All DMPL locations are warming centers

All DMPL locations are serving as warming centers during open hours. DART will be providing free rides to designated warming centers through Friday, December 5. Learn more about additional warming centers.

Event List

Age Group
Age Group
Program Type
Library Branch
Library Branch
Ongoing Events
Registration Type

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This event is in the "Children" group

Zootopia Scavenger Hunt

All Day 12/1 - 12/7
Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Educational, Gaming
Age Group:
Children

Visit the library and find all of the pictures hiding in the Children's Area.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational, Gaming
Event Details:

Visit the library and find all of the pictures hiding in the Children's Area.

This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "All Ages" group

Frozen Sneak Preview

Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Performances
Age Group:
Children, All Ages

Visit the library for a special sneak preview of the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of Frozen: The Broadway Musical based on the hit Disney movie.

Enjoy the performance and enter to win free tickets to the play!

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, All Ages
Program Type: Performances
Event Details:

Visit the library for a special sneak preview of the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of Frozen: The Broadway Musical based on the hit Disney movie.

Enjoy the performance and enter to win free tickets to the play!

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

Franklin Afternoon Book Discussion

Monday, December 8, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Book Clubs
Age Group:
Adults

December's selection is The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:

December's selection is The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group

Baby Rhyme Time

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 10:15am - 11:00am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Birth-Preschool

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

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 "Birth-Preschool" group

Toddler Stories, Songs and Movement

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 10:15am - 10:45am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Birth-Preschool

Join Miss Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.

 

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Join Miss Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.

 

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 "Teens" group

The Art of Expression: Mystery Box

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Educational
Age Group:
Teens

The Art of Expression is a monthly program for teens to learn and create different types of art in a relaxed atmosphere. 

On December 10, you'll create a unique art piece using secret items in a mystery box.

Registration Required
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Registration Required
Event Details:

The Art of Expression is a monthly program for teens to learn and create different types of art in a relaxed atmosphere. 

On December 10, you'll create a unique art piece using secret items in a mystery box.

This event is in the "Children" group

Park-N-Play

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Play & Learn
Age Group:
Children

Join us for Park-N-Play Winter, hosted by the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation department on Thursday mornings in the Franklin Avenue Library meeting room.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Join us for Park-N-Play Winter, hosted by the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation department on Thursday mornings in the Franklin Avenue Library meeting room.

This event is in the "Adults" group

Reading on the Margins Book Discussion

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Book Clubs
Age Group:
Adults

Every December, the members of Reading on the Margins gather to talk about their favorite books of the year. Holiday treats and beverages will be provided! 

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:

Every December, the members of Reading on the Margins gather to talk about their favorite books of the year. Holiday treats and beverages will be provided! 

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group

Baby Rhyme Time

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 10:15am - 11:00am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Birth-Preschool

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

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 "Children" group

Creative Readers: Cocoa, Cookies and Canvas

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Age Group:
Children

Celebrate the season with cookies & hot chocolate while we listen to a story and create a masterpiece! Meeting Room. Ages 3+

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Event Details:

Celebrate the season with cookies & hot chocolate while we listen to a story and create a masterpiece! Meeting Room. Ages 3+

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 "Birth-Preschool" group

Toddler Stories, Songs and Movement

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 10:15am - 10:45am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Birth-Preschool

Join Miss Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.

 

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Join Miss Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.

 

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

DMPL Digital Drop-In

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Franklin Avenue Family Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Computers & Technology, Educational
Age Group:
Adults

Stop by Franklin Ave Library and learn how to use DMPL’s digital resources like Libby, Consumer Reports, Kanopy, and newspapers.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Family Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology, Educational
Event Details:

Stop by Franklin Ave Library and learn how to use DMPL’s digital resources like Libby, Consumer Reports, Kanopy, and newspapers.

This event is in the "Children" group

Park-N-Play

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Play & Learn
Age Group:
Children

Join us for indoor Park-N-Play, hosted by the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation department on Thursday mornings in the Franklin Avenue Library meeting room.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Join us for indoor Park-N-Play, hosted by the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation department on Thursday mornings in the Franklin Avenue Library meeting room.

This event is in the "Children" group

Kids Pokémon Card Swap

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
Children

Are you looking for a place to trade your Pokémon cards? 

Bring your friends and come to this monthly program with any cards you want to trade.  This event is open to children ages 6-18. 

 

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Are you looking for a place to trade your Pokémon cards? 

Bring your friends and come to this monthly program with any cards you want to trade.  This event is open to children ages 6-18. 

 

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 "Children" group

Ugly Sweater Art Cart

Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 10:00am - 3:00pm
Franklin Avenue Children’s Area at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts
Age Group:
Children
It’s sweater weather! Color and design a one-of-a-kind sweater using the materials provided on our art cart, the uglier the better! All ages welcome. Children's Area.
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
It’s sweater weather! Color and design a one-of-a-kind sweater using the materials provided on our art cart, the uglier the better! All ages welcome. Children's Area.

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 "Children" group

Favorite Character Bingo

Monday, December 22, 2025 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
Children

Join us for another round of everyone's favorite game, BINGO!  This time your BINGO card will be filled with some of your favorite characters.  Can you find them all in a row to win a prize?  

 

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Join us for another round of everyone's favorite game, BINGO!  This time your BINGO card will be filled with some of your favorite characters.  Can you find them all in a row to win a prize?  

 

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Christmas Eve

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 5:00pm - 11:45pm
Central Library, East Side Library, Forest Avenue Library, Franklin Avenue Library, North Side Library, South Side Library, Off Site, DMPL Systemwide

All buildings close at 5 PM on New Year's Eve.

Closing
Branches:
Central Library, East Side Library, Forest Avenue Library, Franklin Avenue Library, North Side Library, South Side Library, Off Site, DMPL Systemwide
Description:

All buildings close at 5 PM on New Year's Eve.

Christmas

All Day 12/25 - 12/26
Central Library, East Side Library, Forest Avenue Library, Franklin Avenue Library, North Side Library, South Side Library, Off Site, DMPL Systemwide

All locations will be closed for Christmas.

Closing
Branches:
Central Library, East Side Library, Forest Avenue Library, Franklin Avenue Library, North Side Library, South Side Library, Off Site, DMPL Systemwide
Description:

All locations will be closed for Christmas.

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

Nintendo Switch Party!

Monday, December 29, 2025 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
Children, Teens

Join us for a Nintendo Switch Party! We will have games like Mario Kart 8 & Super Mario Bros. Ultimate. Feel free to bring your own Switch or share the library’s controllers.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Join us for a Nintendo Switch Party! We will have games like Mario Kart 8 & Super Mario Bros. Ultimate. Feel free to bring your own Switch or share the library’s controllers.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

New Year's Eve

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 5:00pm - 11:45pm
Central Library, East Side Library, Forest Avenue Library, Franklin Avenue Library, North Side Library, South Side Library, Off Site, DMPL Systemwide

All buildings close at 5 PM on New Year's Eve.

Closing
Branches:
Central Library, East Side Library, Forest Avenue Library, Franklin Avenue Library, North Side Library, South Side Library, Off Site, DMPL Systemwide
Description:

All buildings close at 5 PM on New Year's Eve.

New Years Day

All Day
Central Library, East Side Library, Forest Avenue Library, Franklin Avenue Library, North Side Library, South Side Library, Off Site, DMPL Systemwide

All locations will be closed in observance of New Years Day.

Closing
Branches:
Central Library, East Side Library, Forest Avenue Library, Franklin Avenue Library, North Side Library, South Side Library, Off Site, DMPL Systemwide
Description:

All locations will be closed in observance of New Years Day.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group

Little Explorers

Monday, January 5, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Play & Learn
Age Group:
Birth-Preschool

Bring your young ones to our Little Explorers program, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different sensory activities. No Registration is Required. Please wear play clothes as some activities may be messy.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Bring your young ones to our Little Explorers program, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different sensory activities. No Registration is Required. Please wear play clothes as some activities may be messy.

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 "Teens" group

Franklin VolunTeens

Monday, January 5, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Educational, Library Meeting
Age Group:
Teens

Are you looking for a great place to volunteer? Become a volunteen and help with library projects and programs.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Educational, Library Meeting
Event Details:

Are you looking for a great place to volunteer? Become a volunteen and help with library projects and programs.

This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group

Baby Rhyme Time

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 10:15am - 11:00am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room at Franklin Avenue Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Birth-Preschool

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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