Week Calendar

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year is a free weekly postpartum support group for parents and their new babies.

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

Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement! For ages 18 months to 36 months.

The Des Moines Fire Department is joining us for a special storytime during Fire Prevention Week!  Hear stories, learn more about fire safety, and see a fire truck up close.

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

Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers can engage in open play, come and go activities at South. 

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers can join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story.

This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months of age.

The Des Moines Fire Department is joining us for a special storytime during Fire Prevention Week!  Hear stories, learn more about fire safety, and see a fire truck up close.  In the event of inclement weather we will hold storytime insid

The Des Moines Fire Department is joining us for a special storytime during Fire Prevention Week!  Hear stories, learn more about fire safety, and see a fire truck up close.

Staff from the Evelyn K Davis Center for Working Families are ready to provide one-on-one job search and resume assistance to job seekers.

Staff from the Evelyn K Davis Center for Working Families are ready to provide one-on-one job search and resume assistance to job seekers.

Join Miss Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.

Learn how to use the Glowforge Plus Laser Engraver at Tech Central! This program takes the place of the 1 on 1 Glowforge tutorial, so you will be fully qualified to book and use the Glowforge on your own after this program.

The Des Moines Fire Department is joining us for a special storytime during Fire Prevention Week!  Hear stories, learn more about fire safety, and see a fire truck up close.

The Des Moines Fire Department is joining us for a special storytime during Fire Prevention Week!  Hear stories, learn more about fire safety, and see a fire truck up close.

Love playing board games? Stop by the South Side Meeting Room to play an old favorite, learn a new one, or invite a group and bring your own! Snacks will be provided.

Best for those age 8 and up!

Stop by the Children's Area to create a Fall Craft!

This is an unstaffed activity. Materials and instructions are provided but children may need assistance from an accompanying adult. Offered while supplies last.

Tippi Toes  is coming back to the library!

Aprenda a hacer recetas fáciles, nutritivas y baratas con una instructora de Iowa State University - Extension.  Durante esta clase de 8 semanas, aprenderá a:

Ahorrar dinero: comprar y gastar menos en sus alimentos.

Author Tiffany Lauer will be visiting East Side Library with Elvis the Pony and Topsy Turvy Tivio. She has written 7 books about Elvis the Pony and his friends.

The selection for October is The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Eva Jurczyk.

The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters.

The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters.

Being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease is life-changing and leads to many questions. In this program, you will hear from others who have been where you are, and will learn what you need to know to navigate this chapter of your life.

Drop-in to North Side every Wednesday to enjoy a craft or STEM activity!

This week, we will use paint pens to paint a mini pumpkin! While supplies last.

Are you looking for a great place to volunteer? Become a volunteen and help with library projects and programs.

Children will listen to a story and then create a masterpiece while exploring with art and STEM activities. Ages 3 to 8 years old, but younger and older siblings are welcome.

Tweens and teens ages 10-18 can join us after school on Tuesdays to enjoy activities on our meeting room.

This week, enjoy some games on the big screen with our Nintendo Switch!

Level up your gaming skills! Use our tablets and Nintendo Switch to play Among Us, Minecraft, Roblox, and more. Ages 8+.

Join us at Central Library for the first ever Game On! event! Teens and tweens are invited to meet monthly to play games and make friends! Choose from a variety of board games, card games, and Nintendo Switch games.

Join us for the Teen Anime/Manga Meetup! We’ll get together and discuss all things Anime and Manga!

This week - teens can draw and make their own customizable stickers to take home!  Ages 12-18. 

If you're between the ages of 12-18 and looking for a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity, give the library a try! We would love to have your help!

All your friends will want you spinning at their parties! At this hands-on class we will learn the skills needed to become a DJ. We provide the equipment, you bring the creativity. Ages 12+. 

Stop by the children's area to trace and paint classic artwork! While supplies last.

This meet-up is for anyone looking to connect with other people interested in biodiverse gardens.  The focus is on native plants which foster and nourish wildlife.

Teens, come to the Forest Avenue Library the second Monday of every month and check out our tech center. We will have iPads with Procreate, a green screen, 3-D pens, and more! Ages 12+. 

Does October have you feeling like a spooky mad scientist? We have an outlet for that! Visit Central to take apart stuffies and reassemble them however you want! We've got the supplies; you just bring your creativity and your best Dr.

Join the Des Moines Public Library & Latinx Immigrants of Iowa to make paper flowers and other decorations for a Day of the Dead ofrenda, which will be on display at the Central Library from October 27 through November 3.

This hands-on program will focus on using watercolor techniques to capture the essence of Fall in Iowa. Beginning and intermediate artists are invited to learn the basics or refresh their skills.

Join us for a very special Family Storytime with a firefighter from the Des Moines Fire Department! Hear fire safety stories, learn fire safety tips, and view a fire engine up close! 

Ages 3 and up. 

Join the Parks and Recreation Environmental Education Staff for this event where you will take part in a guided imagery activity, learn how the “Roots” display was created and take a closer look at some the incredible prairie plants th

90s outfits, witch aunts, island gossip: Practical Magic really has it all. Join the library for a screening with witchy coloring and absorb the fall spirit.

Get started on the ukulele and quickly learn to play familiar tunes while having fun! Play your own ukulele or borrow one of North Side Library's soprano ukuleles with your library card.

This month's book is A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari.

Join librarians Dennis and Elizabeth for a monthly conversation around a life-changing nonfiction book.  Each month we’ll select a book that will change your perspective, give you new strategies for handlin

Bring your friends and your devices, eat some snacks, and improve your cybersecurity! We'll delete unused apps and offer a handful of other quick steps you can take to become more secure online.

Franklin West Condos

Join us at the South Side Library for an spook-tacular evening of Halloween crafting for adults! Stations will be set up for easy-to-do crafts - do one or do them all! 

Make a giant fluffy orange slime to take home and listen to a fall story.  Best for ages 6+, as supplies last!

Join us once a month to discuss books by underrepresented authors. Our goal is to amplify these voices and experiences while discussing social issues in the context of fiction and non-fiction books.