Ames Public Library — Attraction in Ames

The Ames Public Library was not originally a free public library. During the 1890s, subscribers paid dues to keep a small reading room open. For example, in 1897 a local P.E.O. Society purchased 33 shares of stock and later voted two dollars per month to support the library.

APL circa 1904 In 1902, the P.E.O. local chapter appointed a committee to investigate how a free public library might be established. Ames Mayor Parley Sheldon met with the group and then later wrote to Andrew Carnegie asking for $10,000 to erect a library building. Ames received the grant. By 1904 the city voted to accept Carnegie's gift, created a Board of Trustees, received a land gift for the building, constructed the library, and hired a librarian. October 20, 1904 was the first day of business.

Building expansions in 1907 and 1940 made it possible for the Library to increase collections and serve more citizens. The Library tried to reach more people with a branch near campus which opened in 1946. It later closed in 1950 due to low use. Outreach, however, was still a goal so in 1966 Bookmobile operation began.

APL present day By the 1980s, the Library building could not support the growing demand for services. In 1983, a bond referendum for a library addition passed. In 1985, the new expansion and the remodeled original building were dedicated.

In November of 2011, voters approved a $20 million bond issue to once again expand and renovate the Library with 76 percent of the vote.

In fall of 2012, the Library moved to a temporary location in Lincoln Center, where it operated for a year and a half.

On September 14, 2014, Ames Public Library reopened the renovated and expanded building at 515 Douglas Avenue. Designed by MSR Architecture, the renewed building blends and contrasts the aesthetics of the original building and all of the expansions with the...

I absolutely treasure this library. I don't have a lot of money and this is a great place to find all kinds of things for free. Then the books they sell are very inexpensive and they have free paperbacks on the weekends. I like how the librarians are kind to everyone even people who I know for a fact don't check anything out they just kinda chill, which is fine, but a lot of librarys frown on loitering but these people are just good to everyone. They greet you by name and make you feel special. I had a bad experience lately at another library and heard two of the staff making fun of me when they did not know I was in 'there. I am in my thirties but prefer youth and kid books because ya know, they are more fun to look at, and apparently these two women used that against me. Meanwhile I told one of the staff here that I have had even other patrons at this library snicker at me for being in the youth section and she reassured me that many of the staff like youth books. She is so sweet. They work hard to get you interlibrary loans or even a purchase. The library is clean and modern and spacious. I can think of one or two staff that make me a little uneasy but that's not bad with all their employees. I would strongly suggest trying this library if your local. Definitely...

I am a first time visitor from out of town...and my experience was HORRIBLE! There are 2 young kids playing video games on a computer in front of me and just being obnoxiously loud and cursing. I repeatedly asked a staff member to please say something to them and ask them to stop and quiet down and we were basically told "NO". So, after 3+ times of nicely asking staff to say something and them refusing too, I KINDLY ASKED THEM TO KEEP IT DOWN AND TO STOP CURSING AND RESPECT OTHERS.......at that moment, a staff member named "Anessa" walked over to ME and said I can't ask them to stop and told me they are ALLOWED to say and do what they want......since when did libraries allow this behavior? I was even respectful and said please and thank you and the staff was more bothered at me asking them to stop and be courteous, than doing THEIR JOB and asking the loud, vulgar speaking 10 yr olds to quiet down.......if that's how they run their library.....I'll happily not come back. It seems as if "Anessa" needs to be re-educated on the rules and policies of a PUBLIC library..... especially when others are working on COLLEGE SCHOOL WORK!

Update

So far everything is...