Upcoming Events

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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.

Technology Basics

3:00pm - 4:00pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology
Event Details:
Join us for a computer basics class and increase your skills. In this month's workshop, you will be introduced to basic terminology, functionality, and navigation of internet browsers, search engines and websites. ...

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.

ASAP Mondays: Hip Hop Dance

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Forest Avenue Children’s Area
Registration
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 10
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.

Movie Watch Party: The Mitchells vs. The Machines

4:00pm - 6:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Movies
Event Details:
We will eat popcorn and do a fun activity while we watch The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021). Rated PG.  ...

Writers' Workshop 2024

5:30pm - 7:30pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Join us for the DMPL Writer's Workshop on the first* Monday of the month from 5:30-7:30 PM. Share samples of work and receive feedback from other writers in the group. Email your submission to Julia at jmdunt@dmpl.org by 12 PM the Tuesday before the ...

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.

Europe and the Holocaust

6:30pm - 7:45pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Beverly Nagel Ellis will share the story of her family's years-long Holocaust journey, from a Russian slave camp, to a German displaced persons camp, to their emigration to the United States. Personally, she spent most of the first five yea...

Jedi and Sith Scavenger Hunt

All Day 5/7 - 5/11
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
May The Force Be With You! This week at the library we've got Jedi and Sith hiding all throughout the library! Find them all and you'll win a galactically cool prize!  Best for ages 6+   ...

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.

Play, Grow, Learn!

10:00am - 11:30am
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.  Play, Grow, Learn is an opportunity to meet families with other young children and engage in the five simple steps to success - Read, Write, Sin...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Manualidades para adultos: Pintando abanicos | Crafting for Adults: Fan Painting

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Registration
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 2
Event Details:
Do you love to craft? Come paint a hanheld fan or bring your current project and make some progress! Template and free-hand options will be available by choice. Registration recommended. ¿Te encanta hacer manualidades? ¡Ven a pintar un aba...

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.

After-School Club: Switch Gaming

4:00pm - 5:00pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Tweens and teens ages 10-18 can join us after school on Tuesdays to enjoy activities on our meeting room. This week, play Nintendo Switch Games on our big screen! ...

Big Book Sale

9:00am - 5:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Book Sales
Event Details:
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community. Get everything for a steal at rock bottom ...

Job Seekers Help with the Evelyn K Davis Center

10:00am - 12:00pm
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. A career coach can guide you through resume building, applying for jobs, referrals to employers and other ...

Mindfulness Meditation Presented by Supportive Services for Veteran Families

1:30pm - 2:30pm
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:
This program will include a brief overview of where Mindfulness Meditation comes from and why we do it, followed by a 20 minute sitting practice with time for Q&A afterwards. Chair seating will be available. Guests are also welcome to bring ...

Drop-in Crafternoon: Paper Flower Art

2:00pm - 7:00pm
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:
Drop-in to North Side every Wednesday to enjoy a craft or STEM activity! This week, we will make spiral paper flowers! ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Library Talk: Poverty in Iowa

3:00pm - 4:30pm
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Registration
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 8
Event Details:
Join us for a special edition of Books That Will Change Your Life: A Nonfiction Book Club.  Each month we have a conversation around a life-changing nonfiction book.  We’ll select a book that will change your perspective, give you new strat...

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.

VolunTEENS Work Time

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Central Library Imagination Station
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Imagination Station
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:
If you're between the ages of 12-18 and looking for a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity, give the library a try! We would love to have your help! ...

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.

Library Talk: Poverty in Iowa

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Registration
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 3
Event Details:
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with other Iowa libraries and Uplift - The Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot on a series of programs aimed at having important community conversations about poverty and its effect on Iowa. For more informatio...

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.

Natives in our Parks

6:30pm - 7:30pm
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Join Joel with Des Moines Parks and Recreation to learn about what City of Des Moines Parks & Rec has done with Natives in their Parks program and with their Neighborhood program! Joel will also go into specific species that attendees could used ...

Big Book Sale

9:00am - 5:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Book Sales
Event Details:
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community. Get everything for a steal at rock bottom ...

Glowforge Training

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Central Library Tech Central
Registration
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Tech Central
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Computers & Technology, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 4
Event Details:
Learn how to use the Glowforge Plus Laser Engraver at Tech Central! This program takes the place of the 1 on 1 Glowforge tutorial, so you will be fully qualified to book and use the Glowforge on your own after this program.  A library card nu...

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.

Read to a Pet with ARL TheraPets

4:00pm - 5:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational, Health & Wellness
Event Details:
Join us at South Side Library to learn about and read to a therapy pet. Youth and their caregivers will have the opportunity to ask questions, practice reading, and, of course, pet a therapy animals from the Animal Rescue League's TheraPets program. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Plant, Grow, Fly!

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, Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 8
Event Details:
Learn about butterflies and plants with the East Side Library and the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department! Kids can listen to a story about butterflies from Miss Nichole and learn more information about plants and butterflies from Environmenta...

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.

Gardening with Native Plants Meet-Up

5:30pm - 7:00pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Connect with others interested in environmentally friendly gardens. The focus is on native plants which foster and nourish wildlife. Come to learn and to share your favorite gardening tips, design ideas, seeds, plants, and more!   This ...