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Outreach: Nature Storytime in the Park

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Spend some time with the Naturalist at Raccoon River Park's Biddle Shelter! We'll enjoy nature stories and a kid-friendly craft of activity. Bring a blanket and dress for the weather.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Outreach
Event Details:

Spend some time with the Naturalist at Raccoon River Park's Biddle Shelter! We'll enjoy nature stories and a kid-friendly craft of activity. Bring a blanket and dress for the weather.

logo for group; Inner Child Discussion Group

Inner Child: From Rabbits to Rare Species: The Life and Legacy of Beatrix Potter

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club, Program
Age Group:
Adults

Please join us this month as we learn about and discuss the life and works of Beatrix Potter.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club, Program
Event Details:

Please join us this month as we learn about and discuss the life and works of Beatrix Potter.

dark blue logo with gold stars and gold dragon

Otherworlds: Alien, Android, Icon: The World of Alan Tudyk

Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club, Program
Age Group:
Adults

From spaceship pilots to sarcastic robots, Alan Tudyk has brought unforgettable characters to life across film, television, animation, and beyond.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club, Program
Event Details:

From spaceship pilots to sarcastic robots, Alan Tudyk has brought unforgettable characters to life across film, television, animation, and beyond.

black/white background with date/time of event and library logo

WDM Writer's Group

Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 10:00am - 2:00pm
Southwoods Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

This in-person group is open to aspiring authors of all experience levels. Each participant brings an approximately 1500-word excerpt of their work-in-progress to read aloud.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Southwoods Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Program
Event Details:

This in-person group is open to aspiring authors of all experience levels. Each participant brings an approximately 1500-word excerpt of their work-in-progress to read aloud.

Outreach: Nature Storytime in the Park

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Spend some time with the Naturalist at Raccoon River Park's Biddle Shelter! We'll enjoy nature stories and a kid-friendly craft of activity. Bring a blanket and dress for the weather.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Outreach
Event Details:

Spend some time with the Naturalist at Raccoon River Park's Biddle Shelter! We'll enjoy nature stories and a kid-friendly craft of activity. Bring a blanket and dress for the weather.

graphic with puzzle pieces; date/time of program

Connections & Cognition

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

“Connections & Cognition” is an engaging presentation led by Zach Schneider of Seniors Helping Seniors® Des Moines and Emily Anker of Brain Bridge Therapy.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

“Connections & Cognition” is an engaging presentation led by Zach Schneider of Seniors Helping Seniors® Des Moines and Emily Anker of Brain Bridge Therapy.

YA Not Club Read logo

YA Not Club Read

Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adults

Are you a "Grown Up" but you like to read Young Adult books?  Are you looking for a book club that doesn’t take itself too seriously?  Then YA Not join us for YA Not Club Read!

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Required
Event Details:

Are you a "Grown Up" but you like to read Young Adult books?  Are you looking for a book club that doesn’t take itself too seriously?  Then YA Not join us for YA Not Club Read!

tech one on one saturday poster

Tech One-on-One

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Millie Knee Classroom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Tech One-on-One 

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Millie Knee Classroom
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Tech One-on-One 

tech one on one saturday poster

Tech One-on-One

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Millie Knee Classroom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Tech One-on-One 

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Millie Knee Classroom
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Tech One-on-One 

tech one on one saturday poster

Tech One-on-One

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Millie Knee Classroom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Tech One-on-One 

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Millie Knee Classroom
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Tech One-on-One 

Iowa Files: Villisca; Living With a Mystery

Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

On the morning of June 10, 1912, the peaceful town of Villisca, Iowa awoke to horror.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Program
Event Details:

On the morning of June 10, 1912, the peaceful town of Villisca, Iowa awoke to horror.

First day of Summer Escape @ West Des Moines Library!

All Day
Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
All Ages, Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Registration begins May 18 for our 2026 Summer Escape at the library!

Library Branch: Main Branch
Age Group: All Ages, Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Program
Event Details:

Registration begins May 18 for our 2026 Summer Escape at the library!

Outreach: Nature Storytime in the Park

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Spend some time with the Naturalist at Raccoon River Park's Biddle Shelter! We'll enjoy nature stories and a kid-friendly craft of activity. Bring a blanket and dress for the weather.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Outreach
Event Details:

Spend some time with the Naturalist at Raccoon River Park's Biddle Shelter! We'll enjoy nature stories and a kid-friendly craft of activity. Bring a blanket and dress for the weather.

Library Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Board Meeting
Age Group:
Adults

Visit the Library Board of Trustees webpage for the meeting agenda and minutes from past meetings.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Board Meeting
Event Details:

Visit the Library Board of Trustees webpage for the meeting agenda and minutes from past meetings.

Image for Legacies

Legacies - A Discussion Group About Timeless Authors

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Millie Knee Classroom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adults

Would you like to read some of the great classics with others? Have you always wondered why some authors’ works seem to endure? Join us for Legacies, a program where we focus on a different timeless writer each month.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Millie Knee Classroom
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

Would you like to read some of the great classics with others? Have you always wondered why some authors’ works seem to endure? Join us for Legacies, a program where we focus on a different timeless writer each month.

Step Back in Time logo -light/dark blue

Step Back in Time: Historical Fiction book group

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Outreach
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adults

Historical fiction is a great way to learn about people and events through stories that bring history to life. Our group discusses titles from a wide variety of time/places/people.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Required
Event Details:

Historical fiction is a great way to learn about people and events through stories that bring history to life. Our group discusses titles from a wide variety of time/places/people.

black/white background with date/time of event and library logo

WDM Writer's Group

Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 10:00am - 2:00pm
Southwoods Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

This in-person group is open to aspiring authors of all experience levels. Each participant brings an approximately 1500-word excerpt of their work-in-progress to read aloud.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Southwoods Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Program
Event Details:

This in-person group is open to aspiring authors of all experience levels. Each participant brings an approximately 1500-word excerpt of their work-in-progress to read aloud.

Outreach: Nature Storytime in the Park

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Spend some time with the Naturalist at Raccoon River Park's Biddle Shelter! We'll enjoy nature stories and a kid-friendly craft of activity. Bring a blanket and dress for the weather.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Outreach
Event Details:

Spend some time with the Naturalist at Raccoon River Park's Biddle Shelter! We'll enjoy nature stories and a kid-friendly craft of activity. Bring a blanket and dress for the weather.

West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation Meeting

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Board Meeting
Age Group:
Adults

Visit the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation webpage for more information.  

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Board Meeting
Event Details:

Visit the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation webpage for more information.  

Final Friday Fiber Club

Friday, May 29, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:30am
Millie Knee Classroom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Do you embroider, cross-stitch, crochet, or knit?

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Millie Knee Classroom
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Do you embroider, cross-stitch, crochet, or knit?

graphic of mah jong tiles around edge; date/time of program

Learn to Play Mah Jong

Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 10:00am - 1:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Teens, Adults

Program description:  Curious about Mah Jong? Join us for a hands-on introduction to this classic tile-based game of strategy, skill, and a little bit of luck!

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Program description:  Curious about Mah Jong? Join us for a hands-on introduction to this classic tile-based game of strategy, skill, and a little bit of luck!

Registration for June Programs

All Day
Main Branch
Age Group:
All Ages, Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Registration begins at 9:00am today for programs at the Library. You may register in person, on the library's online calendar, or by phone.

Youth programs - youthservices@wdm.iowa.gov - 515.222.3405

Library Branch: Main Branch
Age Group: All Ages, Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Event Details:

Registration begins at 9:00am today for programs at the Library. You may register in person, on the library's online calendar, or by phone.

Youth programs - youthservices@wdm.iowa.gov - 515.222.3405

logo for group; Inner Child Discussion Group

Inner Child: The World of Oz: Fantasy, Folklore, and the Man Behind the Curtain

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club, Program
Age Group:
Adults

This month, we invite you to step beyond the yellow brick road and into the extraordinary imagination of L. Frank Baum, the creator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club, Program
Event Details:

This month, we invite you to step beyond the yellow brick road and into the extraordinary imagination of L. Frank Baum, the creator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

black/white background with date/time of event and library logo

WDM Writer's Group

Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 10:00am - 2:00pm
Southwoods Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

This in-person group is open to aspiring authors of all experience levels. Each participant brings an approximately 1500-word excerpt of their work-in-progress to read aloud.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Southwoods Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Program
Event Details:

This in-person group is open to aspiring authors of all experience levels. Each participant brings an approximately 1500-word excerpt of their work-in-progress to read aloud.