Keep busy this fall by using the library! Though in-person programming has been reduced with less outdoor programs, there's still lots happening inside our walls and on our website.
We have tons of Take-and-Make activities and drop-in craft activities at our buildings, plus fun themed scavenger hunts the whole family will enjoy. With Halloween just around the corner, check out our events page to find a full listing of activities involving ghosts, ghouls, and lots of other spooky things!
If you need more books to read, we have a couple great ideas. Check out our Popular Page to keep tabs on new releases, find readalikes while you wait for your holds, and jump the line to start reading some of our biggest books immediately. Don't forget that our Book Chat team is always on standby to help you find your next favorite book.
When you're not curling up with a book, you can check out several DMPL resources to keep you and your family both entertained and engaged.
Creativebug
Creativebug offers thousands of online arts and crafts classes, including knitting, crocheting, drawing, painting, home decór, and more. The classes take the form of easy-to-follow instructional videos led by instructors that know their stuff.
Classes are for people of all ages, including a whole section of classes for kids and families. From hand-sewn animal puppets to balloon-propelled vehicles to fun doodles, you can lose a whole weekend having fund with arts and crafts.
There's a great list of seasonal classes, including Halloween shadow puppets and masks, coffee mug cozys, wreaths, ornaments, and more.
Don't forget to check out our craft eBooks on the Libby app as well!
Mango
Begin your language-learning journey with Mango. The free language-learning app uses conversation-based learning. You learn useful phrases for various situations, and then build on what you those words and phrases to develop spelling and grammar skills.
There are more than 70 languages available to learn, including Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese, German, and more. Plus, users can learn English using more than 20 different languages as a starting point.
Tech Central
Get creative using Tech Central, the technology lab at the Central Library. Create videos at our video/photography station, and then edit them at our video editing station.
The sewing machine and laser engraver are great tools to get create personalized gifts, and the media conversation center are the perfect tools to convert old home videos and movies on VCR, photos from the photo album, and even cassette mixtapes to digital files
Consumer Reports
Shopping can be fun! Use Consumer Reports online (free with your library card!) to compare product reviews and find the perfect gift for your loved ones - or the perfect item to add to your wish list.
In addition to small appliances, electronics, and products for parents, you'll also find reviews on simple items like food and beverages, as well as large items like cars and grills.
Tumblebooks
TumbleBook Library is an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach young children the joys of reading in a format they'll love. Not only can you follow along with your favorite eBooks, but there are also short learning videos, picture books in French and Spanish, interactive puzzles and games, and more.
Project Des Moines and The Vault
If you like diving down Wikipedia holes, you'll love checking out our local history section. First, there's Project Des Moines. This site has a collection of stories and tidbits about our city's history dating back to before Iowa was a state. Learn about our old streetcar lines, why the first night baseball game with permanent lights was played in Des Moines, where elephants, lions, and panthers used to roam, and more.
Then head over to the Vault to see all the fun things located in our Special Collections. See photos of old Des Moines-based board games, "Dolls of Democracy" figures, including Abraham Lincoln and George Washington Carver, and lots of great photos and postcards dating back to the 19th century.
Kanopy Kids
Be sure in the knowledge your kids are getting screen time that's both fun and educational with by using Kanopy Kids. This free video streaming service includes movies, read-along boooks, TV series, and short videos about science and nature.
Read along with Mo Willems books, watch Sesame Street, learn languages with Muzzy and Little Pim, and more!
Scavenger Hunts and Take-and-Makes
As COVID continues to spread, our buildings are limiting the number of in-person events we're hosting for kids and families. That means we've shifted our focus to other great activities!
Our buildings are constantly holding scavenger hunts, handing out take-and-make crafts, and putting together fun displays with some of our favorite books. Check out our events page to see what's happening at each of our branches!
Learning Express Library
Get homework help in a variety of subjects and get a headstart on AP courses and college entrance exams. Great for students of all ages, including adult learners.