With bitter cold temperatures settling in this week, the Des Moines Public Library is here for those who need to get out of the cold. All library branches are official Des Moines Warming Centers. For people that need to spend time in the library during this cold spell: what is there to do here? There have been some changes in policies recently that make the library more accessible for everyone.
Anyone is welcome to browse our shelves and read our books and magazines. Use our catalogs to find books, and just put them on a cart when you’re done. We’ll shelve them for you. Bring in your laptop, tablet, or phone and use our public wi-fi to browse the internet. Families can play at our stations in the children's section. We don't want the library to be a place of silence. Bring the kids in and let them play with puppets, scribble on our white boards, and find books to read and take home.
If you don't already have a library card, you should get one. A library card is the key to so much of what we offer. Cardholders can use our internet, check out books and movies, book time in our study rooms, and more. We recently removed fine restrictions from our public internet usage policy, so now all patrons with active accounts can use our public computers, an important resource in so many lives.
Getting a library card is easy. You just need a photo ID and current proof of address. If your address on your ID matches your current address? Great, that’ll work. If not, you can check out this list of items that are acceptable, such as a billing statement or a paystub.
While at the library, you can attend any of our programs, do historical research, or just relax in the warmth with a book. You can even bring in a hot chocolate or coffee – just make sure it has a lid.
Our library branches are among the many warming centers in the city. Also included is the Merle Hay Mall, the Southridge Mall, Central Iowa Shelter and Services, and Bethel Mission. Learn more at the city's extreme cold weather web page.
Last Modified November 22, 2024