Public Library of Des Moines
Encyclopedia
The Public Library of Des Moines is an historic building in downtown Des Moines, Iowa
, United States
that was built in 1903. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1977. The building ceased to be a library in 2006 and now houses the Norman E. Borlaug | World Food Prize Hall of Laureates for the World Food Prize
.
for $35,000. The cornerstone
for the library building was laid in 1900 and it was opened in October 1903.
In the 1920s the library became the home of the Cumming School of Art. It was the birthplace of the Library Bill of Rights
in 1938 when the library was under the direction of Forrest Spaulding
. It was meant to fight against “growing intolerance, suppression of free speech and censorship affecting the rights of minorities and individuals.” The Boys and Girls Department opened in 1937 and the Music Department began in the 1950s. The first branch library in Des Moines opened in 1965.
In the 1990s it was determined that the library building was too small and lacked the necessary technology capacity. London
architect David Chipperfield
was chosen to design a new library on Grand Avenue, and it opened on April 8, 2006.
The building was acquired by The World Food Prize for its use. The building was renamed in honor of Cresco, Iowa
native Norman Borlaug
, who founded the award which recognizes those who have made contributions in all fields involved in the world food supply. Gensler Architecture, Design and Planning, RDG Planning & Design and Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architecture are involved in renovating the building. It will serve as a museum to recognize great achievements in agriculture, a convocation center that will hold the World Food Prize International Symposium, a home for the Global Youth Institute, an educational facility that will feature interactive displays on hunger and food security and a conference center and community hall.
. A mural was painted on the ground floor of the library by Des Moines artist Harry Donald Jones. It was a project of the Works Progress Administration
. The mural covers 1091 square feet (101.4 m²) and portrays the development of Des Moines from pre-historic times to the 20th century. The building featured a fountain and iron steps, which were removed in 1955.
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that was built in 1903. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1977. The building ceased to be a library in 2006 and now houses the Norman E. Borlaug | World Food Prize Hall of Laureates for the World Food Prize
World Food Prize
The World Food Prize is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.-The Prize:...
.
History
The Des Moines Library Association was formed in 1866 in the basement of a Methodist church. It was supported through private contributions and public charity until 1882 when its services were taken over by the city of Des Moines because of precarious finances. In 1898 the city bought property on the Des Moines RiverDes Moines River
The Des Moines River is a tributary river of the Mississippi River, approximately long to its farther headwaters, in the upper Midwestern United States...
for $35,000. The cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
for the library building was laid in 1900 and it was opened in October 1903.
In the 1920s the library became the home of the Cumming School of Art. It was the birthplace of the Library Bill of Rights
Library Bill of Rights
The Library Bill of Rights is the American Library Association's statement expressing the rights of library users to intellectual freedom and the expectations the association places on libraries to support those rights...
in 1938 when the library was under the direction of Forrest Spaulding
Forrest Spaulding
Forrest Brisbin Spaulding was named in the American Libraries article, 100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century for his contribution to intellectual freedom in writing the Library Bill of Rights...
. It was meant to fight against “growing intolerance, suppression of free speech and censorship affecting the rights of minorities and individuals.” The Boys and Girls Department opened in 1937 and the Music Department began in the 1950s. The first branch library in Des Moines opened in 1965.
In the 1990s it was determined that the library building was too small and lacked the necessary technology capacity. London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
architect David Chipperfield
David Chipperfield
Sir David Alan Chipperfield CBE, RA, RDI, RIBA is a British architect, born in London. He has offices in London, Berlin and Milan, and a representative office in Shanghai...
was chosen to design a new library on Grand Avenue, and it opened on April 8, 2006.
The building was acquired by The World Food Prize for its use. The building was renamed in honor of Cresco, Iowa
Cresco, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,905 people, 1,652 households, and 1,004 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,184.1 people per square mile . There were 1,791 housing units at an average density of 543.1 per square mile...
native Norman Borlaug
Norman Borlaug
Norman Ernest Borlaug was an American agronomist, humanitarian, and Nobel laureate who has been called "the father of the Green Revolution". Borlaug was one of only six people to have won the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal...
, who founded the award which recognizes those who have made contributions in all fields involved in the world food supply. Gensler Architecture, Design and Planning, RDG Planning & Design and Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architecture are involved in renovating the building. It will serve as a museum to recognize great achievements in agriculture, a convocation center that will hold the World Food Prize International Symposium, a home for the Global Youth Institute, an educational facility that will feature interactive displays on hunger and food security and a conference center and community hall.
Architecture
Des Moines architects Gutterson & Smith designed the Beaux Arts style building. It was constructed of salmon pink Minnesota limestoneLimestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
. A mural was painted on the ground floor of the library by Des Moines artist Harry Donald Jones. It was a project of the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
. The mural covers 1091 square feet (101.4 m²) and portrays the development of Des Moines from pre-historic times to the 20th century. The building featured a fountain and iron steps, which were removed in 1955.