Cooling Centers

All DMPL locations are serving as cooling centers during open hours. DART is providing free rides to cooling center locations July 12-15 due to the extreme heat. Additional cooling center locations can be found here. Please check the events calendar for any weather-related postponements or cancelations prior to attending outdoor events.

This Week at DMPL

This Week at DMPL

Learn more at dmpl.org/events

For a schedule of DMPL storytimes visit dmpl.org/storytimes.

*Registration required.

 

Monday, July 15

 

Sesame Street Scavenger Hunt
July 9-15 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library

I Spy: Iowa State Fair Butter Sculptures
July 14-20 | All Ages | Central Library

Fantastic Fossils Scavenger Hunt
July 15-27 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library

Drop-In Craft: Hoop Gliders
July 15-20 | Kids | Central Library

Take-and-Make: Tote Bag Stenciling
July 15-17 | Adults | Forest Avenue Library

Shark Week Take-and-Make Bag
Kids | South Side Library

Art Cart Mondays
Kids and Teens | North Side Library

Park Picnic with DMPL
11:30 AM | Kids and Families | Woodlawn Park (3126 Twana Drive)

The Outreach Project
1-3 PM | Adults | Central Library

East Side Book Discussion
2 PM | Adults | East Side Library

The Art of Expression: Barbie Trashion Show*
3 PM | Grades 6-12 | Franklin Avenue Library

ASAP Mondays: Drumming Workshop*
4 PM | Kids and Teens | Forest Avenue Library

Writers' Workshop
5:30 PM | Adults | Central Library

Touch-A-Truck with the Library Van
6:30 PM | Kids and Families | South Side Library

Franklin Cinema Club: His Girl Friday
6:30 PM | Adults | Franklin Avenue Library

 

Tuesday, July 16

 

I Spy: Iowa State Fair Butter Sculptures
July 14-20 | All Ages | Central Library

Fantastic Fossils Scavenger Hunt
July 15-27 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library

Drop-In Craft: Hoop Gliders
July 15-20 | Kids | Central Library

Take-and-Make: Tote Bag Stenciling
July 15-17 | Adults | Forest Avenue Library

Frozen Treats from Around the World Scavenger Hunt
July 16-22 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library

Beyond Birth: Baby’s First Year
9 AM | Adults | Central Library

Play, Grow, Learn!
10 AM | Ages 0-5 | South Side Library

One-on-One Computer Sessions
10 AM | Adults | Forest Avenue Library

North Side Book Discussion
2 PM | Adults | North Side Library

Rubber Eraser Stamps*
2:30 PM | Teens | East Side Library

Art in the Summer: 3-D Winter Scene
3 PM | Ages 6+ | Franklin Avenue Library

Level Up: Switch Party
4 PM | Ages 8+ | Forest Avenue Library

Sensory Play Hour
4 PM | Kids | South Side Library

Reading Buddies with ARL TheraPets
4:30 PM | Kids | Central Library

Discovering Des Moines History
5:30 PM | Adults | Central Library

Next Steps Ukulele Class*
6:30 PM | Adults | North Side Library

 

Wednesday, July 17

 

I Spy: Iowa State Fair Butter Sculptures
July 14-20 | All Ages | Central Library

Fantastic Fossils Scavenger Hunt
July 15-27 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library

Drop-In Craft: Hoop Gliders
July 15-20 | Kids | Central Library

Take-and-Make: Tote Bag Stenciling
July 15-17 | Adults | Forest Avenue Library

Frozen Treats from Around the World Scavenger Hunt
July 16-22 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library

Special Simple Steps Storytime
10 AM | Ages 1-4 | East Side Library

Job Seekers Help with the Evelyn K. Davis Center
10 AM-12 PM | Adults | North Side Library

Hack That Painting*
11:30 AM | Ages 8-18 | North Side Library

Buy. Eat. Live Healthy.*
1:30 PM | Adults | North Side Library

Superhero Bingo
3 PM | Kids and Teens | Franklin Avenue Library

Let's Make and Fly a Kite
3:30-5 PM | Kids and Teens | South Side Library

Des Moines Art Center: Creative Journaling Workshop*
4 PM | Teens | Forest Avenue Library

Chair Exercise with Grace Fitness
5:30 PM | Adults | Forest Avenue Library

Hunt-a-Killer: Moon Summit Episode 3*
6 PM | Adults | South Side Library

A Very Special Books That Will Change Your Life: A Nonfiction Book Club Event - Library Talk: Poverty in Iowa: Evicted*
6 PM | Adults | Central Library

 

Thursday, July 18

 

I Spy: Iowa State Fair Butter Sculptures
July 14-20 | All Ages | Central Library

Fantastic Fossils Scavenger Hunt
July 15-27 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library

Drop-In Craft: Hoop Gliders
July 15-20 | Kids | Central Library

Frozen Treats from Around the World Scavenger Hunt
July 16-22 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library

Book Bites*
2 PM | Grades 2-12 | East Side Library

South Side Book Discussion
2 PM | Adults | South Side Library

Glowforge Training
3 PM | Adults | Central Library

Graphic Novel Book Club*
4 PM | Ages 7-11 | Franklin Avenue Library

DMPL & Dragons
5:30 PM | Adults | Central Library

LEGO Quest
6 PM | Ages 8+ | Forest Avenue Library

Summer Camp Throwback Crafts
6 PM | Adults | South Side Library

Teen Bubble Tea Party*
6:30 PM | Teens | East Side Library

Next Steps: Ukulele*
6:30 PM | Adults | North Side Library

 

Friday, July 19

 

I Spy: Iowa State Fair Butter Sculptures
July 14-20 | All Ages | Central Library

Fantastic Fossils Scavenger Hunt
July 15-27 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library

Drop-In Craft: Hoop Gliders
July 15-20 | Kids | Central Library

Frozen Treats from Around the World Scavenger Hunt
July 16-22 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library

Amphibians! With Polk County Conservation
10 AM | Kids and Families | Central Library

Snippets: A Writers' Workshop for Short Works*
10 AM | Adults | Central Library

LEGO Fridays
10 AM-4 PM | Kids | Franklin Avenue Library

Storytime at the Heritage Carousel
10:30 AM | Kids and Families | Heritage Carousel at Union Park (1801 Pennsylvania Avenue)

Kids in the Kitchen*
11 AM | Grades K-5 | Forest Avenue Library

The Outreach Project
1-3 PM | Adults | Central Library

 

Saturday, July 20

 

I Spy: Iowa State Fair Butter Sculptures
July 14-20 | All Ages | Central Library

Fantastic Fossils Scavenger Hunt
July 15-27 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library

Drop-In Craft: Hoop Gliders
July 15-20 | Kids | Central Library

Frozen Treats from Around the World Scavenger Hunt
July 16-22 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library

Family STEM Challenge: DIY Jumping Rabbits
10 AM-12 PM | Families | Franklin Avenue Library

LEGOs at the Library
10 AM-4 PM | Kids | East Side Library

Community Crafting: Making Greeting Cards*
2 PM | Adults and Teens | Franklin Avenue Library

Crafternoon
2-4 PM | Adults and Teens | South Side Library

Open Book: Poverty in Des Moines*
2 PM | Adults | Central Library

 

Sunday, July 21

I Spy: Encanto
July 21-27 | Kids | Central Library

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Children" group.
Library Branch: Central Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Come celebrate summer and the upcoming Iowa State Fair at the Central Library! Find all the pictures in the Youth area to get a prize!

Disclaimer(s)

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.
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Take & Make
Event Details:

Stop by the Forest Avenue Library and pick up materials to stencil a tote bag. For more inspiration, use your library card to access crafty videos on Creativebug. While supplies last. 

This event is in the "Children" group.

Drop-in Craft: Hoop Gliders

All Day 7/15 - 7/20
Central Library Teen Area
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Teen Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Play & Learn
Event Details:

Stop in the Central Library for a drop-in craft every week this summer. This week we will make a hoop glider from strips of paper and a straw. See how far it can glide!

Disclaimer(s)

Central Parking

Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

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.
Library Branch: South Side Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational, Play & Learn
Event Details:

Kids! Visit South and try our Scavenger Hunt! Drop in and search the library for all of the items on the sheet and win a prize. For youth ages 3 and up. 

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Franklin Cinema Club – His Girl Friday

6:30pm - 7:45pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Movies
Event Details:

July's film selection is the 1940 Howard Hawks comedy His Girl Friday, starring Cary Grant.

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Travel around the world to learn all about the frozen treats that different cultures make in order to beat the heat! Find them all and win a really cool prize! Best for ages 6+

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year

9:00am - 11:00am
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

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

Disclaimer(s)

Central Parking

Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group.

Baby Rhyme Time

10:00am - 10:30am
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

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

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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