AViD Shines in April
Celebrating its ninth year, the AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) Author Series offers an amazing blend of outstanding writers, all with a unique story to tell. The AViD Series offers something for everyone. And two of these incredible authors will be in Des Moines during April to share their stories.

Award-Winning Author Jane Hamilton
Wednesday, April 22, 7:00 PM – Central Library
Hamilton is the author of award winning books, The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World, which earned her the rare distinction of having two novels appear on Oprah’s Book Club. She will visit the Central Library on tour for her newest book, Laura Rider’s Masterpiece. Her book tells the story of a small town couple that finds themselves in a peculiar and, for the reader, hilarious situation. Hamilton has won numerous literary awards, including the PEN/Hemingway Award for First Fiction. She has also had a book named a Critic’s Choice by the New York Times.

Holocaust Survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan
Monday, April 27, 7:00 PM – Hoyt Sherman Place Theater
Lazan, a holocaust survivor, will describe the horrors she experienced, and ultimately overcame during her years in Nazi concentration camps. Her memoir, Four Perfect Pebbles, speaks to the courage and hope she had even in her darkest days. She and her family survived six-and-a-half years in the prisons, including Westerbork in Holland and the notorious Bergen-Belsen in the heart of Nazi Germany—the concentration camp in which Anne Frank was imprisoned until her death. Her goal is to stress the need for love, respect, and tolerance for one another, regardless of our differences and to convey a message of determination, perseverance, faith, and hope.

Books will be available for sale and signing at each event.

Discover How Medicare Works For You
Central Library on Saturday, April 25, at 10:00 AM
If you are just beginning to enter a period in your life when Medicare is an option, the library is here to help you learn how the system works. If you are confused or concerned about applying, or just want to make sure you are on the right track. Learn about the basics of Medicare. This informative learning session is presented by SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program). The program will be on the second floor in Study Room One. Must preregister to attend. Sign up now

April Teen Activities at DMPL

Central Library Activities
Tuesday, April 21, 3:30 PM: Zine Club
Join our Teen Zine and write about anime and manga. Meeting Room Three. For more information e-mail Brenda at bkfinn@desmoineslibrary.com.

North Side Library Teen Activities
Friday, April 24, 3:30 PM: Teen and Tween Gaming Day
Join us for an afternoon of your favorite video games.

South Side Library Teen Programs

Thursday, April 23, 3:00 PM: Teen Book Discussion
Pizza and Pages! Enjoy a lively discussion of Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson. Books are available at the information desk. Pizza and beverages provided.

Book Discussions at DMPL
Join us at the Des Moines Public Library for a book discussion. This month the Forest Avenue will be offering a book discussion featuring a title by AViD author Omar Tyree.

Tyree will be visiting Des Moines on June 21, at 2:30 PM at the
Forest Avenue Library. Here is the list of additional book discussions offered in April:

Wednesday, April 15, East Side Library 2:00 PM
Eat Pray Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert. Treats provided.

Monday, April 20, Forest Avenue Library 7:00 PM
Pecking Order or Boss Lady, by Omar Tyree.

Tuesday, April 21, Central Library 6:00 PM: Literacy in a Different Way
Learn more about the book Atonement, by Ian McEwan. Study Room One. Must preregister to attend. sign up now.

Children’s Programs at the DMPL
Children are invited to attend any of the events planned for April at all six locations of the Des Moines Public Library!

Central Library
Saturday, April 18,10:30 AM: Saturday Specials
Grandpa Cat in the Hat and Francis the Guitar will entertain kids. Children’s Area.

Saturday, April 18, 11:00AM: Make-It-And-Take-It Craft
Musical instrument. Children’s Area.

Saturday, April 25, 10:00 AM: Saturday Specials
Join Popek the clown as he dramatizes poetry. Children’s Area.

Franklin Avenue Library
Saturday, April 18, 10:15 AM: Saturday Story/Craft
Read How the Sun Was Brought Back to the Sky. Make a suncatcher.

Tuesday, April 21, 4:00 AM: After-School Story/Craft
Read a story exploring nature and make a nature journal.

Saturday, April 25, 10:15 AM: Saturday Story/Craft
Read a story exploring nature and make a nature journal.

Tuesday, April 28, 4:00 PM: After-School Story/Craft
Read Fran’s Flower and decorate a flowerpot.

North Side Library
Monday – Saturday, April 20 – 25: Make-It-And-Take-It Craft
During library open hours. Make an “I love my planet” necklace to celebrate Earth Day.

South Side Library
Monday, April 20, 6:30 PM: Family Jammie Storytime
Wear your jammies, sing songs, and listen to stories about boats!

Monday, April 27, 6:30 PM: Family Jammie Storytime
Wear your jammies, sing songs, and listen to stories about trains. Choo choo!

East Side Library used books, DVDs, and more!
For one week, from Saturday, April 18 through Saturday, April 25, the East Side Library will host its annual used book sale. Readers and book collectors will want to mark their calendars. Sponsored by the Friends of East Side Library, the sale offers books, magazines, videos, DVDs, compact discs, encyclopedia sets, and more. The sale is during regular library hours and all proceeds go to the Friends of the East Side Library.

Take a Virtual Trip to China!
Franklin Avenue Library - Tuesday, April 28, 2:00 PM
Ever wonder what China is like? Learn more about this controversial nation from someone who has experienced its daily customs and activities first-hand. Steve Goers, former North Side Library Branch Manager, shares highlights of his recent trip to several different areas of China. This program will be an enlightening experience for anyone who is interested in learning more about the world outside our nation's borders.

Computer Classes at the Des Moines Public Library
The Des Moines Public Library is here to help with computer classes in April. Classes range from beginning computer and Internet usage to using the Internet for more detail-oriented purposes like e-mail and social networking. Preregistration for classes is required.

Thursday, April 23, Central Library 3:00 PM
Learn the different parts of the computer and how to use a mouse.
sign up now.

Tuesday, April 28, East Side Library 6:30 PM
Learn about Facebook and how to set up your own page.

Thursday, April 30, Central Library 3:00 PM
Introduction to searching the Internet with a search engine. Must be familiar
with the mouse and keyboard.
sign up now.