Due to a scheduled project, the south drive, pickup window, and book drop will be inaccessible at the Franklin Avenue Library from Friday, September 27 through Sunday, September 29. Parking will be limited in the east lot. The library will remain open for normal hours.
The South Side Library will be open today for normal hours as concrete work continues today and likely tomorrow. Patrons will need to enter the library parking lot through the pool's parking lot off of Porter Avenue. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Do you have a nagging question that you just can't answer? Whether you're looking to settle a quibble over a piece of trivia or need a deep dive on genealogical research, you can find your answers at the Des Moines Public Library. Librarians are research experts, and the Des Moines Public Library re...
Read MoreThe 2019 AViD podcast series concludes as C.J. Chivers joins Aaron Gernes. Chivers, author of The Fighters, discusses the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and the process of gathering the stories of the soldiers highlighted in his book. Chivers will be at the Central Library for Auth...
Read MoreNothing brings together kids of all ages like our Pokémon programs. At several of our branches, including the Franklin Avenue Library and the East Side Library, we have Pokémon Clubs, Pokémon card swaps, and other Pokémon activities. These programs serve a purpose beyond excited chatter and col...
Read MoreThere’s a new face walking around the Forest Avenue Library. The bilingual storytimes are back on the schedule, and Lesvia Juarez is the new bilingual storyteller. “Les,” as she likes to be called, has previously worked as the childcare director at St. Anthony’s school and as part of Lutheran Servic...
Read MoreAViD author Madeline Miller joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the DMPL Podcast. Miller discusses her critically-acclaimed novel, Circe. She discusses recasting Circe into a feminist hero and how women were given short shrift and often demeaned in ancient storytelling. It’s...
Read MoreImagine a place where Batman and Moana collided. A setting where you could run into Skye from Paw Patrol and Wonder Woman in the same day. You can get your photo take at Dumbledore’s desk, or turn yourself into a zombie – all for free. Well, it’s your lucky day. All those things are possible at t...
Read MoreWhat she does: Youth Librarian at Central Library. I get to run three wonderful storytimes for babies, toddlers, and family ages. I also put together tons of fun kid’s programs like Giant Board Games and character visits from some of our friends like Elephant & Piggie. With the he...
Read MoreAViD author Chigozie Obioma joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the DMPL Podcast. The Nigerian-born author talks about his new, critically-acclaimed novel, An Orchestra of Minorities, and how he came to write such a tragic story. Obioma will be at the Central Library on ...
Read MoreThis week is National Library Week. This year's theme, "Libraries = Strong Communities," reminds us that public libraries remain a vital part of the fabric of society in towns, cities, and neighborhoods across the country. In fact, there are more public libraries in the United States than there are ...
Read MoreAViD author Laurie Frankel joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the DMPL Podcast. Frankel's most recent novel, This is How it Always Is, is the story of a family raising a transgender child. Frankel herself is the mother of a transgender girl. She and Rowley have a fun and frank d...
Read MoreAuthors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) has begun its 19th year. Since 2001, more than 125 authors have come to Des Moines to have insightful conversations with delighted audiences. What began as a three-day event across the city has bloomed into a highly regarded, free series attended by hundred...
Read MoreOn the newest DMPL Podcast, we're talking about the first ever DSM Book Festival! It takes place this Saturday, March 30, beginning at 10:00 AM at Capital Square in downtown Des Moines (400 Locust St.) Colleen Murphy, the Events Director for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, takes us through ev...
Read MoreAuthors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) author Susan Orlean joins us on the podcast today, along with special guest host Laura Rawley. Orlean will open the 2019 AViD series as one of the DSM Book Festival's headlining authors. She will be speaking on Saturday, March 30, at 4:00 PM&...
Read MoreWhat he does: Adult Services Librarian. My position at the Forest Avenue Library is half-time. Most of my efforts are directed at providing service at our public service contact points and development of adult programs. I also oversee the weekly “Conversations and Coffee” meetings, pa...
Read MoreDes Moines has gone mad! Today marks the start of Round 1 of NCAA March Madness 2019, and players and fans have descended upon downtown Des Moines to watch games at the Wells Fargo Arena. Eight incredible teams are ready to take the floor, including both 2-seed teams from Michigan (Michigan Sta...
Read More