| Des Moines Public Library | |
|---|---|
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 DMPL Central Library | |
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| 41°35′10″N93°37′53″W / 41.5861°N 93.6314°W | |
| Location | Des Moines, Iowa, United States |
| Established | 1866 |
| Branches | Six |
| Other information | |
| Website | dmpl |
The Des Moines Public Library (DMPL) is the public library system for the city of Des Moines, Iowa. It is the largest public library system in the state of Iowa, with a collection of 552,576 items housed at six locations. [1]
The library provides research and reference services, as well as Internet computers and wireless Internet access, meeting and study rooms, copy machines and printers, and faxing. In the fall of 2021, the Central Library added Tech Central: Innovation and Maker Lab. [2] Tech Central stations include equipment for video editing, media conversion, laser engraver, sublimation printer, audio and video recording, and more. [3] Another library service is the Community Fridge available at the South Side Library and the Franklin Avenue Library to provide free access to food for community members. [4] [5]
The Des Moines Public Library [6] offers books, audio books, e-books, CDs, magazines, newspapers, information databases, and DVDs. Each location features adult, teen and children's fiction and non-fiction collections. The collection expanded to include the "Library of Things" in the fall of 2022. "Library of Things" allows adults with library cards to check out items such as board games, kitchen equipment, home tools, and lawn games for free. [7] [8] The library also has Special Collections [9] at the Central Library; an Iowa Collection that includes books and other items concerning the history and culture of Iowa; the Foundation Center; and The Shoah Visual History Collection.
The library presents a variety of informational, educational and fun programs for patrons of all ages. Programs for children and teens include storytimes, crafts, games, and book discussions. To support families and promote early childhood education, the library shares Simple Steps to Success activities and resources. [10] Simple Steps to Success is an early literacy initiative that supports educators and families throughout the community. [11] Adult programming includes book discussions, author visits, lectures, job assistance workshops, and other special events. [12] [13] The library organizes several annual events, including the summer reading program and Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) Author Series.
Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) [14] began in 2001 to give the community the chance to listen, learn and laugh as world-famous authors share their stories. With the support of the Des Moines Public Library Foundation and other local donors, including Humanities Iowa, AViD celebrates great reading and writing. Each year features best-selling fiction and nonfiction authors who write about a variety of issues and topics. [15] [16]
| Branch | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central Library | 1000 Grand Avenue | New location in 2006; Houses Special Collections; hosts Art Gallery; designed by noted architect David Chipperfield. |
| East Side Library | 2559 Hubbell Avenue | Renovated in Fall 2006; Features an ocean themed children's area. |
| Forest Avenue Library | 1326 Forest Avenue | Renovated in 2007; Features large foreign language collection and accessibility to language learning software |
| Franklin Avenue Library | 5000 Franklin Avenue | Renovated in 2011; |
| North Side Library | 3516 Fifth Avenue | Renovated in 2007; Features a memorabilia room with a rich local history |
| South Side Library | 1111 Porter Avenue | Renovated in 2007; Features teen loft |
The Des Moines Public Library [19] began as the Des Moines Library Association in 1866 in the basement of a Methodist church. Early on, the library was supported by contributions and public charity. It started with nearly 2,300 books and a few periodicals. In 1882, it was decided to turn the library over to the city to become a free public library. The city purchased property at 100 Locust Street for the main library in 1898 for $35,000. The library opened in October 1903, and the Main Library branch remained at 100 Locust Street for more than 100 years.
In 1938, the library became the birthplace of the Library Bill of Rights under director Forrest Spaulding. [20] The bill is still in use today by the American Library Association to ensure diversity of viewpoints in all library materials.
Through the years, the library became a cornerstone for the Des Moines community. In 1937, the Boys and Girls Department opened on the ground floor. During the 1930s, local artist Harry Donald Jones began painting a mural on the ground floor as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. The mural, called "The Social History of Des Moines," traced the growth of Des Moines from prehistoric times to present days. In the 1950s, the library developed a music department that featured a large collection of circulating vinyl records, a listening room with piano and record player, and a series of free concerts of recorded music presented weekly in the library's auditorium.
Beginning in the 1960s, the library began consolidating several of the small branches into larger regional branches. This began with the West Side Branch opening in 1965 (later renamed the Franklin Avenue branch). The new East Side Library opened in 1970, and the South Side Library was built in 1977. This was followed by the North Side Library in 1983 and the Forest Avenue Library in 1992. These regional branches helped increase the services available to patrons while remaining neighborhood-based at heart.
In April 2006, a new Central Library opened at 1000 Grand Avenue. [21] [22] The new building was designed by London architect David Chipperfield [23] to serve the library's growing collection and the technology needs of 21st century users. The previous Central Library (located at 100 Locust) is now the home of the World Food Prize. [24]
The Library Foundation [25] of Des Moines was founded in 1998 to support the resources and services of the library through fundraising and advocacy. The Foundation supports programs that benefit the Des Moines community and promote the library's resources. With help from donors, foundations and corporations, the Foundation helps support the Des Moines Public Library. [26]
Des Moines is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is the county seat of Polk County with parts extending into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857. It is located on, and named after, the Des Moines River, which likely was adapted from the early French name, Rivière des Moines, meaning "River of the Monks". The city's population was 214,133 as of the 2020 census. The six-county metropolitan area is ranked 81st in terms of population in the United States, with 709,466 residents according to the 2020 census by the United States Census Bureau, and is the largest metropolitan area fully located within the state.
The Boston Public Library is a municipal public library system in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1848. The Boston Public Library is also Massachusetts' Library for the Commonwealth, meaning all adult residents of the state are entitled to borrowing and research privileges, and the library receives state funding. The Boston Public Library contains approximately 24 million items, making it the third-largest public library in the United States behind the federal Library of Congress and New York Public Library, which is also privately endowed. In 2014, the library held more than 10,000 programs, all free to the public, and lent 3.7 million materials.
The Free Library of Philadelphia is the public library system that serves Philadelphia. It is the 16th-largest public library system in the United States. The Free Library of Philadelphia is a non-Mayoral agency of the City of Philadelphia governed by an independent Board of Trustees as per the Charter of the City of Philadelphia. The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit with its own board of directors and serves to support the mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia through philanthropic dollars.
The Chicago Public Library (CPL) is the public library system that serves the City of Chicago in the U.S. state of Illinois. It consists of 81 locations, including a central library, three regional libraries, and branches distributed throughout the city's 77 Community Areas.
The Iowa State Capitol, commonly called the Iowa Statehouse, is in Iowa's capital city, Des Moines. As the seat of the Iowa General Assembly, the building houses the Iowa Senate, Iowa House of Representatives, the Office of the Governor, and the Offices of the Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer, and Secretary of State. The building also includes a chamber for the Iowa Supreme Court, although court activities usually take place in the neighboring Iowa Supreme Court building. The building was constructed between 1871 and 1886, and is the only five-domed capitol in the country.
The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, United States.
The Figge Art Museum is located on the north bank of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa. The Figge, as it is commonly known, has an encyclopedic collection and serves as the major art museum for the eastern Iowa and western Illinois region. The Figge works closely with several regional universities and colleges as an art resource and collections hub for a number of higher education programs.
Sir David Alan Chipperfield,, is a British architect. He established David Chipperfield Architects in 1985, which grew into a global architectural practice with offices in London, Berlin, Milan, and Shanghai.
The Des Moines Independent Community School District is the largest public school district in Iowa. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges and the Iowa Department of Education.
North High School is a public secondary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. It is one of five secondary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District.
Highland Park College was a college located in Des Moines, Iowa.
Elaine Eisfelder Szymoniak was a State Senator from the U.S. state of Iowa, a former City Council Member representing the city of Des Moines, Iowa and a retired hearing and speech specialist, counselor, and administrator for the Iowa Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
The State Library of Iowa is a library service in the U.S. state of Iowa. Founded in around 1840, it is based in Des Moines and is run by the Iowa Department of Education. The State Library supports local libraries in the state and it itself acts as a resource for the state government and its citizens. It is funded from local taxation.
Proudfoot & Bird was an American architectural firm that designed many buildings throughout the Midwest region of the United States. Originally established in 1882, it remains active through its several successors, and since 2017 has been known as BBS Architects | Engineers.
The Des Moines City Hall is a government building in Des Moines, Iowa, built in 1909 and 1910. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 10, 1977 as the Municipal Building, and became a contributing property in the Civic Center Historic District in 1988. The building serves as the seat for the government of the city of Des Moines. Beginning April 7, 2016, City Hall offices were temporarily relocated while the building underwent renovation. The construction was necessary to install modern heating, cooling, and sprinkler systems while preserving the historic character of the building. The project was expected to take 18–24 months. During that time, City Hall was closed to the public, and City offices moved to other nearby locations. Between February 26, 2018 and April 9, 2018, city offices moved back to City Hall.
The Old Downtown Des Moines Library is a historic building in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, United States that was built in 1903. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and became a contributing property in the Civic Center Historic District in 1988. The building ceased to be a library in 2006 and now houses the Norman E. Borlaug | World Food Prize Hall of Laureates for the World Food Prize.
The Younker Brothers Department Store was a historic building located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.
Downtown Des Moines is the central business district of Des Moines, Iowa and the Greater Des Moines Metropolitan Area. Downtown Des Moines is defined by the City of Des Moines as located between the Des Moines River to the east, the Raccoon River to the south, Center Street to the north, and 18th and 15th Streets to the west.
Bobby Kaufmann is an American politician serving as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives since 2013 as a member of the Republican Party. In 2023, Kaufmann was appointed as a senior advisor on Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign in the Iowa caucuses.
The Des Moines Women's Club, founded in 1885 as the women's club movement swept through the United States, today serves the Des Moines community by providing scholarships, support for the local arts community, and other civic projects.
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