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  • engage December 2025/January 2026

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    Our New Library Director Melissa McCollum
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    What's Popular  - New & Improved
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Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Children" group
Dec 16 2025 Tue

Reading Buddies with ARL TheraPets!

4:00pm–5:00pm
Children
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
This event is in the "Children" group
Dec 16 2025 Tue

Reading Buddies with ARL TheraPets!

4:00pm–5:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational, Health & Wellness, Play & Learn
Event Details:

When you're learning to read, practicing out loud can be daunting! Visit Central Library to practice reading with an ARL TheraPet. Engaging with animals is a great way to boost confidence and reduce anxiety around learning to read.

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.

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
This event is in the "Children" group
Dec 16 2025 Tue

Sensory Play Hour

4:00pm–5:00pm
Birth-Preschool, Children
South Side Meeting Room
This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Dec 16 2025 Tue

Sensory Play Hour

4:00pm–5:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Come to South Side for an hour of sensory exploration!

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
Dec 16 2025 Tue

Embroidered Sweaters

6:00pm–7:30pm
Adults
East Side Meeting Room
Registration Required
This event is in the "Adults" group
Dec 16 2025 Tue

Embroidered Sweaters

6:00pm–7:30pm
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join Karlie Hunter, owner of Handful of Made, as she guides you through the process of embroidering a sweater with yarn and a needle.

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.
This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group
Dec 17 2025 Wed

Baby Rhyme Time

9:30am–10:00am
Birth-Preschool
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group
Dec 17 2025 Wed

Baby Rhyme Time

9:30am–10:00am
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Educational, Play & Learn, Storytimes
Event Details:

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

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 "Adults" group
Dec 17 2025 Wed

Job Seekers Help with the Evelyn K Davis Center

10:00am–12:00pm
Adults
North Side Meeting Room
This event is in the "Adults" group
Dec 17 2025 Wed

Job Seekers Help with the Evelyn K Davis Center

10:00am–12:00pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

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.

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DMPL Blog

Beyond The Shelves: Best Books of 2025

Beyond the shelves: Best books of 2025. With librarians Sarah and Jes.

In this episode, Sarah and Jes discuss the best books of the year, great books to give as gifts, the most checked out items at DMPL, and the librarians personal favorite books they read in 2025.  







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Read More - Beyond The Shelves: Best Books of 2025

Des Moines Public Library Names Melissa McCollum as New Library Director

The Des Moines Public Library is pleased to announce that Melissa McCollum has been named the library's next library director. McCollum will begin her... Read More - Des Moines Public Library Names Melissa McCollum as New Library Director

Beyond the Shelves: 6 Nature Books That Will Change How You See the World

Join us for our first video episode as we explore books celebrating nature and the environment! From Mary Oliver's contemplative essays to fungi's hid... Read More - Beyond the Shelves: 6 Nature Books That Will Change How You See the World

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