In This Day and Page

In today’s episode, we sat down with our Youth Services Summer Intern Ben Siegal in honor of National Intern Day! He spoke with us about his experience working at the West Des Monies Public Library for the summer as well as plans for his future.

In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with four library staff members in honor of National Library Week. First, we’ll speak with Susan Greenwood, the Library’s Administrative Secretary. Next we’ll chat with Megan Hartman, a Youth Services Assistant. Third on the list is Rachel Bussan, our Collection Services Specialist. And last but certainly not least we’ll talk with Chris Mortimore, one of our hardworking Circulation Clerks. National Library Week is a yearly, week-long celebration that highlights our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions and promotes library use and support.

In today’s episode, we’re highlighting the important work that volunteers do here at the library. We had a chance to sit down with Hailey McKinney, who coordinates our teen volunteers; Heather Hildreth, who helps coordinate our adult volunteers; and Sue, Malina and Sarah , three of our current library volunteers. If you’re interested in applying to become a library volunteer after hearing from these incredible people, visit www.wdmlibrary.org/volunteer.

In today’s episode, we sat down with author Denise Williams. Denise will be the guest author at our upcoming Friends Foundation Author Event on Tuesday, March 28 from 6:45 – 8:00 PM. Denise is the author of "touching, funny, steamy romance novels" including How to Fail at Flirting, The Fastest Way to Fall, Do You Take This Man, and her latest collection of novellas, The Sweetest Connection. If you'd like to join us for Denise's talk via Zoom, you can register for that here. To keep up with all of the exiting things Denise is working on, you can follow her journey on her website, denisewilliamswrites.com.

In today’s episode, we sat down with Ashley Molzen, the Community Engagement Supervisor at the Des Moines Public Library, and Jenna Ehler, The Head of Youth Services here at the West Des Moines Public Library, about the Simple Steps to Success Early Literacy Program. The program, which started at DMPL in 2017, is now being introduced to our patrons here in West Des Moines. For more information, please visit wdmlibrary.org/simplesteps. 

In today’s episode, we sat down with author Kali White VanBaale. Kali will be the guest author at our upcoming Friends Foundation Author Event on Tuesday, February 28 from 6:45 – 8:00 PM. Not only is Kali local to Des Moines, but she is the recipient of the American Book Award and the Iowa Arts Council major artist grant. She has published three books and her latest is titled The Monsters We Make. 

In today’s episode, we sat down with author Kay Fenton Smith. Kay co-wrote the book “Baking Blue Ribbons: Stories and Recipes from the Iowa State Fair Food Competitions” with Carol McGarvey. The book highlights the history, stories, and recipes from the very first Iowa State Fair up through present day. Kay will be at the library on Sunday, December 11 speaking about her book and giving guests a taste of the book’s blue-ribbon donuts! 

In today’s episode, we sat down with two members of the WDM Library Friend Foundation Board, Kate Amdor and Heather Martin, to learn more about the upcoming Friends of the Library Book Sale! The largest book sale of the year will be taking place in the library’s community room on Thursday, December 1 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Friday, December 2 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, and Saturday, December 3 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

In today’s episode, we sat down with author John Mahoney. John played at Notre Dame as a safety from 2017 – 2020 and co-wrote a book with his fellow teammate about the wild, undefeated season that Notre Dame had in 2020. Learn more about joining us for John’s author event on November 22 here: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/event/author-event-john-mahoney 

In today’s episode, we sat down with Kate Thompson, one of our Adult Services Assistants, to learn more about the upcoming Great Books Showcase: Holiday Edition on November 7 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM! Listen on to get a sneak preview of the event and learn some tips and tricks to find your next great read.