About Us

The Urbandale Public Library is committed to providing diverse resources for life-long learning and enjoyment.

Urbandale Library Strategic Plan 2022-2026

The Urbandale Public Library is owned by the City of Urbandale and governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees. We serve not only the residents of Urbandale, but the surrounding Des Moines metro area as well as contracting cities within the state of Iowa.

The Urbandale Public Library has been part of the City of Urbandale since 1961. As our city has grown, so has the demand for our services – so much so, that over the years, the Library has called four different locations around the city home. Since 2000, you can find us nestled within the beautiful City of Urbandale campus, bordered by Walker Johnston Park.

Our current 56,000 square-foot building houses a variety of print and non-print materials for research and entertainment. Besides our vast collection, the Library is also a key resource for groups, small businesses, and individuals who need access to computers, photocopiers, meeting rooms, and study areas. Our extensive programming informs, educates, and entertains audiences of all ages and interests. In 2023, we drew in over 180,000 visitors (an average of about 500 people a day!) and offered over 600 programs for children, teens, and adults, with more than 16,000 attendees. 

• Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
• Friday – Saturday:  9:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Sunday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

The Library is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees who generously volunteer their time and talents to further the Library’s mission. Trustees are appointed to a six-year term by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. Meetings of the Board of Trustees are open to the public and are held in the Library’s Conference Room.

Residents of Urbandale interested in serving on the Board of Trustees must submit an application. The application is available on the City of Urbandale’s website.

Access contact information here.

Urbandale Public Library Board of Trustees ByLaws

List of Upcoming Board of Trustee Meetings

Meeting Minutes

The Urbandale Public Library Foundation, Inc. was created in 1988 to handle donations to further the growth of the Urbandale Public Library. Meetings are held quarterly on the fourth Monday of the month at the Library, 3520 86th Street.

2024 Annual Appeal Letter 

Financial donations can be made online, dropped off, or mailed to the library.

PayPal - Donate

If mailing or dropping off your contribution, please complete this form and enclose it with your donation so we can thank you! Forms are also available at the Library.

Urbandale Public Library Foundation, Inc.
3520 86th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322

The Foundation is a tax-free entity, so all contributions are tax-deductible. Memorial contributions can also be made to the Urbandale Public Library Foundation. All memorials are posted in the lobby with the name of the person you are honoring and the donor’s name. Books, trees, benches, and special collections are all examples of how memorial contributions have been used in the past.

If you would like to discuss your donation with someone, please call the Library Director at 515-278-3945.

Raygun Urbandale Public Library Store

Buy a t-shirt to show your support for the library! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the UPL Foundation.

Please see our policies

• Nicholas Janning, Library Director – njanning@urbandale.org
• Leslie Noble, Assistant Director & Technical Services Manager – lnoble@urbandale.org
• Staci Stanton, Programming & Outreach Manager – sstanton@urbandale.org
• Julie Finch, Patron Experiences Manager – jfinch@urbandale.org
• Jacqueline Stolz, Youth Programming & Outreach Specialist – jstolz@urbandale.org
• Leah Cummings, Meeting Room & Library Volunteer Coordinator – librarymeetingrooms@urbandale.org
• Lydia Ponder, Interlibrary Loan & Home Delivery – lponder@urbandale.org

Thank you for your interest in employment with the Urbandale Public Library. There are no library job openings at this time.

– The City of Urbandale is an Equal Opportunity Employer –

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