The East Side Library Meeting Room is reserved as a Polk County Polling Place. The Meeting Room will open to the public at 7:00 AM for voting. The Meeting Room will close to the public and voting will cease at 8:00 PM.
Adventure Pass Ending in 2025
Due to circumstances outside of our control, the Des Moines Public Library’s Iowa Adventure Pass service 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.
The Forest Avenue Library Meeting Room is reserved as a Polk County Polling Place. The Meeting Room will open to the public at 7:00 AM for voting. The Meeting Room will close to the public and voting will cease at 8:00 PM.
Interview
Join Samantha, our youth librarian, weekly for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story.
This program is recommended for caregivers and babies ages newborn to eighteen months.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Kids and caregivers! Come to the South Side Library's parking lot to see the new Rosie Van and meet and DMPL Outreach Librarian Miss Maddie!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Inclement Weather
This program is hosted outdoors. In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.
Outdoor Program
This program is hosted outdoors.
In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.
Get started on the ukulele and quickly learn to play familiar tunes while having fun! Play your own ukulele or borrow one of North Side's soprano ukuleles for the class.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Indoor Program (2021)
This program is hosted indoors. Please observe social distancing and follow local COVID-19 safety mandates. Hand sanitizer will be provided and staff will do their best to ensure any shared materials are disinfected between use. This program is subject to COVID-19 safety protocol updates, including room capacity limits. Please check our website for updates.
Ready, Set, GO! The Soapbox Derby is coming to Des Moines.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Indoor Program (2021)
This program is hosted indoors. Please observe social distancing and follow local COVID-19 safety mandates. Hand sanitizer will be provided and staff will do their best to ensure any shared materials are disinfected between use. This program is subject to COVID-19 safety protocol updates, including room capacity limits. Please check our website for updates.
Join Joel Van Roekel from Des Moines Parks & Recreation at the library to discover some of the birds that live in our area!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
Inclement Weather
This program is hosted outdoors. In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.
Outdoor Program
This program is hosted outdoors.
In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.
Level up your gaming skills! Use our tablets and Nintendo Switch to play Among Us, Minecraft, Roblox, and more. Ages 8+.
The 2022 AViD season concludes with a special author panel comprised of popular, distinguished local figures who are also published authors at 7 PM on Tuesday, June 7 at Central Library. Appearing will be: Dr.