Upcoming Events

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Simple Steps Storytime

10:00am - 10:45am
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational, Performances, Play & Learn
Event Details:
Join us as we explore the 5 Simple Steps you can do with your child to create early literacy and learning success. This interactive series will focus on one of the 5 steps each week - Read, Sing, Play, Talk and Write - in a supportive environment for...

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.

Instrument Petting Zoo

11:30am - 12:15pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Does your child love music? Children ages 3 and up can enjoy an instrument petting zoo with the Des Moines Symphony! Instrument petting zoos are a fun and interactive introduction to string instruments. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Fossil Fun with Polk County Conservation!

3:30pm - 4:30pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Visit South Side Library to discover Iowa’s awesome paleontological past! Kids will learn how fossils form, what kinds of fossils we find in Iowa, and what it's like to study rocks and fossils through a fun activity! Best for youth ages 6+. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

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.

Community Health Education: HIV/STI testing and education

10:00am - 4:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational, Health & Wellness
Event Details:
Primary Healthcare and The Project will be present community health education to the public, as well as HIV/STI testing.  ...

Seoulmate Summer - A K-pop Event

1:00pm - 4:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Do you like all things K-pop? Come to the Central Library for Seoulmate Summer!, a chance to hang out with other fans, participate in a bunch of activities, and win fun prizes.  Invite your friends to enjoy K-pop trivia, photocard tradin...

Animal Friends Scavenger Hunt

All Day 7/29 - 8/10
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.  ...

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.

Batman vs. The Rogues Gallery Scavenger Hunt

All Day 7/30 - 8/5
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Batman, Robin, and their team of super-powered friends are at the library to face off against Gotham City's most fearsome collection of villains, The Rogues Gallery! Find them all and win an amazing prize! Best for ages 6+ ...

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year

9:00am - 11:00am
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year is a free weekly postpartum support group for parents and their new babies. Facilitated by Blank Children's Hospital, each week will feature a guest presenter on a variety of postpartum topics, plus plenty of time to m...

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.

Simple Steps Storytime

10:00am - 10:45am
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational, Performances, Play & Learn
Event Details:
Join us as we explore the 5 Simple Steps you can do with your child to create early literacy and learning success. This interactive series will focus on one of the 5 steps each week - Read, Sing, Play, Talk and Write - in a supportive environment for...

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.

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.

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...

GO Bag: Nature Weaving

All Day
Library Branch: South Side Library
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational, Play & Learn, Take & Make
Event Details:
Stop by South Side Library and pick up a Get Outside (GO) Bag full of fun activities and crafts to do outdoors! While Supplies Last   ...

Writers' Workshop 2024

5:30pm - 7:30pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Join us for the DMPL Writer's Workshop on the first* Monday of the month from 5:30-7:30 PM. Share samples of work and receive feedback from other writers in the group. Email your submission to Julia at jmdunt@dmpl.org by 12 PM the Tuesday before the ...

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.

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year

9:00am - 11:00am
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year is a free weekly postpartum support group for parents and their new babies. Facilitated by Blank Children's Hospital, each week will feature a guest presenter on a variety of postpartum topics, plus plenty of time to m...

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.

NFC's Journey to Homeownership

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

Rainscaping Your Yard for Soil and Water Health

6:30pm - 7:30pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
You can design your yard to hold and retain stormwater instead of losing it to runoff. By utilizing strategically planned landscaping practices (called Rainscaping) at your home, you can help water naturally soak into the ground, preventing floo...

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.

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.

Polk County Conservation: Insects

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Explore the fascinating world of insects and their bizarre ways of life. Students can go on an insect hunt in their school yard with nets provided. Live insects will be used if available. Supports Iowa Life Science Standards.  ...

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.

Gardening with Native Plants Meet-Up

5:30pm - 7:00pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Connect with others interested in environmentally friendly gardens. The focus is on native plants which foster and nourish wildlife. Come to learn and to share your favorite gardening tips, design ideas, seeds, plants, and more!   This ...

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year

9:00am - 11:00am
Central Library Meeting Room 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 3
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year is a free weekly postpartum support group for parents and their new babies. Facilitated by Blank Children's Hospital, each week will feature a guest presenter on a variety of postpartum topics, plus plenty of time to m...

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.

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.