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Día del Niño Celebration! /¡Celebración del Día del Niño!

10:00am - 12:00pm
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational, Performances
Event Details:
Día is an international celebration of the joy found in early childhood and reading. This year, the Des Moines Public Library and its community partners are celebrating together! Join us at Union Park for FREE activities for the whole family: book...

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.

Inclement Weather

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

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors.  

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

Seed Swap and Spring Gardening Workshop

1:00pm - 3:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Kick off gardening season by attending a seed swap & gardening workshop. This will be an opportunity to meet local gardeners while learning how to use your gardening space wisely, prepare your soil for success, as well as other vegetable gard...

Drop In: Poem in Your Pocket Day

3:00pm - 7:00pm
East Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Drop by the library and immerse yourself in the beauty of poetry. Poem in Your Pocket Day is a celebration of poetry and creativity. Stop by and pick out a poem for yourself or create a new poem to take home in your pocket.  ...

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.

Ivy + Bean the Musical Sneak Preview

10:30am - 11:00am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
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 Ivy + Bean the Musical which is based on the series by Annie Barrows. 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.

Movie Watch Party: The Mitchells vs. The Machines

4:00pm - 6:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Movies
Event Details:
We will eat popcorn and do a fun activity while we watch The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021). Rated PG.  ...

Big Book Sale

9:00am - 5:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Book Sales
Event Details:
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community. Get everything for a steal at rock bottom ...

Big Book Sale

9:00am - 5:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Book Sales
Event Details:
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community. Get everything for a steal at rock bottom ...

Big Book Sale

9:00am - 5:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Book Sales
Event Details:
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community. Get everything for a steal at rock bot...

Big Book Sale

10:00am - 5:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Book Sales
Event Details:
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community. Get everything for a steal at rock bottom ...

Big Book Sale

12:00pm - 4:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Book Sales
Event Details:
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community. Get everything for a steal at rock bottom ...

Big Book Sale

9:00am - 5:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Book Sales
Event Details:
The Big Book Sale is back! Stop by Central Library's meeting rooms, May 8-13, to stock up on books, CDs, DVDs, and more. The inventory includes withdrawn library items, and donations from the community. Get everything for a steal at rock bottom ...

Puzzle and Game Cafe

11:00am - 1:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Love playing board games or putting together puzzles? Stop by the South Side Meeting Room to play a selection of provided board games and puzzles or invite a group and bring your own! Snacks will be provided. Best for those age 8 and up! ...

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.

NFC's Journey to Homeownership

6:00pm - 8:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Join Bridgett Robinson, Neighborhood Finance Corporation’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Mortgage Loan Originator and Outreach Coordinator, along with community panelists, as they help navigate what Black/African American homeownership may look like...

DIY Mini Pride Floats!

All Day 6/1 - 6/14
Library Branch: DMPL Virtual
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Take & Make
Event Details:
Celebrate Pride Month by making your own mini parade float! Starting Saturday, June 1, stop by any DMPL location to pick up a materials kit (while supplies last), then design your own float however you choose. Once you finish your float, snap a pi...

Des Moines Metro Opera Previews The Barber of Seville and Salome

2:00pm - 3:30pm
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 2024 season with two of the world’s greatest operas: Rossini’s famed comedy, The Barber of Seville, and Richard Strauss’s scandalous drama, Salome. Join DMMO Preview Lecturer, Joshua Borths, for an in-depth look at th...

Movie Watch Party: Wonka

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Movies
Event Details:
Experience the whimsical origin story of the famed chocolatier Willy Wonka! Join us for popcorn and a fun activity while we watch Wonka. Rated PG. ...

Take & Make: Beaded Lizard Keychain

4:00pm - 8:00pm
East Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Stop by the children's area and grab a beaded lizard kit to take home! The kit contains all of the supplies and directions needed to make one lizard. You will use a simple threading technique and pony beads to make your new friend. Hang it on your ba...

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.

Des Moines Metro Opera Previews American Apollo and Pelléas & Mélisande

2:00pm - 3:30pm
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: Debussy’s shimmering Impressionist opera, Pelléas & Mélisande, and the world premiere of Damien Geter and Li...

Take & Make: DIY Ball Drop Game

4:00pm - 8:00pm
East Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Stop by the children's area and grab a DIY Ball drop game kit to take home! The kit contains all of the supplies and directions needed to make one mini classic game, similar to Ker-Plunk. Gather your family and work together to construct this gr...

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.

Puzzle and Game Cafe

11:00am - 1:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Love playing board games or putting together puzzles? Stop by the South Side Meeting Room to play a selection of provided board games and puzzles or invite a group and bring your own! Snacks will be provided. Best for those age 8 and up! ...

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.

NFC's Journey to Homeownership

6:00pm - 8:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Join Bridgett Robinson, Neighborhood Finance Corporation’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Mortgage Loan Originator and Outreach Coordinator, along with community panelists, as they help navigate what Black/African American homeownership may look like...

Learn to Sculpt Butter with Sarah Pratt!

5:00pm - 6:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Registration
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 35
Event Details:
We're gearing up for the state fair with a very special guest! Join special guest Sarah Pratt, the Iowa State Fair's butter sculptor, to talk about what it's like to sculpt the butter cow and to teach us how she does it! Each participant will...

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.

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.

Email Required

Please make sure you have entered a valid email address as the online event details will be sent to you prior to the event. If you have not received a confirmation email your inbox, please check your spam folder.

Learn to Sculpt Butter with Sarah Pratt!

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Registration
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 35
Event Details:
We're gearing up for the state fair with a very special guest! Join special guest Sarah Pratt, the Iowa State Fair's butter sculptor, to talk about what it's like to sculpt the butter cow and to teach us how she does it! Each participant will...

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.

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.

Email Required

Please make sure you have entered a valid email address as the online event details will be sent to you prior to the event. If you have not received a confirmation email your inbox, please check your spam folder.

Summer Gardening Workshop

5:30pm - 7:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
This interactive workshop will be filled with presentations to expand your gardening knowledge and the opportunity to ask local experts any questions you have from your gardening journey so far.  Holly Hallman, volunteer and community garden...