Visiting the Old Central Des Moines Public Library, Des Moines Landmark

This great public building has served the city well and will continue for some time to come. When the city decided that the city had outgrown the capacity of the old library and started building the new branch, the next question was what to do with the old library. Fortunately, they found an excellent new role for this downtown Des Moines landmark serving not just the local community but the global community.

What will happen to the existing Central
Library?
The century-old Central Library located at 100
Locust Street will be the future home of The
World Food Prize Foundation Hall of Laureates.
A centerpiece of the Des Moines/Principal
Financial Riverwalk development project, the
Hall of Laureates will honor Iowa's heritage of
agricultural innovation and humanitarian outreach,
as well as the accomplishments of the
World Food Prize Laureates. The World Food
Prize was created in 1986 by Iowa native and
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Norman E.
Borlaug, and is funded by The John Ruan Trust.

Visit the World Food Prize website to take a look inside the main floor of this great old building.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Borlaug's Iowa connection and contribution to global food production.