Finally got a new library card. Very friendly and attentive and knowledgeable and efficient librarian helped me. Got a new card. Updated my info. Gave me the brochure. Free! Get one so the govt understands libraries are important. And you get access to freemovies and steaming such as Hoopla. Just overall recommend. read more

Came here on a weekday afternoon to get some wifi, nice library. Lots of books, and they were having a book sale too. Chairs lined along the window which was pleasant, but not a lot of spots to sit in general. Reliable wifi, paid parking around the library. read more

Having fun isn't hard when you have a library card!! We love all the libraries. When Ernest was a baby we went to rhyme time at Franklin and we go to the downtown location or Franklin on a weekly basis now. Always stuff for the kiddos and a fun safe environment. Always clean and never too loud. Great selection of books available, too. read more

Des Moines Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Free Wifi and Free Two Hour Parking! It is only $.25 to print a piece of paper out and the computers are free to use - what? you Don't have a card? Get a Free Guest pass! They have new books and cool events coming all the time- so check them out for yourself. They are also very active on Facebook and Twitter - so be a follower- These are you Tax Dollars - USE this Place!!! read more

Des Moines Public Library - Sign - Libraries Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

I have visited several libraries over the years, nearly every one in the des moines metro area. The one on Grand Ave is by far my favorite! It is well designed with an upstairs for those who prefer quiet away from the children's area. The children's area is lively and the librarians are always so kind and attentive. I've had the pleasure of the helpf from several of the librarians and it's always a positive experience! There are times when children get too loud as children often do and the librarians resolve the issue with kindness and care. No rude hushing here! The programming is wonderful with all the weekly activities geared towards different age groups. My children look forward to reviewing the monthly calendar to find things that interest them. I am glad to have an amazing resource that encourages my kids to love reading and learning. read more

When the Central Library moved from it's riverside location to 1000 Grand, it was a move through time and space. Leaving the staid traditional architecture of yesteryear, * The Central Library collection is now housed in a significantly more 21st century structure (by David Chipperfield Architects) featuring floor-to-ceiling glass-encased expanded copper windows, a minimalist aesthetic for its interior, a green roof system on top, and a subterranean parking garage beneath. The library's collection is decent (and maybe better, thanks to the fast and easy delivery of materials from the branch libraries) and includes a fine mix of genre and media. While it is simple to check out and run, sit near a window for a spell and enjoy the bustle in the park outside via the privacy of the near one-way glass walls. The Central Library is located near several dining establishments and coffee shops and is easily accessible from other parts of town (beware of the one-way streets that surround the library - Grand is east to west, Locust is west to east...) NOTES: Hours as of this review - Mon-Wed: 9 AM - 8 PM | Thu - Fri: 9 AM - 6 PM | Sat: 9 AM - 5 PM | Sun: 1 PM - 5 PM [September - May] Pick-Up Window Hours: Mon - Fri: 4 PM - 6 PM | Sat: 3 PM - 5 PM Exterior photos can be found here: http://www.desmoineslibrary.com/images/exterior%20web%20gallery/index.htm Interior photos: http://www.desmoineslibrary.com/images/interior%20web%20gallery/index.htm * Don't get me wrong - I do still love the original structure. read more

It's the same as most libraries I've been. From the moment you cross the threshold it is a challenge just to find and attain the sources of information you seek. Be warned there are many obstacles that will be in your way and nothing will be available unless you are willing to give something more up. It is safer for machines and those who are considered "at-risk". Much money has been spent in the area to update the libraries, roads, etc. Nothing is discussed as to why it was in such poor condition before and whether or not anything has been really solved, by their own definition. By my definition it is set up to make sure everyone is or becomes "at risk" so that we are all the same. I found the people here don't want suggestions, including at the library. That's the same as other places I've been too. read more

Poor WiFi connectivity, and I received a ticket for $40 in the parking garage. See, the parking garage is two hour parking. I went down at the end of my two hours, maybe I was late. Maybe I wasn't. But either way, I had a $40 ticket (as did others) in a half empty garage. I find it hard to believe there aren't people who spend more than two hours in a library. But if you do, be sure to park a block away in the (probably full) parking garage. This was my first visit to Des Moines and it's library. It most certainly be my last. read more

The is one of the coolest looking buildings both inside and out that I have ever seen. It's looks like a modern museum from the outside and it's reflective walls makes it look like a building with no windows but once you are inside you discovered that it's all windows! It's crazy! Don't judge a book by it's cover is very fitting with the building design. It's an absolutely genius design for a building. The selection of the downtown location is out of this world, they have tons of books, dvds, cds, and magazines. They will also special order pretty much anything out there! The staff is super helpful and there are lots of computers to work on. It's a great place to kill a few hours while in downtown Des Moines. read more

It's the library! A bacchanalia of books. Want comix? They got em. Want books on American westward expansion? No you don't. But they have those too. Because that's what they were put here to do: chew bubblegum and stock books. And they're all out of bubblegum. There's grass on the roof, but you can't touch it. That's how you know it's fancy. There are computers, but don't be that creepy dude who looks at porn. It's always a dude, too. There are study rooms and helpful staff people and the building is gorgeous. Their WiFi steadfastly refuses to let you stay logged on, and you constantly have to re-log in, but that's a trifle. A TRIFLE, I say! You don't come to the library for the wifi, you come to be transported. Or to look at old newspapers because you have a report on the great depression due tomorrow and you put it off till the last second again, BRIAN. But either way, this library is great. Use it. read more

great place. Staff is friendly. Used to do visits there with my kids and they were so nice and friendly

The Des Moines library is a great place to land in downtown. The architecture is modern and appealing. The collection of books is great. I enjoy the fact that they usually purchase multiple copies of new releases of popular books. I also love having the ability to reserve books online. I can add books to my list before they're published and then I get notified when it's my turn on the list to check it out. The staff is always very friendly and useful if you ever need assistance while there. This is also a favorite spot of mine to work. There are plenty of tables, chairs, and comfy seats, with plug-ins nearby (hidden in the floor) so that I can plug in my laptop. I also love the events that the library hosts, including author visits. read more

Very sleek and modern in the heart of downtown! I've paid a visit to this library several times and it's a great place to just browse and take in the decor/architecture. The staff members I have encountered are all very friendly and helpful. There are never terribly busy when I visit, they are quite spacious. This is actually the only library in Des Moines I have actually been in! read more

It's a nice enough library and the children's area was spacious. Parking in the garage was pretty easy. It wasn't a five star experience for me though, because my 13 year old daughter and I were kicked out of the children's area. I have chronic pain and needed a comfy place to sit, so while my husband played with my 3 year old in part of the children's area I went over a few bookshelves to the only padded chairs in that area and asked my older daughter to come with me. There were no people in that area. We sat down and I was reading when a security guard came over and told me that we needed to leave because my 13 year old wasn't a kid. I explained that I just wanted to sit in a comfy chair to rest while my husband took a turn with our toddler and turned and pointed them out. The guard told me that if my husband came over to this area then I could be there, but otherwise we needed to leave. I get it, kind of. As a parent I appreciate them not letting lurkers hang in the children's area, but again: I was there with my toddler and the rest of my family, there weren't any people or children in our area at all, and I was sitting in the chair and reading. read more

PRO's: Great assortment of reading material Express books : Pay $1 and get a new release right away, rather then being placed 79th on the waiting list - more info at library Starbucks right next door :) CON: $1 for movie rentals limited free parking below library, but I have never had trouble getting a spot. Some typical old libraians - slow, checking out materials may take longer Free internet computers tend to be very busy, sometimes hard to get a computer read more

While this location is very big and full of resources it might be too big. Parking is a pain downtown and if you stay too long (longer than 2 hours I believe) they ticket you. Which makes sense but if you're using the library longer than that time span it's not very logical. It can be very busy and noisy at times, people seem to have less respect at this location. On my last visit some strange man tried to talk me out of my phone which was awkward and unnerving. Library staff didn't do much to deter him just told visitors to ignore him. He should of been removed after bothering people the first time. The other library locations would be time better spent. Their selection is decent, this location is just not the greatest. read more

I think this library is very easy to use and I've never had any bad experiences with it. Any questions I asked staff were answered, and I even got a free library card within minutes. I think this place deserves 5 stars. read more

This is my favorite lunchtime stop! The building is beautiful and they have a wide selection of books (I love searching the best sellers and librarian-curated books at the front). Just outside, you can grab a bench by the fountain and relax with your favorite read. read more