Week Calendar

“Mother Goose on the Loose”, is a 30-minute nursery rhyme program for newborns to three-year-olds. The class helps to strengthen babies' and toddler's foundation for literacy with rhymes, rhythm, repetition, story, and movement.

Children ages three to five can come and enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and more, followed by a craft.

Play, Grow, Learn! is an opportunity for you to use the Imagination Station to explore early literacy tips and books, play with others, and develop early literacy skills using Forest Avenue Library's space and toys.

Join us for rhymes, bounces, a story, and a short playtime.

For caregivers and babies from newborns up to eighteen months.

“Mother Goose on the Loose”, is a 30-minute nursery rhyme program for newborns to three-year-olds. The class helps to strengthen babies' and toddler's foundation for literacy with rhymes, rhythm, repetition, story, and movement.

“Mother Goose on the Loose”, is a 30-minute nursery rhyme program for newborns to three-year-olds. The class helps to strengthen babies' and toddler's foundation for literacy with rhymes, rhythm, repetition, story, and movement.

Toddlers and caregivers can enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, occasional crafts and a little playtime with Miss Janee. For toddlers ages 18 months - 3 years.

Do you need a calm place to play? Then come to the Forest Avenue Calming Room for a sensory interactive experience! This is an unsupervised, drop-in program for youth.

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

Event Details

Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays and more, followed by a craft. Ages 18 months to 3 years. Meeting Room.

Enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, movement and more!

Adults and children can play together in an environment set up to promote all areas of development through open ended active play focused on the 5 Simple Steps to Success strategies of read, write, sing, play and talk.

 Join Miss Janee for stories, rhymes, songs, movement, and occasional crafts/activities that build literacy and kindergarten-readiness skills. Ages three to five.

Kids! Drop in at South from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on your day off of school for our Kid's Craft Day in the Elementary Area! This week, kids can choose from several scratch art designs to decorate and take home! For youth ages 5-12.

Play, Grow, Learn! is an opportunity for you to use the Imagination Station to explore early literacy tips and books, play with others, and develop early literacy skills using Forest Avenue Library's space and toys.

Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and movement that build literacy skills for ages three to six years old.

On Thursdays, children and their caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, fingerplays, and songs together, followed by a period of free play or drawing.

Adults and children play together in an environment set up to promote all areas of development through open ended active play focused on the 5 Simple Steps to Success strategies of read, write, sing, play and talk.  Join us for 60 minutes of

Put on your creative construction caps and visit the East Side Library’s Meeting Room to build and explore with our Imagination Playground blocks, Legos, ramps and more! Builders of all ages welcome!

Kids and Families! Visit the Art Cart at South from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Elementary Area! We'll have different art projects and crafts that are self-led to choose from to make and take! For youth ages 3 and up.

The LEGO bricks will be available in the Children's Area, so bring your imagination and get ready to build.

Join us for stories, songs, and movement to practice the 5 simple steps of pre-literacy:  reading, singing, talking, writing, and playing!  Best for children aged 18 months to 3 years old.

Are you passionate about a cause like climate change, world hunger, animal rights, or fighting cancer?  Come to the Children's Area and design a button to let people know what you stand for.

Bring the family to the South Side Library to play and build with LEGOS and Duplos in the Elementary Area from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.! For youth ages 3-12. This is an unsupervised, drop-in program.

Build and create with Legos in the children’s area!

Come to the library and hang out with therapy dog Shanti. Shanti is a licensed therapy dog who is excited to meet some new friends. He will be in the Children's Area from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Event Details

Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays and more, followed by a craft. Ages 18 months to 3 years. Meeting Room.

Stop by and celebrate your favorite spy characters with a drop in Spy Training Camp.  There will be stations set out to test your spy skills and a scavenger hunt throughout the library to win a prize.  

Stop by for a Pizza Party at the library!  Hear some fun stories all about pizza, make a chef's hat craft, play with some pizza themed play doh, and make and take your own mini muffin pizza for lunch.

Do you want to practice your English skills? Looking to meet new people in your community? Join community members and English language learners alike at Forest Avenue Library and enjoy light refreshments and sparkling conversation!

Ready to file your tax return?

Before you file, stop by for FREE tax tips from your Local Taxpayer Advocate to avoid delays with the IRS. No appointment needed.

Are you a gamer? Then come to Forest Avenue Library and play some classic board games! This is an unsupervised, drop-in program. Children under ten years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Join us at the Franklin Library for open play and more! Meet families with other young children, check out our awesome picture books, and engage in the five simple steps to success - Read, Write, Sing, Play, and Talk!

Visit us at the North Side Library every Monday to learn some computer basics. Receive one-on-one help with navigating the computer, using the mouse, and setting up an email account.

It’s never too late to feel comfortable with a computer.  Every Wednesday at the Central Library, staff will answer your questions about­­ computer basics, online Library resources, email­­­, and more. 

Visit us every Thursday afternoon to receive guidance in searching for jobs. We will use Google Tools to help you create an email account, build a simple resume, and apply for jobs.

Come join us at the Central Library for an afternoon of painting and sipping sparkling cider! Supplies will be provided but may be limited.

Love Raina Telgemeier, superheroes, manga, graphic novels, and cartoons? Ready to let your artist flag fly? Then come to Comics Creators! We'll provide the paper and pens, you provide the creativity!

Come to North Side to enjoy and a free showing of the 2019 movie, Aladdin. Popcorn will be provided!

Visit the library to create winter-themed bookmarks using watercolors, salt, and other art supplies. All materials are provided. Registration is required. 

Hang out at North Side and enjoy some time playing games on our Nintendo Switch. Snacks may be provided as they last. This program is for ages 10-18.

Read a story, explore and create with art and STEM activities! Bring your imagination and join us in the children's area. Ages 3 years to 8 years.

Join us every Tuesday as we play Roblox, Minecraft, and more. Grades 3-8. 

Do you love all things Pokémon?  Catch 'em all at our monthly Pokémon Club.  Enjoy snacks, trade cards, watch the show, and hang out after school with other fans.  Drop in anytime between 4:00-5:00 for snacks, fun, and more every se

Today during our Discovery Day we will explore the amazing world of robotics!  Hear a story, and explore our stations including the Root robot, program using Cubelets,  and decorate your own cute robot craft to take home.

Come make a difference at the Central Library while meeting other teens interested in helping their community! Work together to help prepare youth activities, assist with programs and more to bulk up your résumé. Ages 12-18. No Walk-ins.

Join us every Wednesday as we explore different STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related activities.  Grades 3-8. 

Join us from 4:30-5:45 PM for the monthly meeting of the Friends of the Forest Avenue Library.

Join us for some bilingual family fun! We'll learn some Spanish while we paint an Iowa winter scene at sunset. While supplies last.

Does your child love to build with LEGOS? Bring the kids to South for Family Storytime: Building Bridges with LEGOS! Kids can listen to the story, The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Come and enjoy stories, rhymes, songs and crafts in English and Spanish.

Venga y disfrute cuentos, rimas, canciones, y manualidades en inglés y español.

The whole family can come to the library for stories, rhymes and songs. Rosie's Rocket Reading Room

Listen to cat stories and meet a special visitor from the ARL Therapets program!  

We will discuss Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon. Copies of the book will be available at the Information Desk while supplies last. No registration required.

Families can enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs together on Wednesday nights. It's a great way for busy families to relax and listen to stories together.