Library News

Each year, the West Des Moines Public Library celebrates Banned Books Week to honor the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries.  Librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types come together during this week to support the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

The West Des Moines Public Library is partnering with the Polk County Health Department to be a pick-up location for free gun locks. Patrons do not need to have a library card in order to pick up a free gun lock at the Accounts and Checkout Desk or Children's Desk. 

The West Des Moines Public Library is partnering with DART to celebrate Library Card Sign up Week! Use your library card to ride FREE on DART’s Local and Express routes and On Call services September 17-23, 2023.

Just show your library card when you board any DART bus September 17-23. It's that simple! Then enjoy DART's free WiFi to listen to an eAudiobook or read an eBook. 

by Darryl Eschete, Director, WDM Public Library

As those of you who have recently visited us at 4000 Mills Civic Parkway know, the public elevator that had been previously been out of service is officially back up and running. While the elevator was out of service, we received many questions about the nature of the outage and how long it would take to repair. I'd like to share where we are in the process of upgrading both our public and staff elevators and what you can expect in the months to come. 

We rounded out the end of our Fiscal Year in June 2023. Looking back on the year, we wanted to share some of the highlights, including all of the fabulous things we were able to accomplish with the help of our dedicated patrons. 

Not only did our digital and physical circulation numbers go up this year, we were also proud of serving over 1,300 patrons through our Homebound and Elder Care Outreach programs, having 2,900 volunteer hours served in the library, and having 21,931 event attendees!

Do you have a backpack or suitcase that you haven't peeked in this summer? Maybe you have a stack of books hiding in your car somewhere that you might have forgotten about? Have no fear! You can return these overdue WDM Library items on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19 and all fines will be waived!

Please note that the amnesty weekend will only waive fines, not fees. Collection Agency fees and replacement copy fees cannot be waived during this event. 

by Carol Grant, Past President, WDM Library Board of Trustees

Please join us on Tuesday, June 20 at either 8:30 AM or 4:30 PM for a brief dedication ceremony for our memorial garden. This garden, located outside of the library's main entrance, was created as a space to remember and reflect on the lives of library workers, friends, and family who have passed before us. Each of the ceremonies will also be livestreamed on the West Des Moines Public Library Facebook Page if you aren't able to attend in person.