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 MoreEarly 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 MoreThe 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence were awarded last night! 2021 AViD author Hanif Abdurraqib won the nonfiction medal for his book A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance, and Tom Lin won the fiction medal for The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu. Establis...
Read MoreOn the latest DMPL Podcast, Book Chat librarian Rebecca joins host Aaron Gernes and completes a Book Chat request for him! You'll find out what Book Chat is, how it works, and then hear an example of how librarians handpick titles for patrons using Book Chat as she picks out some books she thinks Aa...
Read MoreEach year, the Forest Avenue Library honors the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., by holding an event in his name on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This year’s event is being held virtually on Zoom. It takes place on Monday, January 17, at 3:30 PM. Registration is free and currently ongoing. The key...
Read MoreOn the anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, we are rerunning this blog with resources for parents wondering how to talk to their children about what happened. It's hard to describe why such shocking violence occurred, and it can be difficult to discuss complicated topics like rac...
Read MoreOn today's podcast, author Katherine Dykstra chats with host Aaron Gernes about her 2021 book What Happened To Paula: On the Death of an American Girl. The book details the 1970 disappearance and death of Cedar Rapids teenager Paula Oberbroeckling, reflecting on who or what may have caused...
Read MoreThe Hugo Awards get underway this week! The annual convention honors the best Science Fiction and Fantasy media of the year, covering everything from books to TV to movies and more. The awards are usually held in August, but are being held in December this year as part of DisCon III. We're coveri...
Read MoreOn the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, host Aaron is joined by Book Chat librarians Janeé and Steph to discuss their favorite books of 2021. If you're interested in hearing more about our librarians' favorite books, be sure to take part in our Best of 2021 virtual program next Wednesday...
Read MoreA comfy chair, a good book, and a hot cup of something - there may not be a better way to spend a chilly winter day. Thankfully, there's no shortage of great books coming out over the next few months. We've highlighted a few of those upcoming new releases below - be sure to get your holds in on thos...
Read MoreJason Mott's Hell of a Book took home the National Book Award fiction prize and Tiya Miles won the nonfiction prize for All that She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake. The winners were announced during a virtual ceremony Wednesday evening. Hell of a Boo...
Read MoreToday on the podcast, Annie Nelson, a Bereavement Coordinator at Hospice of the Midwest, joins the podcast. With the holidays coming up, she recommends some books about grief and grieving to help us make sense of what can be a tough time of year for many people. Apple Podcasts/iTunes |&n...
Read MoreThanksgiving is just two weeks away, and time is running out for holiday cooking preparation. When you need immediate inspiration, check out our cooking eMagazine collection on the Libby app! With Thanksgiving and holiday editions hitting the virtual shelves, it’s the perfect time to pull these eMag...
Read MoreThe Promise, by Damon Galgut, was named the winner of the 2021 Booker Prize in London this afternoon. His novel follows the life of three South African siblings reunited over the course of three decades by four different funerals, all while the turmoil of their nation reflects on their own lives. ...
Read MoreKathy Leonard sits at her desk facing a wall lined with new books staff is prepping to put out on Des Moines Public Library shelves. New books waiting to be read, loved, and enjoyed sit on carts in the aisle near her cubicle. Leonard is one of two librarians who buy all the books, movies, music, ...
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