Des Moines Public Library

Des Moines Public Library

Established	1866
Location	Des Moines, Iowa
Branches	6
Website	http://dmpl.org

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 571,476 items housed at six locations.^[1]

Services

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.

Collection

The Des Moines Public Library^[2] offers books, audio books, eBooks, CDs, magazines, newspapers, information databases, videos and DVDs, reading recommendations, a local history collection and more for free or a small fee. Each location features adult, teen and children’s fiction and non-fiction collections. The library also has Special Collections^[3] at the Central Library that include the United States Government Document Depository and a government documents blog, which highlights federal items and information of interest to the general public; an Iowa Collection that includes books and other items concerning the history and culture of Iowa and a blog that focuses on local history and links to many Iowa history related resources;^[4] the Foundation Center; and The Shoah Visual History Collection.

Programs

The library presents a variety of informational, educational and fun programs for patrons of all ages, including storytimes, crafts, games, book discussions, author visits, lectures, job assistance workshops, and other special events.^[5][6] The library organizes several annual events including its summer reading program and Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) Author Series.

Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD)

Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD)^[7] 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.^[8][9]

Outreach

DMPL provides outreach services to the greater Des Moines community,^[10] including the Rosie Outreach Van, which delivers library books to public and non-profit agencies that serve low-income or at risk populations. The library also partners with the United Way and Women’s Leadership Connection to provide literacy opportunities for children through Read Rover by providing interactive storytimes at child care centers in Des Moines. The library also provides homebound services to patrons who are unable to visit the library because of physical disability or illness.

Branches

Central Branch

The library recently completed a ten-year system-wide facilities improvement plan that included a new Central Library (completed in 2006) and the renovation of the five branch libraries. The Capital Campaign ten-year project represented a public/private partnership to raise funds for enhancing the entire library system and providing community resources for library patrons.^[11][12]

History

The Des Moines Public Library^[15] 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. 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. For more information about the original library building, see Public Library of Des Moines.

In the 1920s, the library provided a home for the Cumming School of Art. In 1938, the library became the birthplace of the Library Bill of Rights under director Forrest Spaulding.^[16] 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.

On April 8, 2006 a new Central Library opened at 1000 Grand Avenue.^[17][18] The new building was designed by London architect David Chipperfield^[19] 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.^[20]

Des Moines Public Library Foundation

The Library Foundation^[21] 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.^[22]

References

External links

• Official site