Outreach

Rosie Outreach Van

Rosie Outreach Services is part of the Des Moines Public Library System, and is a free service for those who cannot easily access the library and its materials. Library books are delivered to public and non-profit agencies within the Des Moines city limits with a focus on those agencies serving low-income or at risk populations. Residents within these agencies may browse the library book selection, and borrow titles at their leisure. Rosie Outreach Services also offers early childhood story programs with book delivery to school and daycare classrooms, targeting children ages 3-5. We are located at the Forest Avenue Library. more »

Read (Red) Rover Outreach

Read Rover is a United Way, Women’s Leadership Connection, funded program that partners with the DMPL to provide literacy experiences to preschool age children in 11 different United Way supported child care centers in the Des Moines area. Lisa Stocksleger is the Read Rover reader for the program. Each week she visits 24 different classrooms to provide interactive story times for children ages 3 – 5 years. Lisa models for teachers the before, during and after strategies she uses to create interactive literacy experiences and develop early literacy skills. She also provides teachers with a monthly newsletter containing early literacy information, her monthly themes and songs and finger plays for those themes. In addition, Lisa and the DMPL provide library books for the teachers based on their weekly or monthly teaching themes. This provides classroom and teachers with more books and more literacy experiences.

Homebound Services

The Des Moines Public Library, through the use of volunteers, offers home delivery of library materials to library patrons who are unable to visit the library facilities due to a physical disability or illness. Any resident of Des Moines who is homebound due to physical disability or illness is eligible. Homebound service is a free service, relying on volunteers to do the delivery and pickup and library staff to select materials. Books in large print, books in regular size print, books on audiotape, books on compact disc, music compact discs and magazines are available for homebound service. Contact the Des Moines Public Library branch nearest your home and ask to speak to the homebound services librarian.

Books by the Box

The program is designed for teachers in schools, preschools and daycare centers, including home school providers and home day care providers.  The program is limited to schools, preschools, etc. within the city limits of Des Moines, Windsor Heights and Rural Polk County. 30 items may be checked out for 30 days and no fines are assessed. A box is provided. Lost or damaged books must be paid for. The library card is kept at the “home” library and may only be used at that branch.  A librarian or library assistant may select the books, but that is not necessary.  Audio CDs and Book on Tape may be included in the box collection, but not videos or DVDs. Borrowers may be issued only one Books by the Box card.  Borrowers will be issued a regular library card with standard borrowing privileges for their personal library transactions.  To find out if you qualify for this program or to sign up for a Books by the Box card, contact your library.