Blog Entries

Medium Spooky

Well, here we are in October when recommendations for scary books are thicker on the ground than the leaves falling from the trees.  I’m loathe to lean in on horror, however.  Being terrified, even when it’s seasonally appropriate, isn’t my idea of a good time.  Reading scary books or watching scary movies is sometimes compared with riding a roller coaster: you get the experience of a frightening situation while actually remaining perfectly safe.  It must be some mental block, but I generally choose to take a pass on as much terror as I can, be it re... Read Full Blog

Town Budget Meeting Set for November 4

The City of Ames budget process kicks off in the fall with the annual Town Budget Meeting. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov.4, in the City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.

A brief overview of the City’s budget, including revenue and expenses, will be presented. This is followed by a time for citizens to give input and ask questions regarding the coming year’s budget. The meeting is broadcast live on City Channel 12 and streamed live at www.CityOfAmes.org and on the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Viewers may call in questions to 515.2... Read Full Blog

Nominations Accepted for Humanitarian Award

The Ames Human Relations Commission (AHRC) is seeking nominations for its annual Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes and honors a worthy individual whose contributions to our community demonstrate extraordinary quality, including efforts to promote diversity, fairness, and equality. To be eligible to receive the award, the nominee must be a resident of Ames.

The recipient of the award will be recognized during the community celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

The Humanitarian Award application is available on the City’s webs... Read Full Blog

Ames Public Library: A Story, by You

Here at Ames Public Library we know we provide something different for everyone. We want to know more about the community members we serve every day and how the Library plays a role in their lives. This is why we are asking--what does Ames Public Library mean to you? We want to see how you view the Library and to accomplish this we are asking you to submit a story and photo you believe tell your experience with the Library. 

If I was to turn in my story, I would submit a photo of me working on this article. Accompanying it would be a story about my ... Read Full Blog

Bike Infrastructure Workshop with City Council Planned for Oct. 19

City of Ames Traffic, Operations, and Parks Divisions will present a workshop to the Ames City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 19, that provides an overview of the current bike infrastructure system as well as future investments planned. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Ames City Hall Council Chambers, 515 Clark Ave. The presentation will be streamed on the City’s website and through City Facebook and YouTube.

City staff will be joined by representatives of Story County, the Ames Community School District, and Iowa State University Facilities, Planning, and Management. The meeting... Read Full Blog

Applications Accepted through December 3 for Arts Capital Grants

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Ames Arts Capital Grant Program. This pilot program provides competitive grants to create and improve spaces in Ames for arts and artists to flourish. The City Council has budgeted $200,000 in total for these grants.

“There are many artists across a variety of disciplines who struggle with effective space to prepare, perform, and showcase their art,” said Public Art Commission Chair Angie DeWaard. “This program assists in the creation of better spaces so arts can thrive in Ames.”

“We are eager to see proposals that will... Read Full Blog

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

Understanding Social (In)Justice Through the Power of Place

According to Oxford Languages, social justice is “justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.” By extension, social injustice describes the opposite – a lack of justice regarding the way those privileges and resources are distributed. A solid understanding of both of these principles contributes to improved equity, diversity, and inclusion. But if you’re like me, just reading the definition isn’t enough. I always benefit from more specific examples and more in-depth conversation around complex social topics like thi... Read Full Blog

Learning to Play

Quite a few years ago, my husband and I brought home our first child.  He went back to work after a few days.  I stayed home with our daughter.  I held her, fed her, bathed her, rocked her, and repeated all of that until I couldn’t stand it anymore. 

My husband and I had planned for me to stay at home. I wanted to be home with her.  It wasn’t that I didn’t love her, and I certainly wanted the best for her.  I just didn’t know what to DO with her.  I had never been around babies, and though I had been assured that it would c... Read Full Blog

Financial Assistance Available to Ames Residents Affected by COVID-19

The City of Ames has funds available to support Ames residents who have been affected by COVID-19 (including the Delta variant) and need rent, mortgage, or utility assistance. 

“We continue to take applications from Ames residents, and we encourage people to apply for help,” said Vanessa Baker-Latimer, Housing Coordinator. “We know this has been a very difficult year for so many people, and we have financial aid available for those struggling with basics like paying for housing or utilities.”

More information, including an application, is available at www.CityOfAmes... Read Full Blog

Public Meeting Set for North Dakota Avenue, Ontario Street Reconstruction Project

An informational meeting to discuss pavement reconstruction on North Dakota Avenue from Ontario Street to the Union Pacific railroad tracks and on Ontario Street from North Dakota Avenue to Woodstock Avenue has been scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 23. The meeting will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Sawyer Elementary School, 4316 Ontario St.

For those unable to attend, a video walkthrough of the project is available to view: https://1rkx.short.gy/cityofamespavementimprovement

This reconstruction project will address existing pavement deficiencies, substandard roadway geo... Read Full Blog

Your Library is a Center of Civics

Ames Public Library values the role we play as a connector of information to help you be an informed citizen in our community. The Library always strives to make access to information easy, through events like voter registration drives and local candidate forums, but also through the Civics Center webpage at AmesPublicLibrary.org and through materials you can borrow. 

Are you registered to vote? Have you moved and need to update your voter registration records? Next Tuesday, September 28, is National Voter Registration Day and it provides the per... Read Full Blog

A DVD Near You

For the past couple years, things have been all quiet on the movie front. Theaters have stood empty, abandoned movie lots have led to a mere trickle of new releases, and video stores have gone out of business. But—things have not been quiet at your Ames Public Library where movies are concerned! Let me take you on a tour of the additions and improvements we’ve made just in the last 2 years.

First of all, we added a “new” movie section—so all DVDs and Blu-Rays that are new to our collection are shelved together in one spot for easy browsing. (And yes, ... Read Full Blog

Student Library Cards

When my middle schooler came home yesterday, she was excited to have met her school librarian and check out some books she’d never read before. Also, she wanted to share with me some big news. “Did you know that we all have library cards?!” Cue my shocked face. Actually, I did know this as I was part of the team at Ames Public Library (APL) who worked with a school district team to organize this. In June, APL partnered with Ames Community School District (ACSD) to issue over 5,000 public library cards to students.

My daughter has always had library access.... Read Full Blog

Feedback Sought on Draft Ames Plan 2040

In the next two decades, Ames could increase by more than 15,000 residents. Being prepared for growth and expansion is the goal of Ames Plan 2040. Once approved by the Ames City Council, this proposed comprehensive plan for Ames would provide policy guidance addressing growth challenges and opportunities ahead.

The draft plan is available for review on the City’s website: www.CityOfAmes.org/AmesPlan2040 and includes a feedback form. Additionally, the public is encouraged to learn more and provide input on the draft plan through other options:

Ames Plan 2040 Zoo... Read Full Blog