Upcoming Events

Age Group
Age Group
Program Type
Ongoing Events
Event Type

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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

Family Night at the Library! - Valentine Cards!

6:30pm–7:30pm
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, 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! This month, we’ll get out lots of paper, stamps and other craft materials to make some amazing valentines for all the lovely people in your lives!  For all ages.

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

Tween Club Read - Dungeon Club

4:15pm–5:00pm
School-Age Children, Teens
Open
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!

This event is in the "Teens" group

Teen Nintendo Switch Afternoon

3:00pm–4:30pm
Teens
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.

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

2:00pm–3:00pm
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
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 "Teens" group

Group Service Project (GSP)

3:00pm–5:00pm
Teens
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.

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

Family Night at the Library! - Interactive Movie Night!

6:30pm–8:00pm
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
Registration Required
Event Details:

March usually has some pretty crazy weather, but it’s nothing compared to what the town of Swallow Falls experiences when Flint Lockwood’s FLDSMDFR goes on the fritz!

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

Tween Club Read - The Immortal Games

4:15pm–5:00pm
School-Age Children, Teens
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!

This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Learn to Play Mah Jong

9:30am–12:30pm
Teens, Adults
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!

This event is in the "Teens" group

Teen Nintendo Switch Afternoon

3:00pm–4:30pm
Teens
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.

This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group
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.

This event is in the "Teens" group

Group Service Project (GSP)

3:00pm–5:00pm
Teens
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.

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

Tween Club Read - As Brave As You

4:15pm–5:00pm
School-Age Children, Teens
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!

This event is in the "Teens" group

Teen Nintendo Switch Afternoon

3:00pm–4:30pm
Teens
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.

This event is in the "Teens" group

Group Service Project (GSP)

3:00pm–5:00pm
Teens
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.

This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Discover the Night Flyers of Iowa

6:30pm–7:30pm
Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Program
Event Details:

Join us for a fascinating journey into the world of bats! Learn about these mysterious and misunderstood creatures—their unique adaptations, vital role in ecosystems, and the myths that surround them. 

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

Family Night at the Library! - May Baskets!

6:30pm–7:30pm
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, 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. Celebrate spring as we make our own paper May baskets!

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

2:00pm–3:00pm
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
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

10:30am–11:15am
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
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

4:15pm–5:00pm
School-Age Children, Teens
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 "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

10:30am–11:15am
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
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 "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
All Ages, Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
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
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Outreach: Nature Storytime in the Park

10:30am–11:15am
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
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 "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

10:30am–11:15am
Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age Children, Teens, Adults
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 "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Miscellany and Mirth of the Midwest

6:30pm–7:30pm
Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Main Branch
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Performer
Event Details:

Award-winning musician and storyteller, Dave Martin, takes us on a good-natured romp through the Midwest which explores the culture and storied history of the region, performing original songs while infusing quixotic anecdotes about his family’s p