Calendar

Music and Movement

Get your groove on and strengthen early literacy skills at the same time! We’ll read one book but also do plenty of stretching, singing, dancing, rhyming, jumping, and even instrument play. You’ll have a blast helping your little one rock out. Dates & Time: Wednesdays, June 7 - July 26, 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM Target age: 2-7 years old, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B

Music and Movement

Get your groove on and strengthen early literacy skills at the same time! We’ll read one book but also do plenty of stretching, singing, dancing, rhyming, jumping, and even instrument play. You’ll have a blast helping your little one rock out. Dates & Time: Wednesdays, June 7 - July 26, 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM Target age: 2-7 years old, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B

Tween STEAM and Ice Cream

Come for the build-your-own sundae bar and stay for the hands-on DIY fun! We’ll have ice cream and all the toppings, plus make a wire and rock photo holder, a perler bead magnet, and a paper circuit Father’s Day card that lights up (time permitting, please choose your favorite to make first).  This program is open to tweens and teens ages 10-17 only, and registration is required, as each session has occupancy limits. Choose the session that works best for you: Ages 10-14 are encouraged to register for the 2:30 PM sessionAges 13-17 are encouraged to register for the 4:00 PM sessionPlease note that 10-14 and 13-17 are suggested age ranges for each session but as long as you are between the ages of 10-17 you can sign up for either time that works best for your schedule. 

Teen STEAM and Ice Cream

Come for the build-your-own sundae bar and stay for the hands-on DIY fun! We’ll have ice cream and all the toppings, plus make a wire and rock photo holder, a perler bead magnet, and a paper circuit Father’s Day card that lights up (time permitting, please choose your favorite to make first).  This program is open to tweens and teens ages 10-17 only, and registration is required, as each session has occupancy limits. Choose the session that works best for you: Ages 10-14 are encouraged to register for the 2:30 PM sessionAges 13-17 are encouraged to register for the 4:00 PM sessionPlease note that 10-14 and 13-17 are suggested age ranges for each session but as long as you are between the ages of 10-17 you can sign up for either time that works best for your schedule. 

Creativity Quest

Calling all curious kids who like to make, craft, and experiment! Starting the second week of June, join us for cool hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. On any given Thursday we might construct a balancing bird, design a map collage, make an exploding vinegar and baking soda baggie, or concoct some other amazing creation! Stop in anytime during the program to enjoy moving through different crafts and activities at your own pace. Dates & Time: Thursdays, June 8 - July 27, drop-in 10:00 - 11:30 AM Target age: 5-12, siblings welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Meeting Room A/B (some activities will take place outside in the shade, in the front of the library at the North end)Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies. 

Classic Cinema: Sabrina (1954)

Join us on the second and fourth Friday of the month for classic cinema from the 20th century. Registration encouraged.  Sabrina (PG, 1954, 1h 52m) The chauffeur's daughter Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn) returns home from two years in Paris a beautiful young woman, and immediately catches the attention of David (William Holden), the playboy son of her father's rich employers. David woos and wins Sabrina, who has always been in love with him, however, their romance is threatened by David's serious older brother, Linus (Humphrey Bogart), who runs the family business and is relying on David to marry an heiress in order for a crucial merger to take place.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/SABRINA_1954_360X500_E2F2558.PNG

Baby Bounce

Baby and caregiver will enjoy bouncing, singing, shaking, and playing together! Experience and practice counting, rhythm, body part identification, animal sounds, sensory stimulation, fine and gross motor skills, and more! We'll have 20-25 minutes of interactive programming, followed by an unstructured playtime where children and caregivers can play together and interact with peers. Dates & Time: Mondays at 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM from June 5 - July 24. The 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July @ 9:30 AM. Target age: 0-24 months, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B 

Family Storytime

Join us for interactive stories, singing, rhyming, and more educational FUN! Caregivers should plan on attending and helping little ones to engage, feel comfortable, and enjoy early literacy. Dates & Time: 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July, 10:30 AMTarget age: Ages 2-7, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/BRegistration is strongly advised as attendance will be limited, with slots given first to those registered.

Adult Recreational Chess

Drop in and play some chess; all skill levels welcome! Held every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.

Harp and Flute Concert

Join us on Sunday, June 11, at 1:30 pm* in the Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park for a harp and flute concert. We are proud to welcome Julie Curry and Pat Boddy to the stage as part of the 2023 Performance Series in Urbandale!  *(Please note that 1:30 PM is the correct time. We are aware that some paper calendars were printed with the wrong time on them.)  This outdoor concert is free of charge, open to the public, and BYOLC (Bring Your Own Lawn Chair). If the weather is unfavorable the concert will be moved inside to the Library Meeting Rooms.  The 2023 Performance Series is a collaboration between the City of Urbandale, the Urbandale Parks and Recreation Department, and the Urbandale Public Library.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/JULIE_CURRY_AND_PAT_BODDY_2023_PERFORMANCE_SERIES_IN_URBANDALE_8ACF6592.JPG

Baby Bounce

Baby and caregiver will enjoy bouncing, singing, shaking, and playing together! Experience and practice counting, rhythm, body part identification, animal sounds, sensory stimulation, fine and gross motor skills, and more! We'll have 20-25 minutes of interactive programming, followed by an unstructured playtime where children and caregivers can play together and interact with peers. Dates & Time: Mondays at 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM from June 5 - July 24. The 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July @ 9:30 AM. Target age: 0-24 months, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B 

Baby Bounce

Baby and caregiver will enjoy bouncing, singing, shaking, and playing together! Experience and practice counting, rhythm, body part identification, animal sounds, sensory stimulation, fine and gross motor skills, and more! We'll have 20-25 minutes of interactive programming, followed by an unstructured playtime where children and caregivers can play together and interact with peers. Dates & Time: Mondays at 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM from June 5 - July 24. The 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July @ 9:30 AM. Target age: 0-24 months, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B 

Monday Hands-On Play

Join us for fun, hands-on play at the library! Each week we will provide three stations of tactile, age-appropriate activities including art, toys, and simple experiments to engage your child’s sense of creativity, curiosity, and discovery! Drop by any time during the program to play at your own pace. Dress for a mess or bring an art shirt, as some activities will include messy elements (for example paint, salt dough, shaving cream, etc.)!Dates & Time: Mondays drop-in 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM from June 5 - July 24.Target age: 1-7, siblings welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Meeting Room A/B (some activities will take place outside in the shade, in the front of the library at the North end)Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies 

Storytime in the Parks

Week 1Location: Charles Gabus Memorial Tree ParkJoin us for stories, songs, and family FUN in a different Urbandale Park every week!Target age: 2-8, families welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)The Urbandale Public Library and Parks and Rec Department have partnered together to bring you Storytime in the Parks every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM and Thursday evening at 6:30 PM at different Urbandale Parks each week from June 13 - August 10. Grab one of our Parks Passports for a full schedule and see how many parks in Urbandale you can visit! No registration is required. There will be no Storytime in the Parks during adverse weather. You can watch for cancellations due to weather by checking our Facebook or online calendar on the day of the event. (No Storytime in the Parks on Tuesday, July 4 due to the holiday.)

Afternoon Fun Get Crafty: Super Sandcastle Scenes

Join us for fun in the youth area of the library. Drop in the second Tuesday of the month in June (and the second Tuesday we're open in July, July 18th) between 3:00 and 4:00 PM to get crafty.  Use craft tubes and construction paper to create and decorate a 3D Summer Sandcastle scene!  Time: Drop-in anytime, 3:00 - 4:00 PM Target age: Ages 4+ (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Youth Area Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies 

Double Booked Book Club

Double-Booked Evening meets every 2nd Tuesday at 6:00 PM. Book Club books will be available for checkout after each meeting. See what other formats - including large print, audiobook, and downloadable versions - are available in our collection HERE. This month's discussion title is A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib. Synopsis: (Non-Fiction) "I was a devil in other countries, and I was a little devil in America, too." Inspired by these few words, spoken by Josephine Baker at the 1963 March on Washington, MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellow and bestselling author Hanif Abdurraqib has written a profound and lasting reflection on how Black performance is inextricably woven into the fabric of American culture. Each moment in every performance he examines--whether it's the twenty-seven seconds in "Gimme Shelter" in which Merry Clayton wails the words "rape, murder," a schoolyard fistfight, a dance marathon, or the instant in a game of spades right after the cards are dealt--has layers of resonance in Black and white cultures, the politics of American empire, and Abdurraqib's own personal history of love, grief, and performance.Touching on Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Billy Dee Williams, the Wu-Tan Clan, Dave Chappelle, and more, Abdurraqib writes prose brimming with jubilation and pain. With care and generosity, he explains the poignancy of performances big and small, each one feeling intensely familiar and vital, both timeless and desperately urgent. Filled with sharp insight, humor, and heart, A Little Devil in America exalts the Black performance that unfolds in specific moments in time and space--from midcentury Paris to the moon, and back down again to a cramped living room in Columbus, Ohio.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/A_LITTLE_DEVIL_IN_AMERICA_4D1A5F4C.PNG

All Iowa Reads Virtual Author Visit: Sequoia Nagamatsu

Attend a live author visit watch party at the library! Join Sequoia Nagamatsu, author of this year's All Iowa Reads title, and a moderator from the All Iowa Reads Committee as they chat about the 2023 selection, How High We Go In the Dark. The author will discuss their book, creative process, and hear questions from attendees. Watch party hosts will have the option to include a question in the chat during the event. Reading the author’s All Iowa Reads title in advance is encouraged, but not required. The events will NOT be recorded. The State Library is sponsoring these conversations to give all Iowans a chance to hear from the All Iowa Reads authors. About the book: In 2030, a grieving archeologist arrives in the Arctic Circle to continue the work of his recently deceased daughter at the Batagaika Crater, where researchers are studying long-buried secrets now revealed in melting permafrost, including the perfectly preserved remains of a girl who appears to have died of an ancient virus. Once unleashed, the Arctic plague will reshape life on Earth for generations to come, quickly traversing the globe, forcing humanity to devise a myriad of moving and inventive ways to embrace possibility in the face of tragedy. In a theme park designed for terminally ill children, a cynical employee falls in love with a mother desperate to hold on to her infected son. A heartbroken scientist searching for a cure finds a second chance at fatherhood when one of his test subjects—a pig—develops the capacity for human speech. A widowed painter and her teenage granddaughter embark on a cosmic quest to locate a new home planet. From funerary skyscrapers to hotels for the dead to interstellar starships, Sequoia Nagamatsu takes readers on a wildly original and compassionate journey, spanning continents, centuries, and even celestial bodies to tell a story about the resilience of the human spirit, our infinite capacity to dream, and the connective threads that tie us all together in the universe.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/HOWHIGH_77FEF954.JPG

Special Music and Movement with Tippi Toes Dance Company

Today’s special edition of Music and Movement will be taught by a guest instructor from the Tippi Toes Dance Company of Des Moines! Have fun while you burn some energy and experience the joys of dance, self-expression, and movement! We’ll use elements of jazz, ballet, and even tap to develop motor skills and body awareness, enhance self-esteem, fuel and develop the imagination, and sharpen cognitive and creative skills.  Dates & Time: Wednesdays, June 7 - July 26, 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM Target age: 2-7 years old, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B

Special Music and Movement with Tippi Toes Dance Company

Today’s special edition of Music and Movement will be taught by a guest instructor from the Tippi Toes Dance Company of Des Moines! Have fun while you burn some energy and experience the joys of dance, self-expression, and movement! We’ll use elements of jazz, ballet, and even tap to develop motor skills and body awareness, enhance self-esteem, fuel and develop the imagination, and sharpen cognitive and creative skills. Dates & Time: Wednesdays, June 7 - July 26, 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM Target age: 2-7 years old, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B

Ages 8-11 Tie-Dye

Youth ages 8-11 can join us to make tie-dye t-shirts. We’ll show you the techniques and supply the shirts + dye! (Note: Shirts will be dyed at the library and put into plastic bags- but will need to be washed at home.)  Age Requirement: 8-11 only (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the library.)Location: Meeting Room A/BRegistration is required to secure your spot and t-shirt size. (Registration closes on Monday, June 12th at 11:59 AM.) 

All Iowa Reads Virtual Author Visit: Niki Smith

Attend a live author visit watch party at the library! Join Niki Smith, author of this year's Kids All Iowa Reads title, and a moderator from the All Iowa Reads Committee as they chat about the 2023 selection, The Golden Hour. The author will discuss their book, creative process, and hear questions from attendees. Watch party hosts will have the option to include a question in the chat during the event. Reading the author’s All Iowa Reads title in advance is encouraged, but not required. The events will NOT be recorded. The State Library is sponsoring these conversations to give all Iowans a chance to hear from the All Iowa Reads authors. Special thanks to Beaverdale Books for their generous donation to fund this year's virtual author visit from Niki Smith.About the book: Struggling with anxiety after witnessing a harrowing instance of gun violence, Manuel Soto copes through photography, using his cell-phone camera to find anchors that keep him grounded. His days are a lonely, latchkey monotony until he's teamed with his classmates, Sebastian and Caysha, for a group project.Sebastian lives on a grass-fed cattle farm outside of town, and Manuel finds solace in the open fields and in the antics of the newborn calf Sebastian is hand-raising. As Manuel aids his new friends in their preparations for the local county fair, he learns to open up, confronts his deepest fears, and even finds first love.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/THE_GOLDEN_HOUR_BY_NIKI_SMITH_86489900.JPG

Teen Tie-Dye

Teens ages 12-17 can join us to make tie-dye t-shirts. We’ll show you the techniques and supply the shirts + dye! (Note: Shirts will be dyed at the library and put into plastic bags- but will need to be washed at home.)  Age Requirement: 12-17 onlyLocation: Meeting Room A/BRegistration is required to secure your spot and t-shirt size. (Registration closes on Monday, June 12th at 11:59 AM.) 

Creativity Quest

Calling all curious kids who like to make, craft, and experiment! Starting the second week of June, join us for cool hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. On any given Thursday we might construct a balancing bird, design a map collage, make an exploding vinegar and baking soda baggie, or concoct some other amazing creation! Stop in anytime during the program to enjoy moving through different crafts and activities at your own pace. Dates & Time: Thursdays, June 8 - July 27, drop-in 10:00 - 11:30 AM Target age: 5-12, siblings welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Meeting Room A/B (some activities will take place outside in the shade, in the front of the library at the North end)Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies. 

All Iowa Reads Virtual Author Visit: Angeline Boulley

Attend a live author visit watch party at the library! Join Angeline Boulley, author of this year's Teens All Iowa Reads title, and a moderator from the All Iowa Reads Committee as they chat about the 2023 selection, Firekeeper's Daughter. The author will discuss their book, creative process, and hear questions from attendees. Watch party hosts will have the option to include a question in the chat during the event. Reading the author’s All Iowa Reads title in advance is encouraged, but not required. The events will NOT be recorded. The State Library is sponsoring these conversations to give all Iowans a chance to hear from the All Iowa Reads authors. About the book: Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the cute, charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team.Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug.Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, drawing on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source. But the search for truth is more complicated than Daunis imagined, exposing secrets and old scars. At the same time, she grows concerned with an investigation that seems more focused on punishing the offenders than protecting the victims.Now, as the deceptions―and deaths―keep growing, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she’ll go for her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/FIREKEEPERS_DAUGHTER_478E4A03.JPG

3rd Thursday at Hoover's: Lou Henry Hoover's White House Years

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS ONLINE EVENT 3rd Thursday at Hoover's presents: Hoover and Criminal Justice ReformThis is the first of a 3-month ‘Best Of' series of 3rd Thursday programs. This program originally aired in May of 2022. When Lou Henry Hoover moved into the White House on March 4, 1929, she looked forward to using her influence to strengthen the areas that were near and dear to her heart: women’s opportunities; the arts; and private philanthropy. The onset of what we now call the Great Depression challenged Lou’s plans, but she saw new opportunities for serving the nation and remained undaunted.Lou continued to blaze a trail of achievements that have often been forgotten. She was the first president’s wife to address the nation by radio. She continued the work of updating the White House to accurately reflect its history and documented that work. Lou’s private philanthropy led to the building of a school for children in a remote area of rural Virginia, and she sought out and supported local artisans for a number of special projects.About the Speaker: Annette Dunlap has been a North Carolina-based freelance writer for over 30 years.  She has written for a variety of publications, including op-eds for the Fayetteville Observer, the Charlotte Observer and The Pilot, in Moore County. She was a freelance reporter for the Asheboro Courier-Tribune, and has been a contributor to inspirational magazines, business publications, and White House History.  Annette is the author of Frank: The Story of Frances Folsom Cleveland, America’s Youngest First Lady; The Gambler’s Daughter; and Charles Gates Dawes: A Life. Her biography of Lou Henry Hoover, A Woman of Adventure: The Life and Times of First Lady Lou Henry Hoover, was recenlty released by the University of Nebraska Press. Annette has appeared on C-SPAN’s first ladies’ series to discuss Frances Cleveland and Lou Henry Hoover, and was a panelist at the Harding Symposium’s “Modern First Ladies” program in 2015. Her research on Frances Folsom Cleveland inspired the development of the program, “First Ladies and the Politics of Fashion,” which has been broadcast on C-SPAN. Annette holds a B.A. from the University of Arizona and an M.B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis. She and her husband of 41 years live in North Carolina.  The Urbandale Public Library is pleased to continue our partnership with the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum for the monthly 3rd Thursday at Hoover's live webinar series.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/THIRDTHURSDAYLOGO_3E1F24EA.JPG

Page Turners Book Club

Page Turners meets every 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM. Book Club books will be available for checkout after each meeting. See what other formats - including large print, audiobook, and downloadable versions - are available in our collection HERE.This month's discussion title is The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill. Synopsis: In every person's story, there is something to hide...The tranquility is shattered by a woman's terrified scream. Security guards take charge immediately, instructing everyone inside to stay put until the threat is identified and contained. While they wait for the all-clear, four strangers, who'd happened to sit at the same table, pass the time in conversation, and friendships are struck. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning—it just happens that one is a murderer.Sulari Gentill delivers a sharply thrilling read with "The Woman in the Library," an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship and shows us that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/THE_WOMAN_IN_THE_LIBRARY_E9143BF8.PNG

Storytime in the Parks

Week 1Location: Charles Gabus Memorial Tree ParkJoin us for stories, songs, and family FUN in a different Urbandale Park every week!Target age: 2-8, families welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)The Urbandale Public Library and Parks and Rec Department have partnered together to bring you Storytime in the Parks every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM and Thursday evening at 6:30 PM at different Urbandale Parks each week from June 13 - August 10. Grab one of our Parks Passports for a full schedule and see how many parks in Urbandale you can visit! No registration is required. There will be no Storytime in the Parks during adverse weather. You can watch for cancellations due to weather by checking our Facebook or online calendar on the day of the event. (No Storytime in the Parks on Tuesday, July 4 due to the holiday.)

Laura Ernst Kinetic Entertainment

Let Laura entertain you with acrobatics, juggling, and even a human-sized hamster ball! She’s been on America’s Got Talent, now you can see her right here in Urbandale!  Target Audience: Families (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park (south side of library)Registration for this event is not required but is encouraged to help us plan.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/LAURA_ERNST_C22B2014.PNG

Adult Recreational Chess

Drop in and play some chess; all skill levels welcome! Held every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.

Baby Bounce

Baby and caregiver will enjoy bouncing, singing, shaking, and playing together! Experience and practice counting, rhythm, body part identification, animal sounds, sensory stimulation, fine and gross motor skills, and more! We'll have 20-25 minutes of interactive programming, followed by an unstructured playtime where children and caregivers can play together and interact with peers. Dates & Time: Mondays at 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM from June 5 - July 24. The 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July @ 9:30 AM. Target age: 0-24 months, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B 

Baby Bounce

Baby and caregiver will enjoy bouncing, singing, shaking, and playing together! Experience and practice counting, rhythm, body part identification, animal sounds, sensory stimulation, fine and gross motor skills, and more! We'll have 20-25 minutes of interactive programming, followed by an unstructured playtime where children and caregivers can play together and interact with peers. Dates & Time: Mondays at 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM from June 5 - July 24. The 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July @ 9:30 AM. Target age: 0-24 months, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B 

Monday Hands-On Play

Join us for fun, hands-on play at the library! Each week we will provide three stations of tactile, age-appropriate activities including art, toys, and simple experiments to engage your child’s sense of creativity, curiosity, and discovery! Drop by any time during the program to play at your own pace. Dress for a mess or bring an art shirt, as some activities will include messy elements (for example paint, salt dough, shaving cream, etc.)!Dates & Time: Mondays drop-in 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM from June 5 - July 24.Target age: 1-7, siblings welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Meeting Room A/B (some activities will take place outside in the shade, in the front of the library at the North end)Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies 

Storytime in the Parks

Week 2Location: Walnut Creek Regional Park (Large Shelter)Join us for stories, songs, and family FUN in a different Urbandale Park every week!Target age: 2-8, families welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)The Urbandale Public Library and Parks and Rec Department have partnered together to bring you Storytime in the Parks every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM and Thursday evening at 6:30 PM at different Urbandale Parks each week from June 13 - August 10. Grab one of our Parks Passports for a full schedule and see how many parks in Urbandale you can visit! No registration is required. There will be no Storytime in the Parks during adverse weather. You can watch for cancellations due to weather by checking our Facebook or online calendar on the day of the event. (No Storytime in the Parks on Tuesday, July 4 due to the holiday.)

Afternoon Fun STEM: Rad Rollercoasters

Join us for fun in the youth area of the library. Drop in the third Tuesday of the month in June (and the third Tuesday in July that we're open, July 25th) between 3:00 and 4:00 PM to enjoy science, technology, engineering, or math activities.  Learn about and experience simple physics and engineering concepts while you create your own paper plate rollercoaster! Cut, tape, and glue a twisting and turning paper plate path for a marble to travel. Use cardboard tubes to add height, but don’t forget about gravity (and don’t let the marble fall off) as your creativity soars sky-high.  Time: Drop-in anytime, 3:00 - 4:00 PM Target age: Ages 5+ (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Youth Area Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies 

Summer Performance Series: Ducharme-Jones

Ducharme-Jones at Lions Park The Summer Performance Series is sponsored by the Urbandale Senior Rec Center and Public Library. All ages are welcome and bring a chair or blanket to enjoy this free concert!  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/DUCHARME_D18E9BB6.JPG

Music and Movement

Get your groove on and strengthen early literacy skills at the same time! We’ll read one book but also do plenty of stretching, singing, dancing, rhyming, jumping, and even instrument play. You’ll have a blast helping your little one rock out. Dates & Time: Wednesdays, June 7 - July 26, 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM Target age: 2-7 years old, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B

Music and Movement

Get your groove on and strengthen early literacy skills at the same time! We’ll read one book but also do plenty of stretching, singing, dancing, rhyming, jumping, and even instrument play. You’ll have a blast helping your little one rock out. Dates & Time: Wednesdays, June 7 - July 26, 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM Target age: 2-7 years old, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B

Movie Night: Harriet

Join us on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for Movie Night at the Library. Limited space, registration encouraged.  This month we're celebrating Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of African-American slaves.  Harriet (PG-13/ 2019/ 2h 5m) The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. (Nominated for two Oscars including Best Actress.)  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/HARRIET_POSTER_360X500_730F34D8.PNG

Creativity Quest

Calling all curious kids who like to make, craft, and experiment! Starting the second week of June, join us for cool hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. On any given Thursday we might construct a balancing bird, design a map collage, make an exploding vinegar and baking soda baggie, or concoct some other amazing creation! Stop in anytime during the program to enjoy moving through different crafts and activities at your own pace. Dates & Time: Thursdays, June 8 - July 27, drop-in 10:00 - 11:30 AM Target age: 5-12, siblings welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Meeting Room A/B (some activities will take place outside in the shade, in the front of the library at the North end)Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies. 

Storytime in the Parks

Week 2Location: Walnut Creek Regional Park (Large Shelter)Join us for stories, songs, and family FUN in a different Urbandale Park every week!Target age: 2-8, families welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)The Urbandale Public Library and Parks and Rec Department have partnered together to bring you Storytime in the Parks every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM and Thursday evening at 6:30 PM at different Urbandale Parks each week from June 13 - August 10. Grab one of our Parks Passports for a full schedule and see how many parks in Urbandale you can visit! No registration is required. There will be no Storytime in the Parks during adverse weather. You can watch for cancellations due to weather by checking our Facebook or online calendar on the day of the event. (No Storytime in the Parks on Tuesday, July 4 due to the holiday.)

(Kit Registration) Take & Make DIY Pride Mini-Parade Floats

Celebrate Pride Month by making your own mini-parade float!  Register for a kit, pick it up, then unleash your inspiration and imagination! Starting Monday, June 5th, stop by the large white mobile display shelves near our front desk to pick up your box (aka float) filled with supplies, then creatively decorate the float any way you choose!  Once you finish your masterpiece, snap a picture of it and email it to uploutreach@urbandale.org by 5:00 PM on Friday, June 23rd, to have your float featured on our social media during the last week of June! Please let us know in the email if you want your picture to be labeled with your team name, or posted anonymously.   Registration is required to secure a kit. Each registered team gets one kit. This project is a take-and-make, open to all ages. Kits will be available for the first 40 people who register, but anyone can submit a picture of a mini-parade float to be posted on our social media. 

Classic Cinema: Sabrina (1995)

Join us on the second and fourth Friday of the month for classic cinema from the 20th century. Registration encouraged.  Sabrina (PG, 1995, 2h 7m) Sabrina Fairchild (Julia Ormond) is a chauffeur's daughter who grew up with the wealthy Larrabee family. She always had unreciprocated feelings for David (Greg Kinnear), the family's younger son and playboy. But after returning from Paris, Sabrina has become a glamorous woman who gets David's attention. His older, work-minded brother Linus (Harrison Ford) thinks their courtship is bad for the family business and tries to break them up -- but then he starts to fall for her too.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/SABRINA_1995_360X500_FAC8F20A.PNG

Teen Laser Tag

Join the Laser Tag battle and bring your Nerf Blaster (or use ours) for an epic Nerf War among the shelves!  Age Requirement: 12 -17 only Registration and permission slips are REQUIRED for this after-hours event. Participants will need to be dropped off at the main doors at 7:00 PM and picked up at 9:00 PM. (For safety reasons, participants / general public cannot be in the library when it closes at 6:00 PM. Participants will not be admitted to the building before 6:45 PM) A signed permission slip must be e-mailed to jstolz@urbandale.org ahead of time or presented at the time of the event. 

Baby Bounce

Baby and caregiver will enjoy bouncing, singing, shaking, and playing together! Experience and practice counting, rhythm, body part identification, animal sounds, sensory stimulation, fine and gross motor skills, and more! We'll have 20-25 minutes of interactive programming, followed by an unstructured playtime where children and caregivers can play together and interact with peers. Dates & Time: Mondays at 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM from June 5 - July 24. The 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July @ 9:30 AM. Target age: 0-24 months, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B 

Family Storytime

Join us for interactive stories, singing, rhyming, and more educational FUN! Caregivers should plan on attending and helping little ones to engage, feel comfortable, and enjoy early literacy. Dates & Time: 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July, 10:30 AMTarget age: Ages 2-7, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/BRegistration is strongly advised as attendance will be limited, with slots given first to those registered.

Adult Recreational Chess

Drop in and play some chess; all skill levels welcome! Held every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.

Stars, Constellations, and Black Holes

Drop by any time during the hour to learn more about these fascinating space phenomena with NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador, Dan Hoy.  Plus, we’ll also enjoy hands-on STEAM activities like designing your own constellation from metallic stickers and constructing a model of a crater using salt dough!   Target Audience: Families with children age 5 and up, siblings welcome (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Meeting Room A/BRegistration for this event is not required but is encouraged to help us plan. 

Baby Bounce

Baby and caregiver will enjoy bouncing, singing, shaking, and playing together! Experience and practice counting, rhythm, body part identification, animal sounds, sensory stimulation, fine and gross motor skills, and more! We'll have 20-25 minutes of interactive programming, followed by an unstructured playtime where children and caregivers can play together and interact with peers. Dates & Time: Mondays at 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM from June 5 - July 24. The 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July @ 9:30 AM. Target age: 0-24 months, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B 

Baby Bounce

Baby and caregiver will enjoy bouncing, singing, shaking, and playing together! Experience and practice counting, rhythm, body part identification, animal sounds, sensory stimulation, fine and gross motor skills, and more! We'll have 20-25 minutes of interactive programming, followed by an unstructured playtime where children and caregivers can play together and interact with peers. Dates & Time: Mondays at 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM from June 5 - July 24. The 2nd & 4th Saturdays in June & July @ 9:30 AM. Target age: 0-24 months, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B 

Monday Hands-On Play

Join us for fun, hands-on play at the library! Each week we will provide three stations of tactile, age-appropriate activities including art, toys, and simple experiments to engage your child’s sense of creativity, curiosity, and discovery! Drop by any time during the program to play at your own pace. Dress for a mess or bring an art shirt, as some activities will include messy elements (for example paint, salt dough, shaving cream, etc.)!Dates & Time: Mondays drop-in 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM from June 5 - July 24.Target age: 1-7, siblings welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Meeting Room A/B (some activities will take place outside in the shade, in the front of the library at the North end)Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies 

Urbandale Public Library Foundation Board Meeting

Urbandale Public Library Board of Trustees

Storytime in the Parks

Week 3Location: Lions Park Centennial ShelterJoin us for stories, songs, and family FUN in a different Urbandale Park every week!Target age: 2-8, families welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)The Urbandale Public Library and Parks and Rec Department have partnered together to bring you Storytime in the Parks every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM and Thursday evening at 6:30 PM at different Urbandale Parks each week from June 13 - August 10. Grab one of our Parks Passports for a full schedule and see how many parks in Urbandale you can visit! No registration is required. There will be no Storytime in the Parks during adverse weather. You can watch for cancellations due to weather by checking our Facebook or online calendar on the day of the event. (No Storytime in the Parks on Tuesday, July 4 due to the holiday.)

Afternoon Fun Board Games

Drop by the youth area from 3:00 - 4:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday in June to make new friends and/or spend some quality time with family playing board games! We will provide a variety of games, some classic and perhaps a few new ones that may become your favorites.   Time: Drop-in anytime, 3:00 - 4:00 PM Target age: Ages 5 and up (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Youth Area Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies 

Adult DIY: Paint Pour Coasters

Learn about different paint pouring methods to create a customized marble coaster. Gloves will be provided but dress appropriately for handling acrylic paint.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/COASTERS_9C400FDB.PNG

Music and Movement

Get your groove on and strengthen early literacy skills at the same time! We’ll read one book but also do plenty of stretching, singing, dancing, rhyming, jumping, and even instrument play. You’ll have a blast helping your little one rock out. Dates & Time: Wednesdays, June 7 - July 26, 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM Target age: 2-7 years old, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B

Music and Movement

Get your groove on and strengthen early literacy skills at the same time! We’ll read one book but also do plenty of stretching, singing, dancing, rhyming, jumping, and even instrument play. You’ll have a blast helping your little one rock out. Dates & Time: Wednesdays, June 7 - July 26, 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM Target age: 2-7 years old, with an adult. Our age recommendations tell you the developmental level we plan for, but every child is different. Feel free to try them out and choose the story time(s) that feel right. Everyone is welcome! Location: Meeting Room A/B

Double Booked Book Club

Double-Booked Afternoon meets every 4th Wednesday at 1:00 PM. Book Club books will be available for checkout after each meeting. See what other formats - including large print, audiobook, and downloadable versions - are available in our collection HERE.This month's discussion title is Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival, and Hope in an American City by Andrea Elliot. Synopsis: (Non-Fiction) In "Invisible Child," Pulitzer Prize winner Andrea Elliott follows eight dramatic years in the life of Dasani, a girl whose imagination is as soaring as the skyscrapers near her Brooklyn shelter. In this sweeping narrative, Elliott weaves the story of Dasani’s childhood with the history of her ancestors, tracing their passage from slavery to the Great Migration north. As Dasani comes of age, New York City’s homeless crisis has exploded, deepening the chasm between rich and poor. She must guide her siblings through a world riddled by hunger, violence, racism, drug addiction, and the threat of foster care. Out on the street, Dasani becomes a fierce fighter “to protect those who I love.” When she finally escapes city life to enroll in a boarding school, she faces an impossible question: What if leaving poverty means abandoning your family, and yourself?A work of luminous and riveting prose, Elliott’s "Invisible Child" reads like a page-turning novel. It is an astonishing story about the power of resilience, the importance of family, and the cost of inequality—told through the crucible of one remarkable girl.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/INVISIBLE_CHILD_1DBBBDF8.PNG

Family Fun Night: Make Your Mark

Join us for awesome hands-on fun that involves paint! We’ll help you enjoy unique techniques that include paint scraping, creating blobby paint monsters, and even cool tie-dye art using a salad spinner! Stop in anytime during the program to enjoy moving through different stations at your own pace. Target Audience: Activities are aimed at families with children ages 4 and up (younger siblings welcome). Location: Meeting Room A/BRegistration for this event is not required but is encouraged to help us plan. 

Creativity Quest

Calling all curious kids who like to make, craft, and experiment! Starting the second week of June, join us for cool hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. On any given Thursday we might construct a balancing bird, design a map collage, make an exploding vinegar and baking soda baggie, or concoct some other amazing creation! Stop in anytime during the program to enjoy moving through different crafts and activities at your own pace. Dates & Time: Thursdays, June 8 - July 27, drop-in 10:00 - 11:30 AM Target age: 5-12, siblings welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Meeting Room A/B (some activities will take place outside in the shade, in the front of the library at the North end)Registration for this event is not required but is helpful to us for preparing supplies. 

Confidence on the Telephone with a Hearing Loss

Confidence on the Telephone with a Hearing Loss Presented by Relay Iowa and Telecommunications Access Iowa. Hearing on the phone may be a source of frustration for someone who is hard of hearing but it doesn’t have to be. Relay Iowa and Telecommunications Access Iowa are dedicated to making phone conversations simple and accessible for individuals with hearing loss. Our services and specialized telecommunications equipment are also available for people who are Deaf or who have speech difficulties as well. Please join us to learn more about solutions available through our programs. The presentation will prove to be a resource for people in hearing healthcare, senior services, or caregiving environments as well as offer options to community members who have a hearing loss to better communicate on the telephone.  For more information, you can visit www.relayiowa.com or www.teleiowa.com.  Image URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.evanced.info/Customer/urbandalelibrary/SRP_2023_BEANSTACK_HEADER_(1840_×_702_PX)_CDFD7830.PNG

Storytime in the Parks

Week 3Location: Lions Park Centennial ShelterJoin us for stories, songs, and family FUN in a different Urbandale Park every week!Target age: 2-8, families welcome! (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)The Urbandale Public Library and Parks and Rec Department have partnered together to bring you Storytime in the Parks every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM and Thursday evening at 6:30 PM at different Urbandale Parks each week from June 13 - August 10. Grab one of our Parks Passports for a full schedule and see how many parks in Urbandale you can visit! No registration is required. There will be no Storytime in the Parks during adverse weather. You can watch for cancellations due to weather by checking our Facebook or online calendar on the day of the event. (No Storytime in the Parks on Tuesday, July 4 due to the holiday.)

Blank Park Zoo: Habitat Heroes

Habitat Heroes: How can we take action for wildlife? Meet one or two animal ambassadors from the zoo, plus explore different habitats and learn about the endangered animals that live there. Discover how our actions (even small ones) can make big impacts on the wild!  Target Audience: Families (All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the Library.)Location: Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park (south side of library)Registration for this event is not required but is encouraged to help us plan.