Recommendations
Need some book recommendations?
Fill out our Personalized Picks online form to tell us about what you want to read. Our experts will put together a custom book list based on your responses and e-mail it to you!
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Book Club Collection
Ames Public Library has multiple copies of many books that are popular with book clubs, and they can be checked out for 6 weeks! See the Book Club Collection list in the online catalog or view the PDF.
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Latest Library Notes
Black Arts Festival at the Ames Public Library
Stocked on our shelves are stories from individuals and communities located all around the globe. They are stories that inspire greatness, encourage learning, bring new perspectives, amplify often unheard voices, and so much more between their pages. They gather here together i...
Humor Me: First Amendment Days 2024
Parody, satire, and comedy have always been at the forefront of the First Amendment. This year, the 22nd annual First Amendment Days will explore the freedom to laugh. Join Ames Public Library and Iowa State University for a series of events that celebrate comedy and the ...
Eclipse Time!
In a few days, millions of Americans will see a total solar eclipse. The path of totality will cross 15 states on April 8th. To see the spectacle in totality, Iowans will have to travel a few hours, but if you stay in Ames, you’ll still witness about 85% of the sun ecli...
Get recommendations for each month's "12 to Try" reading challenge category. Find out more>>
Gift Guides
Need gift ideas for a reader? Check out the lists below or download the printable lists:
Online Resources for Readers
BookFlix
This engaging resource for children in grades PreK–3 will help early readers develop and practice essential reading skills, and introduces them to a world of knowledge and exploration.
Novelist Plus
NoveList is a fiction database that provides subject heading access, reviews, annotations, and much more for over 120,000 fiction titles. It also includes other content of interest to fiction readers, such as Author Read-alikes, Book Discussion Guides, BookTalks, and Feature Articles.