Week Calendar

Did you know 100% of the blood used in central Iowa comes from LifeServe Blood Center? 

Join LifeServe Blood Center and Des Moines Public Library in saving local lives with blood donations. 

“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.

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

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 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.

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

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.

Kids and families! Drop in at South from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for our Kid's Craft Day! This week, kids can celebrate their favorite team by decorating their own sports pennant - just in time for the Super Bowl! For youth ages 5 and up.

Art supplies will be available in the Children's Area.  Bring your imagination and creativity and make something amazing!

Drop-in at the library to for a craft. This craft will be kept at the Youth Desk and are first come first served as supplies last. One craft per child.

Visit the East Side Library every Wednesday and Saturday from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm for tax preparation assistance from AARP. All help will be given on a first come, first serve basis.

Need to register to vote? Stop by the library! The Office of Iowa Secretary of State will provide voter information and registration assistance.

To qualify to register to vote in Iowa, you must be:

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.

WE NEED YOU!! 

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!

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!

Spend a few hours with other crafters and work on your knit, crochet, or needle craft projects. Please bring your own supplies and projects with you. Snacks, beverages, and pleasant company provided.

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.

We will be discussing Woman 99 by Greer Macallister. Coffee and treats will be served. Copies of the book are available at the Circulation desk.

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.

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

Celebrate the start of Black History Month with the whole family at a showing of Amazing Grace at Forest Avenue Library!

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!

Join us on the last Friday of each month to read to an Animal Rescue League TheraPet!

Teens! Are you looking for a place to volunteer? Become a VolunTeen at the South Side Library! Teens ages 12-18 can volunteer at South and complete various library projects with the youth librarian from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

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.

By connecting everyday objects to computer programs, Makey Makey electronic boards enable anyone to become an inventor.

Build your hedgehogs using our 3-D pens and ping pong balls. You will learn the basics of using a pen to draw 3-D toys in only a few steps. 

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. 

Are you looking for a place to trade your Pokémon cards? Come to this monthly program and bring any cards you want to trade.

This event is open to children ages seven to eighteen.

Teens! Are you looking for a place to volunteer? Become a VolunTeen at the South Side Library! Teens ages 12-18 can volunteer at South and complete various library projects with the youth librarian from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

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

Learn all about planting bulbs indoors with the greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and start your own to take home!

Your unbirthday, as Lewis Carroll wrote in his novel, Through the Looking Glass, is any day of the year that isn't your birthday. What a reason to celebrate with us at North Side!

Learn how to make an adorable pom pom creature to put in your pocket.  Materials will be provided for making pom poms and needle felting.  All ages are welcome.  No registration required.

Does your child love to make slime? Bring the family to Family Storytime: Slime Storytime! We'll read the story, Once Upon a Slime by Andy Maxwell. Afterwards, kids can make their own colorful slime to take home!

White privilege is a term fraught with tension and misunderstanding. Join us for this non-judgmental, informative look at what it means, how it started, and what we can do about it together.

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

Bring the entire family together early in the evening for stories, songs and occasional crafts. It's a great way for busy parents to relax and listen to stories with their children. You can even wear your jammies!

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.

Join us for a discussion of Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. Ask at the information desk for a copy of the book.