Did you know that the Ames Public Library has a national distinction? As of April of this year, the library began serving as the Iowa Center for the Book. Each U.S. state and territory hosts a Center for the Book, which serves as an affiliate of the Library of Congress and promotes literacy and reading in their state. The Centers for the Book are also tasked with promoting their own state’s literary heritage; One way that is done is through the Great Reads from Great Places program, for which each Center selects an adult title and a youth title to represent their state.

For 2024, the Iowa Center for the Book has selected, “The Swine Republic: Struggles with the Truth about Agriculture and Water Quality” by Chris Jones as the adult title, and “10 Beautiful Things” by Molly Beth Griffin for youth. Thanks to funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, both authors will be visiting Ames Public Library to talk about their books and share presentations with the broader Iowa community through programming offered online as well as in person.

On October 30^th, Chris Jones will present “This Land is Their Land,” providing further background to his writing in “The Swine Republic” and discussing water quality within the historical context of Iowa agricultural practices. Jones, a retired University of Iowa researcher, writes for a popular audience about how politics and economics have influenced changes in Iowa’s water quality. His program will take place in the Library’s Auditorium on October 30 at 7 pm, and it will also be available online via Zoom.

Molly Beth Griffin will share about her writing process as well as the Iowa connections and inspiration behind her picture book, “Ten Beautiful Things” on November 13. Griffin grew up visiting Iowa frequently and attended Grinnell College; She used that time as inspiration for her book, in which a grandmother and grandchild search for ten beautiful things on their drive across Iowa. “Ten Beautiful Things” also serves as inspiration for the library’s recent photo contest. Winning photographs taken by Iowans of our state will be on display in the Library’s vestibule for the month of November. Griffin’s author talk will take place in the Library’s Auditorium on November 13 at 10 am, and it will also be available online via Zoom.

Ames Public Library is honored to represent the state as the Iowa Center for the Book and looks forward to bringing more high-quality author events to the Ames and Iowa communities!