Reviews of Central Library (Library)

Pj Jackson

The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the library is gorgeous.

Todd Walton

A nice clean new library, the building architecture is interesting. The book selection is adequate for a public library. Downsides are that the business hours are highly erratic. If you're thinking of scheduling a community meeting there be very very careful and consider going somewhere else instead. Books for sale area is very tiny. Staff are sufficiently helpful.

Robert Countryman

One of my favorite places. Comics, digital books to check out, printing and decent wifi

Marvin Jones

Convenient and very resourceful

Kevin McGregor

Nice joint, but the hours of service are a big disappointment.

Cole Mundus

Everyone is super nice and they have an awesome book selection.

Kevin Li

Extremely nice staff, nicely climate-controlled, great selection of books, and very nicely quiet while feeling distinctly alive.

Dexter Jacobs

What library isn't open on Saturday?

Marlu Abarca

The book displays here are my favorite. They are always clever, intricate, and interactive! This library branch holds the largest collection across all the Des Moines branches. 2-hr And okay, sweet, glad you two are communicating, then! Parking is free in the basement!

wade byers

Great book selection. The library is filled with low life's and homeless though

Todd Ballard

Great staff, so helpful it makes searching for books so easy.

M K

I’m a nationally published author. This library sucks. Looks great from outside but inside is poorly laid out and lacks any meaningful workspace. Oh what I wouldn’t give for one hour in the Rose reading room of NYPL or the reading rooms at the British library...sadly this is typically Des Moines. Looks good on the surface but scratch the surface and it’s a cow town. A small political cabal runs the place just like the local botanic garden and other cow town institutions. Wifi sucks. Better off at Panera and I never thought I would say that.

Simple Meets Adventure

It could use some warmth. The chairs are hard and feel like gym mat plastic form to a rolling chair. The study rooms echo and the decor, layout and overall style provide little that is overly welcoming. Maybe I missed the better part of it but it is a large space that could provide something more inviting.

Stephanie de Palacios

I love this library helped me the most when I really need it!

Meki Banda BCoMS

Nice building and staff ate professional.

Bruce De Haan

Good book selection.

Shannon Lavelle

Free wifi works great!

Angela R. Nemmers

The new edition of Art @Central Library in downtown Des Moines

Khalid Aldolaimi

I love this place more than any place in Des Moines.

Angela Rodriguez

It's just another way to cause problems in this city, why is the library closes on Saturday? It's just so regular people do not go to the library making people that cause problems and do stuff they are not supposed to stay hidden, so when normal people come around who have sense make them look bad, if people who were using computets and reading books were at the library a Saturday it would make all these idiots walking around screaming and acting crazy and getting drunk doing stuff they were supposed to look bad and people might start making changes around this city. It's also a way to show there is no life downtown so people who have no sense can start to make laws and regulations causing people to stop living life and people who have problems can keep causing problems. I have never heard of a downtown library being closed and I have been to Chicago, lived in Milwaukee and Salt Lake City, they accommodate the people to give them something to do, and normally they are open everyday until 9 pm, open early in the morning at 8 or 9pm, not trying to close early and find a way to not be open. Speak up and stop letting people who have no sense cause problems in this city.

Jacob Meyer

I love the library. It's building is awesome and has cool study rooms to use if you're looking for a place to study, read, think.

Karen Fitzgerald

Closed on Saturdays in the winter? Not right!

Ned Chaney

They kicked me out because I brought a smoked ham inside for a snack. Also where were the booms !!!!

Victoria Brown

Wish they were open longer. Closed Saturdays. Great looking building!

Ryan Helgren

I love this library, they have so much

Evander Stieler

large selection, relaxed atmosphere, and good for everyone!

Irene Cheung

I came here to finish some homework and I cannot get my laptop to connect to the internet even after authenticating myself literally 6 times in the last 2 minutes!

Josh E.

A great modern library! It is hard to believe that this place is already over a decade old but it serves the city of Des Moines well. I enjoy reading on the second floor.

Josh Schilling

Very convenient location downtown, great views for reading and working. The concrete interior is a bit cold but there are many leather chairs and softer things that make it feel comfortable, definitely better in the summer when you can also enjoy the water feature next to it.

Vishal Kannankara

Good selection of latest books. And guess what they have Drive thru pickup and drop-off facility. Inner layout little confusing, but once you figure this out you can find the book easily.

AH W

I'd love to go here and have been trying but the hours are some of the most horrible I've seen for a public library. The worst of any place I've lived. Most other cities keep their library open until 8 or 9 at night. Closing at 6 is kind of nuts considering most people work until 5. Once you factor in traffic and such, there is no time. They are also closed on Saturday. Shame since I'd really love to be able to go, but don't think I'll be able to. Des Moines Public Library please look into extending your hours. At least for a few branches.

Clara Arenas

(Translated by Google) I love!! (Original) Me encanta!!

Victor M. Lima Jr

Love it

Bloodshade Ancalagon

Good selection, but slightly confusing layout

Katie Sunshine

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 months prior.

Josh Staple

Great place to catch a few minutes to read during lunch.

Stephen Chase

Best Des Moines library!!

Alyssa Jurado

Staff is very helpful. Children's activities and coloring pages rotate often. Easy self checout system. Drive by drop boxes for Turning in books.

Tacara Hood

Awesome