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. 

MLK Scavenger Hunt

All Day
Children
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Scavenger Hunt

Play, Grow, Learn!

10:00am - 11:30am
Birth-Preschool
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Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers can engage in open play, come and go activities at South. 

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Baby Rhyme Time

10:15am - 11:00am
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:

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Baby and Toddler Rhyme Time

10:30am - 11:00am
Birth-Preschool
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers can join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story.

This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months of age.

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.

Friends of the North Side Library

1:00pm - 1:45pm
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: Library Meeting
Event Details:

 Friends of the North Side Library Meeting.  New members always welcome.

Drop-in Shrinky-dinks®

1:00pm - 7:30pm
Children, Teens
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Draw big and watch your creation shrink before your eyes! Trace or make your own design onto special sheets which staff will place in a toaster over to shrink in a matter of seconds.

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.

North Side Book Discussion

2:00pm - 3:00pm
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: Book Clubs
Event Details:

This month we will be reading and discussing The Downstairs Girl by Stacy Lee. Copies of the book are available at the North Side Library.

 

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.

Food Allergies

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

For the Birds with Polk County Conservation

4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children
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
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:

A special guest from Polk County Conservation will join us for Creative Readers, teach us how to identify common winter birds in our area, and make a pine cone birdfeeder to take home.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Level Up!

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children, Teens
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Computers & Technology, Gaming
Event Details:

Level up your gaming skills! Use our tablets and Nintendo Switch to play Among Us, Minecraft, Roblox, and more. Ages 8+.

Reading Buddies with ARL TheraPets!

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children
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: Children
Program Type: Educational, Health & Wellness, Play & Learn
Event Details:

Do you love animals? Then visit Central Library to practice reading with and learn about an ARL TheraPet! Engaging with animals is a great way to boost confidence and reduce anxiety around learning to read!

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.

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.

Children’s Program

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

Cancelled

Des Moines Public Library Board Meeting

4:15pm - 5:30pm
All Ages
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Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Administrative Board Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Library Meeting
Event Details:

The Library Board of Trustees will meet Tuesday, January 17 at 4:15 PM in the Central Library Board Room. 

Discovering Des Moines History

5:30pm - 6:30pm
Adults
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Interested in learning about the history of our great City? Or learning about your little corner of it? DMPL is offering free monthly presentations on Des Moines’ fascinating past.

Beginning Ukulele

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Adults
Required
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: Educational
Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:

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 Library's soprano ukuleles with your library card.

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.

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.

Books & Bites

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Adults
Required
Offsite Event
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Required
Seats Remaining: 6
Event Details:

This month's book is Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.