Weather-Related News

As a reminder, all locations of the Des Moines Public Library locations serve as cooling centers. Please check our hours and locations page to view open hours. Check our events page for any weather-related program changes or cancellations. 

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-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
Curbside Pickup
  • 10:00 AM-1:00 PM Monday-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

What Now? Surviving to Thriving in a Pandemic

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:
Licensed therapists, Diane and Andrea, will talk about ways to manage feelings related to the changes caused by COVID-19 and thrive in a rapidly changing environment. The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus caused Iowans to quickly adjust to a new ...

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.

Virtual Stories, Songs and Movement!

10:15am - 10:45am
Online Programming
Library Branch: DMPL Virtual
Room: Online Programming
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:
Let's Go Camping! Bring your imagination and join Miss Donna on Facebook as we read books, sing and move our bodies in this playful story time about the world we live in. Ages two and up. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Mini Murder Mystery: Murder of the High Wizard

3:00pm - 3:45pm
Zoom Program Room
Registration
Library Branch: DMPL Virtual
Room: Zoom Program Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Gaming
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 3
Event Details:
Have you always dreamed of Wizard School?  Now's your chance to be a member of the faculty! but be warned--there is murder afoot! The body of High Magus Wilburton was discovered this morning. It appears he died late last night, the night of a...

Mighty Girl Empowerment Series

2:30pm - 4:00pm
Zoom Program Room
Registration
Library Branch: DMPL Virtual
Room: Zoom Program Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational, Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 10
Event Details:
Are you a mighty girl*? Ready to become a mighty woman but have questions? Then join DMPL and community experts to get your questions answered in this four-session series. Know your body, know yourself, and get empowered! Session topics ...

Play, Grow, Learn!

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Franklin Avenue Rosie's Rocket
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Rosie's Rocket
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:
Join us at the Franklin Library for this open play, come and go program.  Play, Grow, Learn is an opportunity to meet families with other young children and engage in the five simple steps to success - Read, Write, Sing, Play, and Talk. &nb...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

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.

DMPL Virtual Genre Voyager Book Club

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom Program Room
Registration
Library Branch: DMPL Virtual
Room: Zoom Program Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 9
Event Details:
What do the terms romance, mystery, fiction, sci-fi bring to mind? Have you ever wondered if there is more to these terms than what meets the eye? Are you looking to expand your reading horizons? Every season, roughly every 3 months, we move on to...