Week Calendar

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

Preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and learn school readiness skills. Afterwards, we will enjoy free-play together.

Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement! For ages 18 months to 36 months.

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.

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

Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers can engage in open play, come and go activities at South. 

Babies and their caregivers can join Miss Jennifer on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, bounces, and a story followed by a short playtime.

Staff from the Evelyn K Davis Center for Working Families are ready to provide one-on-one job search and resume assistance to job seekers.

Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join Miss Emily for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 AM. Designed for children ages 0–5, this storytime welcomes all ages to join in the fun.

Join Miss Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.

Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, music, and fun activities!

Stop by Franklin Ave Library to explore DMPL’s digital resources, including Libby, Consumer Reports, Kanopy, and newspapers.

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

Bring your young ones to our Little Explorers program, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play! Activities will help build early literacy skills through the five Simple Steps: Read, Write, Sing, Play, Talk.

Discover the art of quilling! Learn about tools, paper types and sizes, and create your own unique quilling design during this hands-on program. All supplies will be provided. 

Please join the Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library for our quarterly membership meeting.

All aboard! 

Visit the library to explore a massive model train display by the DesMoiNTrak Modular Railroad Club!

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

November's selection is The Davenports by Krystal Marquis.

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.

This conversation club is both for native speakers and those wanting to learn Russian. Topics of conversation are meant to be light. Get to know other members of your community, or assist those wanting to learn Russian.

Join us on the 2nd Monday of every month for our book club. Enjoy good books, great discussions, and meet fellow book lovers. Snacks and coffee are provided! 

Join other women who are practicing their English in this casual conversation group. We will chat, share coffee, and learn together in this group moderated by a Forest Avenue Library staff member.

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.

Join us for South Side's Monthly Book Discussion!

This month we're reading Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler!

Using fall and Halloween as inspiration, we’ll decorate edible works of art with frosting! Get creative and enjoy your sweet masterpieces. Supplies and snacks provided.

October 7, 14, 21, 28

Get into the Halloween spirit with slime at North Side! Use Halloween-themed colors and mix-ins to transform regular slime into spooky, seasonal creations.

Music, movement, games, and activities - everyone’s invited! Join the fun at an ASAP Dance Party and dance your heart out. Snack provided for all participants. 

October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
 

Join ASAP Teaching Artist Cameron Solen to create sensational sculptures! Transform repurposed and upcycled materials into imaginative three-dimensional works of art.

Are you looking for a great place to volunteer? Become a volunteen and help with library projects and programs.

Join the fun at Chess Club! Chess is one of the world's most popular games and is played by millions of people worldwide. This is a drop-in program where resources will be available to learn to play or come to test your skills with other players.

Add a creepy ingredient to your witch’s pantry or a spooky specimen to your mad scientist lab! At South Side Library, create a glowing Halloween jar using spiders, bats, bones, eyeballs, and more.

Earn volunteer hours by assisting with library programs and projects! Teens ages 12 to 18 can drop in any open Wednesday and volunteer for one hour.

Join sewing instructor Kaitlyn Munro on Wednesdays in October for a five-week Beginners Sewing program focused on hand-sewing basics. This program is for students in grades 4–8.

Get creative at North Side! Drop-in on Wednesdays to enjoy our large cart of art supplies.

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

Join ASAP to create amazing art projects with thread, yarn, and wool! Explore techniques like wet felting, embroidery, knitting, and patch-making while crafting one-of-a-kind creations.

Are you a fan of graphic novels? Join us for our EPIC Graphic Novel BOOK CLUB for kids ages 7-11.

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. 

You don’t have to write alone! Library staff member and author Linden Thompson will lead a discussion on the novel-writing process, from pre-drafting to overcoming writer’s block.

Join us for our evening Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.! Kids and caregivers can join us for fun songs, stories, and acivities. You can even wear your jammies!  

Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!

Drop in and spend an evening creating something new while enjoying the company of local crafters. In October, use a few basic knots to make a keychain out of macrame cord.

Craft Night at the Forest Avenue Library is a great place to spend time with friends, meet new people, and enjoy a fun activity. Each month will focus on a new craft, and supplies will be provided.

Broaden your perspective, find new strategies for handling life’s challenges, or deepen your understanding of a topic when you join us for a monthly conversation around a life-changing nonfiction book. 

Discover the secrets behind the tricks! Kids will learn simple magic using everyday objects and take home their very own mini magician’s kit in this fun-filled evening.

Join the Des Moines Public Library & Latinx Immigrants of Iowa to make paper flowers and other decorations for a Day of the Dead ofrenda, which will be on display at the Central Library from October 28 through November 2.

Join us for a special Pajama Storytime for Spooky Season! Enjoy spooky stories, a warm beverage, and a fun craft. Wear your coziest pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal to snuggle!

Join professor Andy Langager for a series on different aspects of the history of photography.

Celebrate TeenTober with an after-hours party! Enjoy laser tag, Nerf battles, Nintendo Switch games, food, prizes, and more. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Registration required to reserve your spot. Grades 6-12.

Hank Phillippi Ryan is a USA Today bestselling author of 16 thrillers, a 37-time Emmy-winning investigative reporter, and winner of five Agathas, five Anthonys, and the Mary Higgins Clark Award.