.

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Facilities

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

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Student Handbook

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

Student Handbook

Graduate study opportunities

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

Center news

photo of a handmade paper quilt

for I was always looking ahead

Sunday, March 3, 2024
Photo of a paper lantern lit up

Luminosity

Sunday, February 11, 2024
photo of Dear you, dear me flyer

Dear you, dear me,

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Upcoming events

Books at Hand: A Tactile Pop-Up promotional image

Books at Hand: A Tactile Pop-Up

Monday, March 18, 2024 1:00pm to 3:00pm
University of Iowa Main Library
Join the University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections and Archives and the Main Library Gallery for a chance to interact with historic books and the materials that make them. From parchment and papyrus samples to real medieval manuscripts, learn more about these types of items and how to handle them during this pop-up event. Drop in any time between 1-3 p.m. at Group Area D in the Main Library's Learning Commons. After spending some time with historic materials at this event, stop over to...
Interacting with Renaissance Books: Guest Lecture with Dr. Suzanne Karr Schmidt  promotional image

Interacting with Renaissance Books: Guest Lecture with Dr. Suzanne Karr Schmidt

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 6:30pm to 7:30pm
University of Iowa Main Library
This lecture looks at the continuing life and uses of some very old books in and outside of the Making the Book, Past and Present exhibition. Starting from one of the biggest in both scale and edition size, the 1493 Nuremberg Chronicle, which was printed from hundreds of woodcut blocks, to others containing mystical puzzles or movable parts, no two copies of a pre-modern book were ever the same. This look at annotating, collecting, and censoring them, as well as keeping things in them will show...
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UICB papermaking
Two hands and various type settings