Library News
![Oscar Noms](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2022-02/OscarNoms.png?itok=m1hmXOkq)
How to Watch the 2022 Oscar Nominated Films
Wanting to watch the 2022 Academy Award Nominated films before the Oscars air on Sunday, March 27? See which films you can check out from the West Des Moines Public Library and where you can stream others.
BEST PICTURE NOMINATIONS
![Patron Needs Survey](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2022-01/PatronSurveyLogoUpdate.png?itok=0XsBrXkD)
WDM Library Patron Needs Survey
The library wants to know what you need and how they can help! Please complete this quick, anonymous survey to let your voice count.
![Blind Date with a Book](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2022-01/BlindDateBook.png?itok=UniSygwG)
Blind Date with a Book
This February, take a chance on love!
In the new book section on the second floor, you'll find shelves of books wrapped in paper. Take a book home without knowing its title, and see if you find a good match. Here's how it works:
1. Read the opening line of the book, or explore the read-a-likes, genre and hand drawn pictures to select your date. No peeking!
2. Check out the book by placing it on the self check scanner or checking out at the Circulation desk - no need to unwrap the book now!
![ALA YMA](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2022-01/ALAYMA.png?itok=e5sB84lo)
2022 ALA Youth Media Award Winners
Congratulations to the authors and illustrators who have been recognized by the American Library Association (ALA) as Youth Media Award winners! Each year the ALA honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. These prestigious awards include the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards "encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media."
![Staff Nonfiction Favorites](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2022-01/2021%20Staff%20Nonfiction%20FavoritesFB.png?itok=BQszVVv9)
2021 Staff Favorites: Nonfiction
As much as staff enjoy a good novel, we also like to learn and laugh with some of the great nonfiction in our collection.
![teen survey image with QR code](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2022-01/TeenSurveyQR.png?itok=w6T-h0Hp)
Take our Teen Survey!
EDIT: Thank you for your participation. This survey is now closed.
The WDM Library would love to hear from Teens who use our library! The purpose of this survey is to give you the opportunity to tell us about your experience in the Teen Center.
![Image for Book Journal](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2022-01/journal.jpg?itok=DY9ksExf)
Book Journaling
Do you ever find yourself wondering, “have I read this before?” Or, “what was that book my friend mentioned?”
A book journal is a fun way to track what you’re reading and remember what you want to read next. If your New Year’s resolution is to read more, a book journal is a great way to stay motivated!
Some people keep a simple list of titles, while others like to illustrate their journals or include their favorite quotes to reflect on later.
![2021 In Memoriam](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2021-12/2021%20In%20Memoriam.png?itok=7LEom8ja)
2021 In Memoriam
As we reflect on 2021, we would like to take time to remember the authors and public figures who left us this year. Our list below just scratches the surface. View more notable deaths on comprehensive lists from The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly to look back at more iconic individuals who passed this year.
![2021 Staff Fiction Favorites](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2021-12/2021%20Staff%20Fiction%20Favorites.png?itok=KM30TzNs)
Staff Fiction Favorites from 2021
Each year, we like to ask the staff what their favorite reads have been. This year, we asked about movies and television as well - look for that in a future post!
Many of our fiction lovers were passionate about the favorite books they read this year:
![Most Popular 2021](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2021-12/MostPopularCombined.png?itok=i_XHym71)
Most Popular Books of 2021: Adult, Young Adult, Children's
Ever wonder what the most popular books in the library are during the year? Here's the breakdown of the top 10 most circulated items in adult fiction, young adult fiction and children's fiction!
Adult Fiction:
1. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
![2022 Strategic Plan](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2021-11/Library%20Board%20Reflection%202022%20Strategic%20Plan.png?itok=S-_wO5o1)
Library Board Reflection: Creating the 2022 Strategic Plan
by Melissa Gillespie, WDM Library Board of Trustees
![t-shirt fundraiser](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2021-11/FundraiserSlider%20%28Video%29.png?itok=iHC1hTGF)
Library Apparel Fundraiser Now Open!
Represent your favorite neighborhood library in our WDM Public Library merchandise! All proceeds will directly support the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation.
There are t-shirts, long sleeved t-shirts, and crewnecks available for purchase with our "Embrace the Joy of Reading" design on them.
![Thankful Thursday](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2021-11/ThankfulThursdayStaff.png?itok=z8iI3uW_)
Thankful Thursday from the Library Staff
We asked our library staff to share what they were most thankful about the West Des Moines Public Library. Explore their answers below!
"I am thankful for the families who make the library a regular part of their routine. We so enjoy getting to know them and their children and it is a privilege to get to watch the children grow up!" – Jenna
![Job Search](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2021-11/Stressing%20Over%20the%20Job%20Search.png?itok=rDNKGQD6)
Stressing Over the Job Search? The WDM Library is Here to Help!
Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with your job search? Do you want to polish up your resume or write a cover letter but aren’t sure where to start? Wondering how you can build some computer skills without figuring out where to take a class? The Library can help you with all of this and more!
![Tech Help with Teens](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2021-09/TechHelpIcon.png?itok=oWGi6jhn)
WDM Library Partners with Community to Offer Teen Tech Help
One of the newest offerings to the community at the West Des Moines Public Library is Tech Help with Teens—a program designed to pair trained teen technicians with library patrons who have specific questions about technology. Each teen assistant is trained on both Apple and Android products and can help answer questions on smart phones, tablets, and laptops.