Des Moines Public Library Foundation

Des Moines Public Library Foundation The Des Moines Public Library Foundation advocates and raises funds for the Des Moines Public Library System: AViD, Summer Reading and programs for all ages.

Grateful to be part of the Community Conversations hosted by Des Moines Public Library at each branch. If you haven't be...
05/29/2026

Grateful to be part of the Community Conversations hosted by Des Moines Public Library at each branch. If you haven't been able to attend yet, there's one session left. Join us this Saturday, May 30, starting at 10 a.m. at Central Library. (Maybe before/after hitting the downtown farmers market?)

You'll meet library director Melissa McCollum and her colleagues. You can also ask questions of the Foundation.

Top questions for the Foundation, so far:

1. Does the Foundation pursue grants? Yes. And if you have a specific grant to recommend, please let us know. Email: [email protected]

2. Can I donate to a specific branch or library program? Yes. Simply include brief instructions in the comment field when donating online, or call us if you'd like to discuss. Phone: (515) 412-0181

3. What's involved in naming the library in my estate? Simply include the Des Moines Public Library Foundation as a beneficiary. Happy to discuss anytime and provide suggested wording. (It helps us to know that you're making a designation; we can keep that fact private, if you wish.)

To learn more about the Foundation and to donate online: https://dmplfoundation.org/

As spring turns to summer, we are thrilled to welcome Makenna Hovey as our communications intern. She will work part-tim...
05/22/2026

As spring turns to summer, we are thrilled to welcome Makenna Hovey as our communications intern. She will work part-time this summer and continue her part-time internship during fall semester.

Makenna is a junior at Drake University on the pre-law path, studying Law, Politics & Society, and Strategic Political Communications. She is originally from Minnesota. Makenna credits her grandmother for helping her fall in love with public libraries and reading.

To learn some fun facts about Makenna: https://dmplfoundation.org/news/introducing-intern-makenna-hovey/

The Forest Avenue Library Love for Learning (“FALL4Learning”) Scholarship is offered every year to high school seniors w...
05/21/2026

The Forest Avenue Library Love for Learning (“FALL4Learning”) Scholarship is offered every year to high school seniors who have a Des Moines Public Library card, use the Forest Avenue Library, and plan on attending a college or a skilled trade program in the following fall after graduation.

Wolfe Kac is the 2026 FALL4Learning scholarship recipient. He earned $1,000 toward his future studies at Iowa State University, where he plans to major in game design and minor in computer science. Free programs at Forest Avenue Library, including an anime watch party, expanded his love for 2D animation.

While accepting the scholarship award, Kac held a picture of himself from more than a decade earlier. In the photo, he is reading a library book in the same exact spot.

Since 2014, 36 graduating high school students have received the FALL4Learning scholarship via the Foundation and in partnership with the Friends of Forest Avenue Library. These annual scholarship awards are only possible thanks to anonymous donors who established an endowed fund.

Kudos to Melissa McCollum, director of the Des Moines Public Library, and her team for a powerful update to City Council...
05/18/2026

Kudos to Melissa McCollum, director of the Des Moines Public Library, and her team for a powerful update to City Council this morning. Total circulation (physical and digital) of 1.16 million this past fiscal year, plus 3,400 programs (in-branch and outreach) attended by nearly 125,000 people of all ages? That's real impact.

If you love the library, please stay vocal. The city is facing difficult budget decisions and will be seeking public input this summer on possible cuts, including cuts to library operations.

Meantime, the Foundation will continue supporting dozens of important library programs, including the upcoming Summer Reading Challenge, which benefits more than 10,000 children. You can help by donating online: https://dmplfoundation.org/donate/

One timely and important way you can support Des Moines Public Library is showing City Council how much you care. If you...
05/11/2026

One timely and important way you can support Des Moines Public Library is showing City Council how much you care. If you can, please attend the Council's work session on Monday, May 18, starting at 7:30 a.m. at City Hall, 1200 Locust Ave. An update is anticipated on the city's fiscal year 2028 budget and projected shortfalls. As well, DMPL leadership will share details about its wide-reaching impact across the metro. The public is welcome.

If you can't attend the City Council work session, please take part in one of the Community Conversations being hosted by DMPL at each branch location this month. Your voice matters.

For the full schedule of DMPL Community Conversations:
https://www.dmpl.org/events/list?keywords=community+conversations&program_types%5B360%5D=360&private=no&fbclid=IwY2xjawRpnrdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPbGJHTEFwc0d4YXZVQ0Vtc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhG2pJKkoRAI5PsI3rXAkZhtf3r-OtM4Dy-gUWBvYmJ2WeqUi9enLjdmeyco_aem_sK_aFvyBNXojAlnHTrxZKw

Love libraries? Share your voice! Des Moines Public Library needs your support more than ever. Please come and be part o...
05/07/2026

Love libraries? Share your voice! Des Moines Public Library needs your support more than ever. Please come and be part of these important discussions.

Join us on Thursday, May 14, for the next Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) event. Shannon Chakraborty is the critic...
05/07/2026

Join us on Thursday, May 14, for the next Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) event. Shannon Chakraborty is the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of The Daevabad Trilogy and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. Her work has been translated into over a dozen languages and nominated for the Hugo, Locus, World Fantasy, Crawford, and Astounding awards. The second novel in her Amina Al-Sirafi series, The Tapestry of Fate, is being released on May 12.

It's free to attend AViD. That's possible because of the Foundation and a team of 15 generous sponsors and donors who have underwritten this year's 25th anniversary season. We'd love to see you!

For more details: https://www.dmpl.org/author-4-1

Y-U-M! Just tried the Rosie Reader themed cupcake at and can confirm it’s cute and delicious! 😋 Rosie is proudly promot...
05/06/2026

Y-U-M! Just tried the Rosie Reader themed cupcake at and can confirm it’s cute and delicious! 😋 Rosie is proudly promoting the Summer Reading program, which benefits more than 10,000 children across the city. (See link in comments for 2026 details, coming soon.)

The Summer Reading program relies on support from grants, sponsors, and individual donors. If you want to help, you can donate online. Just write Summer Reading in the comments field to designate your gift. Thank you!

To donate: https://dmplfoundation.org/donate/

Thanks to everyone who came out to see the DSM Book Festival today! We closed things out with who is on tour for her ne...
05/03/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to see the DSM Book Festival today! We closed things out with who is on tour for her new book “Just a Busy Season,” essays on motherhood.

One of these days I’m going to be an author with a book of my own, but until then it’s a privilege and joy to meet them ...
05/03/2026

One of these days I’m going to be an author with a book of my own, but until then it’s a privilege and joy to meet them through the AViD series! I warned that my persona when I get a microphone can be a little bit ‘Mary Katherine Gallagher as an and she was so kind and collaborative this stop on her whirlwind tour. Yes, I brought (her words) “emotional support American Girl dolls” on stage. Thanks to everyone who came out and to for being so enthusiastic!

Today is the day! We are set up in the DSM Book Festival West Gymnasium! Hot tip: We are giving away free books and sti...
05/02/2026

Today is the day! We are set up in the DSM Book Festival West Gymnasium! Hot tip: We are giving away free books and stickers for folks who sign up for our mailing list! Also taking donations to benefit free programs. Stop by and say hello to our board members and see you at AViD tonight!

Address

1000 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA
50309

Telephone

+15154120180

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