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.

Polk County Elections Office Petition Site

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

Join Miss Jennifer for Preschool Storytime on Monday mornings at 10:15 a.m.  There will be stories, rhymes, music, and more.

This storytime is recommended for ages three to five, but all children are welcome to attend.

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

Polk County Elections Early Voting Site

satellitevoting_general2024.pdf (polkcountyiowa.gov)

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.

Polk County Elections Early Voting Site

satellitevoting_general2024.pdf (polkcountyiowa.gov)

Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join us at Forest Avenue Library for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 A.M.

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.

Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, musical activities and take-home activities that prepare your child for school.

Polk County Elections Early Voting Site

satellitevoting_general2024.pdf (polkcountyiowa.gov)

Join us at the Central Library for a fun storytime featuring movement, music, and rhyming! The storytime will take place in the meeting room to allow for social distancing.

Preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and learn school readiness skills. Afterwards, we will enjoy free-play together.

Polk County Elections Early Voting Site

satellitevoting_general2024.pdf (polkcountyiowa.gov)

Beat the boredom on Fridays by visiting the library and using your imagination to create amazing things with our LEGOs.

Polk County Elections Early Voting Site

satellitevoting_general2024.pdf (polkcountyiowa.gov)

Polk County Elections Early Voting Site

satellitevoting_general2024.pdf (polkcountyiowa.gov)

This program will include a brief overview of where Mindfulness Meditation comes from and why we do it, followed by a 20 minute sitting practice with time for Q&A afterwards. Chair seating will be available.

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.

Please join us for our monthly book group where we will discuss I'll be gone in the dark by Michelle McNamara.

Drop in to North Side each Wednesday to enjoy a STEM activity or craft.

This week, we will have Halloween-themed crafts!

Memory Cafés provide a welcoming social gathering for people living with dementia and their care partners focus on person-centered care for those living with dementia.

Fiber art uses materials like fabric, yarn, and thread with techniques like weaving, stitching, and tying to make cool projects!

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. 

Get creative with nature in this fun class with ASAP and Victoria Story. Make a work of art using sensory items like moss, dried flowers, sticks, and seeds. Design and create your own Fairy Garden! Snack provided for all participants.

At this reading group, presented and sponsored by Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity, a special guest will share a book and activity that celebrate diverse identities and experiences of the

We're excited to have a special guest, Michael Halloran, sharing some wonderful Irish stories about Halloween. Children will listen to a story and then create a masterpiece while exploring with art and STEM activities. Ages 3+.

Let's go on a LEGO quest!! Do you love to build? Do you love adventure stories? Do you love problem-solving?

Come to South Side for an hour of sensory exploration!

This month for ASAP Thursdays at South Side Library, bilingual Teaching Artist Lunita will teach us how to do a variety of fun projects made with paper, from mini-piñatas to cool personal planners and more!

Are you looking for a place to trade your Pokémon cards? 

Bring your friends and come to this monthly program with any cards you want to trade.  This event is open to children ages 7-18. 

Experience this unforgettable classic horror comedy! Join us for popcorn and a fun activity while we watch Beetlejuice. Rated PG.

Join us for a spooktacular crafting session! Participants will create their own ghost garland using yarn, little ghosties, and tassels. This is a drop in event where all materials will be provided while supplies lasts! 

The Art of Expression is a monthly program for teens to learn and create different types of art in a relaxed atmosphere. 

How spooky is Central after dark? Come find out! You can make Frankenstuffies, eat pizza, and participate in a spooky competition.

Join artist and library staff member Fueche Vang as he guides participants in creating Jack-o-Lantern Jars! We'll begin with basic pumpkin designs and get creative from there! We will be using Mod Podge glue so plan clothing accordingly.

Des Moines Performing Arts is bringing Sesame Street Live! to Des Moines on October 29 at 6 pm.

October's film selection is Christopher Nolan 2000 mystery thriller Memento, starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss.

Join us as we learn the basics of sewing in this beginner class. By the end of the six weeks participants will be comfortable with sewing machines and be able to mend and make alterations to clothing. 

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 29 through November 3.

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 29 through November 3.

Join us for a special Pajama Storytime! We will read spooky stories, have a treat, and make a craft. Wear your coziest pjs and bring a stuffie to snuggle!

Join us for South Side's Evening Book Discussion! We will be discussing We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry. Sign up and get a copy of the book at the South Side Information Desk.

Just in time for Halloween, best-selling author Daniel Kraus will discuss his newest novel, Pay the Piper&nbs