Upcoming Events

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This event is in the "All Ages" group.
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Exhibits
Event Details:

Join us at the Franklin Avenue Library for Mapping Exclusion: Redlining in Iowa. This exhibit from the African American Museum of Iowa explores the impact of housing discrimination and segregation in the state of Iowa.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Plant. Grow. Fly. with Parks & Rec

5:30pm - 6:30pm
All Ages
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Learn about butterflies and plants with Joel from Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department! The first part of the program includes learning what pollinators need to survive and why they are important to people.

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 "All Ages" group.

Friends of Forest Meeting

4:30pm - 6:00pm
All Ages
Forest Avenue Conference Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Conference Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Library Meeting
Event Details:

Join the Friends of the Forest Avenue Library for the monthly meeting at Forest Avenue Library! The meeting will be from 4:30-6:00pm. 

This event is in the "All Ages" group.
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Exhibits
Event Details:

Join us at the Franklin Avenue Library for Mapping Exclusion: Redlining in Iowa. This exhibit from the African American Museum of Iowa explores the impact of housing discrimination and segregation in the state of Iowa.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

CMA presents the Belin String Quartet in a free outdoor concert

5:30pm - 6:15pm
All Ages
Central Library Lawn
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Lawn
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Performances
Event Details:

Celebrate the Belin String Quartet’s 25th anniversary season with a free outdoor concert on the lawn of the Central Library. Enjoy a 45-minute program featuring music that spans from classical to modern.

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.

Inclement Weather

This program is hosted outdoors. In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates. 

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Des Moines Metro Opera Preview - The Flying Dutchman

2:00pm - 3:00pm
All Ages
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Performances
Event Details:

Des Moines Metro Opera opens its 2025 season with the return of Richard Wagner’s epic ghost story, The Flying Dutchman. Join DMMO Preview Lecturer, Joshua Borths, for an in-depth look

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "All Ages" group.

History of Juneteenth: Remember Our History, Release the Past, and Reshape Our Future

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children, Teens, Adults, All Ages
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens, Adults, All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Juneteenth is more than a celebration; it is a pivotal chapter in American history.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

DIY Mini Pride Floats!

All Day 6/2 - 6/14
All Ages
Library Branch: DMPL Systemwide
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Take & Make
Event Details:

Celebrate Pride Month by creating your own mini parade float!

This event is in the "All Ages" group.
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Juneteenth is more than a celebration; it is a pivotal chapter in American history.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Pride Family Movie Crafternoon

3:30pm - 5:30pm
All Ages
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Movies
Event Details:

Watch Strange World and do Pride-themed crafts!

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 "All Ages" group.

Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration

10:00am - 12:00pm
All Ages
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Play & Learn, Take & Make
Event Details:

Kick off the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge with an afternoon of fun for youth of all ages!

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Free For All: The Public Library Indie Lens Pop up

2:00pm - 4:00pm
All Ages
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational, Movies
Event Details:

Watch a special screening of Free For All: The Public Library, a documentary by Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor.

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.
This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Model Train Display with DesMoiNTrak

All Day 6/13 - 6/14
Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens, Adults, All Ages
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens, Adults, All Ages
Program Type: Exhibits
Event Details:

All aboard! Trains are taking over the North Side Library this weekend! Visit the library to see a huge model train display set up by the DesMoiNTrak modular railroad club.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Crafternoon : Woven Tapestry

12:00pm - 5:00pm
All Ages
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Join us for a drop-in craft project at Forest! Use the supplies and provided instructions to make a woven tapestry from yarn and a cardboard loom that you can take home. Stop by anytime between 12-5pm.

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.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Stone Circle Brass Quintet: Nothin' but the Classics

10:30am - 11:30am
All Ages
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Performances
Event Details:

Come enjoy a lively performance by the Stone Circle Brass Quintet. This talented group of Des Moines area professional musicians will showcase their diverse repertoire in this exciting summer concert.

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 "All Ages" group.

Des Moines Metro Opera Preview - The Rake's Progress

2:00pm - 3:00pm
All Ages
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Performances
Event Details:

Des Moines Metro Opera Preview Lecturer Joshua Borths returns for an in-depth preview of the final two operas of the opera’s 2024 season: Janacek’s vivid and playful opera, The Cunning Little Vixen

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Friends of Forest Meeting

4:30pm - 6:00pm
All Ages
Forest Avenue Conference Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Conference Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Library Meeting
Event Details:

Join the Friends of the Forest Avenue Library for the monthly meeting at Forest Avenue Library!

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Board Game Café

12:00pm - 5:00pm
All Ages
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Join us for a drop-in event for all ages. Come in, grab warm drink, get cozy, and choose from a variety of games or puzzles to play with friends!

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.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Juneteenth Neighbor's Day with DMPL

12:00pm - 4:00pm
All Ages
Central Library Lawn
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Lawn
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Author Visits, Educational, Exhibits, Play & Learn, Take & Make
Event Details:

DMPL celebrates Juneteenth and its theme: Remembering Our History, Releasing the Past, Reshaping Our Future with the following activities: 

Disclaimer(s)

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors.  

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates. 

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Spock's Sanctuary Reptile Show!

6:00pm - 7:00pm
All Ages
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Meet animal ambassadors from Spock’s Sanctuary, Des Moines’ reptile and amphibian rescue. Enjoy an engaging presentation and hands-on experiences with these fascinating creatures.

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 "All Ages" group.

Crafternoon : Make a Mini Book

12:00pm - 5:00pm
All Ages
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Join us for a drop-in craft project at Forest! Use the supplies and provided instructions to make a mini-book to take home and fill with writing, drawings, collage, or whatever you choose. Stop by anytime between 12–5 PM.

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.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Stone Circle Brass Quintet: Nothin’ but the Classics

2:00pm - 3:00pm
All Ages
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Performances
Event Details:

Come enjoy a lively performance by the Stone Circle Brass Quintet. This talented group of Des Moines area professional musicians will showcase their diverse repertoire in two exciting summer concerts.

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Friends of Forest Meeting

4:30pm - 6:00pm
All Ages
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Library Meeting
Event Details:

Join the Friends of the Forest Avenue Library for the monthly meeting at Forest Avenue Library!

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

Board Game Café

12:00pm - 5:00pm
All Ages
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Join us for a drop-in event for all ages. Come in, grab warm drink, get cozy, and choose from a variety of games or puzzles to play with friends!

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.