Events & News | Ames Public Library

Reopening Phase 1

Starting July 1, Ames Public Library’s lobby will be open for limited “grab and go” services.

We’re excited to welcome the community back into the building!

However, this first phase is a limited reopening of only the lobby for quick holds pickup and checkouts. The focus is on short visits and reduced interaction with staff for the health and safety of visitors and staff.

Please do not come into the Library if you or a member of your household are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks.

Visitors are expected to wear masks covering their nose and mouth and maintain 6 feet of distance from staff and other visitors.

Reopening Details

See more information about the reopening, including special hours and restrictions, here.

Library Event Calendar

Printable Calendar

Other Room Reservations

Regular Closings

New Year's Day
Presidents Day
Easter
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving and the Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
New Year's Eve (Close at 5pm)

Program Proposals

Want to work with the Library on an event? Share your idea here.

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Library News

Free Books For Students at Grab and Go Meal Sites

Ames families will again have access to free books on Fridays at four grab and go meal sites: Meeker, Mitchell, Sawyer, and the Ames Public Library. The location for Ames Public Library is at the south end of the alley behind the Library. Vehicles enter the alley from 6th Street. Pedestrians...

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Reopening the Library: Phase 1

Starting July 1, Ames Public Library’s lobby will be open for limited “grab and go” services.

We’re excited to welcome the community back into the building!

However, this first phase is a limited reopening of only the lobby for quick holds pickup and checkouts. The focus is on...

Read full blog post

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Upcoming Events

Summer Reading Challenge

All Day 6/1 - 8/14

Family, Teens, Adults

Library Branch: Online

Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults

Program Type: Reading Incentive Program

Program Details:

This year our summer reading challenge for all ages is designed to develop a reading habit and connect everyone to the world of ideas through the Ames Public Library. Read and complete challenges to earn virtual badges. See how many you c...

^{Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome program proposals via our website at bit.ly/APLprogram.}

Terrific Tuesday: NASA's Artemis

10:00am - 10:30am

Family

Open

Registration

Open

Library Branch: Online

Age Group: Family

Program Type: Special Event

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 988

Program Details:

Join us every Tuesday for a fun online event for families featuring a special presenter! This week, join us for a live online presentation and Q&A about NASA's Artemis program with Patricia Moore. With the Artemis program, NASA will land th...

^{Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome program proposals via our website at bit.ly/APLprogram.}

Mystery Lovers Book Club

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Adults

Library Branch: Online

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Book Discussion

Program Details:

Mystery readers, talk about books by a selected author each month. Mystery Lovers Book Club is currently communicating via e-mail. To learn more or to join the group, e-mail webref@amespubliclibrary.org. ...

^{Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome program proposals via our website at bit.ly/APLprogram.}

Stamped: Antiracism Teen Book Club

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Teens

Closed

Registration

Closed

Library Branch: Online

Age Group: Teens

Program Type: Book Discussion

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 1

Program Details:

“What I mean by that is we—all of us—have to fight against performance and lean into participation. We have to be participants. Active.” ― Jason Reynolds, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped fro...

^{Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome program proposals via our website at bit.ly/APLprogram.}

Storytime Online

10:00am - 10:30am

Family

Library Branch: Online

Age Group: Family

Program Type: Storytime

Program Details:

Join us for a storytime with your Ames Public Library friends on Facebook Live! You can also watch past storytimes on our YouTube channel. ...

^{Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome program proposals via our website at bit.ly/APLprogram.}

View from the Margins Book Discussion Group

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Adults

Open

Registration

Open

Library Branch: Online

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Book Discussion

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 12

Program Details:

Check out this book discussion group exploring social and cultural topics through the lens of fiction and nonfiction. The goal is to encourage deep reflection and nuanced discussion about how the topics' impacts manifest and resonate in modern soci...

^{Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome program proposals via our website at bit.ly/APLprogram.}

Terrific Tuesday: Facebook Live Zoo Tour

10:00am - 10:30am

Family

Open

Registration

Open

Library Branch: Online

Age Group: Family

Program Type: Special Event

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 988

Program Details:

Join us every Tuesday for a fun online event for families featuring a special presenter! This week, we'll have a live tour of Blank Park Zoo. Join us on Facebook Live for a virtual walk with a zoo expert while enjoying fun educational and personal...

^{Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome program proposals via our website at bit.ly/APLprogram.}

Stamped: Antiracism Teen Book Club

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Teens

Closed

Registration

Closed

Library Branch: Online

Age Group: Teens

Program Type: Book Discussion

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 1

Program Details:

^{Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome program proposals via our website at bit.ly/APLprogram.}

APL Friends Foundation Board Meeting

4:00pm - 5:30pm

Adults

Library Branch: Ames Public Library

Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Boards/Government

^{Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome program proposals via our website at bit.ly/APLprogram.}

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