teens
Switch Gaming
Tuesday, April 1 and 15 and May 6, 4 PM | North Side Library
Kids and teens ages 8-18 can enjoy Switch games on the big screen at North Side! We will meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
VolunTeens
Wednesdays, April 2-May 21, 4 PM | South Side Library
Wednesday, April 9 and May 14, 4 PM | Central Library Monday, April 14 and May 5, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Earn volunteer hours by helping out with library programs and projects! Teens ages 12 to 18 can drop in any Wednesday we are open and volunteer for one hour. You must bring a volunteer application and parent/guardian-signed waiver to South Side Library in order to participate.
AViD Presents: Amina Luqman-Dawson
Thursday, April 3, 6:30 PM | Central Library
Amina Luqman-Dawson is the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning and bestselling author of Freewater The book is a middle grade novel about two enslaved children, their escape from a plantation, and the community that they find as they search for freedom.
Sit n’ Stitch
Saturday, April 5 and May 3, 1:30 PM | North Side Library
Spend a couple hours with other crafters and work on your knit, crochet, or needle craft projects. Please bring your own supplies and projects with you. This program happens the first Saturday of the month.
Dungeons and Dragons: School of Adventure with The Dealt Hand
Wednesday, April 9, 23, and 30, 4:30-7:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library
If you’re looking to learn the basics of Dungeons and Dragons and participate in an epic adventure, join us for 3 weeks of D&D fun! You’ll learn the rules on April 9, then put those skills into practice April 23 and 30. Registration required – please register for all three sessions at dmpl.org.
Games Galore
Wednesday, April 16, 4 PM | South Side Library
Visit South Side Library for an hour of games! Play Nintendo Switch or try your hand at one of our giant board games!
Pop Bottle Bird Feeders
Tuesday, April 22, 5:30 PM | East Side Library
Join us this Earth Day for a fun and eco-friendly workshop where we turn everyday pop bottles into a bird feeder! Joel, with City of Des Moines Parks & Rec, will help you craft your bird feeder and fill it with bird feed to take home. This hands-on event is perfect for families, children, and nature enthusiasts of all ages. All materials will be provided as supplies lasts!
Sewing Basics
Zippers, Buttons, and Snaps
Thursday, April 10, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library
We will be repurposing fabric and learning how to create closures like zippers, buttons, and snaps. The instructor will have those materials and fabric available, and attendees can also bring an adult or child-sized pair of pants to repurpose into a bag if they choose. Registration required.
Pockets
Thursday, May 8, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library
Learn how to add pockets to a dress or skirt. Bring your own or learn the concept on scrap fabric provided by instructor. Registration required.
teens
The Art of Expression
Wednesday, April 23 and May 14, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library
The Art of Expression is a program for teens to learn and create different types of art in a relaxed atmosphere. In April, we’ll experiment with tape to create geometric and abstract designs. In May, get a little messy and create a collage of embellished thumbprint characters. Registration required.
Paws
& Claws Craft Hour
Friday, April 25, 10 AM | Central Library
In anticipation of National Pet Month in May, participants will create recycled t-shirt dog toys, teaser wand cat toys, stylish pet bandanas, and more. Items may be created for pets at home or for donation to our ARL TheraPet partners. Please note that only humans are allowed at this event.
Crossroads: A Journey with the Blues featuring Scott Eggleston
Saturday, April 26, 2 PM | Forest Avenue Library
Join us at Forest Avenue Library for a live Blues performance provided by the Central Iowa Blues Society. Scott Eggleston, a founding member of the award-winning blues band The Soul Searchers, will be presenting Traditional and Delta Blues Guitar.
Eco-Friendly Crafts: T-Shirt Tote Bags
Monday, April 28, 2 PM | East Side Library
Eco-friendly crafts repurpose everyday items to give them new life! We’re making reusable bags out of thrifted t-shirts. We will learn a couple different methods that require no sewing skills to create a strong and study bag for you to take home. T-shirts available as supplies last; feel free to bring your own as well!
Blooming with K-pop
Friday, May 2, 4 PM | Central Library
Kick-off Asian American and Pacific Islander month at Blooming with K-pop! Invite your friends to enjoy K-pop trivia, photocard trading, a photo booth, K-pop bingo, and a toploader deco station! Participate in a random play dance to win prizes like official photocards and albums, and snag some other fun freebies.
Sourdough Basics
Saturday, May 17, 2 PM | Franklin Avenue Library
We will explore the fundamentals of sourdough, including what it is and all the things you can make from it. Steve Bryce, the presenter, is a restaurateur, baker, and chef who operates ScottageScapes Bakery, a boutique home bakery. Registration Required.
Plant. Grow. Fly. with Des Moines Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, May 20, 5:30 PM | East Side Library
Learn about butterflies and plants with Joel from Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department! This program will involve learning about what pollinators need so they can survive and why they are so important to people. Participants will also decorate and plant a pot to support pollinators at home.
K-pop Meet-Up
Tuesday, May 27, 5 PM | Central Library
Come to the Central Library every month and bring your photocards to trade, invite your friends or meet and hang out with other fans! Enjoy snacks, other activities, and listening to music.
The Belin String Quartet, presented by the Civic Music Association
Mini Gardens
Monday, April 28, 3 PM and 4 PM | Central Library
Join us at the Central Library in creating whimsical Mini Gardens (also known as Fairy Gardens) in honor of National Garden Month! All materials will be provided to make your own Mini Garden to take home and display! There are two sessions. Registration required.
Teen Chef: PB&J Upgraded
Monday, April 28, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library
Sharpen your kitchen knowledge at our Teen Chef program and learn how to make a variety of delicious foods. We’re creating own customized PB&J sandwiches with a variety of nut butters, jams, and more. For grades 6-12. Registration required.
Tuesday, May 27, 5:30 PM | Central Library
The Belin Quartet will perform a 45-minute program that will feature music that spans from classical to modern. Bring a lawn chair, enjoy the spring weather, and relax while listening to this free program. This is part of the Belin String Quartet’s 25th anniversary season.
Summer VolunTeen Orientation
Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28, 4 PM | South Side Library
Students ages 12-18 may volunteer at the South Side Library this summer. All students must submit a VolunTeens Application and waiver before attending. Applications can be printed out or picked up at the Information Desk. Orientation will provide more information about the Summer Reading Program.
