On this month's podcast, Jes and Sarah talk about the history of Chick Lit - how it started (Bridget Jones's Diary), how the genre was covered in the press, and what new types of books have spawned from it today. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | St...
Read MoreAfter 21 years of public service, Des Moines Public Library Director Susan A. Woody has announced she is retiring. Her last day at the library will be Monday, June 30.Woody, a Des Moines native, has served as Library Director since June 2018. During that time, she has overseen several successful pro...
Read MoreThe Beyond the Shelves first ever Book Club episode is live! This month, Jes and Sarah both read Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray. They discuss the historical fiction novel about Jessie Redman Fauset, a real life figure dubbed "midwife of the Harlem Renaissance," and her rel...
Read MoreJes and Sarah are talking about loving your library during this month's episode of Beyond the Shelves! After talking about unique library services and the best ways you can support your library, they talk about some of their favorite books that feature libraries. Then they dig into a busy Book Bulle...
Read MoreWe're in the dead of winter - the perfect time get cozied up in an armchair and read a fun book. This month, Jes and Sarah are talking about books (and TV shows) that bring them during these cold, dark days. The hosts conveniently have grouped their selections into different tropes and categories to...
Read MoreA facelift at the North Side Library has brightened the library and is creating new, memorable experiences for people of all ages.If you've been to the North Side Library in the past several months, you've probably noticed tarps, caution signs, wet walls, and other signs of a remodel in progress. Th...
Read MoreJes and Sarah are discussing the best of 2024 in the last Beyond the Shelves episode of the year! They go through some of books mentioned on several best of lists, and then give their own top 3 books of the year. Listen to the podcast on YouTube Apple Podcasts/iTunes | ...
Read MoreOn the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast, children's author and illustrator and Des Moines native Don Tate joins host Aaron Gernes on the show. Don Tate will be at the Forest Avenue Library on Thursday, December 12, at 6:30 PM for a fun talk meant for the whole family. He'll discuss his journey int...
Read MoreOn the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah talk about decolonizing and diversifying your bookshelf, giving you suggestions on books with diverse authors and unique viewpoints. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Podb...
Read MoreIowa native and upcoming Fall Author Series guest Daniel Kraus joins the DMPL Podcast. Daniel is the co-author of Pay the Piper, an unfinished work of George A. Romero's that Kraus completed after Romero's death. Kraus talks about how growing up in Iowa shaped his writing, what it's like to ...
Read MoreOn the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Jes and Sarah give book recommendations for each sign of the zodiac. It's a nice warm-up for the next big Flash Recommendation event, coming up on Wednesday, October 16. What is Flash Recommendations? It's an event on our social media pages where you giv...
Read MoreIowa native and upcoming Fall Author Series guest Austin Frerick joins the DMPL Podcast. Austin is the author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry. Austin discusses how the genesis of this book started in a dive bar in Des Moines, the challenges he had as an...
Read MoreOn the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah find new versions of old classics they want to recommend for their listeners, including the best readalikes for books like The Great Gatsby, 1984, Moby Dick, and more. Listen to the podcast on YouTube Apple Po...
Read MoreFall Author Series author Shawntelle Madison joins us on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast! Madison will be the first author in this year's Fall Author Series, visiting the Central Library on Thursday, September 5, at 7 PM at the Central Library. Her newest book, The Fallen Fruit, comes ou...
Read MoreOn the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah talk with Kathleen, a Central Library Librarian that works with The Library of Things and Tech Central. She talks about developing the Library of Things, what items are most popular, how they decide what to purchase, and more! Listen to t...
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