Event List

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Age Group
Program Type
Ongoing Events
Event Type

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This event is in the "Adults" group

West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation Meeting

Tuesday, April 28, 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.  

This event is in the "School-Age Children" group

After School Adventures - May Baskets!

Wednesday, April 29, 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! Celebrate spring as we make our own paper May baskets! We’ll have supplies and directions to make several baskets that you can leave for people on May Day.

Upcoming
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! Celebrate spring as we make our own paper May baskets! We’ll have supplies and directions to make several baskets that you can leave for people on May Day.

This event is in the "Adults" group

Tech One-on-One

Saturday, May 2, 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 

This event is in the "Adults" group

Tech One-on-One

Saturday, May 2, 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 

This event is in the "Adults" group

Tech One-on-One

Saturday, May 2, 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 

This event is in the "Babies" group
This event is in the "Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School-Age Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

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.

This event is in the "Babies" group
This event is in the "Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School-Age Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

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.

This event is in the "School-Age Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

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!

This event is in the "Adults" 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.

This event is in the "Adults" group

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.

This event is in the "Adults" group

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.

Library Closed - Mother's Day

All Day
Main Branch

We will be closed on Sunday for Mother's Day. We reopen at 9am on Monday.  

Closing
Branches:
Main Branch
Description:

We will be closed on Sunday for Mother's Day. We reopen at 9am on Monday.  

This event is in the "All Ages" group

2026 Summer Reading Display

All Day 5/11 - 6/30
Lobby Display Case at Main Branch
Program Type:
Exhibit
Age Group:
All Ages

In the theme of our 2026 Summer Escape 

Find out more information about Summer Escape at the West Des Moines Public Library here

Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Lobby Display Case
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Exhibit
Event Details:

In the theme of our 2026 Summer Escape 

Find out more information about Summer Escape at the West Des Moines Public Library here

This event is in the "Babies" group
This event is in the "Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School-Age Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

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.

This event is in the "School-Age Children" group

Kids Club Read - Disaster Squad: Wildfire Rescue

Tuesday, May 12, 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 books, this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month's book Disaster Squad: Wildfire Rescue by Rekha Rajan.

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 books, this club is for you. Join us for discussion and activities related to this month's book Disaster Squad: Wildfire Rescue by Rekha Rajan.

This event is in the "Adults" group

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.

This event is in the "Adults" group

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!

This event is in the "Adults" group

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 

This event is in the "Adults" group

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 

This event is in the "Adults" group

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 

This event is in the "Adults" group

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.

This event is in the "All Ages" group
This event is in the "Babies" group
This event is in the "Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School-Age Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

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!

This event is in the "Babies" group
This event is in the "Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School-Age Children" group

Welcome back, Spotty!

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

Spotty is back and hiding at the library once again! You can find him in the Children's area on the first floor.

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

Spotty is back and hiding at the library once again! You can find him in the Children's area on the first floor.

This event is in the "Babies" group
This event is in the "Toddlers" group
This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "School-Age Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

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.