Library News

Can't get enough Bridgerton? Try a few of our Read-a-Like suggestions!

"A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people."  Andrew Carnegie 

I spent an hour volunteering at the WDM Library Concierge Desk recently.  As President of the Board of Trustees, this is just one way that I am able to directly engage in the work of the library.  Although the Board of Trustees meets every third Tuesday of the month, to transact  important business, connecting with the day-to-day operations of the library is important to understanding more fully what goes on inside the walls at 4000 Mills Civic Parkway. 

The West Des Moines Public Library will close for at least six weeks starting March 1 as the library enters the final stage of its nearly 18-month renovation. During the closure, contractors, engineers, movers, furniture vendors and library staff will re-open areas of the building currently closed, finish design and structural work, install new furnishings, fixtures and technology, re-install shelving currently in storage and assess, sort and re-shelve 30,000 library materials stored off site since the beginning of the project.  

CALL FOR ARTISTS 

Public Library Story Room Mural 

City of West Des Moines 

Printable PDF version

WEST DES MOINES: COMMUNITY 

Hi everyone! Miss Jenna here. If you're anything like me, you are watching updates and preparing for the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover landing on February 18! So exciting! Your library has a bunch of Mars-related materials to help you learn more about the planet and past NASA missions. Check them out below! Mark your calendars and tune in to the NASA YouTube channel to watch the landing. The broadcast is scheduled to begin at 1:15 CST. 

What a great year for reading 2020 was! Many of us spent time with nonfiction, learning new hobbies and reading self-improvement. Check out 2020 Staff Picks - Nonfiction for the complete list of suggestions.

Take a look back at the good stuff from 2020!

2020 Staff Picks: FICTION

2020 Staff Picks: NONFICTION

A guest book review by Kauai:

We all spent a lot of time reading this year, and staff have recommended some of their favorites in 2020 Staff Picks: Fiction. Our book list includes both print and digital titles available now. 

Do you love a good puzzle, but find you’re not in the mood for violence? Cozy mysteries are a popular subgenre of mystery, and typically feature an amateur sleuth in a picturesque setting.  Our list of “Mystery Minus Murder” titles takes the warm feeling one step further by highlighting books that don’t include murder at all! These cozy reads feature historical riddles, blackmail, family mysteries and puzzling antiques. Many are available in a variety of formats, including eBook and eAudio.

West Des Moines, IA–At a mid-day meeting of the Library Board of Trustees on January 5, board members decided that The West Des Moines Public Library will reopen to limited walk-in traffic starting at 9am on Monday, January 11.

In late December our new children's book shelves were full to capacity, so we asked our readers via social media to help us get them out into circulation and you responded! We have heard you and your desire for book bundles for kids and we are delighted to roll out this new service. Here's what you need to know:

A guest post by our student author Claire:

Remember the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation as you make your final contributions for 2020 - or your first ones for 2021!   

A donation to the Friends Foundation is a tax-deductible gift that helps support WDM Library programming and materials.  This last year, they funded the new Valley Junction Library Kiosk.  Every year they give 1000s of dollars to support our extensive programs for adults and children, including our book clubs and Summer Reading.    

Thank you from the Friends!