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    Franklin Avenue Library - Des Moines Public Library

    4.5 (8 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Exterior view
    David S.

    This is a great local library. The staff are very friendly. Signing up for a library card was easy; there was one form to sign, and I had to show a photo id. The library itself is very clean and quiet: exactly what you would expect from a library. Besides the books, there are also lots of computer stations, DVDs, CDs, lots of reading chairs, and a large children's section! My favorite experience at the library was the checkout process. While there was only one person doing the checkouts, there are (3) self checkout stations. All you have to do is scan your card and then scan the books! Very simple and fast! Will be back!

    story time. take your kids.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    I have reserved many books and they always contact me when they are on hold for me. Lovely seating and friendly staff.

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    Iowa State Capitol - Iowa Supreme Court

    Iowa State Capitol

    4.6(84 reviews)
    4.6 mi

    WOW! The Law Library looks straight out of a fairytale. I swear it looks like the inspiration for…read moreBelle's library in Beauty and the Beast. The gorgeous murals and senate chambers were also impressive. We stopped here on a whim during a recent road trip and were pleasantly surprised by its grandeur and beauty. They offered a free tour, but we opted for a self guided tour instead so we could go on our own pace. We came on a Friday afternoon and someone who worked there told us it's the best day to visit since the place is so busy Mon-Thurs when legislators are in session, that it's often difficult to find a parking spot. But on this quiet Friday morning, we parked in the front row and had no line in front of us as we went through the security metal detector.

    My visits to state capitols are few and far between, but after visiting the Iowa State Capitol, I…read morewant to make a point of visiting more whenever I travel to other states. My son started attending law school in Des Moines and so I was trying to see what the city has to offer. Visiting the capitol building was one of the things that kept popping up on things to do. We decided to check it out on a Saturday and luckily they do guided tours which I highly recommend. Completed in 1886, they have done a remarkable job preserving this place and showcasing it's beauty. It sits on top of a hill and offers great views of the city from every side. One of the first things you notice from the outside is the gold dome. The ornate outside facade carries inside where it is just as beautiful. You'll notice intricate wood decor as well as marble, gold and other beautiful materials. You can visit the historic supreme court chambers and see all the offices of state officials. The law library is by far my favorite part of the building. I felt like I was in some movie like Harry Potter or something. You have to see it in person to really comprehend the beauty. The wood and gold along with the spiraling staircases and law books stacked to the high ceiling was cool to see. If you aren't afraid of heights, you can take a long winding staircase at the top of the dome. We were one of the last tours so we didn't really get to really take our time and soak in all this place has to offer. I will most definitely come back next time I am in town visiting the kiddo. It was absolutely something I did not expect to see deep in the Midwest.

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    Iowa State Capitol - Gift Shop

    Gift Shop

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    House of Representatives Entrance

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    Ground floor

    Altoona Library

    Altoona Library

    5.0(1 review)
    11.4 mi

    If you are working on a temporary seasonal job in Iowa and you are staying in a nearby…read morelodging/campground because of this temporary seasonal job, they will let you have a library card for the duration of your stay. You just need to show proof of who you are working for (some type of signed agreement), some proof of where you are staying, and show a driver's license. They don't copy or write down your driver's license. They just need to see it. (I have discovered that Iowa seems to be "alert" on privacy issues.....) I signed up for my temporary stay. This library has a great selection of DVD's and BOOKS ON CD! Those are the two things I was interested in. I didn't check the actual BOOKS, but I'm sure they have what you might want. You can also download E-Books and audio books.

    From the owner: When the library opened July 19, 1971 most of the books were donated by individuals and surrounding…read morelibraries. Thirteen hundred library cards were issued the first year. The library was open 24 hours per week. By 1982, the library was loaning 1,200 books per month, excluding paperbacks. The desire for a new library reached fruition in December of 1982 when a $175,000 bond issue was approved. The library opened July 1, 1984. It was constructed around the original bungalow. The bungalow was moved to 300 Sixth Street S.W. and again became a private residence. A bond issue for $3.4 million, to build a new library and remodel the present building for the police department, was passed in May of 1996.

    Franklin Avenue Library - Des Moines Public Library - libraries - Updated July 2026

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