All DMPL locations are warming centers

All DMPL locations are serving as warming centers during open hours. DART will be providing free rides to designated warming centers through Friday, December 5. Learn more about additional warming centers.

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Beyond the Shelves: 6 Nature Books That Will Change How You See the World

Join us for our first video episode as we explore books celebrating nature and the environment! From Mary Oliver's contemplative essays to fungi's hidden intelligence, we discuss how the natural world intersects with our lives. Plus: library neighborhoods explained, garlic-scented books (!), and Rea...

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Beyond The Shelves: Horror for Scaredy Cats

Sarah and Jes discuss books that will put you in the mood for spooky season but aren't that scary.

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Beyond The Shelves: Pocket-Sized Powerhouses

Sarah and Jes highlight eight short books under 200 pages to power through the DMPL reading challenge bingo, promote the fall author series, discuss a new bookstore in town, and a new app to track your reading.  Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Spotify | Podbean | D...

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Beyond the Shelves: Book Club - 'The Phoenix Pencil Company'

On the latest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah are discussing what they liked and didn't like about The Phoenix Pencil Company, by Allison King.(Please note - this episode was recorded in early July) Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | Download th...

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Beyond the Shelves: Summer Lovin'

The latest episode of Beyond the Shelves is all about love! Jes and Sarah discuss the new queer romances they're most excited for this summer. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | Download the episode |&nbs...

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Beyond the Shelves: Summer Reading Preview

On the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah chat about this summer's biggest releases and the books they're most excited about. As you might have guessed, they are not necessarily the same thing! Plus, find out which host is a vampire girlie and which is a werewolf girlie. Appl...

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Beyond the Shelves: A History of Chick Lit

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...

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Beyond the Shelves: Book Club #1, 'Harlem Rhapsody', and Other Fun News

The 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...

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Beyond the Shelves: Library Lovers Month

Jes 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...

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Beyond the Shelves: Books That Bring Us Joy

We'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...

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Beyond the Shelves: Best of 2024

Jes 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 | ...

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DMPL Podcast: Children's Author and Illustrator Don Tate

On 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...

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Beyond the Shelves: Decolonizing Your Bookshelf

On 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...

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DMPL Podcast: Daniel Kraus

Iowa 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 ...

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Beyond the Shelves: Book Picks of the Zodiac

On 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...

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