Week Calendar

Practice your fine motor skills with non toxic, washable art supplies. This process-based activity  involves toddler-appropriate activities and explores sensory-play.

The book club for those on the go: anytime, anywhere. 

“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.

Shop Central's book sale and back room for great deals on books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and other fun items! 

Shop Central's book sale and back room for great deals on books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and other fun items! 

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!

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.

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

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

Shop Central's book sale and back room for great deals on books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and other fun items! 

Come to the library and create your very own puzzle with popsicle sticks! This is a drop-in, unsupervised activity. Parent/guardian must be present with children. Craft available while supplies last. 

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.

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.

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.

Join us for the Friends of the Forest Avenue Library's annual Soul Food Festival! Meals will be served 11:00-2:00. Total cost of meal: $7. A la carte and dessert items also available.

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!

We will discuss Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah. Copies of the book will be available at the Information Desk while supplies last.

Join us to discuss the book Educated by Tara Westover. Copies are available at the previous book discussion and the Information Desk thereafter (while supplies last).

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 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!

A frustrated musician is on the verge of giving up his middling career, but after a worldwide blackout occurs, he awakes to discover that he's the only person on Earth who remembers The Beatles.

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.

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. 

Looking for a new job? Join us for help with job-related topics. Each week we will focus on one topic with time for questions and personalized help.

First Thursday: Job Searching with Google

Second Thursday: Job Applications

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!

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. 

Is it magic or is it science?  Sometimes it is hard to tell.  This month we will be doing science experiments and activities that are almost like magic.

Learn how to fold an amazing paper cube that magically changes pictures!  Please register to save your spot!

It's time to break it and make it! Do you wonder how things are made? Join us for a monthly deconstruction lab where we take apart common objects, see what parts they contain, and create something new from the pieces.

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

CultureALL Ambassador, Pragnya Yogesh, will teach us some of India’s most popular dances! Space is limited, so please register.

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 In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende.

DMPD Job Fair

Anyone ages 21 and older wanting to learn more about becoming a police officer is welcome. For more information call 515-318-4089.

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 special presentation from the Iowa Honey Queen Abigail Kelly.  There will be a  demonstration of a few crafting uses for beeswax, and participants will be able to make and take home a rolled beeswax candle.

Bring the family at night for stories, songs, and occasional crafts that prepares your children for school! You can even wear your jammies! All ages welcome!

Dr. Natalie J.A. Benson, who received an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Modern French Art and Literature at the University of Iowa, is the presenter of a five-session series on modern art.

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 US Census Bureau in conjunction with the Des Moines Complete Count Committee is hosting a series of events where community members can learn about the history and the importance of the Decennial Census.

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

Listen to some very stinky stories and learn the science of making your own fudge with the help of your armpit and a plastic bag.

¡Disfruten de diversión bilingüe para niñxs mientras usted aprende sobre cómo manejar su dinero mejor, crear ahorros, pagar sus deudas, y hasta comprarse una casa! Quienes completen todas las clases (4 en total) recibirá en certificado de gra

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.

What you always wanted to know about parliamentary procedures, but were afraid to ask. Bring your questions about parliamentary procedures for your business meetings.

The US Census Bureau in conjunction with the Des Moines Complete Count Committee is hosting a series of events where community members can learn about the history and the importance of the Decennial Census.