Location Details
Address:
1000 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
Directions:
Google Maps
Rhonda Frevert
Central Library Manager
RJFrevert@dmpl.org
Phone:
(515) 283-4152
In-Person Services
- 9:00 AM-8:00 PM Monday-Thursday
- 9:00 AM-6:00 PM Friday
- 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday
- 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Sunday
Pickup Window
- 9:00 AM-7:00 PM Monday-Thursday
- 9:00 AM-6:00 PM Friday
- 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday
- Closed Sunday
Central Library
The Central Library is located in the heart of downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park area at 1000 Grand Avenue, near the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden. The sprawling, 110,000-square foot building, which replaced the original Main Library that opened in 1903 on the Des Moines Riverfront, was designed by famed London architect Sir David Chipperfield. See some of Chipperfield's sketches and plans HERE.
About the Building
Chipperfield, along with Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck of Des Moines, designed the building, envisioning it as “a library in a park, a park in a library.” The building acts as a link from downtown to Western Gateway Park, anchoring it as a cornerstone of the western part of downtown.
Central Library features a green roof of slow-growing sedum, which, when viewed from above, gives the illusion there is no library, as it blends into the greenspace outside. The free form shape resembles that of an airplane, which breaks the illusion. The roof controls water runoff by retaining water and can hold more than 187,000 gallons. It is self-maintaining and needs no irrigation. The building’s mechanical and electrical systems were also designed for efficiency, and use 30 percent less energy than a conventional building.
The library’s copper color is a result of its windows, which feature three layers of glass with copper mesh sandwiched between the outer two. Central Library was the first building in the world to use these copper mesh panels, which act as micro-blinds, reducing UV radiation by 87 percent, protecting books from sun damage, blocking glare and heat, and improving energy efficiency. There are 355 window panels, each weighing 1,400 pounds and measuring 4 feet by 14 feet. The panels look different fom the outside depending on the time of day - bright coppery reflection during the day, transparent at night.
The building took almost four years to construct, at a cost of $32.3 million.
About the Public Artwork
At the west end of the library sits “Les Vents” (The Winds), a sculpture gifted to the city by the American Republic Insurance Company. Created by artist Edward Lee Hendricks, Les Vents was placed at the old Main Library in 1986, then moved to the new Central Library and reconstructed over three months in 2006. The poles stand more than 30 feet high, with wings 12 feet long that can sustain wind gusts up to 100 mph.
On the south lawn of Central Library sits the Miffy Fountain, gifted to the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation in memory of Melva Bucksbaum by her children. The work was created by famed American artist Tom Sachs and is based on the children’s book character of the same name. The fountain is painted bronze and was cast in 2008, and stands just over 10 feet tall. It had installations in New York City and Paris before finding its permanent home outside Central Library in 2018.
About the Central Art Gallery
Des Moines Central Library’s Art Gallery offers an accessible and welcoming environment for encouraging and celebrating Iowa artists. The gallery is located on the second floor of the Central Library and features eight double-sided movable walls with over fifty square feet of usable display space per side. Find out more about the gallery, see the current display, and learn how to apply to be featured in the space here.
Upcoming Events
I Spy: Encanto
Come find all your favorite characters from the movie Encanto at the Central Library! Find all the pictures in the Youth area to get a prize!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Stop in the Central Library for a drop-in craft every week this summer. This week we will make a hot air balloon craft in honor of the National Balloon Classic.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Do you like all things K-pop? Come to the Central Library for Seoulmate Summer!, a chance to hang out with other fans, participate in a bunch of activities, and win fun prizes.
I Spy: National Parks
Come find all your favorite National Parks at the Central Library! Find all the pictures in the Youth area to get a prize!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Stop in the Central Library for a drop-in craft every week this summer. This week we will make an Otter with brown paper bags and newspaper.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Would you like to use Tech Central's new FormLabs Form 3 resin 3D printer? Take this required training to learn how! Participants will learn how to use FormLabs free PreForm software to prepare their 3D prints for printing at the libra
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
We're gearing up for the state fair with a very special guest!
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Accompanying Adults
This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Email Required
Please make sure you have entered a valid email address as the online event details will be sent to you prior to the event. If you have not received a confirmation email your inbox, please check your spam folder.
We're gearing up for the state fair with a very special guest!
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Accompanying Adults
This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Email Required
Please make sure you have entered a valid email address as the online event details will be sent to you prior to the event. If you have not received a confirmation email your inbox, please check your spam folder.
Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year is a free weekly postpartum support group for parents and their new babies.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Join us weekly for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
I Spy: National Parks
Come find all your favorite National Parks at the Central Library! Find all the pictures in the Youth area to get a prize!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Join us at the Central Library for a fun storytime featuring movement, music, and rhyming! This week we'll have watermelon games and crafts, and of course ... we'll eat watermelon!
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Come join us at the Central Library as we enjoy an afternoon of crafts! This will be a drop-in program, so feel free to come and leave as you please. We will have crafts like perler beads, shrinky dinks, and friendship bracelets!
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Learn how to use the Glowforge Plus Laser Engraver at Tech Central! This program takes the place of the 1 on 1 Glowforge tutorial, so you will be fully qualified to book and use the Glowforge on your own after this program.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Gamer Jazz! - Presented by the Des Moines Gamer Symphony Orchestra
After an amazingly successful run of shows last year, the Des Moines Gamer Symphony Orchestra is once again transforming into a big band this summer to play the jazziest video game tunes out there.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Dungeons & Dragons is a role-playing game set in worlds of swords and sorcery where players use their imaginations to tell a story and create an adventure together. We usually get together on the first Sunday of each month to play.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
I Spy: State Fair
It's August, and the State Fair is everywhere ... even at the library! Find all the pictures in the Youth area to get a prize!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Join us for the DMPL Writer's Workshop on the first* Monday of the month from 5:30-7:30 PM. Share samples of work and receive feedback from other writers in the group.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year is a free weekly postpartum support group for parents and their new babies.
Disclaimer(s)
Central Parking
Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.