engage February 2022

engage February 2022

vol 3 • issue 2

CLASSES • ACTIVITIES • EVENTS

black history month Early Literacy Tips

Find special programs, book clubs, kid activities, and more all month long!

Page 3

Find dozens of free events, programs, and more!

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.

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.

IN THIS ISSUE 3 4 For Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 For Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Simple Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ON THE COVER Celebrate Black History Month at the library!

Find special events, book suggestions, and more at dmpl.org/black-history-month.

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 - 8 PM Monday-Thursday 9 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday 1-5 PM Sunday

10 AM - 8 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday

10 AM - 8 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday

Pickup Window: 9 AM - 7 PM Monday-Thursday 9 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday

Franklin Avenue Library

South Side Library

East Side Library 2559 Hubbell Avenue 10 AM - 8 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday

5000 Franklin Avenue 10 AM - 8 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM- 5 PM Saturday 1-5 PM Sunday Pickup Window: 10 AM - 8 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM- 5 PM Saturday

1111 Porter Avenue 10 AM - 8 PM Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 6 PM Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday

reference@dmpl.org | 515.283.4152

*Hours are subject to change. Please visit dmpl.org for up-to-date hours and information on available library services.

2 engage • February 2022

Register at dmpl.org/events

hi

¡hOLA!

Simple Steps

A B C d

read

write

sing

play

talk

Learning to read starts well before a child starts school. Early literacy development begins in infancy and provides a backbone for everything children do as they start their reading journey.

The Des Moines Public Library’s Simple Steps to Success initiative helps families understand they can promote early literacy skills wherever they are. Whether you’re on a road trip, folding laundry, or making a grocery run, there are simple things every caregiver can do to reinforce these skills everyday. Below are some examples on how to bring the Simple Steps into your life! Check out the DMPL Blog (dmpl.org/blog) for more examples.

READ

 Babies love the high contrast of black and white books. Check out one from the library!  Encourage older kids to read to younger siblings, pets, and even stuffed animals.  Point out letters on the go – on cereal boxes, signs, and t-shirts. What letters do you see?

WRITE

 Let your child practice scribbling and drawing, and have them tell you about their work.  Grab some paper you’re going to recycle and practice balling it up and tearing it.  Trace letters in the air, with your fingers on the table, or on your child’s arm.

SING

 Make up a quick song spelling out your child’s name.  Sound out the beat of words around the house by drumming on the table or floor.  Put on a freeze dance song and practice freezing and dancing!

PLAY

 Put on a “puppet” show using stuffed animals.  Build a tower with blocks or pillows, and see what happens when you knock it down.  Have a dance party. Put on some favorite songs and get moving!

TALK

 Talk about the weather and ask your child what clothes they should wear.  Ask your child about their favorite book or movie character, and tell them about yours.  Have your child help with sock matching. Talk about the socks’ similarities and differences.

Even more early literacy tips: dmpl.org/simple-steps

kids Simple Steps Spot

EPIC Graphic Novel Book Club: Fox and Rabbit

All month long | All locations Drop in to the youth area of all locations and take part in activities that reinforce early literacy skills! It’s a great opportunity to spend time with your child reading, coloring, playing, and more in an environment away from home. Check out our events page (dmpl.org/ events) for a full schedule at each location throughout the month.

Friday, February 11, 4:30 PM | East Side Library We’ll discuss the wonderful book Fox and Rabbit, play a game, make a craft, and get the book for our next book club! Bring a stuffed animal to introduce if you wish!

Maker Day Challenge Fridays at Forest Avenue Library 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.

Clifford’s Birthday Book Party Saturday, February 5 | Franklin Avenue Library It’s Clifford’s birthday! Even though he cannot be here at the library, you are invited to join us for a book party featuring activities based on the Clifford books by Norman Bridwell!

Black History Month Scavenger Hunt February 7-12 | Forest Avenue Library February 14-28 | Franklin Avenue Library Celebrate Black History Month with a scavenger hunt through the library. Find all the items and win a prize!

Tween Writing Meetup Tuesday, February 8, 4 PM | Central Library We’ll get together to learn and practice storytelling techniques and meet other folks like you who love writing! For ages 8-12. Registration required.

SEEDS and DMPL Present: Swan Saturday, February 12, 10 AM | Forest Avenue Library Come ready to stretch, dance, and learn the beginner steps of ballet!

SEEDS Youth Creative Development will host this free class every second Saturday of the month.

Among Us Escape Room Thursday, February 17, 4:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library Crewmates! Someone on our ship is acting sus. Is it sabotage?

Help us figure out who the imposter is and escape unharmed.

Ages 6+. Registration required.

Crafty Kids: Fun with Yarn Thursday, February 17, 5 PM | Central Library During these monthly lessons, library staff and volunteers from the Des Moines Knitting Guild will help children and teens learn how to knit and crochet, while learning about the many benefits of these skills. At the end of each month’s session, each participant will take home a small project made during the program! For ages 8-18.

Registration required.

American Sign Language Virtual Storytime

Science Wednesdays: Optical Illusions

Friday, February 18, 10:15 AM | Facebook Miss Mary will be joined for this storytime by Mr. Jay, an ASL-certified interpreter at Capitol View Elementary in Des Moines. We will sing, do some rhymes, and read Sing and Dance in Your Polka Dot Pants, all with sign language interpretation by Mr. Jay.

Wednesday, February 9, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Learn the science behind some classic optical illusions and make your own to take home. For ages 6-12. Registration required.

Art in the Library: Spotlight on Artist Faith Ringgold

4 engage • February 2022

Wednesday, February 23, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library This month we are shining a spotlight on artist and children’s illustrator Faith Ringgold and making a project inspired by her work.

For ages 6-12.

Register at dmpl.org/events

teens Level Up!

VolunTeens

Tuesday, February 1, 8, 15, & 22 | 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+.

Wednesday, February 9, & 23, 4 PM | South Side Library Monday, February 14 & 28, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Become a VolunTeen and help with library projects and programs.

Applications may be picked up at the library info desk, and must be turned in and approved before attending this program

After-School Club Tuesday, February 1, 8, 15, & 22 | 4 PM | North Side Library Tweens and Teens ages 10-18 can join us at North Side for some after school fun!

February 1 – Design a tote bag using our fabric markers and iron-on patches February 8 – Play some video games on our Nintendo Switch February 15 – Use our 3-D pens to create a 3-D work of art February 22 – Play card games and board games

3-D Printing Basics: Minecraft Lamps Friday, February 4, 4:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library Join us for a 3-D Printing basics class, where we will design our own Minecraft LED lamps. Ages 9-18. Registration required.

Learn to Slay: Intro to Dungeons and Dragons Monday, February 7 & 21 and March 7 & 21 | 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Join us as we learn the basics of Dungeons and Dragons and play with The Rook Room. This is a four-session series; attend as many sessions as possible to build your D&D knowledge. Registration required.

Valentine Perler Bead Art Monday, February 14, 2:30 PM | South Side Library Spend your day off school at South! Celebrate Valentine’s Day by creating Perler Bead art for yourself, or your valentine. Choose your design, add our array of Perler Beads to it, use our irons to melt the beads together, and take your creation home. Snacks will be provided.

For ages 10-18. Registration required.

DIY Fidgets Monday, February 14, 10 AM-4 PM | North Side Library Make your own fidget toy! While supplies last.

Black History Month Inventors Thursday, February 24, 4:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library Join us at Forest Avenue Library for a celebration of famous Black inventors from history. Enjoy a variety of hands-on STEM activities and make and takes themed to some of our greatest scientific minds.

For ages 6-11. Registration required.

Anime Manga Meetup!

Thursday, February 24, 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! Ages 12-18. Registration required.

February 2022 • engage 5

adults

The Outreach Project

AARP Tax Prep Assistance

Mondays and Fridays, 1-3 PM | Central Library The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters. No appointments necessary and no registration required.

Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:30 AM-3:30 PM | East Side Library Make an appointment to receive help with your taxes from AARP volunteers. Appointments required. Call 515-423-0515.

Explore Visual Black History January 31-February 25 | Forest Avenue Library Stop by to look at photo books, graphic novels, and other visual records of Black history. These books are available to check out year round but this month we’re pulling them out with tables, chairs, and supplies to reflect if you’d like to.

Device Drop-In Tuesday, February 1, 2 PM | South Side Library Did you recently get a new device? Stop by and a friendly librarian will be there to help you get the most out of your new device. No registration necessary.

Computación Básica para Adultos/ Computer Basics for Adults (in Spanish) Wednesday, February 2 and 16, 5 PM | South Side 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. Se requiere seguir las sugerencias del CDC para prevenir el contagio de COVID-19.

Conversations and Coffee Thursday, February 3 & 17 | 3:30 PM | South Side Library Monday, February 7, 14, 21, & 28 | 6:00 PM | East Side Library Join community members and English language learners for chit-chat and hot beverages. Activities are provided to prompt and encourage conversation. All English levels welcome!

Friday Flicks at Franklin – Toy Story 4 Friday, February 4, 1:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Tom Hanks and Tim Allen lead the voice cast in the final installment of the beloved animated franchise.

6 engage • February 2022

Sit ‘N Stitch Saturday, February 5, 1:30-3:30 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. Registration required.

Typing Club Monday, February 7, 14, 21, & 28 | 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 at 3 PM to practice and get one on one assistance.

Laptops will be provided. All skill levels welcome. Registration required.

Tunisian Crochet Take-and-Make February 7-11 | Forest Avenue Library Stop by Forest Avenue library to pick up a hook, a small skein of cotton yarn, and instructions for a simple dishrag. Plus, we’ll provide a list of books and further ideas if you want to try more.

Writers’ Workshop Online Monday, February 7, 5:30 PM | Zoom Share samples of your work and receive feedback from other writers in the group. If you would like to share your writing with the group, please attach the document in an email to Julia Welker (JMWelker@ dmpl.org) so that copies can be emailed out prior to the event.

Registration required.

Painting with Paige… and Nikki!

Monday, February 7, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Please join librarian Paige as she provides instruction and guidance to do a beautiful painting and librarian Nikki as she shows us how to follow along as Paige teaches. Registration required.

Register at dmpl.org/events

adults Glowforge Training Tuesday, February 8, 5:30 PM | Central Library Learn how to use the Glowforge Plus laser engraver at Tech Central!

You will also make an acrylic pendant to keep. Registration required.

Libby App Basics Tuesday, February 8 & 15, 6 PM | North Side Library Join us for a two-part class on how to use Overdrive’s app Libby to access DMPL’s collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines — all FREE with your library card!

Spark Stories: Siobhan Spain Wednesday, February 9, 6:30 PM | Facebook Siobhan Spain, the director of Mainframe Studios, will share her “spark story” that led her to create change in the community.

Appreciation Flowers/Flores de Agradecimiento Thursday, February 10, 4:45 PM | Forest Avenue Library Make a flower for a friend, a family member, teacher or someone who you appreciate. Ages 5+.

DMPL Reading Challenge Movie Club Thursday, February 10, 5-7:30 PM | Central Library Join us each month to watch a movie based on a book that fulfills a category of the 2022 DMPL Reading Challenge. This month’s film is Hidden Figures.

Fresh Conversations Friday, February 11, 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. Join us for a fun conversation that will help you learn how to maintain your health and independence during our monthly meetups.

Palentines Celebration: A Movie & DIY Cards Saturday, February 12, 2 PM | Central Library Create a valentine card for someone you are thankful for today! Doors open at 2 PM for card making, then join us to watch Jungle Cruise at 2:30. Popcorn will be provided. You may bring your own snack and covered drink.

A History of Buxton, Iowa Saturday, February 12, 11 AM | North Side Library Saturday, February 12, 2 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Rachelle Chase has given more than 80 presentations about the amazing town of Buxton, IA. Buxton was a thriving coal mining town of 5,000 residents, where Blacks and whites were treated equally, and both thrived. She’ll discuss what lessons we can learn from Buxton and how we can apply them today. Registration required.

George Washington Carver Archives with Simpson College Wednesday, February 16, 6:30 PM | Zoom Find out about George Washington Carver’s time at Iowa’s own Simpson College with archivist Cyd Dyer. Registration required.

An Afternoon with Des Moines Symphony – Immortal Beloved Monday, February 21, 2 PM | South Side Library Join us for an afternoon with Maestro Joseph Giunta from Des Moines Symphony where we’ll watch hand-selected sections from Masterworks Immortal Beloved and then discuss the works.

Art 101: Drawing Basics Monday, February 21, 5:30 PM | Central Library Join artist and library staff member Fueche Vang as he introduces participants to some of the elements and principles of design. Learn about concepts such as line, shape, value, and more! Basic materials such as paper, pencils, erasers and 18x24 drawing boards will be provided. Art 101 will meet on the third Monday of each month. Ages 14+. Registration required.

Franklin Cinema Club: The Watermelon Woman Monday, February 21, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library This month we’re discussing The Watermelon Woman. Please view the file prior to attending the discussion. The movie is available through Kanopy and our DVD collection.

This Land of Snow –Book Discussion with author Anders Morley Monday, February 21, 6:30 PM | Zoom Come along on a literary odyssey through the depths of a northern winter with author Anders Morley as he discusses his book, This Land of Snow: A Journey Across the North in Winter. It’s the story of his four-month journey through the wilds of northwestern Canada on cross-country skis. Registration required.

DocuTalk: Finding Kendrick Johnson Tuesday, February 22, 6 PM | Zoom Each month we’ll talk about one of the most intriguing documentaries your library card can connect you with. This month, we’re watching Finding Kendrick Johnson. Registration required.

Josiah Bushnell Grinnell and the Iowa Underground Railroad Monday, February 28, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Josiah Bushnell Grinnell and other Grinnell residents helped at least 37 fugitive slaves who passed through their town before the Civil War. Researcher and historian David Connon will tell Grinnell’s story, including works of noble action, conflict, racism, and abolitionist John Brown’s visit to Grinnell.

DIY Hot Cocoa Bombs Monday, February 14, 6-7 PM | Central Library We will provide everything you need to make your own delicious hot cocoa bomb, from the chocolate to the fillings to the packaging. Age 12+ Registration required.

Find in-person and online Book Discussion groups by going to dmpl.org/events.

February 2022 • engage 7

Spend 2022 expanding your reading horizons with the DMPL Reading Challenge – with the opportunity to win fun prizes along the way!

All you have to do is read a book from 12 of our 18 selected genre categories over the course of the year. Read books in any order, as fast or slow as you want, as long as you finish by December 31, 2022.

If you need suggestions or ideas for the categories, our librarians have you covered on the Reading Challenge page on our website. Finish 12 categories by the end of the year, and you’ll be eligible for our prize drawings. (Along with extra prizes along the way.)

For the super readers out there, this year we’re adding monthly bonus categories. Check the website at the beginning of each month to see what the new category is. If you complete all 12 bonus categories, you’ll get an exclusive piece of library swag!

The 18 categories are as follows: 2022 AViD author

Memoir by a BIPOC author (Black,

Recommendation from a DMPL

Indigenous, and People of Color) LGBTQIA+ author

Book Chat librarian Literary classic

New York Times #1 bestseller

Winner or finalist (any year) for the

Nontraditional format (graphic

National Book Award for nonfiction Historical fiction NOT set during

World War II

novel, epistolary, etc.)

Something you’ve always wanted

to read but never did Family saga

YA or middle-grade book Book about books Book made into a movie or

TV series Anti-racism (nonfiction) Book chosen for its cover design Banned or challenged book Wild card! (your choice)

Get started with the DMPL Reading Challenge and learn more by going to

dmpl.org/reading-challenge.

Even MORE Reading Challenge!

For the first time, we’re hosting a monthly virtual DMPL Reading Challenge book club on Zoom. We’re selecting a book each month that fulfills one of the categories. Check out dmpl.org/events for more information. And of course, don’t forget to sign up for our DMPL Reading Challenge groups on Goodreads and Facebook to discuss what you’re reading.