Forest Avenue Library

Forest Avenue Library exterior shot

Location Details

Address:
1326 Forest Ave
Des Moines, IA, 50314

Directions:
Google Maps

Marli Head Shot

Marli Jefferson
Manager
MNJefferson@dmpl.org

Phone:
(515) 248-6265

Book a Forest Avenue Library meeting room

In-Person Services
  • 10:00 AM-8:00 PM Monday-Thursday
  • 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Friday
  • 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday
  • Closed Sunday
 

The Forest Avenue Library features an extensive Foreign Language collection, including materials in Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Karen. The library also provides computers to access language learning materials, including Mango.

Children will be delighted with Rosie's Forest, the library’s early literacy center, which includes artwork done by Sticks and a wide variety of early literacy stations where children can come to learn and play.

Located in a vibrant neighborhood, the Forest Avenue Library welcomes community groups and individuals to use our meeting spaces and take advantage of everything the library has to offer.

Forest Avenue Library - engage February/March 2026


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Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Children" group

ASAP Mondays : Bust a Move!

4:00pm–5:00pm
Children
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

No parking on the dancefloor—show us your moves and learn some new ones in this fun and active class! Snack provided for all participants.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

This event is in the "Children" group

Movie Watch Party : A Minecraft Movie

3:30pm–5:00pm
Children
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Movies
Event Details:

Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group

Family Storytime

10:15am–10:45am
Birth-Preschool
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Play & Learn, Storytimes
Event Details:

Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join Miss Emily for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 AM. Designed for children ages 0–5, this storytime welcomes all ages to join in the fun.

 

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

This event is in the "Adults" group

Card Club

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Join us at Forest Avenue Library for Card Club. We will play trick-taking card games such as 500, Euchre, Hearts, Spades, Tiến lên and others.

This event is in the "Children" group

Art Club : Woven Tapestries

6:30pm–7:30pm
Children
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Event Details:

Art Club will occur on the first Thursday of each month. We will learn about artists, techniques, concepts, or art processes that will give us inspiration to make our own art at the library!

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

This event is in the "Children" group

LEGO Open Play

12:00pm–5:00pm
Children
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Join us in the Forest Meeting Room where building blocks will be available for open play! Use your imagination to build your ideas or use the STEM-challenge prompts and building guides to bring ideas to life. Drop-in anytime between 12-5pm.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Sew Social

2:00pm–4:00pm
Children, Teens, Adults
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:

Join us at the Forest Avenue Library for Sew Social!

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.