It’s a rainy fall day. You’ve been in bed all day, scrolling on your phone. You’re bored out of your mind, but you have no money. What is there to do? The Des Moines Public Library is the perfect solution. Did you know that all DMPS students have access to the library with their school ID?
Due to a new partnership between DMPS and the public library, your student ID now doubles at a library card. Accounts are automatically made with your ID number, and your PIN is your birthday. For example, if your birthday is July 23rd, your PIN would be 0723. You can change your PIN on the My Account page of the DMPL website.
Don’t like reading? No problem! The library also has DVDs, CDs, board games, and so much more.
The library also has a plethora of activities, including clubs, storytimes, scavenger hunts, writers’ workshops, arts and crafts, and a lot more. Check the DMPL online calendar for a full list of upcoming events.
If you have younger siblings, an Adventure Pass is the perfect activity. With a library card, you can get passes to the Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center, the Botanical Garden, the Science Center, and the Children’s Museum. For reference, a day at the zoo for two adults and two children would cost $70. You must be over 18 to check out a pass, and the pass holder must be present and have photo ID with them.
Your ID also gets you access to many websites. You now have access to many news sites, such as The New York Times, Washington Post, Des Moines Register, Wall Street Journal, and Consumer Reports. You can also get eBooks and comics through Libby and Comics Plus. If reading isn’t your thing, you also have access to thousands of movies through Kanopy.
However, your ID doesn’t cover everything. You can not check out hotspots, laptops, or anything from the Library of Things. These require a real library card, which is free and easy to get.
With your student library card, you can check out five items at a time, which you have for three weeks. Once your items are due, notices will be sent to your school email. If you don’t return your item in 14 days, it will be considered lost, and the replacement cost will be billed to your account. If the lost item is returned within six months, the charge will be removed. If your fees exceed $25, your borrowing privileges will be suspended.
