Upcoming Events

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.

Visit North Side and read to a furry friend from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa's Therapets program!

Bring your young ones to our Little Explorers program, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different sensory activities. No Registration is Required. Please wear play clothes as some activities may be messy.

​​​​​​Welcome the autumn season with a 2-hour guided forest bathing walk. Have you heard about forest bathing and wondered what it’s all about?

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 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.

ASAP Mondays

Stop by the Forest Avenue Library to pick up a copy of this month's title at the desk. 

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!

This presentation will include explaining the purpose of hospice care and the role of each member of the hospice team.

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

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

Need help creating an email account? Polishing a resume or applying for a job? Come to the Forest Avenue Library on Tuesdays from 10:00AM-12PM and get individual computer assistance. First-come, first-served. 

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

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.

This summer, Breaking became the first competitive dancesport in history to appear at the Summer Olympics. Through ASAP Tuesdays at East Side Library, you can now try some of the basics of breakdancing, free and with your friends.

Children will listen to a story and then create a masterpiece while exploring with art and STEM activities. Ages 3 to 8 years old, but younger and older siblings are welcome.

Are you a fan of anime or curious about what it's all about? Join us and make new friends as we view an episode of an anime show, talk about anime and manga, and have snacks! This program is intended for teens 13 years and older.

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!

Tweens and teens ages 10-14 can join us for a book club on the last Tuesday of the month.

Do you like all things K-pop? Come to the Central Library every month and bring your photocards to trade, invite your friends or meet and hang out with other fans! Enjoy snacks, other activities, and listening to music.

Are you ready to make the jump to homeownership, but just don’t know where to start or how the process works?