Holiday closures this week

All locations of the Des Moines Public Library will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for Thanksgiving. Normal hours resume on Saturday, November 30.

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. 

Lil' Crafts

All Day
Birth-Preschool
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Every week enjoy a different drop-in craft for our littlest readers.  From paper bag puppets to process-based art, these activities will help kids combine learning and play using the five simple steps of literacy: read,

Bilingual Sunshine Storytime

10:00am - 10:30am
Birth-Preschool, Children
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Library Lawn
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Come and enjoy stories, rhymes, songs and storytelling in English and Spanish on the Forest Avenue Library lawn. Family Storytime starts at 10:00 A.M.!

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. 

Storytime Disclaimer (2021)

Masks are encouraged for attendees 2 years and older. Please observe social distancing when possible and visit us another day if you or your child are not feeling well.

Toddler Stories, Songs and Movement

10:00am - 10:30am
Birth-Preschool
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Join Miss Janee for a fun filled storytime! Caregivers can enjoy stories, songs, wiggles and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.

 

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.

Storytime Disclaimer (2021)

Masks are encouraged for attendees 2 years and older. Please observe social distancing when possible and visit us another day if you or your child are not feeling well.

Toddler Storytime

10:00am - 10:30am
Birth-Preschool
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement with Samantha. For youth ages 18 months to 36 months.

Job seekers help with the Financial Empowerment Center

10:00am - 2:00pm
Adults
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology
Event Details:

Staff from the Financial Empowerment Center and Evelyn K Davis Center for Working Families are ready to provide one-on-one job search and resume assistance to job seekers.

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.

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 Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
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)

Children’s Program

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

Toddler Stories, Songs and Movement

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:

Join Miss Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.

 

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

LEGO Wednesday

12:00pm - 7:30pm
Children
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Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Drop in between noon and 7:30 to build with Legos!

Drop-in Computer Help @ Central

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Adults
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Tech Central
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology, Educational
Event Details:

It’s never too late to feel comfortable with a computer.  Every Wednesday at the Central Library, staff will answer your questions about­­ computer basics like using a mouse, typing, email­­­, document creation and more.&nbsp

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.

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.

Party Games

4:00pm - 6:00pm
Children, Teens
Required
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Required
Seats Remaining: 28
Event Details:

Bring your friends and family for an evening of Party Games! There will be a variety of games to choose from, like What Do You Meme, Apples to Apples, Exploding Kittens, On a Scale of One to T-Rex, Incohearent, and more!

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.

Friends of the Forest Avenue Library

4:30pm - 5:30pm
All Ages
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Library Meeting
Event Details:

Join the Friends of the Forest Avenue Library for the monthly meeting at Forest Avenue Library!

Digital Literacy for New Americans

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Adults
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology
Event Details:

Digital Literacy Instruction for New Americans

NAMI Ending the Silence-Mental Health for Adults

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Adults
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:

NAMI Ending the Silence is a 50-minute presentation regarding warning signs of mental illness and what to do when these symptoms are identified.

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.