July 4 closure

All locations of the Des Moines Public Library will be closed Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Regular hours will commence Tuesday, July 5.

Franklin Pickup Window Closed

The Franklin Avenue Library pickup window is closed until further notice. If you are scheduled to pick up your holds at the window, please go inside Franklin Avenue Library to do so.

Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer Photo Credit Donna Newman

Thursday, March 17 | 7:00 PM | Central Library

Did you miss the live event? You can watch Brad Meltzer's AViD program HERE.

Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twelve previous thrillers, including The Inner Circle, The Book of Fate, and The Escape Artist, with more than 11 million copies sold. 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of his debut book, The Tenth Justice. He is also the host of the television shows Brad Meltzer’s Lost History and Brad Meltzer's Decoded on the History Channel.

His newest novel, The Lightning Rod, is a sequel to The Escape Artist and once again features Zig and Nola as they track down the killers of a military officer with hidden ties to an ultra-secret unit, while confronting the past traumas that continue to haunt them both.

In addition, he is the author of the nonfiction bestsellers The First Conspiracy and The Lincoln Conspiracy, as well as the blockbuster children’s history book series Ordinary People Change the World.

A PBS KIDS TV show based on his books, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, now has 28 million viewers, and was recently nominated for multiple Emmys and TCA Awards. Meltzer has written bestselling comic books as well, including Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man titles.

The Hollywood Reporter put him on their list of the 25 Most Powerful Authors, and he’s been asked to serve as a member of the America250 Council, to celebrate the upcoming 250th birthday of the country. He lives in Florida with his wife and three children.

The Lightning Rod Cover

Event Info

  • Admission is free.
  • Doors open at 6:00 PM.
  • Seating is first-come, first-served.
  • Free parking is available:
    • In the Des Moines Public Library parking garage, located on Grand Ave.
    • On the surface lot on the corner of 10th St. and Grand Ave., across from the library.
  • At the end of the program, there will be a question and answer period. A book signing will follow.
  • Books will be available to purchase before and after the program courtesy of Beaverdale Books.

Brad's Books