Great Reads Authors coming to Ames and Zoom
The authors of Iowa's 2024 selections for Great Reads from Great Places are coming to Iowa!
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Join Swine Republic author, Chris Jones, for an author talk and book signing Wednesday, October 30, at 7pm. The event at Ames Public Library will be livestreamed on Zoom.
The Swine Republic: Struggles With the Truth About Agriculture and Water Quality is Iowa's 2024 selection for adults for Great Reads from Great Places and an unexpected hit across Iowa.
Jones, a retired University of Iowa researcher, writes for a popular ... Read Full Blog
Library of Congress National Book Festival Announces Full Author Lineup for 2024
Library of Congress National Book Festival Announces Full Author Lineup
Main Stage to Feature Sandra Cisneros, James S.A. Corey, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Max Greenfield, Tamron Hall, Abby Jimenez, Casey McQuiston, James McBride, James Patterson, Lish Steiling and Rebecca Yarros
The festival’s theme this year, “Books Build Us Up,” explores how reading can help connect us and inform our lives. It’s through books that readers can develop strong bonds with writers and their ideas — relationships that open the entire world, real or imagined, to us all.
Throughout ... Read Full Blog
New Play Space!
Come see the new play space on Ames Public Library's first floor!
Young children can practice their motor skills, while older children can exercise their imaginations with a play kitchen and more.
Thank you to the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation who helped support the Library’s new play structure!
... Read Full Blog
Ames Public Library Becomes the Iowa Affiliate for Library of Congress Center for the Book
Ames Public Library is honored to announce its new designation as the Library of Congress Center for the Book Iowa Affiliate.
The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is a community of 56 Affiliated Centers, promoting reading, libraries and literacy through the Library of Congress and its Affiliated Centers across the country. These Centers also elevate and advocate for their state’s unique literary heritage. There is an Affiliate Center for the Book in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Norther... Read Full Blog
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
... Read Full Blog
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.
... Read Full Blog
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:
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!
... Read Full Blog
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...
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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 LibraryPresentation
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!
... Read Full Blog
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 RoomSunday, 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