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. 

Touch a Truck: Fire Truck

10:00am - 10:30am
Children
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Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Library Lawn
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Visit Miss Sam at the East Side library for a special storytime and visit from a Des Moines Firefighter and a fire truck! Storytime will be held in the meeting room, with a walk outside to see the truck following the story. 

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Family Storytime in the Park

10:15am - 10:45am
Birth-Preschool, Children
Offsite Event
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Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

The whole family can come to Beaverdale Park at 10:15 AM for this special outdoor Family Storytime.  Bring your own blanket or chairs and join us for stories, songs, and rhymes in the great outdoors.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors.  

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates. 

The Outreach Project

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Adults
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Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Gateway Gallery
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:

The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Free Movie: Polar Express

1:30pm - 3:30pm
Adults
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 2, 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Movies
Event Details:

Movie shown during The Outreach Project.

Typing Club

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Adults
Required
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Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology
Required
Seats Remaining: 2
Event Details:

Would you like to learn how to type or improve your keyboarding skills at your own pace? The library can help! Visit the North Side Library every Monday at 3pm to practice and get one on one assistance. Laptops will be provided.

Disclaimer(s)

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.

Raising School Ready Readers

3:30pm - 5:00pm
Birth-Preschool
Required
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Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Educational
Required
Seats Remaining: 18
Event Details:

*This free ISU Extension course consists of five 90-minute sessions, occurring weekly on Monday afternoons.

State fair I Spy

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children
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Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:

Come to the East Side children's area during the next two weeks for a State Fair scavenger hunt! Find all of the items for a prize!

Forest Avenue Library Book Discussion

6:00pm - 6:45pm
Adults
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Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:

Join us for a discussion of The Turnout by Megan Abbott. Ask at the information desk for a copy of the book.

Disclaimer(s)

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.

Reading Challenge 2022 Book Club

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Adults
Required
Virtual Event
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Library Branch: DMPL Systemwide
Room: Zoom Program Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Required
Seats Remaining: 13
Event Details:

Welcome to the 2022 Reading Challenge Book Club! Each month we'll read a title that fulfills at least one of the 12 categories and then talk about what we think! Participate each month and you'll be all set for the challenge!

Disclaimer(s)

Email Required

Please make sure you have entered a valid email address as the online event details will be sent to you prior to the event. If you have not received a confirmation email your inbox, please check your spam folder.

Experience Dyslexia

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Teens, Adults
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Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

What does it feel like to have dyslexia - the most common learning disability?  Attendees will explore myths and facts about dyslexia and participate in several dyslexia simulation activities designed to increase empathy and understanding.&nb

Disclaimer(s)

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.

City of Des Moines Civil & Human Rights Commission

6:00pm - 8:00pm
All Ages
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Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Library Meeting
Event Details:

Open meeting for community dialogues.

Family Storytime: Under the Sea

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Birth-Preschool
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Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Gaming, Play & Learn, Storytimes
Event Details:

Kids and caregivers can join us at South for a special storytime Under the Sea! Kids and caregivers can listen to a fun story about mermaids and underwater creatures. Afterwards, kids can explore the following stations: 

Disclaimer(s)

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.