engage December 2021
vol 2 • issue 10
CLASSES • ACTIVITIES • EVENTS
HOLIDAY SEASON AT THE LIBRARY! Gingerbread kits, Christmas scavenger hunts, and more! Most popular books of the year Page 3
Find dozens of free events, programs, and more!
IN THIS ISSUE
kids
Library programs are made possible with support from the Des Moines Public Library Foundation and its FOUNDATION generous donors. The Foundation Opening Doors. Books. Minds. supports at least 87 percent of Des Moines Public Library programs, and provides funding for AViD and the Summer Reading program, which supports 5,000+ children participants each year.
3 4 For Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 For Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Most Popular Books of the Year! . . For Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ON THE COVER Starting December 1, stop by any DMPL location to pick up a special gingerbread kit from Molly’s Cupcakes. Then upload a photo for our contest sponsored by Iowa AARP. For more information, go to dmpl.org/gingerbread.
For more information about the Des Moines Public Library Foundation and to find out how you can support the library with a donation, go to dmpl.org/foundation.
HOURS AND LOCATIONS Always open 24/7 at dmpl.org
Central Library
Forest Avenue Library
North Side Library
1000 Grand Avenue
1326 Forest Avenue
3516 Fifth Avenue
9 AM - 7 PM Monday-Thursday 9 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday 1-5 PM Sunday Pickup Window: Available during open hours, except Sunday
10 AM - 7 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday
10 AM - 7 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday
Franklin Avenue Library
South Side Library
5000 Franklin Avenue
East Side Library 2559 Hubbell Avenue 10 AM - 7 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday
1111 Porter Avenue
10 AM - 7 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM- 5 PM Saturday 1-5 PM Sunday Pickup Window: Available during open hours, except Sunday
10 AM - 7 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday
reference@dmpl.org | 515.283.4152 *Hours are subject to change due to COVID-19. Please visit dmpl.org for up-to-date hours and information on available library services.
Each month we're giving you a chance to win a prize by answering a trivia question.
Submit your answer to lib-marketing@dmpl.org and if you’re correct, you’ll be entered into a drawing. Answers must be submitted b y December 31. This month, we’re giving away a Get Carded mug (pictured left).
Rounded to the nearest thousand, how many new printed books were added to the library collection last year? 2 engage • December 2021
A. 43,000 B. 45,000 C. 48,000 D. 50,000
Register at dmpl.org/events
Most Popular Books of the Year! We’ve compiled a list of the most popular books at the library over the past 12 months. These are the physical books that were most requested. How many have you read?
Adult Fiction 1. The Four Winds, by Kristen Hannah 2. The Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura Dave 3. The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett 4. Malibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid 5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid Nonfiction 1. Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results, by James Clear 2. Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family, by Robert Kolker 3. Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson 4. Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted, by Suleika Jaouad 5. Peril, by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa Mystery 1. The Madness of Crowds, by Louise Penny 2. The Guest List, by Lucy Foley 3. Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens 4. 21st Birthday, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro 5. The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides Romance 1. People We Meet on Vacation, by Emily Henry 2. The Paper Palace, by Miranda Cowley Heller 3. Verity, by Colleen Hoover 4. The Duke and I, by Julia Quinn 5. The Viscount Who Loved Me, by Julia Quinn Sci-Fi/Fantasy 1. The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig 2. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V.E. Schwab 3. Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr 4. The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune 5. Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir Cooking 1. Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes, by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby 2. Half-Baked Harvest: Super Simple 3. Snacking Cakes: Simple Treats for Anytimes Cravings, by Yossy Arefi 4. Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, by Ina Garten 5. The Secret Ingredient Cookbook, by Kelly Senyei Teen Fiction 1. Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo 2. Firekeeper’s Daughter, by Angeline Boulley 3. Dune, by Frank Herbert 4. Siege and Storm, by Leigh Bardugo 5. Pride, by Ibi Zoboi
December 2021 • engage 3
kids
kids Gingerbread contest!
sponsored by
December 1-12 | All locations Take part in a gingerbread contest sponsored by Iowa AARP! We’re providing gingerbread kits from Molly’s Cupcakes beginning on December 1, while supplies last. Kits will include everything you need to build an adorable gingerbread home and mini gingerbread house for an extra-special addition to the main home. Send us a photo of your creation by December 12 and you’ll be eligible to win some great prizes. Go to dmpl.org/gingerbread for more info.
Epic Graphic Novel Club
Tween Writing Meetup
Friday, December 3, 4:30 PM | East Side Library This month, plan on bringing a favorite graphic novel to share with the group. We will chat about our book, work on a fun craft, play a game and choose the next book for the club to read! For ages 8-12.
Tuesday, December 14, 4 PM | Zoom Do you love writing, coming up with awesome characters, and telling great stories? Then the Tween Writers Meetup is for you! We’ll get together on Zoom to learn and practice storytelling techniques and meet other folks like you who love writing! For ages 8-12. Registration required.
Maker Day Challenge Forest Avenue Library Friday, December 3 – Chain Reactions Friday, December 10 – Magnets Friday, December 17 – Robots Calling all makers! Can you complete our weekly challenge to build, play, or create? Each week we will have a different activity set up in the children’s area and finishers can claim a prize.
Giant Games and Giant Gingerbread Houses Friday, December 10 | East Side Library Stop in during our open hours to play giant board games as a family or small group and decorate our giant cardboard gingerbread houses.
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Virtual Storytime: American Sign Language Special Edition Friday, December 17, 10:15 AM | Facebook and YouTube Join Miss Mary and Mr. Jay as they read On Account of the Gum, by Adam Rex. Mr. Jay will provide ASL interpretations as we read, sing, and do some rhymes!
Birds and Bird Feeding with Polk County Conservation Wednesday, December 29, 2 PM | East Side Library Winter is a great time to feed and watch birds. We’ll learn about some common Iowa birds and ways to keep our feathered friends well fed.
Register at dmpl.org/events
Take & Makes Storytime To-Go Bags
Wood Gingerbread Houses
Botanical Gnomes
Mondays and Wednesdays | Franklin Avenue Library Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays | South Side Library Each bag will include rhymes, songs, and book suggestions for babies and preschoolers along with literacy activities. The storytime bags are recommended for ages 0-5 years old and should be used with adult supervision.
December 7-14 | Forest Avenue Library Stop by the library for a kit containing a wood gingerbread house to decorate and keep!
December 13-18 | Forest Avenue Library Enjoy a seasonal art project from the Des Moines Botanical Garden using pinecones! Stop by the Forest Avenue Library to receive a take and make gnome activity. For ages 6 and up.
Science Project To-Go Bags
Every week enjoy a different take home craft for our littlest readers. From cotton balls to suncatchers, these bags will help kids combine learning and play using the five simple steps of literacy: read, write, talk, sing, play! For ages 2-6
Thursday, December 2, 16 | Franklin Avenue Library These kits will contain a science activity you can do at home that will let you explore different STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering, and math). For ages 5 and up.
Kid’s Craft Bag: Winter Ornaments Saturday, December 4 | South Side Library Stop by the South Side Library and pick up a craft bag filled with supplies to color and create winter ornaments at home!
Rainbow Slime Saturday, December 4 | Central Library Grab a bag from the Central youth section or Central pickup window with materials to make your own Rainbow Slime! As supplies last, adult supervision recommended.
Lil’ Craft Bags Forest Avenue Library December 8-11 – Eric Carle December 15-18 – Touch and Feel Penguin December 29-30 – Snowy Day Craft
Creative Readers To-Go Bags: Cocoa, Cookies, and Canvas Thursday, December 9 | Franklin Avenue Library The bags will contain an art project you can create at home that will let you explore your artistic side.
Kid’s Craft Bag: Holiday Foam Wreaths Saturday, December 11 | South Side Library This bag is filled with supplies to make a green foam holiday wreath at home! For ages 5-12
Creative Readers
Preschool Snowman December 17-22 | Central Library Come to the Central Library youth area or the pickup window to get a fun bag with supplies to make and decorate your own snowman! There will also be a fun little book and some rhymes about snowmen. For ages 3-6.
Lego Minifigures Wednesday, December 22 | East Side Library Pick up a library learning bag where you can design your very own Lego minifigure. Also included are some ideas for Lego science experiments and books all about mini figures.
New Year’s Eve STEM Bag December 27-30 | South Side Library Celebrate STEM and New Year’s Eve with a special activity! Each bag contains science and art activities you can do at home that will let you explore different STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering, and math). Kids can make a confetti popper, decorate paper New Year’s glasses and more. Ages 5 and up.
December 11-17 | North Side Library Pick up a kit that includes a paper chain snake craft inspired by the book Zonia’s Rainforest.
Scavenger Hunts Elf on the Shelf
Winter Scavenger Hunt
Winter Wonderland I-Spy
December 7-18 | South Side Library Can you find the Elf on the Shelf? Bring your sleuthing skills to the South Side Library and help us find the Elf! Kids can grab a sheet at the Information Desk to find the Elf and his favorite things and win a small prize! For all ages.
December 18-22 | Central Library Rosie is celebrating the first official week of Winter! Can you help Rosie and her friends find their winter essentials so they can play outside?
December 27-30 | South Side Library Visit the South Side Library and find all of our winter-themed characters and items during our Winter Scavenger Hunt! Pick up a scavenger sheet at the Information Desk, find all of the items listed in the Children’s Area, and win a small prize. Ages 5 and up.
Dog Man December 13-18 | Forest Avenue Library Help Dog Man sniff out trouble as you round up some unruly villains who are hiding around the library. If you can find all the characters you will win a prize!
Winter Tracks December 27-30 | Forest Avenue Library Become a beginner tracker! Find the animal footprints hidden all around the library and identify their animal to win a prize!
December 2021 • engage 5
teens VolunTeens
Teen Holiday Soapmaking
Wednesday, December 1, 15, 4 PM | South Side Library Monday, December 13, 27, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Are you looking for a great place to volunteer? Become a VolunTeen and help with library projects and programs. Students must submit a Teen Volunteer Application prior to attending. The applications are available at the Information Desk.
Wednesday, December 8, 4 PM | South Side Library Learn the science of soapmaking at South! Students can choose their scents, create custom bars of soap and wrap their creations as gifts for a loved one, friend, or yourself! For ages 10-18. Registration required.
3-D Printing Basics: Balloon-Powered Cars
Monday, December 13, 5:30 PM | East Side Library Monday We will watch anime, talk manga, work on drawing and kawaii crafts, and make some gifts for yourself or for others this month. We’ll also discuss future anime club programs, add to our manga collection, and vote on what we should watch next month. For ages 12+. Registration required.
Friday, December 3, 4:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library Join us for a 3-D Printing basics class, where we will design our own 3-D printed balloon powered cars with Tinkercard. Projects will be available to be picked up 2-3 weeks after class. For ages 9-18.
Level Up! December 7, 14, 21, 28, 3:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library Level Up your gaming skills! Use our tablets and Nintendo Switch to play Among Us, Minecraft, Roblox, and more. Ages 8+.
Teen Battle: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Wednesday, December 8, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Join us in the Battle Arena! Take turns using the library’s Switch or bring your own (you must have a copy of Super Smash Bros Ultimate and an online subscription). You can also participate from home. Registration required.
Anime Club: Random Gifts
After-School Club: Video Games Tuesday, December 14, 4 PM | North Side Library Tweens and teens can stop by and play games on our Nintendo Switch!
Anime and Manga Meetup Thursday, December 16, 4 PM | Central Library Love anime and manga? Want to nerd out about it with other people who love it, too? Then join us for the Teen Anime/Manga Meetup! We’ll get together and discuss all things anime and manga, do crafts, play games, watch anime, and more! For ages 12-18. Registration required.
Teen Take & Makes Teen Grab Bag: Holiday Gifting
DIY Gifting
Wednesday, December 1, 8, 15 | Franklin Avenue Library Stop by the Franklin Avenue Library to pick up a Teen Grab Bag that contains a DIY gift and other goodies. Make a homemade gift for a loved one, friend, or yourself!
December 4-10 | North Side Library Tweens and teens age 10-18 can pick up a kit containing materials to make a homemade craft gift for a friend or family member.
Teen Library Learning Bag: Scribblebots
Monday, December 13, 20, & 27 | Franklin Avenue Library Stop by the Franklin Avenue Library to pick up a Teen Grab Bag that contains supplies to celebrate New Year’s Eve and embrace the new year!
Wednesday, December 1 | East Side Library Use science, technology, engineering and a little math to construct your very own scribbling robot.
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Teen Grab Bag: New Year’s Eve
Register at dmpl.org/events
adults
Fresh Conversations Friday, December 10, 10:30 AM | North Side Library Iowans aged 60 and older are invited to discuss current nutrition and health topics, taste low-cost healthy recipes, and discover new ways to stay active and independent.
Typing Club Monday, December 13, 20, & 27, 3 PM | North Side Library Would you like to learn how to type or improve your keyboarding skills at your own pace? The library can help! Visit the North Side Library every Monday to practice and get one-on-one assistance. Laptops will be provided. All skill levels welcome. Registration encouraged.
Writers’ Workshop Online Monday, December 13 | 5:30 PM | Zoom Share samples of your work and receive feedback from other writers in the group. Email your work to Elizabeth (EAHooverdegalvez@dmpl. org) to have your work shared with others. Registration required.
Stitch a Constellation December 1-4 | Forest Avenue Library Make a lightly stuffed flannel constellation with bead stars. Keep it as a plushie or add a loop of string to turn it into a hanging ornament.
Computación Básica para Adultos en español Wednesday, December 1 and 15, 5 PM | Central Library Aprenda a usar la computadora, navegar la red, y usar varios servicios y programas digitales. Para gente adulta (edades 18+). No necesita apartar lugar.
Conversations & Coffee Thursday, December 2, 16, 3:30 PM | South Side Library Do you want to practice your English and meet new people in the community? All English levels welcome.
Engrave Your Own Rubber Stamp Thursday, December 2, 4 PM | Central Library Make your own rubber stamp using our Glowforge laser engraver. When you register, you’ll choose from one of nine different designs that you can customize. These stamps are great for your own home and make great gifts! Registration required.
Free Friday Flicks at Franklin: Philadelphia Friday, December 3, 2 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Oscar-winner Tom Hanks stars as a man with HIV fired by his law firm due to his condition. He then hires a homophobic small-time lawyer, played by Denzel Washington, as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit. Rated PG-13. This showing is co-sponsored by Primary Health Care’s “The Project.”
The Outreach Project Mondays and Fridays, 1-3 PM | Central Library Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters. They may also offer support and referrals for matters like scheduling a medical or mental health appointment or applying for an ID. No appointments are needed, and no registration is required.
Best of 2021: Book Chat’s Favorite Reads Wednesday, December 15, 6:30 PM | Zoom Join our Book Chat Librarians to talk about their favorite books of 2021! You’ll leave with book recommendations for 2022. Registration required.
Franklin Cinema Club Monday, December 20, 6 PM | Franklin Avenue Library This month, we’re discussing Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Please watch the film before arriving for the discussion. Titles are available through Kanopy, the library’s free streaming video service, and through our DVD collection.
December Book Clubs Virtual Genre Voyager Book Club Wednesday, December 1, 6:30 PM | Zoom Gods of Jade and Shadow, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Registration required.
Franklin Afternoon Book Discussion Monday, December 13, 1 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Red at the Bone, by Jacqueline Woodson. Registration required.
South Side Book Discussion Thursday, December 16, 2 PM | South Side Library The Bookish Life of Nina Hall, by Abbi Waxman.
DMPL Virtual YA For Adults Book Club Thursday, December 16, 6 PM | Zoom This Poison Heart, by Kalynn Bayron. Registration required.
East Side Book Discussion Monday, December 20, 2 PM | East Side Library One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America, by Gene Weingarten.
Spark Stories: Rob Zlomke
North Side Book Discussion
Wednesday, December 8, 6:30 PM | Facebook & YouTube Rob Zlomke has served as a case Manager for Primary Health Care for the past five years. In his role, he provides support to unhoused people, including as part of Central Library’s Outreach Project. He’ll share his spark story – what motivated him to make a difference – during this recorded program.
Tuesday, December 21, 11 AM & 1 PM | North Side Library Discuss your favorite books of the year and bring a treat!
Books & Bites Tuesday, December 28, 6:30 PM | The Walnut (1417 Walnut Street) Black Water Sister, by Zen Cho. Registration required. December 2021 • engage 7
WIFI HOTSPOTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUT
The Des Moines Public Library now offers free WiFi hotspots for checkout! With a hotspot you can connect your mobile device to free wireless internet wherever you go. How it works:
• Hotspots are checked out for 14 days, with no renewals. • Overdue fines are 50 cents/day. A lost charge will be added to the borrower’s account after six days. • Borrowers must be at least 18 years old with an active library card. • You can stop by any library location, or place a hold on a hotspot online. • Only cardholders in Des Moines, Windsor Heights, and rural Polk County can check out hotspots. • Borrowers must sign a checkout agreement.
GO TO DMPL.ORG/HOTSPOTS FOR MORE INFO. DMPL hotspots are made possible due to a federal Emergency Connectivity Fund grant. Long-term checkouts are also available for those who do not have internet access at home. Please ask a library staff member for more information, or go to dmpl.org/hotspots.
