engage October 2021
vol 2 • issue 8
CLASSES • ACTIVITIES • EVENTS
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Celebrate the holiday with Take & Makes, costume parties, and more NEA Big Read author event PAGE 7
Find dozens of free events, programs, and more!
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.
IN THIS ISSUE 3 5 For Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 For Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ON THE COVER Find loads of crafts like this all month long at the Des Moines Public Library. Page 3
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
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
1111 Porter Avenue 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.
Listen to The DMPL Podcast! dmpl.org/podcast
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Register at dmpl.org/events
kids Fire Safety Storytimes
Kaleidoscope Take & Make
Celebrate Fire Safety Week with a series of special storytimes with the Des Moines Fire Department! Hear stories, learn about fire safety, and see a fire truck up close!
Saturday, October 9 | Central Library Grab a bag from the Central youth section or Central pickup window with materials to make your own kaleidoscope! Adult supervision recommended.
• Franklin Avenue Library: Monday, October 4, 10:15 AM • South Side Library: Monday, October 4, 6:15 PM • East Side Library (bilingual): Tuesday, October 5, 6:15 PM • Forest Avenue Library: Wednesday, October 6, 10:15 AM • East Side Library: Thursday, October 7, 10 AM • North Side Library: Thursday, October 7, 10:30 AM • Central Library: Saturday, October 9, 10:15 AM
Disney Villain Scavenger Hunt October 4-9 | Forest Avenue Library Disney villains are hiding around the library, hoping you won’t stop their evil plans. Finish the scavenger hunt and win a prize!
Science Project To-Go Bags Thursday, October 7 & 21 | Franklin Avenue Library These free bags contain a science activity you can do at home that will let you explore different STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering, and math). These activities are recommended for ages five and up and should be completed with adult supervision.
Maker Day Challenge Friday, October 8, 15, 22 | 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. October 8: Pool Noodle Race Track October 15: Paper Pixel Art October 22: KNEX
Baby Yoda Glow October 11-16 | Forest Avenue Library Protect the child! Bring your own Baby Yoda to the light side with this tea-light activity.
Sesame Street Take & Make Wednesday, October 13 | Forest Avenue Library Keep your little one entertained with a craft aimed at toddlers and preschoolers.
Creative Readers Take & Make Thursday, October 14, 28 | Franklin Avenue Library The bags will contain an art project you can create at home that will let you explore your artistic side. These activities should be completed with adult supervision.
American Sign Language Storytime Friday, October 15, 10:15 AM | Facebook Miss Mary will be joined for this special virtual storytime by Mr. Jay, ASL certified interpreter. We will sing, rhyme, and read a story all with sign language interpretation by Mr. Jay.
Epic Graphic Novel Club: Nightlights Friday, October 15, 4:30 PM | East Side Library We’ll be chatting about the book Nightlights by Lorena Alvarez, play games, work on crafts, and find out what book we’re talking about next month! When you register you can pick up a copy of Nightlights at the East Side Library. Registration required.
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kids Bubble Cup Take & Make
Mini Costume Parade
October 16-22 | Central Library Come to the Central Library youth area or the pickup window to grab a kit with the items you will need to make amazing bubble cups! There will be an instructional video on Facebook, and the activity is easy to replicate with your own items at home as well.
October 26, 10:30 AM | East Side Library lawn Join us for a baby and toddler mini costume parade around the library. Bundle up and show off those cute costumes and we will meet by the picnic table on the Library lawn, and march in our own parade to the front of the library where we will have some special goodie bags for all our little friends to take home! Strollers are welcome.
Coding Bracelet Take & Make October 16-22 | North Side Library Drop in to the North Side Library and take home everything you need to make a secret message bracelet! You will learn about binary code while making your bracelet and receive a list of books about coding if you’d like to explore more.
Pumpkin Painting
Mini Haunted House Craft October 18-23 | Forest Avenue Library Build your own mini haunted house with the provided supplies or branch out and use your own.
Thursday, October 28 | Forest Avenue Library Decorate your own ceramic calavera with acrylic paint. This program is intended for adults and children 4 years and older, while supplies last.
Ghoulish Gourds Take & Make
Halloween Scavenger Hunt
October 20-22 | Forest Avenue Library Construct a ghoulish gourd with paint, glitter, and all kinds of goofy or chilling accessories by grabbing one of these activity bags. Create your own cats, bats, vampires or a work of shimmering art.
October 28-30 | South Side Library Can you find all of the Halloween book characters inside the library? Visit the Information Desk at South, pick up a Halloween Scavenger Hunt Card to find all of the Halloween book characters inside the library and win a small prize!
Goosebumps Scavenger Hunt
October 27-30 | East Side Library Drop into our meeting room during open hours to paint or color a mini pumpkin! While supplies last.
Take & Make DIY Calavera
October 25-30 | Forest Avenue Library Watch out for the things that go bump in the night. Monsters, ghosts, vampires and more are hiding around the library. Finish the scavenger hunt and win a prize!
Drop-in Spooky Crafting
Day of the Dead with the Des Moines Art Center
Pick up Storytime To-Go Bags from the Franklin Avenue Library and South Side Library throughout the month of October! Check our Events Calendar (dmpl.org/events) for more information.
October 25-31 | All Locations Day of the Dead Activity kits are available at all locations while supplies last. These kits include: • Materials and instructions for creating tissue paper flowers and decorative frames • Learn about the significance of the monarch butterfly in Mexican culture • Milkweed seeds for you to grow for monarchs to eat • List of Latinx authors for related reading • And more!
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Saturday, October 30 | North Side Library Drop in to North Side and enjoy Halloween-themed crafting!
Storytime To-Go Bags
Register at dmpl.org/events
teens TeenTober Take & Make Bags
Learn to Slay: Intro to Dungeons & Dragons
October 2-15 | All DMPL locations Teens: Help us celebrate TeenTober at the library! Stop by any of our six branches to pick up a TeenTober Take & Make Bag. This bag contains a journal, a highlighter, stickers to decorate your journal, candy, and more! Tag your projects on Instagram @desmoineslibrary or Facebook @dmlib.
Wednesday, October 13, 4 PM and Monday, October 25, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Have you always wanted to play Dungeons & Dragons, but didn’t know where to start? Join us as we learn the basics of how to get started and play with The Rook Room. We will learn everything from character creation, to combat, to the basics of storytelling, and more.
Central Library VolunTeens
This is a four-session program, with the other two sessions occurring on Monday, November 15, and Monday, November 22. Each session will build on each other, so plan to attend as many sessions as possible. Register once to be signed up for all sessions.
Orientation: Monday, October 4, 4 PM | Central Library Meeting: Wednesday, October 20, 4 PM | Central Library Want to gain resume-worthy skills and give back to the community? Join the Central Library’s VolunTeen team! You’ll help out with all kinds of things from craft prep to library programs, displays, and more! Registration required.
Level Up! Tuesday, October 5, 12, 19, 26, 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.
Banned Books Week Discussion: Verify, by Joelle Charbonneau Thursday, October 7, 5:30 PM | Zoom Verify is about Meri Beckley, who lives in a peaceful world without print and without lies. But when her mother is killed and no one around her has any answers, Meri finds that her idyllic world is not at all what it seems. A dystopian thriller with themes of censorship, this read is great for teens, adults, and fans of Fahrenheit 451 and 1984! Registration required.
3-D Printing Basics Bookmarks: Monday, October 11, 4 PM | Zoom Mini Monsters: Friday, October 15 | 4:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library Learn the basics of 3-D printing with two different classes. Sign up for either or both! Registration required.
Franklin VolunTeens Monday, October 11, 4 PM | Ages 12-18 | Franklin Avenue Library Are you looking for a great place to volunteer? Become a Franklin VolunTeen and help with library projects and programs.
Anime Club: Kawaii Pumpkins Monday, October 11, 5:30 PM | East Side Library Watch anime on our big screen, talk manga, work on drawing and kawaii crafts, and eat Ramen noodles. Today we will decorate Kawaii pumpkins! We also have the opportunity to discuss future anime club programs, add to our manga collection, and vote on what we should watch next month. Registration required.
After-School Video Gaming Tuesday, October 12, 4 PM | North Side Library Tweens and teens ages 10-18 can join us after school to enjoy video games on our Nintendo Switch!
DIY Glow-in-the-Dark Dragon Claws October 14, 4:30 PM | Zoom Join us on Zoom to make your very own glowing dragon claws, using paper and glow-in-the-dark mini monsters. These will be perfect crafts for a Halloween costume or just for fun! For tweens and teens. Registration required.
South VolunTeens Wednesday, October 20, 4 PM | South Side Library Perform various tasks during our South VolunTeens program and earn volunteer hours with Miss Janeé!
Teens and Tweens: Spooky Gingerbread Houses Tuesday, October 26, 4 PM | South Side Library Visit South and create your own Spooky Gingerbread House! Snack on some goodies while you use candy, frosting, and other fun foods to craft your own haunted house and take it home! Registration required.
‘Fear Street at the Library’ Escape Room Tuesday, October 26, 5:15 PM | Central Library A creepy quest, an evil witch, and a mystery to die for! You never know what you might face in this creepy adventure. Sign up and see if you survive our Fear Street escape room. Best for teens who are not easily grossed out and enjoy a fright! Registration required.
Anime/Manga Club Thursday, October 28, 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! Registration required.
Teen and Tween Wellness Day Friday, October 29, 2:30 PM | South Side Library Learn how to make your own aromatherapy putty with essential oils, customize your own journal, and paint a watercolor bookmark! Teens will get to take home all three activities! Snacks will be provided. Registration required.
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adults Free Friday Flicks at Franklin – Judy Friday, October 1, 2 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Renée Zellweger won a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of legendary performer Judy Garland in Judy. Primarily set during the late 1960s, the film explores the troubled entertainer as she tries to resurrect her career with a series of concerts in London.
Flu Vaccine Clinic with Polk County Health Monday, October 4, 10 AM | South Side Library Grab your annual flu vaccine while picking up your holds at South Side Library! Polk County Health professionals will be on hand to get you vaccinated for the 2021 flu season. Free.
Typing Class Monday, October 4, 11, 18, 25, 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 required.
Writers’ Workshop Monday, October 4, 5:30 PM | Central Library Share samples of your work and receive feedback from other writers in the group. Email Elizabeth at EAHooverdeGalvez@dmpl.org with your work if you would like to share your writing.
What Is Dyslexia? Monday, October 4, 6 PM | Zoom Attendees will learn myths and facts about dyslexia and will also have the opportunity to participate in a short dyslexia simulation activity designed to increase empathy and understanding. Registration required.
Fraud Fighters Tuesday, October 5, 2:30 PM | South Side Library Every day, someone in America becomes a victim of fraud. One in three Americans ages 65 and older are scammed, losing $36.5 billion annually to financial exploitation, criminal fraud, and caregiver abuse. Learn how to protect yourself and loved ones from fraud during this special virtual program.
Fresh Conversations Friday, October 8, 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. Registration required. 6 engage • October 2021
Jaguars of the Northern Pantanal: A Photogenic Journey Monday, October 11, 6 PM | Zoom Dr. Paul Brooke, Professor at Grand View University, will present on the Northern Pantanal jaguars. Brooke and his coauthor Paul Donahue investigate these amazing animals in terms of their cub raising, hunting, mating, and diet.
Spark Stories: Jose Alvarado Wednesday, October 13, 6:30 PM | Facebook and YouTube Jose Alvarado has served as the executive director of the latinx non-profit organization Latinx Immigrants of Iowa since stories its founding in 2016 and has developed several programs to support Latinx people. Jose will share his spark story, or what motivated him to get involved — and what he reads to stay inspired. past | present | future
World Singing Day Saturday, October 16, 11 AM | Central Library lawn Gather for World Singing Day, a global singalong held annually in October that brings people together in communities all around the world to sing together. We’ll provide lyrics for a selection of popular songs including the 2021 World Singing Day Song of the Year, “Here Comes the Sun.”
Franklin Cinema Club Monday, October 18, 6 PM | Franklin Avenue Library This month we’ll be discussing The Fits (2015). Participants should view the movie prior to the discussion. It’s available for free through Kanopy, the library’s free streaming DVD service, as well as our DVD collection.
Trivia Chills and Thrills Wednesday, October 20, 6:30 PM | Zoom Are you so full of spooky trivia that zombies are coming for your brains? Join us for an evening full of trivia that will give you all the chills and thrills! Play with your friends or on your own but be sure to come up with a great team name. Registration required.
CROSSROADS: A History of the Blues, featuring Scott Davis Saturday, October 23, 2 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Learn about the history of blues music from Scott Davis, an Adjunct Music Professor at Des Moines Area Community College and Band/ Jazz Band Assistant at Des Moines Public Schools. Davis is also a member of the Community Jazz Center Hall of Fame.
Register at dmpl.org/events
NEA BIG READ KEYNOTE ADDRESS: GIVING OURSELVES SUPERPOWERS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7 | 6:30 PM | ZOOM ARTS BIG READ for the
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT
Managed by Arts Midwest
arts.gov/neabigread
Juan Pablo Hourcade
NEA BIG READ: DES MOINES
University of Iowa Computer Science Professor Juan Pablo Hourcade will speak on the relationship between technology and the human mind. He believes that interactive technologies may be bringing about one of the largest shifts in cognition in human history, equivalent to that of handwriting and mathematical notations. This is the second keynote for our NEA Big Read: Des Moines series about the book Fahrenheit 451. Registration required.
DMPL.ORG/BIG-READ
Fire Safety & Fire Extinguisher Training with the Des Moines Fire Department Saturday, October 23, 2 PM | South Side Library Join DMPL and the Fire Department to learn tips on fire safety for your home and learn to use a fire extinguisher in a hands-on demonstration.
East Side Library’s Fall Book Sale October 21-23 | East Side Library Find books from all genres, CDs, audiobooks, magazines and more at the East Side Fall Book Sale held in the Library’s Meeting Room.
NEA Big Read Special Film Screening: Francois Truffaut’s Fahrenheit 451 Monday, October 25, 6 PM | Franklin Avenue Library Director Francois Truffaut’s 1966 adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s classic futurist novel Fahrenheit 451 will be screened. The Des Moines Film Society’s Ben Godar will provide introductory remarks and lead a discussion after the movie.
October Book Clubs DMPL Virtual Genre Voyager Book Club Wednesday, October 6, 6:30 PM | Zoom This month, we’ll be reading News of the World by Paulette Jiles. Registration required.
Franklin Afternoon Book Discussion Monday, October 11, 1 PM | Franklin Avenue Library This month, we’ll be reading Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
NEA Big Read: Des Moines Readalike Book Discussion Thursday, October 14, 6 PM | Franklin Avenue Library As part of our NEA Big Read: Des Moines series about Fahrenheit 451, we’ll be reading and discussing a modern readalike novel, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.
East Side Book Discussion Group Monday, October 18, 2 PM | East Side Library This month, we’ll be reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury as part of our NEA Big Read: Des Moines series.
North Side Book Discussion NEA BIG READ: DES MOINES
Tuesday, October 19, 11 AM and 1 PM | North Side Library This month, we’ll be reading The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick.
DocuTalk: The Imposter
DMPL Virtual YA for Adults Book Club
Tuesday, October 26, 6 PM | North Side Library The best documentaries make you desperate to discuss! Each month at North Side Library, join us to talk about one of the most intriguing documentaries your library card can connect you with. Join us for a not-quite-a-Book Club: Watch at home, then join us for a discussion at the North Side Library! The debut DocuTalk will be focused on the 2012 documentary, The Imposter, about a man who impersonated a missing boy who disappeared years earlier.
Thursday, October 21, 6 PM | Zoom This month, we’ll be reading A Curse So Dark and Lonely, by Brigid Kimmerer. Registration required.
The Writers’ Block Wednesday, October 27, 5:30 PM | Central Library Do you want to make real progress on your writing goals in a distraction free atmosphere? Join our concentrated 50-minute writing retreat. Bring a work in progress or use our writing prompts. Starbucks coffee will be provided.
Books & Bites Tuesday, October 26 | 6:30 PM | Adults | The Walnut (1417 Walnut Street) Join us at The Walnut for our newest book club. This month, we’ll be reading Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala. Registration required.
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NEA BIG READ: DES MOINES Join us for a series of free library programs related to the classic novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: • Virtual program with University of Iowa technology professor Juan Pablo Hourcade on October 7 • Fahrenheit 451 and readalike book discussions • Banned Books week activities • And much more for children, teens, and adults
Registration required on some events. Go to dmpl.org/big-read or scan the QR code for more information. for the
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT
dmpl.org | 515.283.4152
ARTS
BIG READ Managed by Arts Midwest
arts.gov/neabigread
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.