Public Health and Government

Food Bank of Iowa will continue normal operations and continue monitoring developments related to COVID-19, the organization announced Friday afternoon. Food Bank of Iowa is working with Des Moines Public Schools to fill needs as students are out of classes during the district’s extended closure. A statement and updates are available online. 

Education

The ISU Research Park will be limiting use of common areas and conference rooms from outside groups through at least April 3, although common spaces will still be available to park tenants, the organization announced on Friday. No ISURP events will be held through April 3, which includes the cancellation of Park After Dark (scheduled for March 19) and Food Truck Friday (scheduled for April 3). ISURP asks that everyone suspend use of conference rooms on Saturday and Sunday as no cleaning crews are scheduled to disinfect on the weekends. 

Arts and Culture

The Des Moines Public Library is canceling all programs and events through March 31 at all library buildings, and canceling all meeting room reservations and closing study rooms, effective late Friday afternoon. The library is working to reschedule the first four Authors Visiting in Des Moines speaker series events, previously scheduled for March 28 and April 9, 22 and 23. The coronavirus information program scheduled for March 19 at 5:30 p.m. is now a Facebook Live stream-only program. The May 3 MyDMPL Con family event at Central Library is postponed. Updates and more information on canceled events are available online. 

Performances at the Civic Center of Lerner & Loewe’s “My Fair Lady” are postponed to a later date, Des Moines Performing Arts announced Friday. Individuals holding tickets purchased directly from DMPA to affected performances (originally scheduled March 17-22) should hold on to their current tickets and wait for communication from DMPA’s ticket office. A full statement is available online.