engage: March 2021

engage March 2021

VIRTUAL

CLASSES • ACTIVITIES • EVENTS

Mark your calendar!

See author Tayari Jones on Zoom Page 3

Find dozens of free virtual events, book clubs, author talks, and more!

vol 2 • issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE

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 Resource Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 For Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 For Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 For Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Featured Event: Tayari Jones . . . . .

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.

ON THE COVER All Des Moines Public Library programs are still virtual. So flip through this digital magazine and find out how you’ll be spending March with us online!

HOURS AND LOCATIONS

Always open 24/7 at dmpl.org Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services and hours are subject to change.

Go to dmpl.org/reopen for the latest information on in-person and curbside pickup hours.

CENTRAL LIBRARY 1000 Grand Avenue

FOREST AVENUE LIBRARY 1326 Forest Avenue

NORTH SIDE LIBRARY 3516 Fifth Avenue

EAST SIDE LIBRARY 2559 Hubbell Avenue

FRANKLIN AVENUE LIBRARY 5000 Franklin Avenue

SOUTH SIDE LIBRARY 1111 Porter Avenue

dmpl.org | 515.283.4152 reference@dmpl.org

DmPl ReAdInG ChAlLeNgE 2021

SiGpn U aY! ToD

EsCaPe InTo BoOkS ReAd BoOkS WiN PrIzEs 2

engage • March 2021

Register at dmpl.org/events

Featured Event

Tayari

Jones Saturday, March 27, 3:00 PM | Zoom Register at dmpl.org/avid. For more information about the DSM Book Festival, go to dsmbookfestival.com.

A woman Essence magazine called “one of the most important voices of her generation” will appear, for free, this month as part of the Des Moines Public Library’s virtual Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) series.

Tayari Jones will discuss her best-selling 2018 book, An American Marriage, at 3:00 PM Saturday, March 27 on Zoom in collaboration with AViD and the DSM Book Festival. Jones was scheduled to appear at the DSM Book Festival as part of the 2020 AViD series, but that event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now she’s back – and appearing on Zoom in week one of the four-week DSM Book Festival.

An American Marriage was a smash hit, chosen as an Oprah’s Book Club selection and appearing on Barack Obama’s summer reading list as well as his best-of year-end roundup. The novel tells the harrowing story of a young married Black couple whose life and marriage are ripped apart after the husband is arrested and sentenced to a crime he did not commit.

The book was awarded the prestigious Women’s Prize for Fiction, the Aspen Words Prize, and an NAACP Image Award, among other accolades.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required and seats are limited. Go to dmpl.org/avid to register now.

UPCOMING AViD EVENTS (via zoom) Registration opens one month prior to each event.

Hanif Abdurraqib Wed, April 14, 7:00 PM

Ibi Zoboi

Tue, May 11, 7:00 PM

Elin Hilderbrand Wed, June 9, 7:00 PM

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The Des Moines Public Library recently added Creativebug to our collection of online resources. This great new service offers thousands of online arts and crafts classes, including knitting, crocheting, drawing, painting, home decór, and more – all free with your library card!

Four DMPL librarians tried their hands at one of Creativebug’s free classes and came away very impressed. Here are their highlights:

Donna Donna chose to create a woven finger-knit rug, refreshing herself on a technique her grandma taught her when she was young. Her daughter helped her, and she says it was a great way for the two of them to connect and spend time together. She followed along with the video easily, and any questions she had were either already answered in the discussion board or promptly responded to by the instructor.

Elizabeth Elizabeth took the Basic Line Drawing course and started with flowers. Her favorite thing about the class was challenging herself to try something new, and the meditative experience of focusing in on the details of the plants.

Elizabeth says that this class is divided into chapters that are less than 15 minutes, so it’s easy to find time to finish the course.

Theresa Theresa took two courses, Gelli Plate Printing and Working with Collage. She says in both videos, the production value of the class was top-notch and the instructors were wonderful. She’s excited to go back for more, saying Creativebug is for both the casual crafter and those who want to incorporate crafting into their everyday life.

Lois Lois took a leather-wrap bracelet class. She thought it was great that the instructor discussed items on the materials list right away, so she knew exactly what to look for. She also enjoyed the shared gallery photos, which gave her different ideas on other options for projects.

START USING CREATIVEBUG! Start your next crafting project today by going to dmpl.org/databases and clicking on Creativebug. Make something great? Share it with us on social media!

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engage • March 2021

Register at dmpl.org/events

kids Virtual Storytimes!

Join our youth librarians to read books, sing songs, and more!

LIVE Baby Rhyme Time March 5, 10:15 AM | Facebook LIVE Join Miss Jennifer live for rhymes, songs, bounces, and puppets. So put your baby on your lap and get ready for some fun! Baby Rhyme Time is aimed at children 18 months and younger, but all ages are welcome to join in on this virtual storytime.

All About Spring! Storytime March 12, 10:15 AM | Zoom Join Miss Alicia to read books and play games while looking forward to the spring weather. Registration required.

Bilingual Storytime: Panda Edition! Cuentos y Canciones Bilingües: ¡Edición Panda!

March 16, 6:30 PM | Facebook Enjoy a virtual storytime in English and Spanish about pandas! ¡Disfruten de un cuento virtual en inglés y español sobre pandas!

Let’s Move! Storytime March 19, 10:15 AM | Facebook LIVE Join Miss Janee and Rosie the Reading Monster LIVE on Facebook for a fun storytime that will get kids moving.

Virtual Stories, Songs, & Movement!

March 26, 10:15 AM | Facebook Bring your imagination and join Miss Donna as we read books, sing, and move our bodies in this playful storytime about the world we live in.

3D Printing Basics for Kids March 4, 4:30 PM; March 15, 4:00 PM | Zoom Several 3D printing classes will take place in the month of March for kids, focusing on creating your own prints, avatars, and more.

Registration required.

Virtual Creative Readers March 9, 4:00 PM | Zoom What does Lucy discover? Find out as we read Lucy and the String by Vanessa Roeder and create a string collage masterpiece. Registrants can pick up a free supply kit at Franklin Avenue Library. Registration required.

Iowa Choice Awards Book Club March 11, 4:00 PM | Zoom Help choose the next winner of the Iowa’s Children’s Choice Awards, which are decided entirely by students in grades 3-6. This month we will discuss Front Desk, by Kelly Yang, and go over the process for submitting your award vote.

Books will be available for checkout at Central Library, and are available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Each registered participant will also receive a free optional activity bag to be picked up at Central while supplies last. Registration required.

Library Learning Bags: Pet Edition!

March 13 until supplies last This month’s Library Learning Bag includes supplies and instructions for creating your own dog snuffle mat and cat toys. You can even donate your creation to the Animal Rescue League an AHeinz57 Pet Rescue. Bags are intended for kids age 5-12, and can be picked up at any DMPL location while supplies last.

March 2021 • engage 5

teens Nintendo Switch Teen Battle: Super Smash Brothers Ultimate

Take and Make: Pop Sockets March 17. 4:00 PM | Zoom

Nintendo Online March 8, 4:00 PM; March 22, 4:00 PM

Your phone is personal, and your phone grip should be too!

Register for this program and then stop by Central Library to pick up your free pop socket design kit. We’ll design our pop sockets together on Zoom and show them off. Registration required.

DMPL Virtual Teen Book Club Join us in the Battle Arena! Anyone age 10-18 can participate in this event if you have a Nintendo Switch with a Nintendo Online subscription and a copy of Super Smash Brothers Ultimate. Registrants will be emailed instructions to access the Battle Arena once registration is reviewed by library staff. Registration required.

March 18, 4:00 PM | Zoom Join us for a special Spring Break book club meeting, where will be discussing American Street by Ibi Zoboi. Zoboi will be appearing May 11 as part of the library’s Authors Visiting in Des Moines speaker series (dmpl.org/avid).

Registration required.

Teen Wellness Self-Care Workshop Series

Virtual VolunTeens

March 10, 4:00 PM | Zoom

Self-care is an important part of wellness, but with so much going on, it can be easier said than done. Join us and our partners at Please Pass the Love to learn the basics of what selfcare is and strategies for using it in your everyday life through discussion and fun activities.

This month’s session will go over the basics of mental health and teen stress. Students will learn about mental health statistics, a general overview of healthy coping skills, warning signs, education on suicide, teen stress, and how to help a friend who is struggling. Registration required.

March 24, 4:00 PM | Zoom Join us on Zoom, where you’ll work with our Youth Librarians to help accomplish library goals, all while gaining resume-worthy skills and making new connections!

Virtual VolunTeens is a regular, once-a-month meeting. Library volunteering is eligible for Silver Cord credit. Ages 12-18.

Registration required. Go to dmpl.org/events, find this event, and follow the instructions for the application and waiver process.

3D Printing Basics: Bookmarks March 25, 5:30 PM | Zoom

Tween and Teen Ukulele Camp March 16-18, 2:00 PM | Zoom Get started on the ukulele and quickly learn to play familiar tunes while having fun! Play your own ukulele or borrow one of North Side Library’s soprano ukuleles with your library card. Natalie Steenson will facilitate this 3-day camp for ages 8-18, teaching ukulele basics, chords and strumming patterns. Registration required.

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engage • March 2021

Design your own 3D-printed bookmarks! This class will teach the basics of 3D printing design using Tinkercad.

To participate, you will need to make a free Tinkercad account at tinkercad.com before class. 3D prints will be available for pickup 1-2 weeks after class. (16+).

Registration required.

Register at dmpl.org/events

adults Authors Visiting in Des Moines: Tayari Jones at the DSM Book Festival March 27, 3:00 PM | Zoom Tayari Jones is the author of four novels, including her most recent book, 2018’s bestseller An American Marriage. The novel, which explores the dissolution of a middleclass marriage in the aftermath of an arrest and wrongful conviction of an African American husband, was an Oprah’s Book Club pick and appeared on President Barack Obama’s year-end reading roundup. Jones is appearing on Zoom in partnership between the library and the DSM Book Festival (dsmbookfestival.com). Registration required.

Writers’ Workshop Online

Book Chat’s Spring Fling

March 1, 5:30 PM | Zoom Join us on Zoom for our monthly workshop, which takes place on the first Monday of each. Share samples of your work and receive feedback from other writers in the group. Registration required.

March 17, 6:30 PM | Zoom Four librarians that are part of our Book Chat team will offer live book recommendations to help you tackle your 2021 DMPL Reading Challenge. Registration required.

Take & Bake: Lemon Bars March 9, 6:30 PM | Zoom Spring is almost here, so let’s bake! Join us online for a lesson on baking lemon bars at home. Registrants will receive a FREE kit with almost all the supplies to make lemon bars at home, which can be picked up at Central Library. Registration required.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: How Gratitude Letters Create Connections, Resilience, and Joy March 11, 6:30 PM | Zoom Join us for an evening with Nancy Davis Kho, author of The Thank You Project, and learn about the unexpected power and lasting benefits of thanking those who helped, shaped, and inspired you. Registration required.

Spark Stories: Akil Clark March 24, 6:30 PM | Facebook Akil Clark will share the “spark story” that led him to becoming more involved in bettering his community.

Clark is the founder and president of The Spark Foundation, an organization working to reduce summer reading loss and the reading achievement gap between high- and low-income students by ensuring that every student has an opportunity to build their very own personal library.

Short Story Coffee Time March 25, 10:00 AM | Zoom Bring your coffee and listen to some stories! We will be reading “The Lunatics’ Eclipse” by Randa Jarrar, whose book Love is an Ex-Country came out in February, and “Drownings” by Helen Oyeyemi, whose book Peaces comes out in April. Stay and chat afterwards if you’d like. Registration required.

March Virtual Book Clubs Genre Voyager Book Club

DMPL Virtual Book Club

March 3, 6:30 PM | Zoom The Genre Voyager Book Club explores different book genres. This month we will be discussing the science fiction novel An Unkindness of Ghosts, by Rivers Solomon. Registration required.

March 23, 6:30 PM | Zoom This month’s discussion will be about Less, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a man on a cathartic journey of self-discovery, by Andrew Sean Greer.

Registration required.

DMPL Virtual YA Book Club for Adults March 18, 6:30 PM | oom This month, we will be discussing Warcross by Marie Lu, a 2017 science fiction YA novel about a teen bounty hunter. Registration required.

DSM Book Festival Book Club March 25, 7:00 PM | Zoom The Des Moines Public Library partners with the DSM Book Festival for this monthly virtual book club.

This month’s discussion will be on the book The Henna Artist, by Alka Joshi.

Registration required.

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