When I met with the director of the Des Moines public libraries, Sue Woody, she had some stories that drove home her point that the system has evolved from the days of librarians shushing those who dared to utter a peep. In today’s world of digital catalogs and e-books, plenty has changed.

“I did a workshop called ‘How to Build a Book Club and a Bloody Mary from Scratch,’” Woody says. Woody handled the book club advice. A bartender from Hello Marjorie! provided the drink-making tips.

This isn’t new, but many don’t realize that the Central Library, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, has underground parking. And you know how when you are shopping for washers and dryers online you always bemoan the pay wall at Consumer Reports’ site? The library has a copy of each issue.

The library also has yearbooks from area high schools going back through much of their history. The staff is working on digital versions.

Heck, Woody is hoping that someday she’ll be able to offer people space — perhaps on a medium not even created yet — to keep their personal family history at the library, photos, videos and all.

Some of those library fans are city council members. Josh Mandelbaum brings his family to the downtown library for story time, Woody said. Linda Westergaard stops by the North Side Library. “They are all so incredibly supportive,” Woody said. “It’s been a real breath of fresh air.”