Celebrate 20 Years of the Central Library
Wednesday, April 8, marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Central Library building! The library, located at 1000 Grand Avenue in the Western Gateway, replaced the Main Library at 100 Locust Street 20 years ago and became a significant part of the revitalization of the western portion of downtown Des Moines.
To celebrate, we are throwing a big birthday party! Stop by our open house from 2-4 PM and hear from DMPL's new library director, Melissa McCollum. You can also enjoy refreshments, take your picture at the photo wall, and explore displays about the library's history.
Other 20th Anniversary Activities
Take part in these other programs and activities throughout the week to celebrate 20 years of the Central Library.
Central Library Architectural Tour
The Central Library was designed by world famous architect David Chipperfield. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the building and learn more about what was on his mind as he created a signature building in Des Moines.
- Monday, April 6: 5-6 PM
- Tuesday, April 7: 11 AM-12 PM
- Thursday, April 9: 2-3 PM
Des Moines Public Library: The First 160 Years
Wednesday, April 8, 6 PM | Central Library Meeting Room
The Des Moines Public Library has been serving the community for 160 years. Join us as we celebrate Central Library's 20th anniversary by exploring the library's full history, from its earliest days as a subscription library to the present day.