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Sensory Spaces West Des Moines Public Library

Sensory Spaces w/ ARL TheraPets

Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Sensory Spaces are Metro area libraries offering special activities and spaces for members of the public who appreciate a sensory friendly environment.

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

Sensory Spaces are Metro area libraries offering special activities and spaces for members of the public who appreciate a sensory friendly environment.

Family Night logo

Family Night at the Library! - Holiday Cards

Monday, December 15, 2025 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Age Group:
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Join Nate for a fun family activity! With the holidays just around the corner, we’ll make some cards to share with family and friends! For ages 3+. Please register each person attending (children and adults). 

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join Nate for a fun family activity! With the holidays just around the corner, we’ll make some cards to share with family and friends! For ages 3+. Please register each person attending (children and adults). 

Group Service Project (GSP)

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 3:00pm - 5:00pm
StoryRoom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Teens

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: StoryRoom
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

Family Night logo

Family Night at the Library! - Lego Derby!

Monday, January 5, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Age Group:
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Get your family together and build the fastest (Funniest? Most creative?) Lego car you can! Build one car as a family or have everyone build their own car.

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Registration Required
Event Details:

Get your family together and build the fastest (Funniest? Most creative?) Lego car you can! Build one car as a family or have everyone build their own car.

graphic of a red book on blue text. text on top says "bring your own book"

Tween Club Read - Bring Your Own Book

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
School-Age Children, Teens

This month, we want you to bring your own book to talk about! Bring your favorite book. Bring the book you're currently reading. Bring your LEAST favorite book. Just bring a book and be ready to tell us a little bit about it!

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School-Age Children, Teens
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Required
Event Details:

This month, we want you to bring your own book to talk about! Bring your favorite book. Bring the book you're currently reading. Bring your LEAST favorite book. Just bring a book and be ready to tell us a little bit about it!

Model Trains

Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 9:30am - 5:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Stop by the West Des Moines Library from 9:30AM-5PM to see the DesMoinNTrak's N-scale working layout. This event is open to adults and children of all ages.

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

Stop by the West Des Moines Library from 9:30AM-5PM to see the DesMoinNTrak's N-scale working layout. This event is open to adults and children of all ages.

Model Trains

Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Stop by the West Des Moines Library from 2-4PM to see the DesMoinNTrak's N-scale working layout. This event is open to adults and children of all ages. Make sure to stop by the Children's Department for a fun train craft before you leave!

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

Stop by the West Des Moines Library from 2-4PM to see the DesMoinNTrak's N-scale working layout. This event is open to adults and children of all ages. Make sure to stop by the Children's Department for a fun train craft before you leave!

Group Service Project (GSP)

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 3:00pm - 5:00pm
StoryRoom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Teens

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: StoryRoom
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

Family Night logo

Family Night at the Library!

Monday, February 2, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Age Group:
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Join Nate for a fun family activity! We'll be doing something different each month.  For all ages. Please register each person attending (children and adults). 

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join Nate for a fun family activity! We'll be doing something different each month.  For all ages. Please register each person attending (children and adults). 

cover for "Dungeon Club: Roll Call" graphic novel

Tween Club Read - Dungeon Club

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
School-Age Children, Teens

If you like to read and talk about books (but you’re getting too old for our other book clubs), this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book Dungeon Club: Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag!

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School-Age Children, Teens
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Required
Event Details:

If you like to read and talk about books (but you’re getting too old for our other book clubs), this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book Dungeon Club: Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag!

Sensory Spaces w/ ARL TheraPets

Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Sensory Spaces are Metro area libraries offering special activities and spaces for members of the public who appreciate a sensory friendly environment.

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

Sensory Spaces are Metro area libraries offering special activities and spaces for members of the public who appreciate a sensory friendly environment.

Group Service Project (GSP)

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 3:00pm - 5:00pm
StoryRoom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Teens

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: StoryRoom
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

Family Night logo

Family Night at the Library!

Monday, March 2, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Age Group:
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Join Nate for a fun family activity! We'll be doing something different each month.  For all ages. Please register each person attending (children and adults). 

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join Nate for a fun family activity! We'll be doing something different each month.  For all ages. Please register each person attending (children and adults). 

cover for "The Immortal Games"

Tween Club Read - The Immortal Games

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
School-Age Children, Teens

If you like to read and talk about books (but you’re getting too old for our other book clubs), this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book The Immortal Games by Annaliese Avery!

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School-Age Children, Teens
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Required
Event Details:

If you like to read and talk about books (but you’re getting too old for our other book clubs), this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book The Immortal Games by Annaliese Avery!

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

Learn to Play Mah Jong

Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 9:30am - 12:30pm
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!

illustration of baseball stitching on edges; date/time of program

How Iowa Met Baseball: the Myths, the History, the Players

Monday, March 23, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Teens, Adults

Opening Day for Major League Baseball is March 26th, so what better time to learn about Iowa's rich baseball history? Please join us for How Iowa Met Baseball: the Myths, the History, the Players presented by John Liepa.

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

Opening Day for Major League Baseball is March 26th, so what better time to learn about Iowa's rich baseball history? Please join us for How Iowa Met Baseball: the Myths, the History, the Players presented by John Liepa.

Group Service Project (GSP)

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 3:00pm - 5:00pm
StoryRoom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Teens

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: StoryRoom
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

cover for "As Brave As You"

Tween Club Read - As Brave As You

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
School-Age Children, Teens

If you like to read and talk about books (but you’re getting too old for our other book clubs), this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds!

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School-Age Children, Teens
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Required
Event Details:

If you like to read and talk about books (but you’re getting too old for our other book clubs), this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds!

Group Service Project (GSP)

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 3:00pm - 5:00pm
StoryRoom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Teens

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: StoryRoom
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

Are you looking for a few Silver Cord, Community Service, or other volunteer hours? The Library is looking for volunteers to help with a monthly group service project. We will perform a variety of tasks.

Family Night logo

Family Night at the Library! - May Baskets!

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Age Group:
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Join Nate for a fun family activity! We'll be doing something different each month. Celebrate spring as we make our own paper May baskets!

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join Nate for a fun family activity! We'll be doing something different each month. Celebrate spring as we make our own paper May baskets!

Sensory Spaces w/ ARL TheraPets

Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults

Sensory Spaces are Metro area libraries offering special activities and spaces for members of the public who appreciate a sensory friendly environment.

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

Sensory Spaces are Metro area libraries offering special activities and spaces for members of the public who appreciate a sensory friendly environment.

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.

cover for "The Secret Letters"

Tween Club Read - The Secret Letters

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
School-Age Children, Teens

If you like to read and talk about books (but you’re getting too old for our other book clubs), this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book The Secret Letters by Margaret Peterson Haddix!

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School-Age Children, Teens
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Required
Event Details:

If you like to read and talk about books (but you’re getting too old for our other book clubs), this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book The Secret Letters by Margaret Peterson Haddix!

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.