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
Supervisor 
NMHayter@dmpl.org

Phone:
(515) 283-4152

Book a Franklin Avenue Library meeting room

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
  • 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Monday-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.

Franklin Avenue Library - engage April/May 2026


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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 Wynton Karanja, WNKaranja@dmpl.org. Teen volunteers, please contact Athena Riesenberg, AMRiesenberg@dmpl.org


 

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group

Baby Rhyme Time

10:15am–11:00am
Birth-Preschool
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

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

Toddler Stories, Songs and Movement

10:15am–10:45am
Birth-Preschool
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 Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.

 

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: Ransom Note Poetry

4:00pm–5:00pm
Teens
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Registration Required
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational, Health & Wellness
Registration Required
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 April 15, we will use magazine cutouts to create poetry and celebrate National Poetry Month. 

This event is in the "Children" group

EPIC Graphic Novel Book Club

4:00pm–5:00pm
Children
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Registration Required
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Event Details:

Are you a fan of graphic novels? Join us for our EPIC Graphic Novel Book Club for kids ages 7-11. We will have a brief discussion about this month's book followed by fun activities and crafts related to the book!

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 "Adults" group

NFC General Information Session

6:00pm–8:00pm
Adults
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Renovate with Confidence - Understanding Home Improvement Loans with Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC)

This event is in the "Adults" group

Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library-Membership Meeting

11:00am–12:00pm
Adults
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 membership meeting.