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.

On June 3, 2019, the Des Moines City Council passed the Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance requiring building owners of buildings 25,000 sq.

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

For caregivers and babies from newborns up to eighteen months.

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

“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.

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime featuring Clifford's adventures, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

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.

On June 3, 2019, the Des Moines City Council passed the Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance requiring building owners of buildings 25,000 sq.

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.

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime featuring Clifford's adventures, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

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.

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime featuring Clifford's adventures, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

Families can celebrate Valentine's Day early by making valentine crafts with our special edition of the Kid's Art Cart at South! Drop in from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Elementary Area.

Decorate your own paper llama with colors and pom poms!

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime featuring Clifford's adventures, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

We’re celebrating community health! Kids are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal for a Doc McStuffin’s-style checkup.

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.

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!

Free Play Saturdays with Blank Park Zoo! Drop by the library to explore & play with Blank Park Zoo! Zoo educators who will provide fun and seasonal nature exploration opportunities geared toward children ages 2-12 years and their caregivers.

We will discuss The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. Copies of the book will be available at the Information Desk while supplies last.

Join us to discuss the book Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Copies are available at the previous book discussion and the Information Desk thereafter (while supplies last).

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!

Disney's 1994 hand-drawn animated classic - about a lion prince shirking, then accepting his responsibilities - has been remade as a photo-realistic animated version otherwise little changed.

Kids! Stop by Rosie's Forest at Forest Avenue Library and read a book to Carver, the reading therapy dog! Reading to Carver is a great way to build reading/language skills while making a furry friend!

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.

Donna Scarfe, A Sign Language Interpreter in many fields, will present a brief overview of the Sign Language used in America and how it differs from other sign languages used around the world.  Deaf Culture customs and highlights will be

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!

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

Turn a photo of yourself into a work of art! We will use iPads to create a black and white silhouette and paint a frame to showcase your work. This program is for children ages 10-18.

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime featuring Clifford's adventures, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

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

Tweens and Teens! Learn to make something new during our Try It Out Tuesday events at South! This month, participants can learn the science of soapmaking just in time for Valentine's Day!

Join us for a special presentation with a naturalist from Polk County Conservation and learn how these scaly critters smell, see, and move. 

Create a simple Ferris wheel that will turn using just cardboard and other materials!  Please register to save your spot!

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

Whether you need a card for Valentine's Day, a birthday, or some other occasion, you can make it extra special by adding lights! You'll design your card and then learn how to make it shine using circuits made from copper tape and LEDs. 

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime featuring Clifford's adventures, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

Create cards for friends and loved ones. We’ll provide plenty of supplies. Just bring your creativity!

Join us for an informal writers' workshop on the first* Monday of the month from 5-7 PM. Share samples of your work and receive feedback from other writers in the group.

Join us for a discussion of bestselling books from a variety of genres. This month's book is Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Join us for a showing of Black Panther (see trailer) to kick off February's Black Future Film Series!

Celebrate LGBTQ+ with an all-ages meet-up to connect with LGBTQ folks and allies! Learn about upcoming events, listen to music by Queer artists, and check out LGBTQ Books by Queer authors and about Queer characters.

Join us for a relaxing evening yoga session with Horte Gonzalez. Wear comfortable clothes and bring your own mat if you have one.  Library mats will also be provided. 

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

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

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime featuring Clifford's adventures, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.

Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Des Moines Public Library. After a storytime featuring Clifford's adventures, children and families can meet Clifford and take their picture with him.