Upcoming Events

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Kids Pokémon Card Swap

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Are you looking for a place to trade your Pokémon cards?  Bring your friends and come to this monthly program with any cards you want to trade.  This event is open to children ages 7-18.    The Franklin Library is located...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Open Art Hour

4:00pm - 5:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Come to South Side Library for an open art hour, where you can use our supplies and your creativity to express yourself however you like. From paints to beads to drawing and more, you can explore ways to make art as unique as you! ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Bee a Friend to Pollinators

5:30pm - 6:30pm
East Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 8
Event Details:
Join us and welcome Joel from the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department to learn about bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in our neighborhood and how we can help them thrive.  Every participant will be able to make a bee ho...

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.

Exploring Mayan Ruins

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Computers & Technology, Educational, Storytimes
Event Details:
Come to Forest to explore the Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico. We will interact with 365/4k recorded footage of multiple Mayan ruins; We will have a special guest who will talk about their experiences as a native person o...

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.

Children’s Program

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

South Side Evening Book Discussion-Crying in H Mart

6:30pm - 7:30pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:
Join us for South Side's Evening Book Discussion! We will be discussing Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. Sign up and get a copy of the book at the South Side Information Desk. ...

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.

Virtual Cookbook Club

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom Program Room
Registration
Virtual Event
Library Branch: DMPL Virtual
Room: Zoom Program Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs, Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:
Join us from the comfort of your own homes and kitchens for a DMPL cookbook club that celebrates substitutions, creativity, sustainability and independence in home cooking. Prepare or use for inspiration one or more recipes from the selected cookbook...

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.

Superhero Day

10:00am - 4:00pm
Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
It's a bird...It's a plane...It's Superhero Day! Join us for a day of activities, crafts and scavenger hunt in the children's area from 10AM to 4 PM. All ages are welcome.  ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

The Outreach Project

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Central Library Cafe Gallery
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Cafe 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. They may also offer support and ...

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.

Community Health Education: Full Circle Recovery

1:30pm - 3:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:
Full Circle Recovery is a local non-profit providing emotional, informational, and practical support to individuals and families affected by substance use. We aim to expand pathways of recovery so that all people are empowered to reach their full pot...

Memory Café

2:00pm - 4:00pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:
Memory Cafés provide a welcoming social gathering for people living with dementia and their care partners, focusing on person-centered care for those living with dementia. We'll begin with relaxed socializing, move on to a planned activity revolving ...

Nintendo Switch Party!

3:00pm - 4:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Join us for a Nintendo Switch Party! We will have games like Mario Kart 8 & Super Mario Bros. Ultimate. Feel free to bring your own Switch or share the library’s controllers. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Día del Niño Celebration! /¡Celebración del Día del Niño!

10:00am - 12:00pm
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational, Performances
Event Details:
Día is an international celebration of the joy found in early childhood and reading. This year, the Des Moines Public Library and its community partners are celebrating together! Join us at Union Park for FREE activities for the whole family: book...

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.

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. 

Art Cart Saturdays

10:00am - 4:00pm
East Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Stop in the library to do some fun arts and crafts with our Art Cart!  ...

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.

Crochet 101: Make a Circle Coaster

10:30am - 12:00pm
North Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:
Learn the basics of crochet by making a flat circle that you can use as a coaster. Each participant will receive yarn and a crochet hook to take with them. Note: This program will cover the exact same lesson as the program on April 13. To accommod...

PAWS and Read with Therapy Dogs

10:30am - 11:30pm
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:
Join us for PAWS & Read with therapy dogs from Dog Training Elite here in Des Moines.  Reading to trained therapy pets can help build self-esteem, offers children a non-judgmental audience to build skills, confidence, and kids get to prac...

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.

Children’s Program

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

Seed Swap and Spring Gardening Workshop

1:00pm - 3:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Kick off gardening season by attending a seed swap & gardening workshop. This will be an opportunity to meet local gardeners while learning how to use your gardening space wisely, prepare your soil for success, as well as other vegetable gard...

Toddler Storytime

10:00am - 10:30am
East Side Meeting Room
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! For ages 18 months to 36 months. ...

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.

Children’s Program

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

Preschool Storytime

10:15am - 10:45am
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 Jennifer for Preschool Storytime on Monday mornings at 10:15 a.m.  There will be stories, rhymes, music, and more. This storytime is recommended for ages three to five, but all children are welcome to attend.   The Frankl...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

The Outreach Project

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Central Library Cafe Gallery
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Cafe 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. They may also offer support and ...

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.

Drop In: Poem in Your Pocket Day

3:00pm - 7:00pm
East Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Drop by the library and immerse yourself in the beauty of poetry. Poem in Your Pocket Day is a celebration of poetry and creativity. Stop by and pick out a poem for yourself or create a new poem to take home in your pocket.  ...

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.

ASAP Mondays: Hip Hop Dance

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 12
Event Details:
Join us Mondays 4–5 p.m. this Spring for a weekly program in Hip Hop dance, choreography, cultural history, and more, with the After School Arts Program (ASAP) and teaching artist Mia of Creative Netwerk. These classes will provide opportunities to g...

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.

Family Storytime

6:30pm - 7:00pm
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 crafts. You can even wear your jammies!  All Ages Welcome! ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Justice League vs. Avengers Scavenger Hunt

All Day 4/30 - 5/4
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
It's a comic book showdown for the ages! Batman vs. Iron Man, The Flash vs. The Hulk, and Aquaman vs. The Black Panther! All these matchups and more are on display in the library, but who will win?? Only you can decide!  Help us find each pair, ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year

9:00am - 11:00am
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
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. Facilitated by Blank Children's Hospital, each week will feature a guest presenter on a variety of postpartum topics, plus plenty of time to m...

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.