Page Against the Machine
May 23 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature & the Iowa City Public Library co-present:
Page Against the Machine is a global reading event that encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to take a break from screens, pick up a book, and enjoy a well-deserved reading detox in a beautiful spot in their city.
This annual event was founded in Norwich, England in 2019 and spread to other Cities of Literature over the years. 2026 marks the first time Iowa City will participate, and we’ll be joining thousands of others across the globe who stop to read a book in public on this day.
We hope to gather a crowd of book lovers on the Pentacrest to read silently and explore the world of ideas in resistance to our culture of doomscrolling and disengagement. Bring a blanket or chair and any book you like, but bonus points go to novels and nonfiction that explore things like politics, human rights, and contemporary culture.
Rain location: TBD
Registration is optional to receive an email reminder. You’re welcome to drop in and out anytime during the scheduled event. See you there!
Open to the public
If you need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this event, please contact the Library.
