Welcome to Next Month at Forest! This is a newsletter for those who use the ForestAvenue Library to make sure you know all the latest library events and updates happening at your neighborhood library
Here you will find updates about new additions, staff introductions, and featured programs for kids, teens, and adults happening at your library!
Juneteenth Closure
All DMPLlocations will be closed on Thursday, June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday.
New murals at the ForestAvenue Library
New murals were recently painted by local artists on the walls around the ForestAvenue Library! These new works of art were facilitated by the team at Liz Lidgett Gallery
The artists behind the murals are Jimmy Navarro, Marissa Hernandez, and the team from Liz Lidgett Gallery
Plan a visit to the library to see the art in person. These new works of art are made possible through the support of the Des Moines Public Library Foundation and the Kruidenier Forest Avenue Library Endowment.
IowaAdventure Pass is back!
Exciting news—the IowaAdventure Pass is back! Starting today, you can now check out passes to visit the Blank Park Zoo, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Science Center of Iowa, and the Des Moines Children Museum!
Learn more and reserve a pass
*Must be a resident of Des Moines, Windsor Heights, or Saylor Township to check out anAdventure Pass at DMPL.
June 2-14
Celebrate Pride Month by creating your own mini parade float! Use your own craft materials from home or pick up a materials kit at any DMPLlocation beginning Monday, June 2 (while supplies last), and design your float however you like.
When you're finished, take a photo and submit it to the library by 5 PM on Saturday, June 14. We will be posting a virtual Pride float parade on our Facebook page with all of your creations.
Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration
Event Details
Central Library
Saturday, June 7
10AM-12 PM
Ring in the start of the DMPLSummer Reading Challenge at our kickoff celebration! Make plans to join us for an afternoon of fun for youth of all ages.
Register for Summer Reading and take part in fun activities to celebrate the start of summer.
Add the event to your calendar
Meet LatinThunder and see if you have what it takes to be a luchador
Face painting
Air-brush tattoos
Balloon artists
Snap a picture with Rosie Reader Create mini-comics & book hedgehogs! Design your own fandom bookmarks & buttons!
Play Switch games!
Featured Events at Forest Kids and Teens
6:30-7:30 PM
Discover artists and art concepts, then create your ow masterpiece atArt Club!This month, we're exploring tunnel books.These are layered, illustrated books with peek through pages. Hear a story, get inspired, and make your own art to take home! Add the event to your calendar.
History of Juneteenth
Monday, June 9 6-7 PM
Juneteenth is more than a celebration; it is a pivotal chapter in American history Join Iowa Juneteenth for a presentation about the historical significance of Juneteenth, the lessons it holds for today, and how we can collectively build a future that provides liberty and justice for all.Add the event to your calendar.
This program is happening at multiple DMPLlocations and
6:15-7 PM
Join us at Forest for a new monthly book club and pizza party! Each month features a new book exploring different genres, formats, and topics. Registration is required, and participants must pick up a copy of the book (to keep) from Forest before the event.
This month we will be reading theAll Iowa Reads kids pick for 2025: Jawbreakerby Christina Wyman. Register to attend.
Adults &AllAges
Craft Night: Clothesline Coasters
Wednesday, June 18 6-7 PM
Spend time with friends, meet new people, and enjoy a fun activity at our monthly craft night!
Make a coaster from clothesline rope. There will be paint and stencils available to decorate your coaster however you like while supplies last. Instructions and supply lists will be available for you to take if you'd like to make your coaster into a set at home.
Wednesday, June 11 3:30-4:30 PM
Join an educator from Polk County Conservation to explore different types of spiders, including web weavers and hunters. Kids will learn how spiders hunt and catch food.Add the event to your calendar. Ifavailable,alive animalwillbe includedinthe presentation.
Pride Sewing
Tuesday, June 24 2-3 PM
Design your own Pride flag and patches at the Forest Avenue Library!
Some supplies will be provided, but donations are welcome too. Jeans and old t-shirts can be upcycled into new items, so if you have basic colors or fun prints in a variety of rainbow colors bring them along.
Each participant needs to bring their own hand sewing supplies and/or sewing machine.
online over the next few weeks. See the schedule.
Add the event to your calendar.
All June events
Space is limited, register to attend.
ASAPMondays: Painting
Mondays 4-5 PM
JoinASAPteaching artist Courtney Work to build your own personal collection of paintings. Each week will focus on a new theme or subject. Strengthen your skills, learn painting techniques and vocabulary, and take home a finished artwork at the end of each session. Learn more.
Snack provided for all participants.
Final twoAViD events of 2025
Kevin Wilson Nikki Erlick
Central Library
Tuesday, June 3
Doors open 6 PM Program begins 7 PM
Kevin Wilson is the NewYork Timesbest-selling author of five novels, including NowisNotthe TimetoPanic,NothingtoSee Here,andTheFamilyFang,as well as two short story collections.
His new book,RunfortheHills,is being released on May 13. It was named a MostAnticipated Book of 2025 by Time,People,BookRiot, and others.The novel tells a raucous and moving story of an
Central Library
Monday, June 23
Doors open 6 PM Program begins 7 PM
Nikki Erlick’s debut novel, The Measure,was a massive bestseller that catapulted her to literary stardom. Her follow-up novel, The PoppyFields(June 17), pays some homage to TheWizardofOz.
The book follows four people and a dog seeking a treatment center that has provided cures for grief and loss. But as the story progresses, the question arises—
unexpected road trip across America that brings a family together
This program will be moderated by Charity Nebbe from Iowa Public Radio.
Learn more
how far are we truly willing to go in order to be healed?
This program will be moderated by Megan Reuther, the host of Hello Iowa.
Learn more
Get rewarded for reading this summer
Adults
