Welcome to Next Month at Central! This is a newsletter for those who use Central Library to make sure you know all the latest library events and updates happening at your neighborhood library
Here you will find updates about new additions, staff introductions, and featured programs for kids, teens, and adults happening at your library!
Thanksgiving Holiday Closure
All DMPLlocations will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal hours will resume on Saturday, November 29.
Support our Community Fridge
This time of year can be tight for a lot of families. At DMPL, we have community fridges at four of our library locations open to all library patrons in need of assistance.
The Central Library fridge is located in the breezeway of the north entrance off of Grand Avenue. It is open to the public for donations and pickups Monday-Sunday during the library's open hours.
Donation guidelines for Central Library fridge:
Fresh produce, bread, pasta, grains, and nonexpired dairy products
Pre-packaged or individually wrapped items
Standard pantry items are accepted: rice, dry beans, canned goods, oatmeal, pasta, etc.
No frozen items
Sign-in is not required to donate or pick up food.
Celebrate Día de Muertos at Central Library
Sunday, November 2
4-6:30 PM
Bring the whole family to Celebrate Día de Muertos with the Des Moines Public Library and Latinx Immigrants of Iowa!
See the ofrenda and Catrinas created by Latinx Immigrants of Iowa and participate in a costume contest for the best Catrina and Catrin. The winners will receive to four tickets toSugarSkull! ADíadeMuertosMusicalAdventureat the Civic Center
Try tamales, pan de muerto, and Mexican hot chocolate, watch traditional dance performances, check out a resource fair, get a flu shot, enjoy the movie Coco(2017), experience a storytime with a Luchador, and so much more!
Learn more
Books and Ballet: The Nutcracker
Visit the Hoyt Sherman Place Box Office or fill out a form online to reserve a free ticket to The Nutcracker.These tickets are available to library cardholders as a part of the Ballet Des Moines CommunityTicketing program.
You will be able to reserve a free ticket toThe Nutcracker in person or online through December 5.
TheNutcrackerperformances will be held December 11-14.
Free tickets are available while supplies last.
Read books, Win pizza Register now for the 30x30 Challenge
Reading for pizza is not just for kids! This month, read 30 minutes per day for all 30 days of November and be entered into a drawing to win a gift card to Dough Co. Pizza.
the Date Grown-Up Book Fair: Holiday Edition Central Library
Saturday, December 6 12-4 PM
Exciting news!The Grown-Up Book Fair is back for a special holiday edition at Central Library on Saturday, December 6, from 12-4 PM.
Shop books, stickers, gifts, and more from local independent bookstores and vendors. Vendors will be stationed throughout the entire library to make for a smooth shopping experience.
Our vendors include: Annies Foundation Beaverdale Books Bing's
Get your holiday shopping done while supporting your community. 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Des Moines Public Library!
Learn more
The Glitter Factory
The Little Book
Little G's Treats
Lunita Planners
Nos Books
Reading in Public
The Rook Room
Shelf Love DSM
Storyhouse
Bookpub
Wandering Raccoon Books
Warren Hill Farm
Zellaphant Books
Featured Events at Central Library
Celebrating TV & Movie Premieres
Monday, November 17 4-7 PM
Let us be glad, let us be grateful! Come rejoicify the release of Wicked:ForGoodat Central Library with a ballyhoo in honor of our two favorite witches. There will be crafts, activities, and a screening of the first film!
Learn More
Sunday, November 23 1-3 PM
Celebrate your favorite Netflix show and get ready for Season 5 at our StrangerThings Party! Play a quick round of Dungeons & Dragons, make themed crafts, enjoy an Eggo waffle bar, and more!
This program welcomes nerds, gamers, geeks, and horror aficionados alike. Whether you’re a Nancy, Joyce, Dustin, or Hopper, you’ll find something strange—and fun—waiting for you.
Wicked Party
Stranger Things Party
Novel November
Join other aspiring novelists at Central Library and take part in Novel November! Work with other writers as you take on the challenge of writing a novel in the month of November
Learn more Novel November Write-Ins
Fiction Workshop
November 10-13 4-7 PM
November 14 4-6 PM
Keep up your writing momentum this Novel November!
Drop in to one of DMPL's write-ins and surround yourself with others while you write your novel. Stay the whole time or pop in for a quick writing sprint!
Learn more
Wednesday, November 19 6-7:30 PM
Take a break from your novel and join our flash fiction workshop! Craft a complete story from a prompt in a single session and share it with others. This fast, fun session is a great way to recharge your creativity for the final stretch of Novel November.
Documentary Screening and Discussion: Madan Sarah
Tuesday, November 18 6-7:45 PM
Watch MadanSara, a documentary by Haitian journalist Etant Dupain, highlighting women who transport and sell goods across Haiti despite risks like robbery and harassment. Gain insight into their vital role in society, then take part in a short discussion with the filmmakers.*
*The filmmakers will be joining us virtually
Learn more
Student Harmonica Giveaway and Lesson with Malcolm Wells
Sunday, November 16 2-3 PM
Learn the "Mississippi Saxophone" with Malcolm Wells! Grab a FREE student harmonica when you arrive and join the fun.
This all-ages event also includes a chance to win Blues CDs when you sign in upon arrival.
Learn more
Kids
Search, Skate, Celebrate: I-Spy
Wicked Scavenger Hunt
November 10-15 All day
Keep having fun during the library’s youth program break!
Complete the I-Spy: Wickedscavenger hunt in the youth area and you can win a free pass to local roller skating rink Skate South!Talk to a librarian to get started. View online.
*Available while supplies last
Dino-vember Celebration Winter Storytime with the Grinch!
Thursday, November 6 3-5 PM
Don’t be a fossilcome celebrate Dinovember at Central Library! Enjoy dinomite crafts and activities that will have kids of all ages roaring with delight. It’s sure to be a Tyrannosau-rockin’ good time! Add this event to your calendar.
Saturday, November 22 11-11:30AM
Come meetThe Grinch during his visit to Des Moines!
Listen to Howthe GrinchStole Christmasand enjoy a fun holiday activity with the whole family Attendees can enter a drawing to win a four-pack of tickets to the Civic Center performance of Dr. Seuss’Howthe GrinchStole ChristmasThe Musicalon December 16. Add this event to your calendar.
*Children must be at least 5 years old to attend the Civic Center performance. No purchase necessary
Teens
While this program has been cancelled you can still stop by the Central LibraryYouth desk to ask about how to become a VolunTEEN.
Tuesday, November 4 6-7 PM
Discover what’s inside old electronics as you carefully take them apart, piece by piece. Then transform the parts into a unique work of art to take home and display Register to attend.
