Adventure Pass Changes in 2025

Due to software issues affecting all libraries using the service, the Des Moines Public Library’s Iowa Adventure Pass program will no longer be available in 2025. Any reservation already made for 2025 will be honored, but we encourage anyone with a current reservation to print those passes immediately. Customers can make new reservations for passes that must be used by December 31, 2024. We hope to reintroduce the service at a later time, and we apologize for the inconvenience. 

Elf on the Shelf

All Day
Children
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Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: , Gaming
Event Details:

The mischievous little elf is hiding somewhere in the Children's Area. Can you find him and win a prize?

Mother Goose on the Loose

9:30am - 10:00am
Birth-Preschool
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Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Family Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

“Mother Goose on the Loose”, is a 30-minute nursery rhyme program for newborns to three-year-olds. The class helps to strengthen babies' and toddler's foundation for literacy with rhymes, rhythm, repetition, story, and movement.

Disclaimer(s)

Central Parking

Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Toddler Storytime

10:00am - 10:30am
Birth-Preschool
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Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Toddlers and caregivers can enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, occasional crafts and a little playtime with Miss Janee. For toddlers ages 18 months - 3 years.

Forest Avenue Calming Room

10:00am - 12:00pm
Children
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Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Study Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Do you need a calm place to play? Then come to the Forest Avenue Calming Room for a sensory interactive experience! This is an unsupervised, drop-in program for youth.

Baby Rhyme Time

10:15am - 10:45am
Birth-Preschool
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Family Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Join us weekly for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.

Disclaimer(s)

Central Parking

Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Toddler Storytime

10:15am - 10:45am
Birth-Preschool
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Event Details

Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays and more, followed by a craft. Ages 18 months to 3 years. Meeting Room.

Storytime with DART

10:15am - 11:00am
Birth-Preschool, Children
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Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round during this special edition of storytime!

Toddler Storytime

11:00am - 11:30am
Birth-Preschool
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Event Details

Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays and more, followed by a craft. Ages 18 months to 3 years. Meeting Room.

Snail Mail Social

11:30am - 12:30pm
Adults
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Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Do you remember the excitement of receiving a beautifully addressed letter in the mailbox? Take an hour away from email and texting to join us for an evening of old-fashioned letter and card writing.

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Dog Man Party

3:30pm - 5:30pm
Children
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Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Gaming
Event Details:

Celebrate the release of the 8th Dog Man book:  Fetch-22 at our Dog Man party after school! Drop in for Dog Man related fun, games, crafts and an epic scavenger hunt around the library!

Art in the Library: Fill Your Own Ornament

4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children
Required
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Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts,
Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:

Come to the library and make ornaments filled with a variety of fun things. Keep them for yourself or use them as gifts.

For ages 6-12. Younger siblings may attend if accompanied by an adult.

VolunTeens

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children, Teens
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Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Family Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Come make a difference at the Central Library while meeting other teens interested in helping their community! Work together to help prepare youth activities, assist with programs and more to bulk up your résumé. Ages 12-18. No Walk-ins.

Youth Makerspace-Augmented Reality

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children, Teens
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Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational, Play & Learn
Event Details:

You don't need a pair of goggles to experience virtual reality. Come experiment with some cool apps and gadgets and see what augmented reality is all about!

Family Storytime

6:30pm - 7:00pm
Birth-Preschool, Children
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Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Families can enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs together on Wednesday nights. It's a great way for busy families to relax and listen to stories together.