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Engage - February-March 2024

Download our Annual Report

Insight - Spring 2024

Upcoming Events

I Spy: Winter Activities

All Day 12/8–12/21

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:

Come find pictures (and inspiration!) of fun, classic winter activities in the Central Youth area. Once you've found them all, stop at the Youth desk to claim your prize!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

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

Bluey Scavenger Hunt

All Day 12/15–12/21

Children

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library

Age Group: Children

Program Type: Educational, Gaming

Event Details:

Visit the library and find all of the pictures hiding in the Children's Area.

Snowman Scavenger Hunt!

All Day 12/15–12/23

Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens

Library Branch: South Side Library

Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens

Program Type: Gaming

Event Details:

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!

Library Scavenger Hunt

12/15/2025 @ 12:00am–12/24/2025 @ 5:00pm

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!

Preschool Storytime

10:00am–10:30am

Birth-Preschool

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, music, and fun activities!

DMPL Digital Drop-In

10:00am–11:00am

Adults

Franklin Avenue Family Room

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library

Room: Franklin Avenue Family Room

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Computers & Technology, Educational

Event Details:

Stop by Franklin Ave Library and learn how to use DMPL’s digital resources like Libby, Consumer Reports, Kanopy, and newspapers.

Park-N-Play

10:00am–12:00pm

Children

Franklin Avenue Meeting Room

Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library

Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room

Age Group: 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 Thursday mornings in the Franklin Avenue Library meeting room.

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Latest Blog Entries

Beyond The Shelves: Best Books of 2025

In this episode, Sarah and Jes discuss the best books of the year, great books to give as gifts, the most checked out items at DMPL, and the librarians personal favorite books they read in 2025. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Spotify | Podbean | Download the ...

Des Moines Public Library Names Melissa McCollum as New Library Director

The Des Moines Public Library is pleased to announce that Melissa McCollum has been named the library's next library director. McCollum will begin her new role Monday, February 9.McCollum brings both extensive library experience and deep Des Moines roots to the role. A Des Moines native and product ...

Library News and Publications

Download Our Newsletters and Publications

Engage - February-March 2024

Download our Annual Report

Insight - Spring 2024

Children’s Program

Latest Blog Entries

Beyond The Shelves: Best Books of 2025

Des Moines Public Library Names Melissa McCollum as New Library Director

Recent Press Releases