Event List

Filters
Age Group
Program Type
logo for group; Inner Child Discussion Group

Inner Child: Beyond the Wild Things – the world of Maurice Sendak

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Book Club, Program
Age Group:
Adults

This month, we will learn about and celebrate the genius of Maurice Sendak, one of the most influential and imaginative voices in children’s literature.

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

This month, we will learn about and celebrate the genius of Maurice Sendak, one of the most influential and imaginative voices in children’s literature.

dark blue logo with gold stars and gold dragon

Otherworlds: Between the Covers (and the Caves): A Dragon-Fueled Conversation

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

From wise and ancient guardians to fire-breathing beasts of legend, dragons have captured our imaginations for centuries.

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

From wise and ancient guardians to fire-breathing beasts of legend, dragons have captured our imaginations for centuries.

English With Friends

Friday, February 6, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Southwoods Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Join us at the West Des Moines Public Library for English with Friends, a welcoming and informal conversation program.

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

Join us at the West Des Moines Public Library for English with Friends, a welcoming and informal conversation program.

tech one on one saturday poster

Tech One-on-One

Saturday, February 7, 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, February 7, 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, February 7, 2026 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Millie Knee Classroom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Tech One-on-One 

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

Tech One-on-One 

movie poster for Legally Blonde; date/time of program

Craft at the Movies!

Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Craft, Program
Age Group:
Adults

Join fellow crafters and movie fans for a special showing of the classic rom-com Legally Blonde! 

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

Join fellow crafters and movie fans for a special showing of the classic rom-com Legally Blonde! 

photo of man and woman; date and time of program

Welcome to Medicare presented by SHIIP

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Are you going to be eligible for Medicare in the near future?  Have you been on Medicare for awhile and want to better understand what it offers?  Do you have a family member you help with Medicare issues? Please join us for a free

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

Are you going to be eligible for Medicare in the near future?  Have you been on Medicare for awhile and want to better understand what it offers?  Do you have a family member you help with Medicare issues? Please join us for a free

photo of man and woman; dates and times of programs

Empowered Aging: Knowledge for Every Stage: Levels of Living

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Millie Knee Classroom at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Join us for Empowered Aging: Knowledge for Every Stage, a three-part series designed to help you navigate the many options for aging with confidence.

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

Join us for Empowered Aging: Knowledge for Every Stage, a three-part series designed to help you navigate the many options for aging with confidence.

English With Friends

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Southwoods Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Join us at the West Des Moines Public Library for English with Friends, a welcoming and informal conversation program.

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

Join us at the West Des Moines Public Library for English with Friends, a welcoming and informal conversation program.

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

WDM Writer's Group

Saturday, February 14, 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.

Iowa Files: Ako Abdul Samad; A Life Working for Justice

Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Ako Abdul-Samad has served the community in numerous capacities as an elected official, mediator, and community organizer.  He has witnessed first-hand the challenges facing low income minority communities.

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

Ako Abdul-Samad has served the community in numerous capacities as an elected official, mediator, and community organizer.  He has witnessed first-hand the challenges facing low income minority communities.

background graphic with cherry trees/pagoda/clouds; date;time of program

Discover China: Culture, Wellness, and Everyday Life

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Please join us to Discover China: Culture, Wellness, and Everyday Life. This is a 60-minute interactive program designed primarily for adult and senior audiences.

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

Please join us to Discover China: Culture, Wellness, and Everyday Life. This is a 60-minute interactive program designed primarily for adult and senior audiences.

Teen Nintendo Switch Afternoon

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Teen Center at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Teens

Join us in the Teen Center to relax after school and play on our Nintendo Switch! We will have a selection of games for participants to play, including Mario Kart 8, Overcooked, Mario Party Superstars, and Super Smash Bros.

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

Join us in the Teen Center to relax after school and play on our Nintendo Switch! We will have a selection of games for participants to play, including Mario Kart 8, Overcooked, Mario Party Superstars, and Super Smash Bros.

ASA Logo

After School Adventures - Perler Bead Art!

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 3:45pm - 4:30pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
School-Age Children

Join us in the Community Room after school to embark on an adventure! This month, we’ll be using these colorful beads that fuse together with heat to make beautiful designs. For ages 5-12, registration required.

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

Join us in the Community Room after school to embark on an adventure! This month, we’ll be using these colorful beads that fuse together with heat to make beautiful designs. For ages 5-12, registration required.

English With Friends

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Southwoods Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Join us at the West Des Moines Public Library for English with Friends, a welcoming and informal conversation program.

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

Join us at the West Des Moines Public Library for English with Friends, a welcoming and informal conversation program.

tech one on one saturday poster

Tech One-on-One

Saturday, February 21, 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, February 21, 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, February 21, 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 

Puzzle Competition: February 2026

Puzzle Competition

Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Do you love puzzles? Have you ever thought about entering a puzzle competition? Put together a team of up to 4 people to join us on the afternoon of February 21st at 1:00pm to test your team's puzzling prowess against 5 other teams.

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

Do you love puzzles? Have you ever thought about entering a puzzle competition? Put together a team of up to 4 people to join us on the afternoon of February 21st at 1:00pm to test your team's puzzling prowess against 5 other teams.

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.

photo of book cover; photo of two speakers; date/time of program

Baking Blue Ribbons: Stories, recipes and more about the Iowa State Fair Food Competitions

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

Have you attended the Iowa State Fair and wondered just how those blue ribbons get awarded? Think your layer cake has blue ribbon-worthy flavor but don't know how to enter the Fair's competitions? Come learn from three experts!

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

Have you attended the Iowa State Fair and wondered just how those blue ribbons get awarded? Think your layer cake has blue ribbon-worthy flavor but don't know how to enter the Fair's competitions? Come learn from three experts!

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.

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.

image of flowers and person's hands writing in a journal; date/time of program

“Get Growing” with the Budding Optimist - Setting Gardening Goals

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Community Room at Main Branch
Program Type:
Program
Age Group:
Adults

Need a cure for your spring fever? Join Sarah Wood, the Budding Optimist, for a Garden Goals program to kick off the gardening season.

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

Need a cure for your spring fever? Join Sarah Wood, the Budding Optimist, for a Garden Goals program to kick off the gardening season.