Upcoming Events

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Zoo to You with the Blank Park Zoo

11:30am - 12:30pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Come to North Side to learn about zoos and conservation from a Blank Park Zoo educator. You might also get to meet an ambassador animal from the zoo! ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Mindfulness Meditation Presented by Supportive Services for Veteran Families

1:30pm - 2:30pm
Central Library Large Study Room
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Large Study Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:
This program will include a brief overview of where Mindfulness Meditation comes from and why we do it, followed by a 20 minute sitting practice with time for Q&A afterwards. Chair seating will be available. Guests are also welcome to bring ...

Art in the Summer: Under the Sea Watercolors

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Play & Learn
Event Details:
Visit the library and design a multi-layered work of art that combines pastels, watercolors, and salt to create a beautiful underwater picture.   For children ages 6 and up. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Grishaverse Meet-Up

3:30pm - 5:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Book Clubs
Event Details:
Whether you prefer the rough streets of Ketterdam and impossible heists with the Crows, or the court intrigue and legends of Ravka, come to South Side Library to nerd out with other fans of Leigh Bardugo's Gishaverse series! We'll have snacks...

Des Moines Art Center: Creative Journaling Workshop

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 14
Event Details:
Come explore creative writing, poetry, drawing and dance! Using Art Activity cards of her own design, teaching artist Aminah will take you on a journey through the art of the Des Moines Art Center, while you explore creative responses to the art you ...

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.

Hunt a Killer: Moon Summit Episode 2

6:00pm - 7:30pm
South Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Gaming
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 7
Event Details:
Join us for a multi-week investigation! This game will have six episodes. This is Episode 2, you will need to have played Episode 1. A graduate student appears to have died from a fatal bear attack while on a scientific expedition in Moon Summi...

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.

The Varsity Cinema Book Club: Forbidden Planet

8:30pm - 10:00pm
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs, Movies
Event Details:
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with The Varsity Cinema for The Varsity Cinema Book Club. Read the book. Watch the movie. Discuss them both! This month, we will be reading the play The Tempest by William Shakespeare, and w...

Preschool Storytime

10:00am - 10:30am
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:
Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, musical activities and take-home activities that prepare your child for school.   ...

Wiggles and Giggles

10:15am - 10:45am
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Play & Learn, Storytimes
Event Details:
Join us at the Central Library for a fun storytime featuring movement, music, and rhyming! The storytime will take place in the meeting room to allow for social distancing.   ...

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.

Preschool Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:
Preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and learn school readiness skills. Afterwards, we will enjoy free-play together. ...

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.

Glowforge Training

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Central Library Tech Central
Registration
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Tech Central
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Computers & Technology, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 4
Event Details:
Learn how to use the Glowforge Plus Laser Engraver at Tech Central! This program takes the place of the 1 on 1 Glowforge tutorial, so you will be fully qualified to book and use the Glowforge on your own after this program.  A library card nu...

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.

Kids Pokémon Card Swap

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
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 7-18.    The Franklin Library is located...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Virtual Cookbook Club

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom Meeting Room
Registration
Virtual Event
Library Branch: DMPL Virtual
Room: Zoom Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs, Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 9
Event Details:
Join us from the comfort of your own homes and kitchens for a DMPL cookbook club that celebrates substitutions, creativity, sustainability and independence in home cooking. Prepare or use for inspiration one or more recipes from the selected cookbook...

Disclaimer(s)

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.

Storytime at the Heritage Carousel

10:30am - 11:15am
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Event Details:
Join Ms. Alicia at the Heritage Carousel for a special storytime for the whole family! We will enjoy stories, songs, and movement together. After storytime, there will be a craft or activity available and everyone will get a FREE carousel ride. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Inclement Weather

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

Kids in the Kitchen

11:00am - 12:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 12
Event Details:
Kids in the Kitchen is 6-7 week program based around the Department of Agriculture "MyPlate". Each session, students learn about a food group, why it is good for us, physical activity, and then we make a snack together at the end of the class. Studen...

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.

Children’s Program

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

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

The Outreach Project

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Central Library Cafe Gallery
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Cafe Gallery
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters. They may also offer support and ...

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.

Memory Café

2:00pm - 4:00pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:
Memory Cafés provide a welcoming social gathering for people living with dementia and their care partners focus on person-centered care for those living with dementia. This program begins with relaxed socializing, moves on to a planned activity that ...

Art Cart Saturdays

10:00am - 4:00pm
East Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Stop in the library to do some fun arts and crafts with our Art Cart! While supplies last. Adult supervision is required.  ...

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.

Learn to Slay: Intro to Dungeons & Dragons

1:00pm - 2:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational, Gaming
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 30
Event Details:
Have you ever wanted to slay a dragon, raid a dungeon treasure room, or even save a village from an evil bandit horde? Always wanted to play Dungeons & Dragons, but didn’t know where to start? Join us as we learn the basics of how to get start...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Favorite Characters Scavenger Hunt

All Day 7/1 - 7/3
Library Branch: South Side Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational, Play & Learn
Event Details:
Kids! Visit South and try our Scavenger Hunt! Drop in and search the library for all of the items on the sheet and win a prize. For youth ages 3 and up.  ...

Toddler Storytime

10:00am - 10:30am
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:
Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement! For ages 18 months to 36 months. ...

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.

Children’s Program

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

Art Cart Mondays

10:00am - 7:00pm
North Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Get creative at North Side! Drop-in to the library on Mondays during June and July to enjoy a variety of arts and crafts supplies. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Preschool Storytime

10:15am - 10:45am
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:
Join Miss Jennifer for Preschool Storytime on Monday mornings at 10:15 a.m.  There will be stories, rhymes, music, and more. This storytime is recommended for ages three to five, but all children are welcome to attend.   The Frankl...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

The Outreach Project

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Central Library Cafe Gallery
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Cafe Gallery
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:
The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters. They may also offer support and ...

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.