Warming Centers

All DMPL locations are serving as warming centers during open hours. DART will provide free rides to designated warming center locations while the Extreme Temperature Plan is in effect.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Closing

All Des Moines Public Library Locations will be closed on Monday, January 19 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Forest Avenue Library will be open from 3:30-5 PM for the DMPL's annual MLK Day celebration. The Central Library will be open only as a warming center from 9 AM-5 PM on Monday.

Upcoming Events

Filters
Age Group

Wiggles and Giggles

10:15am–10:45am
Birth-Preschool
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:

Enjoy a fun storytime featuring movement, music, and rhyming! 


 

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.

 

Drop-In Tech Help

2:00pm–3:00pm
Adults
Central Library Success Center
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Success Center
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology
Event Details:

Need help with a phone, laptop, or tablet, or another electronic device? Come by the Central Library at 2PM on Thursdays and our staff will work with you to figure things out. This is a drop-in, first-come first-served service.

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.

ASAP Thursdays: Sticker Factory

4:00pm–5:00pm
Children, Teens
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Learn how to design, build, and collect your own artistic, adorable, and/or awesome stickers. We'll even make puffy stickers and a mini-sticker album to keep our creations safe! Supplies and snacks provided.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Cricut Training

5:00pm–6:00pm
Teens, Adults
Central Library Tech Central
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Tech Central
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Computers & Technology
Registration Required
Event Details:

Learn how to use the Cricut Maker and Cricut Venture at Tech Central! What is a Cricut?

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.

 

Book Club Pizza Party : Max in the House of Spies

6:00pm–7:00pm
Children, Teens
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Registration Required
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us at Forest for a book club and pizza party just for tweens! Each month features a new book exploring different genres, formats, and topics.

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.

STEAM Cart Challenge: Penny Spinners

6:00pm–7:00pm
Children
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Explore motion and balance by building your own spinner! Make a penny spinner, test it out, and see how long it can spin. Fun for all ages.

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.

Age requirement

This program requires participants to be within a specific age range. Please select the correct age/grade when registering. 

Teen Palentine's Day Celebration

6:00pm–7:30pm
Teens
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Grab a friend and join us for a romance-free celebration of love.

Reading on the Margins Book Discussion

6:30pm–7:30pm
Adults
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:

Join us once a month to discuss books by underrepresented authors. Our goal is to amplify these voices and experiences while discussing social issues in the context of fiction and non-fiction books.

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.

Play and Learn Group

10:00am–12:00pm
Birth-Preschool
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Bring your littles to our Play and Learn Group, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different play equipment, toys, and sensory activities.

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.

Career Connection Center: Job Support and Digital Skills

10:00am–3:00pm
Adults
Central Library Conference Room 1
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Conference Room 1
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Computers & Technology
Event Details:

Are you searching for a new job, having trouble navigating a website, or looking to learn a new digital skill? Goodwill is at the library to help!

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.

 

Library Date Night: Potato Chip Tasting

5:00pm–5:45pm
Adults
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Join us for a delicious date night at the North Side Library! Bring a partner or a friend and enjoy an informal tasting event exploring new and surprising potato chip flavors.

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.

Food Allergies

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

Drop-in Heart Art

10:00am–4:30pm
Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
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:

Drop into North Side to make heart art! Make a valentine for someone special or even yourself!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Winnie the Pooh Sneak Preview

10:30am–11:00am
Children, All Ages
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 Young Artists' Theatre production of "Winnie the Pooh."  Learn about the show and get a chance to meet the cast!

 

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Staff In-Service Day

All 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 branches will be closed for Staff In-Service.

Library Scavenger Hunt

All Day 2/17–2/21
All Ages
East Side Rosie's Nature Nook
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Rosie's Nature Nook
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Find all of the hidden pictures for a prize! 

Black History Month: Ella Sings the Songbook Display

All Day 2/17–2/27
All Ages
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Exhibits
Event Details:

Ella Sings the Songbook, a traveling display from The Great American Songbook Foundation, will be on display for self-guided viewing at the west end of the Franklin Avenue Library.

Pokémon Scavenger Hunt

All Day 2/17–2/28
All Ages
Library Branch: DMPL Systemwide
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Celebrate 30 years of our favorite Pokémon characters with a DMPL Scavenger Hunt! 

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.

I Spy: Black History Month - Authors

All Day 2/17–3/1
Children
Central Library Children’s Area
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Visit the Central children's area to learn about some amazing Black authors, then check out one of their books! Find all the hidden pictures to win a prize!

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.

 

Children’s Program

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

Baby and Toddler Rhyme Time

10:00am–10:30am
Birth-Preschool
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers can join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story.

This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months of age.

Baby Rhyme Time

10:00am–10:30am
Birth-Preschool
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.

Park-N-Play

10:00am–11:30am
Birth-Preschool, Children
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, 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 Tuesday mornings in the South Side Library meeting room. Drop in and enjoy toys and fun activities for families at no cost.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Baby Rhyme Time

10:15am–11:00am
Birth-Preschool
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
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.

YSS Outreach Services

12:00pm–1:30pm
Adults
Central Library Conference Room 1
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Conference Room 1
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:

The YSS team will be providing street outreach services, meal kits that include snacks and water, hygiene kits, survival kits for the weather with gloves and blankets, and central intake assessments.

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.

 

North Side Book Discussion

2:00pm–3:00pm
Adults
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:

This month we will be discussing Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell.

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.

Food Allergies

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