Skip to main content
Home
Ames Public Library
Today's Hours:

Ames Public Library

9:00am-6:00pm
(515) 239-5646

Ames Public Library
515 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
United States

View on Google Maps
Sun: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Mon: 9:00am-9:00pm
Tue: 9:00am-9:00pm
Wed: 9:00am-9:00pm
Thu: 9:00am-9:00pm
Fri: 9:00am-6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am-6:00pm

Header Menu

  • My Account

Main navigation

  • Using the Library
    • Get a Card
    • Check Out & Renew
    • Meeting & Study Rooms
    • Computers & Printing
    • Bookmobile
    • Other Services
    • Languages
    • Contact Us
  • Books, Movies & More
    • Library Catalog
    • Stream & Download
    • Special Collections
    • Book Store & Sales
    • Recommendations
    • Request an Item
  • Events & News
    • Event Calendar
    • Library News
    • Page One Newsletter
    • Meeting & Study Rooms
  • Learn & Explore
    • Online Learning
    • IDEA Center
    • Local History
    • Family
    • Teens
    • Explore the Library
    • Civics Center
    • Iowa Center for the Book
  • Get Involved
    • Book Store & Sales
    • Volunteer
    • Teen Advisory Group
    • Donate
    • Ames Public Library Friends Foundation
    • Jobs
My Account
  • Winter Reading Challenge for All Ages
    Winter Reading Challenge for All Ages
  • Vector graphic of pile of books with a tablet and a heart next to title
    Vector graphic of pile of books with a tablet and a heart next to title
  • Shop for the greatest Ames Public Library shirts in the universe: Ames Public Library + RAYGUN
    Shop for the greatest Ames Public Library shirts in the universe: Ames Public Library + RAYGUN
  • 12 to Try Reading Challenge for Adults. September 2025-August 2026
    12 to Try Reading Challenge for Adults. September 2025-August 2026
  • User silhouette next to key for the User Account button

    My Account

  • Two message bubbles contact us button

    Contact Us

  • Stream and Download

    Stream & Download

  • Meeting Rooms calendar button

    Meeting Rooms

  • Support the Library button

    Support the Library

Family

Teens

Bookmobile

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 7 2026 Wed

Community & Family Resources at APL

10:00am–12:00pm
Adults
This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 7 2026 Wed

Community & Family Resources at APL

10:00am–12:00pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Lisa Fawcett Nilsson Study Room - 2nd Floor
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Social Services
Program Details:

Staff from Community and Family Resources will be available in the Library to provide information about addiction, substance abuse treatment, problem gambling treatment, and mental health therapy. 


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
Jan 7 2026 Wed

Toddler Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Family
This event is in the "Family" group
Jan 7 2026 Wed

Toddler Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Storytime
Program Details:

 

Families with toddlers are invited for a storytime filled with music, stories, and fun! Mondays and Wednesdays are the same presentation.

 


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
Jan 7 2026 Wed

Baby Time

11:00am–11:30am
Family
This event is in the "Family" group
Jan 7 2026 Wed

Baby Time

11:00am–11:30am
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Meetup, Storytime
Program Details:

 


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 7 2026 Wed

Mystery Lovers Book Group

12:00pm–1:00pm
Adults
This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 7 2026 Wed

Mystery Lovers Book Group

12:00pm–1:00pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Rotary Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Discussion, Meetup
Program Details:


Mystery readers, come talk about books by a selected author or on a theme:

 

2025


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 8
-
11
2026

Winter Sidewalk Sale

All Day 1/8–1/11
Family, Teens, Adults
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 8
-
11
2026

Winter Sidewalk Sale

All Day 1/8–1/11
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Lobby
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Book Sale
Program Details:

Stop by Literary Grounds in the Library’s Lobby for Winter Sidewalk Sale deals on gently-used books and more! Enjoy $1 off everything in the bookstore (except book bundles and items marked $1).


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
Jan 8 2026 Thu

Homeschool Book Club

10:00am–11:00am
Family
This event is in the "Family" group
Jan 8 2026 Thu

Homeschool Book Club

10:00am–11:00am
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Teen Space
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Book Discussion
Program Details:

Join us for a monthly book discussion just for families that are homeschooling!


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 8 2026 Thu

Movies with Mainstream

10:00am–1:00pm
Family, Teens, Adults
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 8 2026 Thu

Movies with Mainstream

10:00am–1:00pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Movie
Program Details:

 


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Family" group
Jan 8 2026 Thu

Family Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Family
This event is in the "Family" group
Jan 8 2026 Thu

Family Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Storytime
Program Details:

 

Children of all ages and their grown-ups are invited to this storytime to build listening, language, and literacy skills through music, movement, song and action rhymes. Each week will feature a new theme.

 


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 8 2026 Thu

Iowa Aging & Disability Resource Center

1:00pm–3:00pm
Adults
This event is in the "Adults" group
Jan 8 2026 Thu

Iowa Aging & Disability Resource Center

1:00pm–3:00pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Patricia & Louis Banitt Study Room - 2nd Floor
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Social Services
Program Details:

Community Support Advocates will be available to help older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers connect with local services and support.


Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

  • Reservations
  • Family
  • Teens
  • Adults
  • View More

Featured Gift Books

*** Find more gift book recommendations on our Books, Movies & More Recommendations page. ***

Our Location

515 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA 50010

(515) 239-5646

Connect With Us

instagramfacebook icone-mail icon

Library Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9am-9pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sun: 1pm-5pm

Closings
Bookmobile Schedule

Useful Links

Jobs at the Library
About the Library
Policies 
Board

Ames Public Library is a department of the

This website is funded by

Ames Public Library Friends Foundation logo