Franklin Avenue Library

Franklin Avenue exterior shot

Location Details

Address:
5000 Franklin Avenue
Des Moines, IA, 50310

Directions:
Google Maps

Nikki Hayter headshot

Nikki Hayter
Manager 
NMHayter@dmpl.org

Phone:
(515) 283-4152

Book a Franklin Avenue Library meeting room

In-Person Services
  • 10:00 AM-8:00 PM Monday-Thursday
  • 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Friday
  • 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday
  • 1:00-5:00 PM Sunday
Pickup Window
  • 10:00 AM-8:00 PM Monday-Thursday
  • 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Friday
  • 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday
  • 1:00-5:00 PM Sunday

The Franklin Avenue Library on Des Moines’ west side, serves the needs, wants, and tastes of its community of patrons with a collection of over 100,000 items. The many available media formats include books, audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs, magazines, and electronic resources, as well as over 40 public internet computers for easy online access.

The Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library

The Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library is a 501(c) (3) organization that supports programs and activities at the Franklin Avenue Library branch through direct financial contributions and volunteerism. If you are looking for a wonderful way to support the Franklin Avenue Library, consider becoming a Friend!  The purpose of the Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library is to maintain an association of persons interested in the Franklin Avenue Library; to focus public attention on the library; to stimulate the use of the library’s resources and services; to receive and encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to the library, to support and cooperate with the library in developing library services and facilities for the community. 

Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library website

For Volunteer Opportunities: Adult volunteers, please contact Lynn Heuss, leheuss@dmpl.org. Teen volunteers, please contact Athena Riesenberg, AMRiesenberg@dmpl.org

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Nintendo Switch Party!

1:00pm - 2:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Join us for a Nintendo Switch Party! We will have games like Mario Kart 8 & Super Mario Bros. Ultimate. Feel free to bring your own Switch or share the library’s controllers. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

This event is in the "Children" group.

Kids Movie Bingo

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Join us for several games of BINGO featuring characters from your favorite movies!  Prizes will be awarded to the winners.   The Franklin Library is located on DART Route #5. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Pollinator Palooza!

10:30am - 2:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Celebrate the wonderful world of pollinators by attending our pollinator palooza. This day will be filled with pollinator-themed games, craft stations to entertain guests of all ages, and a variety of booths to learn how you can support the bees and ...

Disclaimer(s)

Indoor Program (2021)

This program is hosted indoors.  Please observe social distancing and follow local COVID-19 safety mandates. Hand sanitizer will be provided and staff will do their best to ensure any shared materials are disinfected between use. This program is subject to COVID-19 safety protocol updates, including room capacity limits. Please check our website for updates.

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Read-in & Banned Books Celebration

All Day
Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:
Banned books week is October 1-7, and we're celebrating your freedom to read! School is out, so come in any time during the day. There will be activities available in the children's area and you might even win a prize! We'll also have frequently chal...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Preschool Storytime

10:15am - 10:45am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:
Join Miss Jennifer for Preschool Storytime on Monday mornings at 10:15 a.m.  There will be stories, rhymes, music, and more. This storytime is recommended for ages three to five, but all children are welcome to attend.   The Frankl...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

This event is in the "Teens" group.

The Art of Expression: Calligraphy Workshop

5:00pm - 7:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 7
Event Details:
The Art of Expression is a monthly program for teens to learn and create different types of art in a relaxed atmosphere.  On September 25, join us for a 2-hour Calligraphy Workshop with local artist and entrepreneur Tome Hope. Teens will lear...