Programs & Events
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Click on an event to learn more & register! Color Guide:
Kids (0-3) | PreK | Kids (K-6th) | Teen (12-18) | Family | Adult (18+) | Makerspace | Online | Closings/Cancellations
SPECIAL EVENTS
Sewing Basics
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR JAN-APR 2025 WORKSHOP!
First Thursdays, January-April 2025
Next Workshop: Sept-Dec 2025
Main Branch, Makerspace
The Sewing Basics workshop includes 4 sessions, each held on the 1st Thursday of the month. You will be guided through the basics, from learning sewing machine parts and essential tools to mending, sewing simple projects, and much more!
Ages 14+ | 5:30PM - 6:30PM | REGISTER HERE.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to sew? Have your sewing skills gotten a little rusty over the years? Sign up for a series of beginner level workshops where you can learn to sew, or refresh your skills, alongside our Makerspace staff.
Youth Edition
Ages 10-14 | 4:00PM - 5:00PM | REGISTER HERE.
If you have ever wanted to learn how to sew, here is your chance! Sign up for a series of beginner level workshops where you can learn how to mend your old items as well as sew something new, alongside our Makerspace staff.
Family Book Club: From Page to Screen
The Polar Express
Tuesday, December 17
5:30PM - 7:00PM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Registration is encouraged; click HERE or call (563) 242-8441.
Join our Family Book Club, From Page to Screen, where stories come to life beyond the pages! Each quarter, we'll pick a children’s book that was adapted into a movie, and together, explore the magic of both versions.
Read the book as a family, then join us to compare the two—exploring how the movie matched our imagination and what changes were made in the transition from page to screen.
Wear your pajamas and bring a pillow and blanket (if you want)—it's time to get cozy, read, and watch together!
All-Ages Chess Club
Where Every Move Matters!
First Saturdays, beginning January 4
2:00PM - 4:00PM
Main Branch, Lower Level
Welcome to the All-Ages Chess Club, a vibrant community where chess enthusiasts of all skill levels come together to share their passion for the game! Players of all ages—children, teens, adults, and seniors—can connect over the chessboard. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned grandmaster, our club provides a friendly and inclusive environment for everyone.
WEEKLY
Creative Explorers
Wednesdays at 3:00PM
Main Branch, Lower Level
Join us for an afternoon of play and learning! The Creative Explorers (formerly Afternoon Adventures) program offers a space for children to create, explore, and discover. Through fun and interactive programs, we aim to provide patrons of all abilities and stages of learning with the opportunity to learn about the world around them in a hands-on way.
Caregivers are encouraged to stay in the building and participate with their children. Children under the age of 8 are not to be left alone in the building without a caretaker at least 14 years of age.
Wiggle Time
Tuesdays at 10:30AM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
We will have songs, toys, and bubbles for you and your baby or toddler to interact! This is a great chance for kids and caregivers to socialize with each other and their peers. This program is suited for ages 0-3.
Storytime
Wednesdays at 10:30AM
Main Branch, Lower Level
Storytime is offered continually, with breaks occurring in late December and August. Join us for fun, stories, songs, puppet shows, and a craft to take home!
Bilingual Storytime
First Saturdays at 10:30AM
Main Branch, Lower Level
Join us for a fun and engaging bilingual Storytime at the library! This special event is designed for children and families to enjoy stories, songs, and activities in both English and Spanish. We will read aloud in both languages, offering an opportunity for young learners to explore new words, phrases, and cultures.
Bilingual Storytime will include age-appropriate stories, songs, and hands-on activities that encourage participation and foster a love of reading. Whether you're a beginner or fluent in both languages, this Storytime is perfect for all families looking to explore the beauty of bilingual learning together. We can't wait to see you there!
FREQUENT
The following programs may occur several times a month. For more information, please view our calendar or call (563) 242-8441.
Virtual Author Talks
Library Speakers Consortium
Click HERE to view more information, register for upcoming events, or view past recordings.
On Pulse-Pounding, Family Driven Mysteries: A Conversation with Laura Dave
Wednesday, Dec 11, 1PM
New York Times Bestselling Author of The Last Thing He Told Me
The Magic of Found Family: In Conversation with Author TJ Klune
Wednesday, Jan 15, 6PM
New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea
Notes on Modern Irrationality with Bestselling Author Amanda Montell
Thursday, Jan 23, 1PM
New York Times Bestselling Author of Cultish and The Age of Magical Overthinking
An Inside Look at Working with a Literary Agent: A Conversation with Seth Fishman
Tuesday, Jan 28, 12PM
Vice President and Agent at The Gernert Company
MONTHLY
The following programs meet once a month. For more information, please view our calendar or call (563) 242-8441.
#52Stories
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
On every headstone or plaque, there are two dates separated by a dash. How do you define your dash? The #52Stories genealogy project provides the inspiration you need to write down one story every week for a year by using a handwritten journal, blog, voice, or video recording. During this meeting we will chat about what we are doing with our own #52Stories project by sharing our stories & photos.
Device Advice
Main Branch, Main Floor
Technology giving you trouble? Drop into the library for one-on-one help during Device Advice hours! We’re happy to help with any projects you’re working on or just answer your questions. We’re not tech professionals, but we can help you feel more comfortable navigating the technology you’re interested in.
Lyons Reads Book Club
Check Calendar for Location
Note: On break, returning in January.
The Lyons Reads Book Club is relaxed and we have fun conversations about books and authors. We each read our own book and discuss it with our group.
Make It @ The Library
Ages 14+ | 5:30PM - 6:30PM | Third Thursdays
Youth Edition
Ages 10-14 | 4:00PM - 5:00PM | Third Thursdays
Main Branch, Makerspace
Do you have a passion for learning and creating? This workshop offers a welcoming environment to learn and practice a variety of skills and techniques for makers of all skills and abilities. There is no one kind of maker—a maker is anyone who is curious and a creative thinker. Make It @ The Library encourages opportunities for hands-on learning, designing, exchanging ideas, and collaboration. In this workshop, makers will:
- get more comfortable with the idea of making.
- learn to be creators, not just consumers.
- gain the skills and confidence needed to complete independent projects.
- get exposure to different types of projects and equipment, such as 3D printers, cutting machines, heat press, sublimation, sewing & embroidery, and more!
- learn how to bring your ideas to life!
The Plarn Project
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Note: On break, returning in January.
Plarn is plastic yarn that is made from plastic shopping bags. This material is used by local volunteers to make comfortable sleeping mats for the homeless. Upcycling these plastic bags is a way to help our community and also reduce the amount of plastic going into landfills. If you are interested in donating clean plastic grocery bags & cutting them, please join us to learn more about this project.
Reading Party
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Attend this program to enjoy quiet reading time with other readers. This is the perfect party for people of all ages who want to designate time to read. Light drinks and snacks will be provided.
Can't make it right at 5:30pm? That's ok! Come whenever you can to read with us, even if it's for ten minutes. This is a family friendly event.
Spice Club
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Registration is closed.
If you enjoy trying new spices, recipes, and meeting new people, please join Spice Club! We welcome all levels of cooking experience and diets and want to help you take your cooking to the next level. At each monthly meeting, you will be provided with a spice kit that includes some information and history of a featured spice or spice blend, a couple of recipes, and pre-measured samples to use in recipes.
Meetings will be held the 4th Saturday of the month unless otherwise noted. This program is sponsored by The Spice & Tea Exchange® of TSTE of West Des Moines.
Teen Video Game Night
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Note: We will now meet on the 1st Monday of the month!
This program is free! Bring your Joy-Con and compete on our Switch. Just Dance with the Wii. Play it old school with Guitar Hero on the PS2.
Snacks provided. Game nights will be held the 1st Monday of the month unless otherwise noted. Registration is encouraged, but not required.