by Megan Klein-Hewett

In 2025, Ames Public Library (APL) was designated as the Iowa Center for the Book. This Library of Congress program works to promote literature and the literary heritage of each state and U.S. territory. Through the Center for the Book, APL staff help select books each year that represent the literary heritage of Iowa for a program called Great Reads from Great Places. 

APL staff will be at the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. representing the Iowa Center for the Book and sharing information about Iowa’s 2025 Great Reads from Great Places selections. Celebrate the National Book Festival with us by coming to the Library on Saturday, September 6, between 10:30 am – 5:30 pm in the Rotary Room to watch the livestream of the National Book Festival. 

 Also part of our Great Reads from Great Places celebration, APL staff will hold a discussion of, América del Norte, the 2025 selection for adults on Monday, September 15 at 7 pm in the Rotary Room and online via Zoom. Check out a copy of the book from the Library’s book club collection and join in the conversation. 

On Monday, September 29, at 7 pm, join readers from across the state for a virtual author event with Nicolás Medina Mora, author of América del Norte. Nicolás will be joined in conversation by Lucía M. Suárez, who will moderate a Q&A with the author. 

Wrapping up our Great Reads from Great Places programming, on Wednesday, October 8, at 10 am, bring the whole family to the Library to meet Charlotte Gunnufson, author of Hard Hat Hank and the Sky-High Solution. Charlotte’s picture book was chosen as Iowa’s youth selection for Great Reads from Great Places. 

Part of our work as the Iowa Center for the Book also brings opportunities to promote local authors. On Saturday, September 20, come to the Library to experience our third annual Author Fair between 2 and 5 pm. Drop by anytime during the event to meet Iowa authors and representatives from literary organizations, purchase books, and get your books signed. 

Finally, the Center for the Book also promotes books that share the important history of Iowa. Thursday, September 25 at 6:30 pm brings the authors of Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women’s Basketball to the Library’s Auditorium and online via Zoom. Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackelford to will share the important role Iowa plays in the history and popularity of women’s basketball across the country. 

I hope you’re able to join us for many of these exciting upcoming events!