by Sheila Schofer

The busy holiday season is upon us and the Library has you covered!

Check out the Ames Public Library’s Friends Foundation’s Literary Grounds Bookstore for fabulous book bundles. We’ve pulled together the best selections in convenient bundles all tied up with bow! Find a fun mix of cookbooks for the foodie on your list, a stack of middle school favorites, or a mix of memoirs. Or try a Literary Grounds Gift Certificate- the gift that gives twice! Proceeds support the Ames Public Library, and the recipient gets to select gently used books, DVDs, video games, or puzzles. And with such affordable prices the money goes a long way! 

We’ve also teamed up with RAYGUN for fun locally-printed, library themed shirts for yourself, friends, and family with 40% of the price benefiting the Library, available through our online store bit.ly/RaygunAPL.

If you have readers on your list, check out our 2025 Gift Book Lists at the Library and on our website’s recommendations page at www.AmesPL.org/books-movies-more/recommendations. Our library experts have crafted specialized booklists to cover the varied interests of everyone on your list, from mysteries and suspense to fantasy, cookbooks, and history. We have lists for the science and nature lovers and the true crime sleuths. We also have lists for young readers from babies to teens. For readers with more specific taste, fill out a Personalized Picks form online for a customized list of ideas.

While you are in the spirit of giving, please add Ames Public Library to your list. We often hear folks call us the gem of our community and that is in large part due to generous donations to the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation. We receive most of our donations through the year-end annual campaign that’s happening now. That support touches every aspect of the library, allowing us to go above and beyond with special programs, enhanced collections, fresh vibrant spaces, and specialty services like Project Smyles (which provides monthly Storytimes and book collections to over 90 local daycares and preschools). We are proud to be an anchor of learning and connection in Ames, and grateful to the generous support of our community members who help make that possible. Give in person, via mail, or online at aplff.org.