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All Buildings Remain Closed, Curbside Service Available

All Des Moines Public Library buildings remain closed to the public until further notice as a preventative measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Patrons can now place new holds on materials, and curbside pickup service is available at all locations. Read more about that HERE. 

Storytimes

Storytimes Graphic Header

Storytime Schedule

Baby Rhyme Time | ages newborn – 18 months
Social storytimes for babies and their caregivers with rhymes, songs, movement, and a story!

  • Tuesdays, 10:15 AM | Franklin Avenue Library
  • Wednesdays, 10:15 AM | Central Library

Mother Goose on the Loose | ages newborn – 3 years
Early literacy for babies and toddlers through songs, stories, movement, and music!

  • Tuesdays, 10:30 AM | East Side Library
  • Tuesdays, 10:30 AM | North Side Library
  • Wednesdays, 9:30 AM | Central Library

Play, Grow, Learn! | ages newborn – 6 years
Drop-in play using toys and materials that encourage early literacy skills!

  • Mondays, 10:15 AM | Forest Avenue Library
  • Thursdays, 10:15 AM | Forest Avenue Library
  • Thursdays, 1:00 PM | Franklin Avenue Library
  • Fridays, 10:30 AM | East Side Library

Power Play | ages newborn - 3 years
Adults and children can play together in an environment set up to promote the 5 Simple Steps to Success strategies of read, write, sing, play, and talk. Join us for 60 minutes of Power Play followed by a mini-storytime.

  • Wednesdays, 10:30 AM | South Side Library
  • Thursdays, 10:30 AM | Central Library

Toddler Storytime | ages 18 months – 3 years
Introductory reading activities with stories, songs, and movement!

  • Wednesdays, 10:00 AM | South Side Library
  • Wednesdays, 10:15 AM and 11:00 AM | Franklin Avenue Library
  • Fridays, 10:15 AM | Central Library

Storytime | ages 18 months – 6 years
Introductory reading activities and preliteracy skills to promote school readiness through stories, songs, movement, and activities!

  • Wednesdays, 10:15 AM | Forest Avenue Library
  • Thursdays, 10:30 AM | North Side Library

Preschool Storytime | ages 3 – 6 years
Preliteracy skills to promote school readiness through stories, songs, and activities!

  • Mondays, 10:15 AM | Franklin Avenue Library
  • Thursdays, 10:00 AM | South Side Library
  • Thursdays, 10:15 AM | Central Library
  • Thursdays, 10:30 AM | East Side Library

Creative Readers | ages 3 & up
Read a story, explore, and create with art and STEM activities!

  • Tuesdays, 4:00 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Family Storytime | entire family
Storytelling and activities to engage the entire family!

  • Mondays, 6:30 PM | South Side Library
  • Tuesdays, 6:15 PM | Franklin Avenue Library
  • Tuesdays, 6:30 PM | Central Library
  • Wednesdays, 6:30 PM | North Side Library
  • 2nd Saturday of the month, 10:30 AM | Franklin Avenue Library

Bilingual Storytime / Cuentos y Canciones | entire family/toda la familia
Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs in English and Spanish!
Disfruten cuentos, rimas, y canciones en inglés y español!

  • Tuesdays, 6:00 PM | East Side Library - Los martes, a las 6:00 | East Side Library

Online Storytimes

Tumblebooks
Interactive Storytimes (requires library card to access)

Storyline Online
Members of the Screen Actors Guild read their favorite picture books!
(This site is slow on some computers.)
http://www.storylineonline.net/

StoryPlace
Animated short stories for preschool and elementary age kids! Activities 
and booklists related to the stories are also offered.
http://www.storyplace.org/storyplace.asp