Central Library Pickup Window - Change in Hours

Effective Sunday, September 1, the Central Library pickup window will have new hours. It will be open from 12-6 PM, Monday-Friday. 

Labor Day Closure

All locations of the Des Moines Public Library will be closed Monday, September 2 for Labor Day. All buildings will open for regular hours on Tuesday, September 3.

Upcoming Events

Filters
Age Group

Model Train Display with DesMoiNTrak

10:30am - 5:00pm
Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens, Adults, All Ages
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens, Adults, All Ages
Program Type: Exhibits
Event Details:

All aboard! 

Trains are taking over the Franklin Library this weekend!  Visit the library to see a huge model train display set up by the DesMoiNTrak mo

Books & Bones at Woodland Cemetery

11:00am - 12:00pm
Teens
Registration
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 14
Event Details:

We want to get a jump on the spooky season! Join us for a one-of-a-kind, two-part event! If you can't make it to both programs, it's okay to just come to one!

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.

Puzzle and Game Cafe

11:00am - 1:00pm
All Ages
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Love playing board games or putting together puzzles? Stop by the South Side Meeting Room to play a selection of provided board games and puzzles or invite a group and bring your own! Snacks will be provided.

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.

Voter Registration with Latinos Unidos

11:00am - 2:00pm
Adults
East Side Library Outreach
Offsite Event
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Library Outreach
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

A representative from Latinos Unidos of Iowa will be available to assist with voter registration in the library's Gateway area.

Today you can:

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.

FAFSA Application Workshop #1

12:30pm - 1:30pm
Teens, Adults
East Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 2
Event Details:

Please join us for the FAFSA Assistance workshop. FAFSA is the free student application for student aid. Navigating this process can be difficult, so there will be 2 volunteers assisting in completing the FAFSA Application.

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.

FAFSA Application Workshop #2

1:30pm - 2:30pm
Teens, Adults
East Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 2
Event Details:

Please join us for the FAFSA Assistance workshop. FAFSA is the free student application for student aid. Navigating this process can be difficult, so there will be 2 volunteers assisting in completing the FAFSA Application.

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.

FAFSA Application Workshop #3

2:30pm - 3:30pm
Teens, Adults
East Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 2
Event Details:

Please join us for the FAFSA Assistance workshop. FAFSA is the free student application for student aid. Navigating this process can be difficult, so there will be 2 volunteers assisting in completing the FAFSA Application.

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.

FAFSA Application Workshop #4

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Teens, Adults
East Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 2
Event Details:

Please join us for the FAFSA Assistance workshop. FAFSA is the free student application for student aid. Navigating this process can be difficult, so there will be 2 volunteers assisting in completing the FAFSA Application.

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.

Model Train Display with DesMoiNTrak

12:00pm - 2:30pm
Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens, Adults, All Ages
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens, Adults, All Ages
Program Type: Exhibits
Event Details:

All aboard! 

Trains are taking over the Franklin Library this weekend!  Visit the library to see a huge model train display set up by the DesMoiNTrak modular railroad club.  The N scale model railroads are

Take and Make: Halloween Garland

All Day 10/14 - 10/16
Adults
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Take & Make
Event Details:

Stop by the Forest Avenue Library and pick up materials to create a Halloween garland. Perfect for holiday decorating. While supplies last. 

Ghosts in Disguise Challenge

All Day 10/14 - 10/19
Children
East Side Rosie's Nature Nook
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Rosie's Nature Nook
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Stop by the Children's Area and pick up a "Ghosts in Disguise Challenge" 

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.

Goosebumps Scavenger Hunt!

All Day 10/14 - 10/19
Children
Library Branch: South Side Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Kids! Visit South and try our Scavenger Hunt! Drop in and search the library for all of the items on the sheet and win a prize!

Toddler Storytime

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:

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

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.

Sesame Street Storytime

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:

Des Moines Performing Arts is bringing Sesame Street Live! to Des Moines on October 29 at 6 pm. In celebration of this upcoming performance, visit the library for a Sesame Street storytime.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Franklin Afternoon Book Discussion

1:00pm - 2:00pm
Adults
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:

October's selection is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

Stuffy Sleepover Storytime

4:00pm - 4:30pm
Birth-Preschool, Children
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Educational, Health & Wellness, Play & Learn, Storytimes
Event Details:

Bring your stuffy friend to the Central Library to enjoy a fun storytime together before leaving your buddy at the library overnight to get into some mischief!

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.

ASAP Mondays: Nature Art

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children, Teens
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 20
Event Details:

Get creative with nature in this fun class with ASAP and Victoria Story. Make a work of art using sensory items like moss, dried flowers, sticks, and seeds. Design and create your own Fairy Garden! Snack provided for all participants.

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.

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.

FormLabs Form 3 Resin 3D Printer Training Class

5:00pm - 6:00pm
Adults
Central Library Tech Central
Registration
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Tech Central
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 8
Event Details:

Would you like to use Tech Central's new FormLabs Form 3 resin 3D printer?  Take this required training to learn how!  Participants will learn how to use FormLabs free PreForm software to prepare their 3D prints for printing at the libra

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.

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 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.

Political Polarization: It’s Ugly, and There’s No End in Sight.

6:30pm - 7:45pm
Adults
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

American politics has entered a troubling if not potentially dangerous era that erupted in the 2020 elections, but this era did not begin and will not end with the Trump presidency. Why?

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year

9:00am - 11:00am
Adults
Central Library Imagination Station
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Imagination Station
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.

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.

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.