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. 

Upcoming Events

Age Group
Age Group
Program Type
Library Branch
Ongoing Events
Registration Type

Primary tabs

This event is in the "Teens" group.

Franklin VolunTeens

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Teens
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Educational, Library Meeting
Event Details:

Are you looking for a great place to volunteer? Become a volunteen and help with library projects and programs.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.

Family Storytime

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

Join us for our evening Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.! Kids and caregivers can join us for fun songs, stories, and acivities. You can even wear your jammies!  

Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Sustainable Iowa Land Trust

6:30pm - 8:00pm
Teens, Adults
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Katie Das, Des Moines Regional Coordinator with Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT), will share information on SILT's vision to rebuild Iowa’s diversified landscape to include farms of all sizes, production methods and crops, includ

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year

9:00am - 11:00am
Adults
Central Library Family Room
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Family Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year is a free weekly postpartum support group for parents and their new babies.

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.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Baby Rhyme Time

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

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

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Play, Grow, Learn!

10:00am - 11:30am
Birth-Preschool
South Side Meeting Room
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.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Baby Rhyme Time

10:15am - 11:00am
Birth-Preschool
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
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.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Baby and Toddler Rhyme Time

10:30am - 11:00am
Birth-Preschool
North Side Meeting Room
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.

This event is in the "Children" group.

ASAP Tuesdays: Fun with Color & Light

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Children
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

In these short, dark days of January, let's experiment with using color and light in art!

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.

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.

This event is in the "Children" group.

Creative Readers-From Book to Art!

4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children
Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Event Details:

Children will listen to a story and then create a masterpiece while exploring with art and STEM activities. Ages 3+.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Art Club: Watercolor Flowers

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children, Teens
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Children and teens ages 8-18 can join us at the North Side Library on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for Art Club!

This month's project is watercolor flowers!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Chess Club

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

Join the fun at Chess Club! Chess is one of the world's most popular games and is played by millions of people worldwide. Learn to play or come to test your skills with other players.

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.

Children’s Program

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

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Drop in: Friendship Bracelets

5:30pm - 7:30pm
All Ages
Library Branch: East Side Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Join us for a fun and creative drop in where you can make your own beaded friendship bracelet! All materials are provided, and no experience is needed—just bring your creativity.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Baby Rhyme Time

9:30am - 10:00am
Birth-Preschool
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
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.

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Job Seekers Help with the Evelyn K Davis Center

10:00am - 12:00pm
Adults
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology
Event Details:

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

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Family Storytime

10:15am - 10:45am
Birth-Preschool
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Play & Learn, Storytimes
Event Details:

Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join us at Forest Avenue Library for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 A.M.

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.

Children’s Program

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

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Toddler Stories, Songs and Movement

10:15am - 10:45am
Birth-Preschool
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
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.

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Buy.Eat.Live Healthy with ISU Extension

1:30pm - 3:00pm
Adults
North Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 10
Event Details:

*Registration for this program will open on December 1st*

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.
This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Drop-in STEM Challenge: Marble Mazes

2:00pm - 7:00pm
Children, Teens
North Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:

Create a marble maze! Drop in to North Side and use a variety of materials to make a maze for a marble inside of a small cardboard box.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

ASAP Wednesdays: Paper Art

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Children, Teens
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:

Learn to make a variety of paper projects at the North Side Library with ASAP bilingual Teaching Artist Lunita.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

This event is in the "Children" group.

Art in the Library: Paper Flashlight Craft

4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 21
Event Details:

Join us this month to create a unique art project that magically displays your drawings using a paper "flashlight." 

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

This event is in the "Teens" group.

VolunTeen Drop-In Hour

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Teens
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Earn volunteer hours by helping out with library programs and projects! Teens ages 12 to 18 can drop in any Wednesday we are open and volunteer for one hour.

This event is in the "Teens" group.

Dungeons and Dragons: School of Adventure with The Dealt Hand

4:30pm - 7:30pm
Teens
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 16
Event Details:

Join The Dealt Hand for School of Adventure!  If you're looking to learn the basics of Dungeons and Dragons and participate in an epic adventure, join us for 3 weeks of D&D fun!  Week one will be an overview of the rules of D&D w

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.
This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Preschool Storytime

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

Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, music, and fun activities!