Library News

News

Children playing in play house at Ames Public Library

New Play Space!

Come see the new play space on Ames Public Library's first floor!

Young children can practice their motor skills, while older children can exercise their imaginations with a play kitchen and more.

Thank you to the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation who helped support the L...

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Library Notes

Iowa Libraries Adventure Pass

Adventure Awaits!

By Amanda Molumby

Perhaps you already know Ames well, along with all the treasures it has to offer, but if you are newer to the area like me, you may find the Ames Public Library an ideal first stop for all things social, educational and recreational. From learning about and participating in w...

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Fatima's Great Outdoors book cover

Visit a Park, Visit the Library

by Anastasia Tuckness

Ames is a city of parks. The convergence of Ioway Creek and the South Skunk River in South Ames results in many square feet of floodplain, not always great for commercial development but excellent green space for parks! Ames boasts 38 parks covering over 1220 acres t...

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Tablet Leaning on Stack of Colorful Books

Audiobook Revolution

by Megan Klein-Hewett

Have you started using downloadable or streaming books and audiobooks in the last five years? If so, you are not alone! Whether you love the ease of access that digital books provide, or you’re a road warrior who’s always on the hunt for their next audiobook, the lib...

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Upcoming Events

Summer Reading Challenge 2024

All Day 6/1 - 8/22
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Ames Public Library
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Summer at the Library
Program Details:

 

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

Then join our Summer Reading Challenge starting June 1 - August 22 and earn prizes for tracking your reading!

 

Three Ways to Play:

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.

Sidewalk Sale

All Day 7/25 - 7/28
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: In Front of Library
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Book Sale
Program Details:

 

Support your local library and shop for gently-used books and more for all ages from Literary Grounds Bookstore during Summer Sidewalk Sales in Downtown Ames July 25-28! Find out more at amesdowntown.org.

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.

Parenting Circle

9:30am - 10:30pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Teen Space
Age Group: Family, Adults
Program Type: Meetup
Program Details:

 

Parenting babies and toddlers is full of challenges. Join this welcoming community of families as we support each other and grow together through the early years of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. 

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.

Family Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am
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.

Conversation Circles: Russian

3:00pm - 4:00pm
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 Russian. 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.

Conversation Circles: French

4:00pm - 5:30pm
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 French. 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.

Toddler Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am
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.

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

11:30am - 12:30pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Health/Fitness, Summer at the Library
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.

Conversation Circles: English

12:30pm - 1:30pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Danfoss Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Language Learning, Meetup
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.

Terrific Tuesdays: Cold-Blooded Redhead Reptile Zoo

10:00am - 11:00am
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Presentation, Special Event, Summer at the Library
Program Details:

 

Terrific Tuesdays features performers from all over the Midwest in a variety of acts. Families of all ages are encouraged to come participate and watch these amazingly talented artists and performers.

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.

The Bridge Home

11:00am - 2:00pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Jonie & John Fitzsimmons Study Room - 1st Floor
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Social Services
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.

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

11:30am - 12:30pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Health/Fitness, Summer at the Library
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.