Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Attraction in Des Moines

With a convenient location downtown and a plethora of books, the DM main branch is a nice stop for any bookworm. However, my experience with this branch was a nightmare. After checking out a book, pretty much on its last legs (the pages were falling out, the spine was broken, the pages were stained), and returning it, I was falsely accused of damaging the book. When the problem couldn't be solved via email, I trekked downtown to resolve the issue. Imagine my surprise when I was told that the initial problem (written to me via email) was not the issue (because there WAS no issue), it was something else completely!!! Unfortunately, the staff had already made up its mind about the fault being mine; apparently, the patron who checked it out before me was one of the librarians...and she denied doing the damage, so the fault landed on me. Despite being told they check each and every book for damage when they are returned (obviously they did not...the spine had been repaired with tape, the pages had been taped back in, and it had been re-shelved several times afterwards), they refused to "believe" that one of their own staff could possibly be responsible for such a heinous act. I was charged full price to replace the book, and when I refused to pay staff, attitudes took a further dive and I was told I would not be allowed to use any library services until I "settled my debt". That was over a year ago, and I have not returned. If they'd asked for HELP with the cost, that would have been a different story altogether. I am a generous person, I have no problems donating money or helping others. But to be accused by THREE people, all who shamed me for something I did NOT do?! Any business that treats their customer like a common criminal, without a voice, doesn't deserve to be patronized. Shame on the staff of the DM public library for making an avid reader feel as if she was responsible for damage to a book that CLEARLY needed to be replaced...

I was asked by no fewer than three separate staffers if my SD was an assistance animal. The first two were quite kind, understanding, and quick to accept our presence. The third, while they asked the two appropriate ADA questions, was especially rude, condescending, and unwelcoming for literally no reason at all. They also went beyond the call of what those questions are intended to when they subsequently asked if all I needed by being there was to use the restroom (?!). I had reserved a space in the computer lab, but thanks for the hostility, for making me feel like I am taking up unnecessary space in a public space, and the immediate judgment of --- I'm not even sure what, which spurred them asking the restroom access question.

I would hope that public service workers would know and understand the laws around the ADA. While I was allowed to enter the library with my SD, this worries me for other teams who want to use the facility. I was immediately more on edge by this third staffer than I've ever been elsewhere, something my dog noticed and bumped my hand for, and the staring with such unkind eyes was suggestive that I did not meet their definition of "disabled" enough. I am understanding of the fact that likely there are plenty of ADA-abusers - their existence makes it infinitely harder for real teams, like myself, to exist in public spaces. It's the follow-up question (regarding intention for use of the library) that forced my hand in writing this review.

To be extremely clear and blunt: The ADA does not require a dog to be vested, registration is not a real thing, and my SD was working, calmly and quietly by my side, very, very far from what I would deem to be disruptive to the library environment, so the third degree was wildly unnecessary. Do better. A library is literally meant to encourage knowledge, community, and inclusiveness. This staffer's behavior ran so counter to that that I am genuinely fearful...

Parent to parent 5 things you should know about the downtown DMPL (Des Moines Public Library)

1. If you have smaller children and are worried that they're going to make too much noise for a library, don't be, the librarians are awesome and understand that kids make noise and you will not have any backlash for having noisy toddlers.

2. Weather in Iowa, it is not always the friendliest, whether you are driving a vehicle or coming on the bus you are covered. DART bus drops off right in front of the library on two different sides of the building and the library also has climate controlled parking underneath the building so you will never come out to a super hot car or a car covered in snow.

3. Clean! I have not yet found a cleaner public place. Yes, you will be using a public restroom, but the children's area has its own restrooms for better privacy and all of the restrooms are kept immaculately clean. Also the floors are regularly vacuumed so for babies that still crawl this makes a huge difference.

4. Activities, there are different activities for all age groups and you can easily get a calendar to know when and what activities are going on each month. This is a great way to plan a weekly outing with your family or even get into a new routine. (Routines are key to stability in early childhood development, just saying.) This library is also next to the sculpture Park and any live events happening downtown.

5. Resources, the library is a great place to access other resources such as free Wi-Fi, computers, or printing and scanning important papers.

Thanks for reading my rant and Rave about the library if you do visit I hope you also leave a good review and have a great time! I guess one thing I can say that is sometimes more of a rant is that, your kids will not want to leave and it's sometimes difficult to get them out of there no...