Location Details
Address:
1000 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
Directions:
Google Maps
Rhonda Frevert
Central Library Manager
RJFrevert@dmpl.org
Phone:
(515) 283-4152
In-Person Services
- 9:00 AM-8:00 PM Monday-Thursday
- 9:00 AM-6:00 PM Friday
- 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday
- 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Sunday
Pickup Window
- 9:00 AM-7:00 PM Monday-Thursday
- 9:00 AM-6:00 PM Friday
- 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday
- Closed Sunday
Central Library
The Central Library is located in the heart of downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park area at 1000 Grand Avenue, near the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden. The sprawling, 110,000-square foot building, which replaced the original Main Library that opened in 1903 on the Des Moines Riverfront, was designed by famed London architect Sir David Chipperfield. See some of Chipperfield's sketches and plans HERE.
About the Building
Chipperfield, along with Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck of Des Moines, designed the building, envisioning it as “a library in a park, a park in a library.” The building acts as a link from downtown to Western Gateway Park, anchoring it as a cornerstone of the western part of downtown.
Central Library features a green roof of slow-growing sedum, which, when viewed from above, gives the illusion there is no library, as it blends into the greenspace outside. The free form shape resembles that of an airplane, which breaks the illusion. The roof controls water runoff by retaining water and can hold more than 187,000 gallons. It is self-maintaining and needs no irrigation. The building’s mechanical and electrical systems were also designed for efficiency, and use 30 percent less energy than a conventional building.
The library’s copper color is a result of its windows, which feature three layers of glass with copper mesh sandwiched between the outer two. Central Library was the first building in the world to use these copper mesh panels, which act as micro-blinds, reducing UV radiation by 87 percent, protecting books from sun damage, blocking glare and heat, and improving energy efficiency. There are 355 window panels, each weighing 1,400 pounds and measuring 4 feet by 14 feet. The panels look different fom the outside depending on the time of day - bright coppery reflection during the day, transparent at night.
The building took almost four years to construct, at a cost of $32.3 million.
About the Public Artwork
At the west end of the library sits “Les Vents” (The Winds), a sculpture gifted to the city by the American Republic Insurance Company. Created by artist Edward Lee Hendricks, Les Vents was placed at the old Main Library in 1986, then moved to the new Central Library and reconstructed over three months in 2006. The poles stand more than 30 feet high, with wings 12 feet long that can sustain wind gusts up to 100 mph.
On the south lawn of Central Library sits the Miffy Fountain, gifted to the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation in memory of Melva Bucksbaum by her children. The work was created by famed American artist Tom Sachs and is based on the children’s book character of the same name. The fountain is painted bronze and was cast in 2008, and stands just over 10 feet tall. It had installations in New York City and Paris before finding its permanent home outside Central Library in 2018.
About the Central Art Gallery
Des Moines Central Library’s Art Gallery offers an accessible and welcoming environment for encouraging and celebrating Iowa artists. The gallery is located on the second floor of the Central Library and features eight double-sided movable walls with over fifty square feet of usable display space per side. Find out more about the gallery, see the current display, and learn how to apply to be featured in the space here.
Upcoming Events
I Spy: Poetry
Join us at Central as we celebrate National Poetry Month! Find all of the pictures in the Youth area and read some fun poems while you're at it. Find them all to get a prize!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year is a free weekly postpartum support group for parents and their new babies.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Do you like all things K-pop? Come to the Central Library every month and bring your photocards to trade, invite your friends or meet and hang out with other fans! Enjoy snacks, other activities, and listening to music.
I Spy: Poetry
Join us at Central as we celebrate National Poetry Month! Find all of the pictures in the Youth area and read some fun poems while you're at it. Find them all to get a prize!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Join us weekly for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Join us at the Central Library for a fun storytime featuring movement, music, and rhyming! The storytime will take place in the meeting room to allow for social distancing.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Learn how to use the Glowforge Plus Laser Engraver at Tech Central! This program takes the place of the 1 on 1 Glowforge tutorial, so you will be fully qualified to book and use the Glowforge on your own after this program.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Two of the country’s most popular action writers will swap stories during this special AViD event. Gregg Hurwitz is the author of the Orphan X series, which follows Evan Smoak, a black book government assassin.
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.I Spy: Bikes
It's National Bike Month! Find all of the pictures in the Youth area to get a prize!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Dungeons & Dragons is a role-playing game set in worlds of swords and sorcery where players use their imaginations to tell a story and create an adventure together. We usually get together on the first Sunday of each month to play.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Join us for the DMPL Writer's Workshop on the first* Monday of the month from 5:30-7:30 PM. Share samples of work and receive feedback from other writers in the group.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year is a free weekly postpartum support group for parents and their new babies.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Manualidades para adultos: Pintando abanicos | Crafting for Adults: Fan Painting
Do you love to craft? Come paint a hanheld fan or bring your current project and make some progress! Template and free-hand options will be available by choice.
Registration recommended.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community.
Mindfulness Meditation Presented by Supportive Services for Veteran Families
This program will include a brief overview of where Mindfulness Meditation comes from and why we do it, followed by a 20 minute sitting practice with time for Q&A afterwards. Chair seating will be available.
Join us for a special edition of Books That Will Change Your Life: A Nonfiction Book Club. Each month we have a conversation around a life-changing nonfiction book. We’ll select a book that will change your perspective, give you new st
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
If you're between the ages of 12-18 and looking for a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity, give the library a try! We would love to have your help!
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with other Iowa libraries and Uplift - The Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot on a series of programs aimed at having important community conversations about poverty and its effect on Iowa.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community.