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.

Join us for a special edition of Mother Goose on the Loose. Officer Stephanie Swartz will be our guest reader for a police officer themed storytime!

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.

Learn more about healthy snacks and 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! from special guest Lyn Jenkins with EveryStep.

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

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!

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

Join us for a two part class to walk through how to use Overdrive’s new e-book/e-audiobook app LIBBY!

*You must be a resident of Des Moines with a valid DMPL card for access to Libby.

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!

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.

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

Tweens and Teens! Learn to make something new during our Try It Out Tuesday events at South! This month, participants can choose to build a creation with our 3-D pens or melt crayons into works or art using our Craypens!

Today during our Discovery Day we will listen to the story Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and explore fun kitchen science stations around the room.

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.

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. 

Dance the night away as the East Side Library hosts a Baby and Toddler Prom!

Kids! Pick up a shovel and brush and learn about prehistoric fossils at South! Listen to dinosaur stories and songs. Afterwards, kids can learn about dinosaurs with our stations! Be ready to get a little dirty.

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

Natalie Steenson will review some of the basics she has taught in previous sessions. This is a great opportunity to see others from past sessions and have some fun as you practice what you have learned. All levels are welcome.

La Oficina del Censo de EEUU (US Census Bureau), junto con el Comité de conteo completo de Des Moines (Des Moines Complete Count Committee), está organizando una serie de eventos donde los miembros de la comunidad pueden aprender sobre l

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!

¡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

We will discuss Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. 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.

Getting ready to take Social Security? Trying to plan ahead? Join us for an informative, free session with Ryan Biniak, from the Society for Financial Awareness.