Bestselling Author Sara Gruen
Will Launch Newest Book in Des Moines
This year, the AViD Author Series offers an additional evening of great writing and great reading, as bestselling author Sara Gruen launches her newest book, Ape House, right here in Des Moines! The program will be held on Tuesday, September 7 at 7:00 PM at Hoyt Sherman Place Theater, located at 1501 Woodland Avenue.
According to Gruen's publisher, "Ape House delivers great entertainment, but also opens the animal world to us in ways few novels have done, securing Sara Gruen's place as a master storyteller who allows us to see ourselves as we never have before.”
Gruen is best known for her bestselling novel, Water for Elephants. Her other novels include the bestseller Riding Lessons and Flying Changes. In preparation for writing her latest novel, Ape House, Gruen studied linguistics and a system of lexigrams so that she could communicate directly with the bonobos living at Great Ape Trust in Des Moines, Iowa. She now considers them to be part of her extended family, and, according to the bonobos, the feeling is mutual. According to an author's note, she studied elephant body language and behavior with a former handler at the Kansas City Zoo prior to writing Water for Elephants.
Gruen lives in North Carolina and shares her home with her own version of a blended family: a husband, three children, four cats, two dogs, two horses, and a goat!
The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale and signing following the event. Doors will open at 6:00 PM and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Library Closure
Labor Day: CLOSED Friday, September 3-Monday, September 6.
The following services will NOT be available: Online Catalog, Online Holds, Online Payment of Fines and Fees, Digital Downloads, Libby-Automated Telephone Circulation System, Online Resources.
*Employees will take one of these days as a furlough (unpaid) in conjunction with the city's budget reductions for FY 2010-2011.
Join us on Wednesday, September 8 from 6:15 to 7:45 PM for International Literacy Day in the Grand Meeting Room Wing of the Central Library. Reading is key to life's opportunities. Learn about various literacy initiatives in the community. Employers, volunteers and learners will speak.
All Individuals and organizations that support community literacy are invited, including in the areas of Workforce, Education, Families, Health, Financial, Corrections, Social Programs, Faith Community, and English Language Learners. Literacy is the key to our community's strength and vitality.
Hear how our community is taking action to improve literacy for all from our Literacy across the Lifetime panel. The panel will include:
- Community Development - Polk County Supervisors - Angela Connolly
- Workforce - Iowa Workforce Development - Elizabeth Buck
- Employers - Dollar General - Mike Hutchinson
- 6 months to 5 - Reach Out and Read - Molly Olinger Topf
- Birth to 5 - Drake University Head Start - Georgia Sheriff
- School Programs - Everybody Wins! Iowa - Tyler Weig
- Adult programs - Des Moines Public Library - Laura Walth
- Adult Literacy - New Readers of Iowa - Archie Willard,
recipient of the 2010 National Coalition for Literacy Leadership Award - Adult Literacy - Drake University Adult Literacy Center – Anne Murr
New School Year Hours to Begin at North and Forest
New fall hours at North Side Library and Forest Avenue Library will include some evening and Saturday hours. Effective September 7, 2010, North Side Library and Forest Avenue Library will be open during the following hours:
Forest Avenue Library
Mon: 12-8 | Tues: 10-6 | Wed: 10-6 | Thurs: 10-6 | Fri: Closed | Sat: 10-5 (1st/3rd)
North Side Library
Mon: 12-8 | Tues: 10-6 | Wed: 10-6 | Thurs: Closed | Fri: 10-6 | Sat: 10-5 (2nd/4th)
Please note that Saturday hours will alternate between the two branches. Forest Avenue Library will be on the first and third Saturday of each month. North Side Library will be open on the second and fourth Saturday. Both libraries will be closed if there happens to be a fifth Saturday in the month.
Stop by the Information Desk to pick up a bookmark with further details on School Year Hours at all six library locations.
Free Job Assistance Program
Opportunity is knocking! Central Library is partnering with ISED (Iowans for Social and Economic Development) to provide assistance in searching for jobs. The program provides assistance using the computer to search and apply for jobs. Preregistration optional.
Monday, August 23, 1:00 PM | Central Library
Friday, August 27, 1:00 PM | Central Library
Monday, August 30, 1:00 PM | Central Library
Slide In To the Central Library for a Fascinating Exhibit
During the month of August, Iowa State University will offer an exhibit on computational technology - also known as slide rules! Pictures and text depict the role of the slide rule in various disciplines
and classes at Iowa State University.The slide rule was the main computational technology up to
the mid-1970s.
Tuesday, August 31, 6:30 PM | Central Library
From Slide Rules to Computers: Amy Bix, Iowa State University Associate Professor of History, will discuss the impact of computational technology in Iowa as presented in the traveling exhibit.
Play Bridge at the Library
Practice playing bridge on Wednesday evenings in August. Preregister. Call Laura at 515-283-4957 for more details. Preregister.
Wednesday, August 25, 6:00 PM | Central Library, Café Gallery
Wednesday, September 1, 6:00 PM | Central Library, Café Gallery
Knowledge is Power Series
Creative Visions, in collaboration with the Northwest Area Foundation, the Des Moines Public Library, Pioneer Hi-Bred, African-American Leadership Coalition, and the Iowa Juneteenth Observant Committee will present another program as part of its Knowledge is Power Series on Wednesday, August 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Central Library Grand Meeting Wing.
The program, entitled, Community Development Through Economic Empowerment, will feature Dr. Glenda B. Glover, Dean of Jackson State University Collge of Business. Dr. Glover is one of the foremost experts on economic empowerment and personal wealth development. Using the Glover Method for Wealth Creation, which encompasses an anti- poverty approach, Dr. Glover has empowered countless individuals to take control of their finances.
Ako Abdul-Samad, CEO and founder of Creative Visions will act as emcee for the evening which will also include community updates by Lori Young, from the Iowa Department of Economic Development/Targeted Small Business Program and Jerald Brantley, from Spectrum Resources.
For further details, call 515-244-4003, ext. 121.
Good Books For Further Discussion
Book Discussion: The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. Ask at the library desk to borrow a copy of the book.
Thursday, September 2, 1:00 PM | Franklin Avenue Library/MHM
Book Discussion: Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert. Ask at the information desk for a copy of the book. Thursday, September 2, 1:00 PM | South Side Library
Win A Copy of To Kill a Mockingbird!
"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” -Atticus Finch
It's been fifty years since Harper Lee wrote those immortal words in her beloved novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. An instant bestseller, the book ranks today as one of the most beloved American novels of all time. A Pulitzer Prize winner, it has been translated into more than forty languages, and was voted one of the best novels of the twentieth century by librarians across the country.
Enter the contest!
Join in the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird by entering a drawing to win a copy of Atticus, Scout, and Boo. The contest runs from September 1 through September 30. One winner will be drawn at each of the library's six locations.
Share in the Experience!
Wednesday, September 15 at 6:30 PM, Central Library: A panel of local leaders will share their experiences of reading To Kill A Mockingbird. Carol-Spaulding Kruse, English professor at Drake University will moderate. Panelists will include: James Autry, Barry J. Griswell, Judge Odell McGhee, Kittie Westin-Knauer and National Teacher of the Year Sarah Brown Wessling. Books will be available for sale at this event.
Discuss the Book!
Tuesday, September 14, 6:30 PM, Franklin Avenue Library/MHM
See the Movie!
Tuesday, September 14, 6:00 PM, Central Library: Literacy in a Different Way presents a free showing of the Academy Award-winning movie, To Kill a Mockingbird, starring Gregory Peck.
Free Movie Fun for the Entire Family
Wednesday, August 25, 2:00 PM | East Side Library
The East Side Library invites you to bring your own popcorn and pillows to watch Alice in Wonderland. It's the day before school starts, so why not relax, save money, and enjoy quality family time!
Nurturing a Student's Vision (NSV) Art Exhibition at the Central Library
Each year, Hubbell Homes, the Des Moines Art Center, the Des Moines Arts Festival and the Des Moines Public Library proudly present a unique exhibition of student artwork on the glass windows of the downtown library.
Stop by to view the artwork that will be on display throughout the month of August at the Central Library! Hubbell Homes will host the NSV Reception on Wednesday, September 1, at 6:00 PM and students will be allowed to take their artwork home at that time.
Crafts for Kids at the Library!
Crafty Readers: We'll read a back to school story and decorate pencil boxes.
Tuesday, August 24, 4:00 PM | Franklin Avenue Library/MHM
After-School Special: Bubble Party! Discover all the amazing things bubbles can do, while having fun!
Wednesday, August 25, 3:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library !
Saturday Special: Want to try cartooning or illustrating? Learn simple techniques for drawing funny faces and characters. Saturday, August 28, 10:00 AM | Central Library, Children's Area
Crafty Readers: We'll read a splashy story and make paper plate jellyfish.
Tuesday, August 31, 4:00 PM | Franklin Avenue Library/MHM
Put College In Your Future!
Tuesday, August 31, 4:00 PM | Forest Avenue Library
Students in 6th-12th grade are invited to kickoff a new grant seriesabout planning for education after high school by attending theLifeStore presentedby theIowa College Access Network (ICAN). This program demonstrates the relationship between education and lifestyle in a fun and interactive way.Snacks and prizes will be given to all program participants. Please e-mail Ashley Ansah at aransah@dmpl.org to register groups of five or more.
Cool Crafts for Teens!
Back-To-School Craft
Teens are invited to make their own erasers for a fun craft to take to school! Preregister online.
Monday, August 23, 3:00 PM | East Side Library
Cool Candy
Make candy to give to your friends or keep them all to yourself! Preregister online.
Tuesday, August 24, 3:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library
Locker Makeover
Join us for our Extreme Makeover: Locker Edition. Make magnets, mirrors, or picture frames. Make going back to school fun by creating a cool, unique locker. Preregister online.
Wednesday, August 25, 2:00 PM | Franklin Avenue Library/MHM
Fun Activities for Teens!
Monday, August 23, 4:00 PM | Franklin Avenue Library/MHM
Teen Advisory Board: Snack and chat about new books, program ideas, and make your own erasers for a fun back-to-school craft!
Tuesday, August 24, 3:15 PM | Central Library
Teens are invited to play the Xbox 360 and Wii games on our BIG screens.
Wednesday, August 25, 2:00 PM| North Side Library
We'll have board games galore! Snacks will be provided.
Tuesday, August 31, 3:00 PM | South Side Library
Come play Wii at the library. Snacks will be provided.
Wednesday, September 1, 2:00 PM | North Side Library
Teen and Tween Internet Café: Students are invited to use our laptops to connect with friends or to enjoy time playing games. Limited to ten students.