Planned Parenthood closes the chapter on its storied book sale in Des Moines

F. Amanda Tugade, Des Moines Register
Updated ·3 min read

Planned Parenthood North Central States announced Monday that its longtime biannual book sale is coming to an end — with its final event to take place next month.

The decision to end the sale, which last year marked its 60th anniversary, came after the city of Des Moines sought to use eminent domain to acquire the warehouse where the books are stored, according to a news release. The property at 123 Clark St. in Des Moines is among the properties that will soon be impacted by the reconstruction project for the Second Avenue Corridor.

Why does the city of Des Moines want to purchase Planned Parenthood's warehouse?

The project, which began last year, focuses on several major renovations to infrastructures on Second Avenue from University Avenue to the Des Moines River. That includes replacing the Second Avenue Bridge over Birdland Drive, installing a new storm sewer along the west side of Second Avenue, and repairing Second Avenue's roadways and intersections.

The latter, says City Engineer Steve Naber, is why city staff began eying more than 50 properties on or near Second Avenue such as the warehouse. One of the project's goals is to realign Forest Avenue and Clark Street.

While the city only needs a "sliver" or an easement from most of the properties, Naber said they needed to fully acquire the warehouse and the Greyhound bus station that sits directly in front of it.

Naber told the Register that conversations with Planned Parenthood to acquire the warehouse began in 2021. The two entities reached "a voluntary agreement" this May, with the city moving forward to purchase the decades-old property for around $1.4 million, he said.

According to the agreement, Naber said Planned Parenthood plans to vacate the building by Nov. 15 — about a month after the last book sale. Acquisition of the bus station, which is located at 1501 Second Ave., is still ongoing.

City Council "will be ordering construction" for that part of the project at the Oct. 23 meeting, Naber added. The bidding process is expected to take place in November.

Planned Parenthood plans to use warehouse sale proceeds to support sex education in Iowa

Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in the news release that her organization is sharing the announcement with "very mixed emotions" and "a heavy heart."

"I know this book sale means so much to so many people who have cherished memories of picking through rows of books, and the joy of finding a hidden gem," said Richardson, who described herself as a lifelong book lover. "We are profoundly grateful for the passion in this community and especially the commitment that hundreds of volunteers have brought to the event and our mission. Change is hard, and we recognize that."

Jessica Bauer, a book lover from Des Moines, looks over the literature section during the annual Planned Parenthood book sale on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the 4-H building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
Jessica Bauer, a book lover from Des Moines, looks over the literature section during the annual Planned Parenthood book sale on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the 4-H building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

Planned Parenthood North Central States, which provides programs to residents in Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska, will continue to invest in sex education resources in Iowa through an endowed fund. That fund, the release stated, will be established by the sale of the warehouse to the city and match the dollars raised by the book sale.

Planned Parenthood's storied book sale began in 1961 with a small group of volunteers, selling 13,000 books and raising $2,650, the release shared. The sale, which eventually was held twice a year, has grown into one of the largest charity events in the nation, pulling in more than 500 volunteers and bringing in an annual profit of $500,000.

The final book sale will take place from Oct. 12-16 in the 4-H Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave. in Des Moines. Hours of the event vary by day. Admission is free for the event except for opening day. Tickets to attend the first day of the sale cost $20.

For more information or to view the event schedule, visit plannedparenthoodbooksale.com.

Editor's note: This article was updated to provide more details from the city of Des Moines on the Second Avenue corridor projects and its purchase of the Planned Parenthood warehouse.

F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on Twitter @writefelissa.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Planned Parenthood North Central States ends its 60-year-old book sale