adults

Explore Visual Black History

February 1-28 | Forest Avenue Library

Drop by Forest Avenue Library to look at photo books, graphic novels, and other visual records of Black history. These books are available to check out year-round! For now, we’re pulling them out with tables, chairs, and supplies.

Job Seekers Help with the Financial Empowerment Center and the Evelyn K. Davis Center

Wednesdays, 10 AM–1 PM | North Side Library

Wednesdays, 10 AM–2 PM | South Side Library

Thursdays, 10 AM–2 PM | South Side Library (Bilingual assistance, Spanish and English)

Staff from the Financial Empowerment Center and Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families will provide one-on-one job search and resume assistance to job seekers. Learn about resume building, applying for jobs, mock interviews, and other resources. Walk-ins welcome.

AARP Tax Assistance

Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:30 AM-3 PM, East Side Library*

AARP will be at onsite every Wednesday and Saturday from February through April 12 to assist the public with their taxes. *NOTE: Tax assistance will end at 12:30 on Saturday, February 18.

Luck of the Leprechaun Escape Room

Friday, March 17, 4 PM | Central Library

In this St. Patrick’s Day themed escape room, participants will solve riddles from Lucky the Leprechaun to find his hidden pot of gold. Registration required.

Tween & Teen DIY Journals

Wednesday, March 22, 4 PM | South Side Library

We’ll provide the journals and the supplies for you to make them as unique as you.

Computación Básica para Adultos | Computer Basics for Adults

Wednesday, February 1, 4 PM | Central Library

Aprenda a usar la computadora, navegar la red, y usar varios servicios y programas digitales. Para gente edades 18+. No necesita apartar lugar. Esta clase es parte de el PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, que promueve talleres de computación y esta apoyado por parte de AT&T.

Glowforge Training

Thursdays, 10 AM | Central Library

Learn how to use the Glowforge Plus Laser Engraver at Tech Central! This program takes the place of the 1 on 1 Glowforge tutorial, so you will be fully qualified to book and use the Glowforge on your own after this program. Registration required.

English Practice

Thursdays, 3:30 PM | North Side Library

Meet up at the North Side Library for free help with English. We will practice together.

Manualidades para adultos/Crafting for Adults

Thursday, February 2, 3:30 PM | Central Library: Pelotas de lana para la ropa | Wool Dryer Balls

¡Reemplaza suavizante con una pelota de lana! Haz una y aprende como las pelotas pueden ayudarle a tu ropa, lavadora, y secadora. Espacio limitado por materiales proporcionados.

Tuesday, March 7, 3:30 PM | Central Library: Tie-Dye

¡Ven a pintar una bolsa de mano con tie-dye! Aprende como hacer diseños comúnes o experimenta con tus propias ideas. Espacio limitado por materiales proporcionados.

Advocating Against Race and Gender Discrimination in Housing

Thursday, February 2, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Under current Iowa law, just the filing of an eviction notice becomes public record and stays on a person’s record permanently even if an eviction filing is thrown out. This training will prepare you to advocate for housing access for all in the Iowa legislature.

Sit n’ Stitch

Saturday, February 4 and March 4, 1:30 PM | North Side Library

Spend a few hours with other crafters and work on your knit, crochet, or needle craft projects. Please bring your own supplies and projects with you.

Game Day @ Central

Sunday, February 5 and March 5, 1:30-4:30 PM | Central Library

A selection of tabletop games will be provided for use in the library. Feel free to bring beverages, snacks, and your own games from home if you would like to share them with others. This event is cosponsored by The Rook Room.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, February 6 and March 6, 5:30 PM | Central Library

Bring samples of work and receive feedback from other writers in the group. Email your submission to Julia at jmdunt@dmpl.org by 12 PM the Tuesday before the program. Please include your name on the file and at the top of the submitted document.

Paris: History of a Modern Capital – Part III

Monday, February 6, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Join Natalie Benson, PhD in Modern French Art and Literature and adjunct professor of French at Drake University, for the last session of this three-part series to discover how Paris brought us the dining room, sidewalks, public gardens, trash cans, the postal system, streetlights, and much more.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

Tuesday, February 7, 2 PM | South Side Library

Become familiar with the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and the differences between normal aging, hear from people who have the disease, and find out how to recognize the signs in yourself and others.

Acupressure to Improve Health and Wellness

Wednesday, February 8, 6:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Acupressure has its roots in East Asian medicine and is related to acupuncture. Both are based on the idea of natural energy pathways flowing through the human body. Learn how acupressure and selfacupressure can be used to help relieve commons symptoms in colds, flu, and allergies.

Iowa Author Spotlight: Nick Holmberg

Thursday, February 9, 5:30 PM | Central Library

Nick Holmberg earned his Master’s in creative writing at The City College of New York, where his studies of Latinx magic realist and African American literatures began. His first novel, The Emergent, won a National Indie Excellence Award for the Best New (Debut) Fiction in 2021-22.

Nancy Drew with Hunt a Killer: Mystery at Magnolia Gardens

Saturday, February 11, 2-4 PM | South Side Library

Players channel their inner detective to investigate the mystery of a murder. Uncover the motives of each suspect through ciphers, clues, and puzzles that progress the story to its thrilling conclusion. Registration required.

Palentines Celebration: Movie & DIY Cards

Saturday, February 11, 1:30 PM | Central Library

Create a Valentine’s Day card for someone you are thankful for today! Doors open at 1:30 PM for card making, then join us to watch The Scarlet Pimpernel at 2 PM. Popcorn will be provided, or you may bring your own snack and covered drink.

Practica de conversación en inglés | English Conversation Practice

Monday, February 13, 27 and March 13, 27, 10 AM | Central Library ¡Ven a la biblioteca Central a practicar tu inglés conversacional! Tendremos actividades para empezar y seguir la conversación y actividades para niños acompañantes. Hablantes de todos niveles estan invitados a venir.

Art 101

Join artist and DMPL staff member Fueche Vang as he introduces participants to a different art concept each month at Central Library. Materials will be provided, and you can bring your own supplies as well. No experience necessary!

Monday, February 13, 6-7:30 PM: Leonardo da Vinci Study and draw from Leonardo da Vinci’s most popular works.

Monday, March 20, 6-7:30 PM: Anime

Learn how to draw anime, with lessons on common designs, tropes, themes, and more.

Introduction to Weaving with the Des Moines Weavers Guild

Monday, February 13, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Members of the Des Moines Weavers Guild will demonstrate weaving on different types of looms as well as spinning on a wheel and a drop spindle. Then you can try it yourself.

Online Dating for Older Adults

Tuesday, February 14, 2 PM | South Side Library

Friday, March 17, 10 AM | North Side Library

Are you looking for companionship for the golden yearsLearn about the different online dating sites, what makes a good profile, and how to avoid internet dating pitfalls.

DMPL & Dragons

Thursday, February 16 and March 16, 5:30 PM | Central Library

This adventuring group meets on the third Thursday of each month to play through an ongoing campaign. Please contact Dennis at djcooper@dmpl.org or 515-283-4152 to learn more. Registration required.

Cooking Class: Vegan Empanadas

Thursday, February 16, 6 PM | North Side Library

Join us in the kitchen as we prepare delicious Latin empanadas. In this class, you’ll learn how to make empanada dough from scratch, the versatility of empanadas with both sweet and savory plant-based fillings, and how to bake the perfect empanada. Every participant will go home with three empanadas!

Library Date Night

Thursday, February 16, 6:30 PM | South Side Library

Looking to break out of the same old movie-and-dinner date night routine? Come discover the more romantic side of the South Side Library with a couples-themed scavenger hunt, board games, music, hot drinks, snacks and more!

Inner Light Sanctuary Farm Animal Rescue

Thursday, February 16, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Learn more about the Inner Light Sanctuary, a nonprofit home for rescued farmed animals, located just outside of Carlisle. While sharing the mission of the sanctuary, the founder will also discuss their family’s journey to a vegan lifestyle. Family-friendly vegan recipes will be shared.

Painting Poorly

Saturday, February 18, 2 PM | North Side Library

Whether you’re a practiced painter or a beginner, come express yourself with a no-pressure painting project led by a librarian who is NOT an artist but IS enthusiastic.

Watercolor Art

Saturday, February 18, 2 PM | East Side Library: Winter Series 3 This program will focus on landscape and still-life studies and address the technical and creative challenges of expressive winter painting. Beginning and intermediate artists are invited to learn the basics or refresh their skills.

Discovering Des Moines History

Tuesday, February 21 and March 21, 5:30 PM | Central Library

Learn about the resources the library offers on the history of your city, neighborhood, or house.

The James Webb Space Telescope

Wednesday, February 22, 6:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Grand View physics professor Grant Knotts will tell us about the history of the James Webb Space Telescope and the rationale for putting telescopes in space, the study of cosmology, and what questions the James Webb telescope seeks to answer.

Keeping Connected with an Incarcerated Loved One

Thursday, February 23, 5 PM | South Side Library

Tuesday, February 28, 4 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Learn some practical tips for supporting and staying in touch with loved ones in prison. We’ll talk about the legal process of a criminal case, accessing information from the Department of Corrections, and making visits, as well as how to navigate the restrictions on books and mail.

Move It Monday

Monday, February 27 and March 27, 6:30 PM | Central Library

Move It Monday is a time and a place to release your stress and thoughts and just move.

Franklin Cinema Club

Monday, February 27, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library: Breathless (1960)

Monday, March 20, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library: Ball of Fire (1941)

Discuss noteworthy films at the Franklin Cinema Club, a discussion series held the third Monday each month. Participants view the selected film prior to attending the discussion. Titles are available through Kanopy (the library’s free streaming service) and our DVD collection.

Iowa History 101

Tuesday, February 21, 6:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library: Iowa’s Black Migration: Into, Around, Out Of, and Back Again Genealogist Ricki King, owner of Roots to Branches Genealogy, presents a journey of Iowa’s Black history, starting with Iowa’s statehood, that illustrates some of the reasons why families and individuals moved to Iowa, moved around Iowa, left Iowa, returned to Iowa, and then left again.

Tuesday, March 21, 6:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library: We Came Home Together: Black Civil War Veterans and Community Building in Iowa Dwain Coleman, co-director of the Iowa Colored Conventions Digital Project, discusses how Black Civil War Veterans of the 1st Iowa Regiment of African Descent and their families used the goodwill obtained through their service to fight for equal rights and social space in Iowa’s communities.

AmeriCorps Seniors

Tuesday, February 28, 2 PM | East Side Library (includes BINGO!)

Tuesday, March 2, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Tuesday, March 21, 2 PM | South Side Library (includes BINGO!)

AmeriCorps Seniors is a new program launching statewide for seniors ages 55+ to volunteer and provide services for youth in schools, childcare centers, and other organizations. Volunteers receive a nontaxable stipend, secondary insurance, and more. This program is a great way to stay engaged in your community.

Renting 101: Rights and Responsibilities

Wednesday, March 1, 4 PM | South Side Library

Learn about: applications and finding a unit; tenant rights and responsibilities; money management and credit; taking care of your home; leases; renters insurance and deposits; and communicating with landlords and neighbors.

Book Binding

Tuesday, March 7, 1 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Come learn to bind a book using non-adhesive book tape and stitching! We’ll learn a common, sturdy process for producing an attractive hand-bound book. This program involves awls, needles, and craft knives.

GenRx: Prescription Medications and You

Tuesday, March 7, 2 PM | South Side Library

This educational program will address simple ways to decrease the risk for adverse drug events and the safe storage and disposal of medications. The educational program includes engaging activities that focus on teaching older adults’ safe medication practices.

Jim Crow’s Pink Slip Book Discussion

Tuesday, March 7, 6:30 PM | East Side Library

Join us for a book discussion on Jim Crow’s Pink Slip: The Untold Story of Black Principal and Teacher Leadership by Leslie T. Fenwick. This program is in relation to the Suspended exhibit in place at the East Side Library. The exhibit is brought to us by the African American Museum of Iowa.

3-D Printing for Adults: Create a Plant Pot

Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library

We’ll use TinkerCad to design a plant pot and saucer. We’ll 3D print the pots after the program, and you can pick them up when they’re done.

Crucial Conversations

Saturday, March 11, 1 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Crucial Conversations helps parents and caregivers become more comfortable talking with children about sexual and reproductive health. This session will focus on answering your child’s questions about sexual and reproductive health. Another session will be held on April 29. Registration required.

Programa de empoderamiento financiero

Tuesdays in March, 6 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Forest Avenue Library le invita a tomar las riendas de su seguridad financiera. En 5 clases con duración de una hora podrá aprender los conceptos básicos que necesita para salir adelante financieramente. Las clases son totalmente GRATIS!!!!

Papercrafts

Monday, March 13, 6 PM | East Side Library

Join Library Assistant Ben Hatcher for a papercraft program inspired by our East Side window displays! We’ll be folding and gluing pre-cut art paper to assemble exciting objects. All materials will be provided. Registration required.

Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior

Tuesday, March 14, 2 PM | South Side Library

This program teaches participants how to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers, and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.

Pi(e) Day with Pie Bird Pies

Tuesday, March 14, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Come learn the story of local food sensation Pie Bird Pies.

Biggest and Tallest Trees in Iowa

Wednesday, March 15, 6 PM | East Side Library

Mark Rouw, the Science Center of Iowa’s Animal Specialist and Iowa’s Big Tree Hunter, will talk about how he tracks down the biggest trees in Iowa. See photos and hear stories only a big tree hunter can tell.

Journey to Home Ownership

Wednesday, March 22, 6 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Join Bridgett Robinson, Neighborhood Finance Corporation’s Diversity and Inclusion Mortgage Loan Originator and Outreach Coordinator, along with community panelists, as they help navigate what Black/African American homeownership may look like today, and what is being learned from the past.

Red Dragon Herbs and Tea

Thursday, March 23, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Mary with Red Dragons Herbs and Teas will share information about herbs and teas, then we’ll have a tasting. Registration required.

Enemy in the Heartland: Japanese Prisoners of War at Camp Clarinda During World War II

Monday, March 27, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

This presentation will focus on the experiences of Japanese POWs at Camp Clarinda in Iowa, highlighting the role the Japanese played in alleviating local labor shortages. Dr. Chad Timm, a historian and professor of Teacher Education at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, will be our guest speaker.