Library News

News

Level Up Your Summer

Have an EPIC summer at the Library with free special activities and a reading challenge for all ages!

Everyone from babies to adults can earn prizes just for tracking their reading in Ames Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge. Pick up a game board, sign up at amespubliclibrary.beanstac...

Read full blog post

Tools for School

Get homework help with the Library's free online resources, check out a Wi-Fi hotspot for Internet access, and use our space for quiet study time! 

Your Library card gets you free access to premium online resource, like Brainfuse Homework Help, Britannica Library, and many mo...

Read full blog post

New Carpet Coming

by Sheila Schofer

As a homeowner of an older house here in Ames, I have appreciation for the ongoing upkeep it takes to keep a space in good repair. You put time and care into maintaining the places that hold meaning and importance to you.

The same is true on a broader community level. ...

Read full blog post

Library Notes

Everyone Should Celebrate Juneteenth

by Clelia Sweeney

Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It began in 1865, when enslaved people in Texas were first informed that they had been freed by the ending of the Civil War and President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Although slavery l...

Read full blog post

Bored? Games! to Liven Up Wednesday Nights

by Robyn Rohde

Picture if you a will, a household of four adults sitting around the dinning table. So far, the evening is going great. The dinner was delicious. Conversation flowed. You even managed to avoid the disapproving eye roll of your mother chastising your wardrobe. For after dinner entert...

Read full blog post

An EPIC Summer at the Library

by Brianne Anderson

An EPIC Summer at the Library

Summer is here! Right now, you can feel the excitement in the air as kids say goodbye to another school year. Honestly, summer is hands-down the BEST time to be a youth librarian. Here’s my top ten reasons why.

Read full blog post

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Summer Reading Challenge 2025

All Day 6/1–8/24
Family, Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Ames Public Library
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Summer at the Library
Program Details:

 

LEVEL UP your summer fun with Ames Public Library!

Do you love free stuff? Are you between the ages of 0 and 120?


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

Juneteenth Exhibit

All Day 6/2–6/29
Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Vestibule
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Exhibit
Program Details:

Stop by the Library and participating businesses in Downtown Ames to see posters featuring local and national African American history. 

Bring your completed scavenger hunt card to the Library's Welcome Desk for a free prize!


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

Computer Classes

10:00am–12:00pm
Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: PEO Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Class/Workshop
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 "Teens" group

Swift Youth Writers Workshop

10:00am–12:00pm
Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Rotary Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Author/Writing, Class/Workshop
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

Toddler Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Family
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

Baby Time

11:00am–11:30am
Family
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 "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

11:30am–12:30pm
Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Health/Fitness, Special Event
Program Details:

 

Having a full stomach of good food is important! Eat a free lunch weekdays this summer from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Library's Auditorium.


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

Conversation Circles: German

7:00pm–8:00pm
Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Dale H. Ross Board Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Language Learning, Meetup
Program Details:

 

Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in German. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language.

 


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

View from the Margins Book Group

7:00pm–8:00pm
Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Danfoss Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Discussion, Meetup
Program Details:

 

Check out this book group for fresh insights and lively discussion about topics relating to society, identity, and culture.


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 "Teens" group

Swift Youth Writers Workshop

10:00am–12:00pm
Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Rotary Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Author/Writing, Class/Workshop
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

Family Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Family
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 "Family" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

11:30am–12:30pm
Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Health/Fitness, Special Event
Program Details:

 

Having a full stomach of good food is important! Eat a free lunch weekdays this summer from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Library's Auditorium.


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.