Blog Entries

Blog Type
Tags
Staff Member

The 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021

The American Library Association recently revealed their list of the 10 most challenged books of 2021. The ALA tracks challenges to library, school, and university materials each year as part of their work to ensure free access to information. In 2021, 1,597 books were targeted for various reasons. ...

Read More

Money Smart Week at DMPL

Budgeting, building credit, getting the most out of your trip to the grocery store - these are important personal finance skills, but they can also seem overwhelming. It doesn't have to be, though! The Des Moines Public Library is teaming up with the Financial Empowerment Center in Des Moines for a ...

Read More

Storytimes Return!

Gather round at your local branch, because in-person storytimes are back at the Des Moines Public Library! After nearly two years of virtual storytimes, take-home activities, and passive events, our librarians are back telling tales and singing songs to kids and families in our own locations. Hundre...

Read More

DMPL Podcast: AViD Author Angeline Boulley

The newest episode of the DMPL Podcast features Angeline Boulley, author of the hit novel Firekeeper's Daughter. Boulley chats with host Aaron Gernes about the whirlwind of a year she's had since her book was released to rave reviews from both the professional press and readers. She also discus...

Read More

15 Books You Should Read This Spring

Spring is on its way! Warmer temperatures, more daylight, and just enough rainy days to keep things interesting - all great excuses to read a book, whether relaxing outside or curling up on the couch as showers create flowers outside. These fifteen books, by well-known authors as well as new voic...

Read More

DMPL Podcast: AViD Author Brad Meltzer

AViD author Brad Meltzer joins us on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast! Brad will be kicking off the AViD series on Thursday, March 17, at 7:00 PM at the Central Library. But before coming to town, he comes on the podcast to discuss how excited he is to be back on the road again. He also talks ...

Read More

DMPL Podcast: Reading Challenge Suggestions

The DMPL Podcast returns with Book Chat team member Carrie! She's chatting about books she loves that fulfill one or more categories of the 2022 Reading Challenge. If you haven't signed up for the Reading Challenge, do so now! It's a great chance to win books and win prizes in the process. Ap...

Read More

Binge-then-Read: Winter Olympics

After 16 days of incredible sports stories, drama, and controversies, another winter Olympics has ended. In this edition of Binge-then-Read, we have sports adjacent books, ski trips gone wrong, and some nonfiction about Olympic history, and of course all the Olympic drama. If you spent the last few ...

Read More

Simple Steps to Success: Talk

We've spend the last few weeks talking about the importance of early literacy skills and highlighting how the Simple Steps to Success program can help parents and caregivers incorporate those skills into their everyday lives. Our Outreach Librarian, Maddie Bassman, has been involved in ...

Read More

Simple Steps to Success: Play

Over the next several weeks, we're talking about the importance of early literacy skills and highlighting how the Simple Steps to Success program can help parents and caregivers incorporate those skills into their everyday lives. Our Outreach Librarian, Maddie Bassman, has been involved...

Read More

Simple Steps to Success: Sing

Over the next several weeks, we're talking about the importance of early literacy skills and highlighting how the Simple Steps to Success program can help parents and caregivers incorporate those skills into their everyday lives. Our Outreach Librarian, Maddie Bassman, has been involved...

Read More

Simple Steps to Success: Write

Over the next several weeks, we're talking about the importance of early literacy skills and highlighting how the Simple Steps to Success program can help parents and caregivers incorporate those skills into their everyday lives. Our Outreach Librarian, Maddie Bassman, has been involved in early ...

Read More

DMPL Podcast: Amy Lee Lillard, author of 'Dig Me Out'

On the most recent episode of the DMPL Podcast, local author Amy Lee Lillard joins the show to discuss her debut short story collection, Dig Me Out. Amy and host Aaron Gernes her popular podcast Broads and Books. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play | Spotify |&nb...

Read More

Simple Steps to Success: Read

Early literacy skills are a vital part of a young child's journey. As kids hear and see more words, they acquire knowledge that allows them to build on what they've already learned, helping them get ready to learn to read when they go to school. The library and our staff are at the front lines of...

Read More