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Black Arts Festival Call for Artists

Central Iowa visual and performing artists are invited to apply to have their work featured on April 20, 2024, at the Black Arts Festival at Ames Public Library.

This family-friendly event will celebrate and promote greater awareness and appreciation of the artistic and cultural contributions of Black visual and performing artists in the community.

Find more information and the application for visual and performing artists at www.AmesPL.org/BlackArtsFestival

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Ames Public Library + RAYGUN

RAYGUN and the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation are teaming up to bring you the greatest Ames Public Library shirts in the universe!

Now you can buy locally-printed, library-themed shirts for yourself, friends, and family with 40% of the price benefiting Ames Public Library. Now that’s what we call the perfect gift!

Check it out at bit.ly/RaygunAPL

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Damaged Book? Leave the repair to us!

Rips, spills, and unglued spines happen. Luckily, we have an expert mender on staff with all the tools to give our items another chance at life.

If you find any damage on a Library item, please don't attempt to fix it yourself! Take it to a Library staff member so our specialist can mend it and get it back in circulation. 

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Tools for School

Did you know...
Ames Community School District students get a FREE Ames Public Library account through their school!

Use your account all year long for access to books, Wi-Fi hotspots, online tools, STEM Kits, and much more!

Get ready for school with these great online tools for free using your Ames Public Library card:

Brainfuse: Live online tutoring, Writing lab, Test preparation, Language lab Britannica Library: Age-appropriate articles, videos, and biographies for children and teens BookFlix: Read-aloud stories, nonfictio... Read Full Blog

Free Lunch for Kids and Teens

Ames Public Library is once again offering free lunch for kids and teens this summer! 

Families are invited to Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens weekdays from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Library's Auditorium.

Lunch is free to all youth 18 years and younger; meals for adults accompanying youth are $3.50. (Sorry, no baby formula is available.)

 

Thank you to the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation for sponsoring Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens!

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Summer is Coming

Join Ames Public Library for free special activities and a reading challenge for all ages this summer!

Everyone from babies to adults can earn prizes just for tracking their reading in the Summer Reading Challenge. Pick up a game board or sign up online starting June 1.

Once again this summer, children and teens can eat a nutritious free lunch at Ames Public Library. Lunch is available weekdays form Monday, June 5, through Friday, August 18 (except July 4).

Check the Library's calendar for free events including: Book clubs, meetups, and presentations for a... Read Full Blog

Calling local Iowa authors!

It’s almost time for Ames Public Library’s Author Fair! Join us for any portion of the program, or enjoy the entire time.

Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Ames Public Library

Presentation
Make Sense of Writing

1-2pm, Rotary Room 

Presented by Michaeljulius Idani, University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Science Postgraduate Visiting Writer in Fiction and Visiting Assistant Professor
 

Book Sales and Signing

2:15-4:15pm, Library Auditorium

Readers are welcome to drop in, chat with authors, purchase books,... Read Full Blog

Winter Reading Challenge

This year's winter reading challenge is already in full swing. If you haven't signed up yet, no is the time! All ages can join the Winter Reading Challenge, from adults to babies.

To participate, just read 30 days before the end of January. It doesn't matter what you read or how long you read—just read! Track your days online at amespubliclibrary.beanstack.org or pick up a paper reading challenge at the Library or Bookmobile.

Once you're done, you can pick up your free prize (courtesy of Ames Public Library Friends Foundation) at the Library or Bookmobile!

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Projects and Papers and Tests, Oh My!

Ames Public Library is here to help students finish out the semester with success!

Your Library card gets you free access to online tutoring, test prep, and writing lab with Brainfuse HelpNow. Get started at www.amespubliclibrary.org/databases.

The Library has also reserved space just for quiet study time. Drop in any of the following times, or ask about our regular study rooms!

Monday-Tuesday, December 5-6: 1-8:45pm, Rotary Room Wednesday, December 7: 1-8:45pm, Danfoss Room Friday-Saturday, December 9-10: 9am-5:45pm, Rotary Room
  Sunday, De... Read Full Blog

Tools for School

Get homework help with the Library's free online resources, check out a Wi-Fi hotspot for Internet access, and use our space for quiet study time! 

Your Library card gets you free access to premium online resource, like Brainfuse Homework Help, TumbleBookLibrary, Britannica Library, and many more to help students reach their educational goals. Best of all, they're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

You the library also lends many helpful resources, from books to Wi-Fi hotspots to STEM learning kits. All you need is a Library card.

How do yo... Read Full Blog

Solar-Powered Bench Offers Charging Stations

There's a new bench in front of Ames Public Library, and this one's powered by the sun!

Made by SELS - Smart Era Lighting Systems, the new new seating option offers wireless and USB charging stations for phones and electronic devices, including USB ports and wireless. It also has built-in lights for night time. The system is completely self-sufficient, storing power collected by solar panels in built-in batteries. As an added bonus, the Library's wi-fi can keep you connected to internet while you charge.

Stop by and charge up while you wait for the bus or enjoy the ... Read Full Blog

Summer Reading Challenge Begins June 1

Ames Public Library's 2022 summer reading challenge, "Read Beyond the Beaten Path," will begin for all ages on June 1. Participants will earn prizes just for keeping track of their reading! Head over to www.AmesPL.org/summer2022 to get signed up on the Reading Challenge website or to download the Beanstack app, so you'll be ready to go on June 1! You can also pick up a reading challenge gameboard from the Library or Bookmobile starting June 1 to track your reading on paper.

We also have a summer full of fun events planned for all ages to help you go beyond the beaten path! Kids an... Read Full Blog

Library Door Upgrade

The Library's front doors are being upgraded for better accessibility!

The doors at the Library's main entrance are being replaced by automatic motion-sensing doors. One set of doors will remain available for entry and exit during the construction. The Library will remain open regular hours.

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Share Your Story

We want to know...what does the Library mean to you? Here at Ames Public Library we know we provide something different for everyone. We want to know more about the patrons we serve everyday and how the Library plays a role in their lives. We want to see how you view the Library and to accomplish this we are asking you to submit story and a photo.

Submit your story online during the month of October for a chance to win a $25 gift card to a downtown Ames business! Winners will be randomly selected from all the entries. 

Be on the lookout for your submission... Read Full Blog

Summer Reading Begins!

Ames Public Library's annual Summer Reading Challenge is here!
 

Read for Prizes

Do you love free stuff? Are you between the ages of 0 and 120? Then join our Summer Reading Challenge starting Tuesday, June 1!

Three Ways to Play

Visit amespubliclibrary.beanstack.com Download the Beanstack Tracker app Or pick up a Summer Reading Challenge gameboard at the Library

Find out more at www.amespubliclibrary.org/summer2021.
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Events for Everyone

We have a summer full of fun and learning planned for all ages, incl... Read Full Blog