She has pink fur, a green nose, cool glasses, and she often hangs out at the Forest Avenue Library -- but don’t be surprised to see her all over town this summer!  She is all about reading and she even has her very own web site featuring all kinds of cool tips for parents and caregivers.  Rosie made her debut appearance at an Iowa Cubs game during Home Run Reader night.  Watch for Rosie in the Iowa State Fair parade and the Beaverdale Fall Festival Parade in September, too!

Have you ever noticed a red van traveling around Des Moines with the message, Here comes Rosie! Rosie and the van, along with DMPL library assistant Sue Woody, are all part of a free outreach service sponsored by the Des Moines Public Library. Rosie’s mission is to reach citizens with limited access to the library (geographical, economical, or physical) and to provide library service to these target populations. 

Spend a few minutes with  Miss Sue and you quickly realize that Rosie loves children and loves to promote early childhood literacy.

The Rosie Outreach program has been an integral part of the Des Moines Public Library since the 70’s, targeting children ages three to five in preschools, Head Start programs and daycare centers throughout Des Moines Last fall, library staff decided it was time for Rosie to have an update, so they created the Rosie costume character to visit day cares throughout the year.  And as you can see by these photos, Rosie is ready and willing to spread the joy of reading to kids all over Des Moines!
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Nurturing a Student’s Vision (NSV)
Art Exhibition at the Central Library
Each year, Hubbell Homes, the Des Moines Art Center, the Des Moines Arts Festival and the Des Moines Public Library proudly present a unique exhibition of student artwork on the glass walls of the downtown library. NSV is a program that spotlights the creativity of children in kindergarten through 12th grade attending schools in central Iowa through a special exhibition on-site at the Des Moines Arts Festival and six weeks after at the Central Library. It recognizes students’ artistic achievements at the Visionary Artist Ceremony and NSV Reception, and rewards them with a Certificate of Appreciation along with a Des Moines Art Center Student Membership.

In addition to the exhibition, a jury chooses artwork from five of the participating students to be made into banners that accompany the exhibit on-site at the Festival. After the Festival, the entire exhibit is showcased at the Central Library and banners are displayed at the Des Moines Art Center.
The artwork will be on display through the month of August. 

Hubbell Homes will host the NSV Reception on Wednesday, September 1, at 6:00 PM
and students will allowed to take their artwork home at that time. 


It’s the Perfect Time for a Parade AND a Library Card
Don’t be surprised to see some of your favorite librarians (and library characters) promoting library cards, books, and so much more!  Watch for the Rosie van in the Iowa State Fair parade and the Beaverdale Fall Festival parade. We will be handing out bookmarks and encouraging people to stop
by their local library to pick up a new (or renewed) library card during September—Library Card Month!