Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Get ready for summer reading at your library!

Summer Reading Challenge 2025

All Day 6/1 - 8/24
Ames Public Library at Ames Public Library

Program Type:

Summer at the Library

Age Group:

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?

Pokémon Club

Pokémon Club

Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Farwell T. Brown Auditorium at Ames Public Library

Program Type:

Class/Workshop, Meetup, Summer at the Library

Age Group:

Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Class/Workshop, Meetup, Summer at the Library
Program Details:

 

Terrific Tuesdays: Reptile Experience

Terrific Tuesdays: Reptile Experience

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Farwell T. Brown Auditorium at Ames Public Library

Program Type:

Presentation, Special Event, Summer at the Library

Age Group:

Family
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.

Teen Science: Meet Reptiles

Teen Science: Meet Reptiles

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 11:30am - 12:30pm
Storytime Room at Ames Public Library

Program Type:

Presentation, Summer at the Library

Age Group:

Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Presentation, Summer at the Library
Program Details:

Are you a teen who likes reptiles? Do you want to pet or hold some reptiles?

ECHOES OF RESILIENCE: African American Experiences in the U.S.

ECHOES OF RESILIENCE: African American Experiences in the U.S.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Farwell T. Brown Auditorium at Ames Public Library

Program Type:

Movie

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Movie
Program Details:

Join us for a series of films centering the experiences of African Americans in the United States. Stay after the film for a facilitated conversation with community members.

"Magic: The Gathering" Card Game Club

"Magic: The Gathering" Card Game Club

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Rotary Room at Ames Public Library

Program Type:

Meetup, Summer at the Library

Age Group:

Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Rotary Room
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Meetup, Summer at the Library
Program Details:

Come join other enthusiasts of "Magic: The Gathering" Trading Card Game to explore, learn, and play the game. We'll meet up Wednesdays, July 2 - August 13. 

Life Skills for Teens: Career Readiness

Life Skills for Teens: Career Readiness

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Farwell T. Brown Auditorium at Ames Public Library

Program Type:

Class/Workshop, Summer at the Library

Age Group:

Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Class/Workshop, Summer at the Library
Program Details:

Teens are invited to helpful sessions to help you prepare for your life ahead. Gain valuable skills and knowledge while having fun with your friends and our talented team of presenters from ISU!

Filters
Age Group
Program Type

Pub Fiction

5:30pm–9:00pm
Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Special Event
Program Details:

 

Join the most literary pub crawl in Ames!

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.

Pirates of the Public Library Escape Room

10:00am–12:00pm
Family, Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Jonie & John Fitzsimmons Study Room - 1st Floor
Age Group: Family, Teens
Program Type: Special Event
Program Details:

Dare ye brave Ames Public Library's Pirate Escape Room? Gather your crew and work together to collect clues and solve puzzles with a pirate 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.

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.

Teen Board Game Night

6:00pm–8:00pm
Teens
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Teen Space
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Special Event
Program Details:

Calling all 6th-12th graders for Teen Board Game Night! 

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.

Bookmobile at Ames Main Street Farmer's Market

8:00am–12:30pm
Family, Teens, Adults
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Special Event
Program Details:

 

Visit the Bookmobile at Ames Main Street Farmer's Market! You can check out books, movies, and music for all ages, sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge, pick up your prizes, and more!

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.

Author Fair

All Day
Family, Adults
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Adults
Program Type: Iowa Center for the Book, Author/Writing, Special Event
Program Details:

Save the date for this year's Author Fair at Ames Public Library!

 

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.

Great Reads from Great Places: Hard Hat Hank and the Sky High Solution

10:00am–11:00am
Family
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Iowa Center for the Book, Author/Writing, Special Event
Program Details:

Author Charlotte Gunnufson will join us to talk about her new book, "Hard Hat Hank and the Sky High Solution" (illustrated by Brian Biggs).

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.

Bookmobile at Ames Main Street Farmer's Market

8:00am–12:30pm
Family, Teens, Adults
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Special Event
Program Details:

 

Visit the Bookmobile at Ames Main Street Farmer's Market! You can check out books, movies, and music for all ages, sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge, pick up your prizes, and more!

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.

International Friendship Fair

10:00am–12:30pm
Family, Teens, Adults
Cancelled
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Special Event

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.

Nutcracker Ballet + STEM

10:00am–11:00am
Family
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Class/Workshop, Presentation, Special Event
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.

Chinese New Year Celebration

2:00pm–4:00pm
Family
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Farwell T. Brown Auditorium
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Meetup, Presentation, Special Event
Program Details:

Families in Ames are invited to help celebrate the Chinese New Year though cultural food, crafts and presentations. Presented in partnership with the local Chinese Language Academy.

 

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.

Battle of the Books: 5th grade

3:30pm–7:30pm
Family
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Lobby
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Special Event
Program Details:


The annual Battle of the Books for 5th graders will be held throughout the building. 

Teams check in between 3:30 and 4pm in the lobby.

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.