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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.

Library Closed - Memorial Weekend

All Day 5/24 - 5/25
Main Branch

The Library is closed Sunday and Monday of Memorial Weekend.  We reopen at 9am on Tuesday with Summer Hours.  

Closing
Branches:
Main Branch
Description:

The Library is closed Sunday and Monday of Memorial Weekend.  We reopen at 9am on Tuesday with Summer Hours.  

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.  

plain jane and the mermaid cover

Kids Graphic Novel Club Read - Plain Jane and the Mermaid

Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
School-Age Children

If you like to read and talk about graphic novels, this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book, Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol.

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

If you like to read and talk about graphic novels, this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book, Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol.

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.

Outreach: Traveling Tales in the Park @ Ashawa Park

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach, Storytime
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool

Parks and Recreation is excited to collaborate with the West Des Moines Public Library, bringing the Words on Wheels vehicle to West Des Moines parks!

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool
Program Type: Outreach, Storytime
Event Details:

Parks and Recreation is excited to collaborate with the West Des Moines Public Library, bringing the Words on Wheels vehicle to West Des Moines parks!

Friday Craft for Kids - ____________________

All Day
Main Branch
Program Type:
Craft
Age Group:
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children

Each Friday we will provide a different fun, hands-on, screen-free craft project or activity to take home and enjoy!

Library Branch: Main Branch
Age Group: Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children
Program Type: Craft
Event Details:

Each Friday we will provide a different fun, hands-on, screen-free craft project or activity to take home and enjoy!

Words on Wheels at Rose Farm

Outreach : Words on Wheels at Rose Farm

Friday, June 5, 2026 at 9:00am - 9:30am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach
Age Group:
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children

Visit the library's Words on Wheels Truck at Rose Farm for their Farm School series each Friday from June 5th-July 31st!

From Rose Farm:

[NOTE: Bold text needs to be revised for 2026 season]

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

Visit the library's Words on Wheels Truck at Rose Farm for their Farm School series each Friday from June 5th-July 31st!

From Rose Farm:

[NOTE: Bold text needs to be revised for 2026 season]

Words on Wheels at Rose Farm

Outreach : Words on Wheels at Rose Farm

Friday, June 5, 2026 at 10:00am - 10:30am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach
Age Group:
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children

Visit the library's Words on Wheels Truck at Rose Farm for their Farm School series each Friday from June 5th-July 31st!

From Rose Farm:

[NOTE: Bold text needs to be revised for 2026 season]

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

Visit the library's Words on Wheels Truck at Rose Farm for their Farm School series each Friday from June 5th-July 31st!

From Rose Farm:

[NOTE: Bold text needs to be revised for 2026 season]

Words on Wheels at Rose Farm

Outreach : Words on Wheels at Rose Farm

Friday, June 5, 2026 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach
Age Group:
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children

Visit the library's Words on Wheels Truck at Rose Farm for their Farm School series each Friday from June 5th-July 31st!

From Rose Farm:

[NOTE: Bold text needs to be revised for 2026 season]

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

Visit the library's Words on Wheels Truck at Rose Farm for their Farm School series each Friday from June 5th-July 31st!

From Rose Farm:

[NOTE: Bold text needs to be revised for 2026 season]

Friday Flicks: ______________________

Friday, June 5, 2026 at 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Film
Age Group:
Preschool, School-Age Children

All movies are shown at 1:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. No registration is needed, though space is limited. Today's movie will be ____________ (Rated __, DURATION).

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Preschool, School-Age Children
Program Type: Film
Event Details:

All movies are shown at 1:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. No registration is needed, though space is limited. Today's movie will be ____________ (Rated __, DURATION).

Saturday Storytime

Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
StoryRoom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool

Drop in and join us in the storyroom for Saturday Storytime! Build a lifetime love of books and reading as we share stories, songs, and interactive rhymes with an early literacy focus. For ages 0-6 w/adult. No registration.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: StoryRoom
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Drop in and join us in the storyroom for Saturday Storytime! Build a lifetime love of books and reading as we share stories, songs, and interactive rhymes with an early literacy focus. For ages 0-6 w/adult. No registration.

Outreach: Words on Wheels at Legion Park

Monday, June 8, 2026 at 11:00am - 12:30pm
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach
Age Group:
All Ages, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children

Visit the library at Legion Park! We'll have the WoW Truck there to sign up for library cards and check out library materials.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: All Ages, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children
Program Type: Outreach
Event Details:

Visit the library at Legion Park! We'll have the WoW Truck there to sign up for library cards and check out library materials.

Teen Nintendo Switch Free-Play

Monday, June 8, 2026 at 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Teen Center at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Teens

Teens! Spend time in the air conditioning with friends. We're bringing out the Nintendo Switch for free-play on Mondays during June and July. Enjoy a selection of games, and space to relax! No registration required.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Teen Center
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Program
Event Details:

Teens! Spend time in the air conditioning with friends. We're bringing out the Nintendo Switch for free-play on Mondays during June and July. Enjoy a selection of games, and space to relax! No registration required.

Picture of Mother Goose

Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:00am
StoryRoom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers

Simple stories, gentle tunes, flannel boards, and nursery rhymes.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: StoryRoom
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Simple stories, gentle tunes, flannel boards, and nursery rhymes.

Summer Survivor 2026

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
School-Age Children

For ages 7-12. Registration required. Join us outside for some amazing summer challenges. We'll see if you and your team have what it takes to survive.  

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School-Age Children
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

For ages 7-12. Registration required. Join us outside for some amazing summer challenges. We'll see if you and your team have what it takes to survive.  

Picture of Mother Goose

Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
StoryRoom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers

Simple stories, gentle tunes, flannel boards, and nursery rhymes.

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: StoryRoom
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Simple stories, gentle tunes, flannel boards, and nursery rhymes.

Summer Survivor 2026

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
School-Age Children

For ages 7-12. Registration required. Join us outside for some amazing summer challenges. We'll see if you and your team have what it takes to survive.  

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School-Age Children
Program Type: Program
Registration Required
Event Details:

For ages 7-12. Registration required. Join us outside for some amazing summer challenges. We'll see if you and your team have what it takes to survive.  

Outreach: Traveling Tales in the Park @ Willow Springs Park

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach, Storytime
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool

Parks and Recreation is excited to collaborate with the West Des Moines Public Library, bringing the Words on Wheels vehicle to West Des Moines parks!

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool
Program Type: Outreach, Storytime
Event Details:

Parks and Recreation is excited to collaborate with the West Des Moines Public Library, bringing the Words on Wheels vehicle to West Des Moines parks!