10 Years at the Ames Public Library
by Ben SchragTen years ago, I began working at the Ames Public Library. What I didn’t know then was how much I would enjoy library work. Libraries strengthen our communities and I am proud to work in a public library.
The public library serves you at every phase of life. New child? Come to our Baby Time, or start the 1,000 books before Kindergarten program. Newly retired? Come volunteer with us. New in town? One of my very favorite things is being a first stop for people new to our city.
Need a place for your Zoom meeting or online job interview? Try one of our study rooms. Rehe... Read Full Blog
Behind the Scenes
Seth WarburtonI work behind the scenes at the Ames Public Library, part of the pipeline that brings books to Ames readers. The books themselves are generally much more interesting than the processes that get them here. But last month, Baker & Taylor, the largest supplier of books to libraries in the US, announced it was going out of business – big enough news to make waves outside library circles. Perhaps it’s a good time to give you an idea of how books are added to the library’s collection and how losing our largest supplier will impact what you’ll find on the ... Read Full Blog
Happy Booksgiving!
by Anessa OlsonThanksgiving is almost upon us, and here at the Ames Public Library we are grateful for many things. We appreciate the ongoing support of our community, the hard work of our colleagues in city government, and of course the generosity of the volunteers and donors who make our work possible. In addition to monetary donations, the library also receives many donated books each month.
Donated books go through a multi-stage process in order to make sure each book finds its new home. First, library collection managers check to see if there are any books that are needed f... Read Full Blog
Shopping Help for the Holiday Season
by Clelia SweeneyIf you’re anything like me, the holiday shopping season has snuck up out of nowhere. The time crunch after Halloween can be stressful, but I always end up enjoying the planning part of the process. Making lists, browsing websites, and shopping for other people puts me in the festive frame of mind.
Every year, library staff create gift lists to help you buy books for loved ones. It can be hard to select books for someone else, especially when their reading taste varies from yours or you haven’t been keeping up with new, buzzworthy releases. Out of all the books p... Read Full Blog
Donations in Action
by Brianne AndersonOver ten years ago, the updated and expanded Ames Public Library opened its doors. It’s so hard to think that it’s already been over a decade! Those of us who have been here that whole time truly believe it’s only been a handful of years… we can’t possibly be that much older, right!?
Nevertheless, time continues to move forward and with over 330,000 visitors to APL every year, we are on constant lookout for ways we can keep our building and our space updated and fresh. This past January we got all new carpet, which made a huge impact in the look and feel of our spac... Read Full Blog
I like big books and I cannot lie
by Robyn RohdeNo that’s not just a song parody; In my case it’s also true. I didn’t realize until recently, though, just how true it is. I started my big book journey with “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry. I remembered watching the miniseries back before streaming was a thing and people actually had to watch a show when it aired or not at all. I’ll admit I was hesitant to get too excited about 843 pages of aged white men lamenting their glory days “taming” the Old West.
I was wrong.
Unlike my memories of the miniseries, McMurtry tells an engaging, thought-provoking, at times he... Read Full Blog
Spooky Reads
by Tracy BriseñoI bet as you start to read this, you are expecting some wonderful recommendations of scary, thriller, ghost-filled spooky titles to check out. That is not what is going to happen.
I’m not a fan of horror books, spooky books, or dark fantasy. I don’t like jump scares or psychological thrillers. You might say I’m a bit of a scaredy cat. However, my daughter loves spooky reads. Year-round she wants to read books with ghosts, and she enjoys dark and terrifying young adult reads.
Unfortunately, that means I’m not a great help to her with book recommendatio... Read Full Blog
2026 All Iowa Reads Selections Announced
State Library of IowaThe 2026 All Iowa Reads selections were announced Oct. 9 on Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa program with host Charity Nebbe. Nebbe was joined by All Iowa Reads committee member Mike Jorgensen of the Coralville Public Library to announce the title for adults; and Janeé Jackson-Doering, Youth Services Consultant at the State Library and head of the All Iowa Reads teen and kid committees, to announce the titles for teens and kids. See the selected titles for 2026 below!
The 2025 All Iowa Reads selection for adults is THE QUIET LIBRARIAN by Allen Eskers.The 2026 Teen Al... Read Full Blog
Game Day Gastronomy
by Alissa DorninkTailgating represents a uniquely North American socio-gastronomic phenomenon, transforming an unremarkable parking lot into a temporary culinary event. (Some say there is even a sporting event afterwards). These setups run from a couple of coolers and some folding chairs to fully operational kitchens in an outdoor environment, and if you are taking it that seriously you should check out some of the tailgate-specific cookbooks the library has. These cookbooks function not merely as sources of recipes, but as sacred documents that rigorously codify the culture of communal out... Read Full Blog
Squirrels!
by Danielle ZieglerThere’s changing leaves, crisp apples, and tomorrow is the first day of October! Along with being a lovely month, October is also National Squirrel Month. At first when I heard of that, I laughed, but then I started thinking a bit more. There are a lot of wonderful children’s books with squirrels—why not read one this month? This can also help kids make connections to their own lives while reading. After all, they may have seen a squirrel just this morning!
Our very youngest readers can start out in the board book section. A wonderful choice is Nanc... Read Full Blog
Women’s Basketball: Shattering the Glass
by Ellen WanamakerOn a whim this morning at HyVee I bought a box of Caitlin’s Crunch Time cereal. As I munched on the frosted flakes, I got thinking about all the athletes who are breaking barriers for girls to dream about becoming sports superstars.
Caitlin Clark’s rise to basketball fame started here in Iowa of course. She was already an exceptional player in high school, then catapulted to the top of the women’s college game during her years at the University of Iowa. Now we’re cheering her on along with her Indiana Fever teammates in the WNBA.
The women playing in Iowa’s fir... Read Full Blog
Calling All Readers! It’s the Author Fair!
by Cathy CooneyLooking for your next favorite author? They might (literally) be just around the corner. Join us Saturday, September 20, from 2-5 pm for Ames Public Library’s 3rd Author Fair, presented in partnership with the Iowa Center for the Book.
We’ll have 38 Iowa authors spread throughout our Auditorium on the first floor and the upstairs Gallery space. There will also be representatives from a local publisher and writers’ group.
If you’re already a fan of one of our authors, bring your copy of their book to have it signed. If you’re exploring and hoping to dis... Read Full Blog
Bringing Authors to You
by Megan Klein-HewettIn 2025, Ames Public Library (APL) was designated as the Iowa Center for the Book. This Library of Congress program works to promote literature and the literary heritage of each state and U.S. territory. Through the Center for the Book, APL staff help select books each year that represent the literary heritage of Iowa for a program called Great Reads from Great Places.
APL staff will be at the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. representing the Iowa Center for the Book and sharing information about Iowa’s 2025 Great Reads from Great Places selections.... Read Full Blog
New "12 to Try" Challenge Begins
Summer has come and gone, and that means it's time for a new challenge!
Adults are invited to join this year's "12 to Try" Reading Challenge beginning September 1. Read your way through 12 books that fit the 12 challenge categories by August 31, 2026 to earn prizes.
Here's how it works:
Read your books in any order and any format: books, e-books, audiobooks, graphic novels, etc. Read anything that fits the category. Our book lists can give you ideas, but there are so many other options out there!Complete the challenge as quickly as you like, or take it slow and spread it out ... Read Full Blog
Deep Roots Book Group
by Amanda MolumbySummer is winding down, kids are back to school and fall is right around the corner. Here in Iowa, we have the great pleasure of experiencing the changing of the seasons. There’s nothing I enjoy more than a good hike around a wooded area, tucked away from civilization, or a crisp fall walk in a light jacket, admiring the leaves as they give one last hurrah in blazing colors before they fall to the earth to coat the sidewalks, giving a pleasant crunch to each footfall.
Perhaps you can spend countless hours taking care of your garden, tending to the plants you’ve ... Read Full Blog