Cowles Library

Cowles Library Cowles Library, Drake University. The largest private academic library in Iowa.

In celebration of World Beard Day we have combed through our collections to find some of the best beards in the Drake Un...
09/03/2026

In celebration of World Beard Day we have combed through our collections to find some of the best beards in the Drake University Archives, including our founder and first president, George T. Carpenter!

🎲 Board Game Afternoon @ Cowles 🎲Need a break after the first week of classes? Swing by Cowles Library this afternoon fo...
08/28/2026

🎲 Board Game Afternoon @ Cowles 🎲

Need a break after the first week of classes? Swing by Cowles Library this afternoon for some friendly competition! We've got a full lineup of board and card games ready to go!

No RSVP needed, just drop in whenever works for you. Bring a friend (or make one over a game of cards)!

📍 Cowles Library
🕐 3:00–5:00 PM
🎮 Games + snacks provided

This summer, Archives Assistant Jules Gentiluomo dove into several projects, including processing the Pat Kitchen Bulldo...
08/27/2026

This summer, Archives Assistant Jules Gentiluomo dove into several projects, including processing the Pat Kitchen Bulldog Football Memorabilia collection. Now, just in time for Drake Football kickoff, he's curated a display of his favorite finds from the collection. Next time you're in the library, swing by the archives to check it out!

Fun Fact: You might also spot Jules on the sidelines. He serves as Student Manager for the football team!

Today's the day! Come see us in Olmsted Breezeway for Books on the Go from 11:00am-2:00pm! Our librarians will have an a...
08/26/2026

Today's the day! Come see us in Olmsted Breezeway for Books on the Go from 11:00am-2:00pm! Our librarians will have an assortment of books available for check out and and can answer any questions you have about Cowles Library!

🔍 Calling all students -- Cowles Library Scavenger Hunt is ON! 📚How to play:📍 Find all six checkpoints throughout the li...
08/25/2026

🔍 Calling all students -- Cowles Library Scavenger Hunt is ON! 📚
How to play:
📍 Find all six checkpoints throughout the library
📱 Scan the QR codes to learn fun facts about each spot
🤳 Snap a selfie at each location (tag us if you'd like!)
🎁 Show your selfies at the Information Desk to earn a unique prize for each checkpoint

The grand prize? Complete all six locations and you're entered to win one of three gift cards.

Grab a friend, start exploring, and good luck!

Welcome Back to Cowles Library! Stop by for a few ways to get to know your library this fall:🗓 Books To Go – Wednesday, ...
08/23/2026

Welcome Back to Cowles Library! Stop by for a few ways to get to know your library this fall:

🗓 Books To Go – Wednesday, August 26, 11:00 am-1:00 pm in Olmsted. Library faculty and staff will have books to check out and info on upcoming programs.
🗓 Cowles Game Afternoon – Friday, August 28, 3:00-5:00 pm. Board games, card games, and snacks.
🗓 Postcard Station – Send a postcard home to let family and friends know you found the library. We'll supply the postage and drop it in the mail for you.
🗓 Scavenger Hunt – Get to know the library building and the librarians who can help you. Complete the hunt by September 6 to win prizes.
🗓 Cowles Crafternoon – Friday, September 11, 3:00-5:00 pm. Stay tuned for more details!

We can't wait to see you at Cowles!

Welcome back, Bulldogs! Our fall hours start Monday, August 24!Mon-Thurs 7:30am-12:00amFri 7:30am-7:00pmSat 11:00am-7:00...
08/21/2026

Welcome back, Bulldogs! Our fall hours start Monday, August 24!

Mon-Thurs 7:30am-12:00am
Fri 7:30am-7:00pm
Sat 11:00am-7:00pm
Sun 11:00am-12:00am

We can't wait to see you!

Cowles Library will be CLOSED on Friday, June 19th for the Juneteenth holiday. We will reopen for normal hours on Monday...
06/17/2026

Cowles Library will be CLOSED on Friday, June 19th for the Juneteenth holiday. We will reopen for normal hours on Monday, June 22. Stop by our featured collection display this week to check out a book!

It's the last day of the first summer orientation session. Stop by our table at the services fair to grab a bookmark sti...
06/04/2026

It's the last day of the first summer orientation session. Stop by our table at the services fair to grab a bookmark sticker!

Any exciting summer plans? 🌞 In the summer of 1934, a spirited group of Drake University students and alumni packed thei...
05/28/2026

Any exciting summer plans? 🌞 In the summer of 1934, a spirited group of Drake University students and alumni packed their bags for Lake Okoboji with a bold idea — a summer stock theatre company. They rented a stage inside city hall and pulled off six productions in a single summer. 🎭 Among them was Jane Alexander, Drake Class of 1933, who stepped away from her graduate studies at Yale to join the troupe. Alexander went on to teach drama at Stephens College in Missouri — and the Okoboji spark traveled with her. In 1958, Stephens College brought summer theatre back to the lake, launching an immersive summer program for their students. That tradition, rooted in the creativity and ambition of those original Drake performers, continues to this day!

Address

2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA
50311

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 12am
Tuesday 7:30am - 12am
Wednesday 7:30am - 12am
Thursday 7:30am - 12am
Friday 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 12am

Telephone

+15152712111

Website

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