Franklin Avenue Library

Location Details

Address:
5000 Franklin Avenue
Des Moines, IA, 50310

Directions:
Google Maps

Nikki Hayter
Manager
NMHayter@dmpl.org

Phone:
(515) 283-4152

Book a Franklin Avenue Library meeting room

In-Person Services

10:00 AM-7:00 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-7:00 PM Monday-Thursday
10:00 AM-6:00 PM Friday
10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday
Closed 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.

For information about the Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports programs and activities at the library, please visit the organization's new website.

For Volunteer Opportunities: Adult volunteers, please contact Lynn Heuss, leheuss@dmpl.org. Teen volunteers, please contact Jennifer Leveck, jkleveck@dmpl.org.

Upcoming Events

NEA Big Reads Student Art Exhibit

All Day 10/18 - 10/30

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library

Age Group: All Ages

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Exhibits

Event Details:

Join us at Des Moines Public Library for a student art exhibit inspired by the NEA Big Read pick Fahrenheit 451. Explore artistic interpretations of censorship from over 50 Des Moines Public School student artists at the Franklin and Central branches...

Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library

11:00am - 12:00pm

Franklin Avenue Meeting Room

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library

Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Library Meeting

Event Details:

Please join the Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library for our quarterly member's meeting. 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 Fr...

CROSSROADS: A History of the Blues featuring Scott Davis

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Franklin Avenue Meeting Room

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library

Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room

Age Group: All Ages

Program Type: Performances

Event Details:

Scott Davis is a member of the Des Moines Musician’s Association. A Des Moines native, he received his undergraduate degree in Education from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Master’s in performance and education at Drake University. Scott was ...

Disclaimer(s)

Indoor Program

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.

Storytime To Go Bags

All Day

Franklin Avenue Children’s Area

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library

Room: Franklin Avenue Children’s Area

Age Group: Birth-Preschool

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes, Take & Make

Event Details:

Visit the Franklin Library every Monday to pick up a different Storytime To Go Bag. Each bag will include rhymes, songs, and book suggestions for babies and preschoolers along with literacy activities. The storytime bags are recommended f...

Day of the Dead with the Des Moines Art Center

All Day 10/25 - 10/31

All Locations

Library Branch: DMPL Virtual

Room: All Locations

Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Heritage/History Month, Take & Make

Event Details:

Celebrate Day of the Dead with the Des Moines Art Center What is Day of the Dead? Day of the Dead is a holiday that is celebratory, yet respectful of death, and has been practiced in parts of Latin America for centuries. Families honor their ance...

Learn to Slay: Intro to Dungeons & Dragons

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Franklin Avenue Meeting Room

Registration

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library

Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room

Age Group: Teens

Program Type: Gaming

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 28

Event Details:

Have you ever wanted to slay a dragon, raid a dungeon treasure room, or even save a village from an evil bandit horde? Always wanted to play Dungeons & Dragons, but didn’t know where to start? Join us as we learn the basics of how to get start...