The year is just over halfway through, and it's time to take a look at what you, our patrons, are reading this year. We've identified the top five most requested fiction and nonfiction books and DVDs of the year so far. You'll probably recognize most of the names on the list, and you may have even s...
Read MoreHost Aaron Gernes talks with NASA Space Launch System Quality Engineer Dr. K. Renee Horton. Dr. Horton will be in Des Moines next week, July 15-17, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. She discusses what drew her to space exploration, how she overcame challenges to become...
Read MoreIt all started when she was eight years old. "I remember standing on the front lawn of our house in Ames," says Sarvinder Naberhaus. She was singing a song she had written for her neighbors. "It was called 'Round Love," she says. The lyrics included round love, square love, everywhere love love...
Read MoreNew art at the library is always a wonderful sight. Last year, an ocean-themed piece went up at the East Side Library, and earlier this year, a manga mural was created at the Forest Avenue Library. Local artist Bill Barnes is the mind behind those great new pieces. Barnes is the brother of T...
Read MoreAll Summer Long is now underway at the Des Moines Public Library! The library’s summer reading program gives children an incentive to continue reading throughout the summer with fun challenges and entertaining programs. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play | Spotify&nb...
Read MoreDo you have a nagging question that you just can't answer? Whether you're looking to settle a quibble over a piece of trivia or need a deep dive on genealogical research, you can find your answers at the Des Moines Public Library. Librarians are research experts, and the Des Moines Public Library re...
Read MoreThe 2019 AViD podcast series concludes as C.J. Chivers joins Aaron Gernes. Chivers, author of The Fighters, discusses the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and the process of gathering the stories of the soldiers highlighted in his book. Chivers will be at the Central Library for Auth...
Read MoreNothing brings together kids of all ages like our Pokémon programs. At several of our branches, including the Franklin Avenue Library and the East Side Library, we have Pokémon Clubs, Pokémon card swaps, and other Pokémon activities. These programs serve a purpose beyond excited chatter and col...
Read MoreThere’s a new face walking around the Forest Avenue Library. The bilingual storytimes are back on the schedule, and Lesvia Juarez is the new bilingual storyteller. “Les,” as she likes to be called, has previously worked as the childcare director at St. Anthony’s school and as part of Lutheran Servic...
Read MoreAViD author Madeline Miller joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the DMPL Podcast. Miller discusses her critically-acclaimed novel, Circe. She discusses recasting Circe into a feminist hero and how women were given short shrift and often demeaned in ancient storytelling. It’s...
Read MoreImagine a place where Batman and Moana collided. A setting where you could run into Skye from Paw Patrol and Wonder Woman in the same day. You can get your photo take at Dumbledore’s desk, or turn yourself into a zombie – all for free. Well, it’s your lucky day. All those things are possible at t...
Read MoreWhat she does: Youth Librarian at Central Library. I get to run three wonderful storytimes for babies, toddlers, and family ages. I also put together tons of fun kid’s programs like Giant Board Games and character visits from some of our friends like Elephant & Piggie. With the he...
Read MoreAViD author Chigozie Obioma joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the DMPL Podcast. The Nigerian-born author talks about his new, critically-acclaimed novel, An Orchestra of Minorities, and how he came to write such a tragic story. Obioma will be at the Central Library on ...
Read MoreThis week is National Library Week. This year's theme, "Libraries = Strong Communities," reminds us that public libraries remain a vital part of the fabric of society in towns, cities, and neighborhoods across the country. In fact, there are more public libraries in the United States than there are ...
Read MoreAViD author Laurie Frankel joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the DMPL Podcast. Frankel's most recent novel, This is How it Always Is, is the story of a family raising a transgender child. Frankel herself is the mother of a transgender girl. She and Rowley have a fun and frank d...
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