Event List

Featured Events

Colorful foam

The Best of the Best of the Absolute Science Show

Friday, July 25, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:00am

Program Type:

Performance, STEM

Age Group:

Ages 6-11, Families
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Ages 6-11, Families
Program Type: Performance, STEM
Registration Available
Event Details:

Experience the joy of science as Absolute Science does only the most exciting parts from their most popular shows!

kid and helper putting dirt in the cup with potted plants around them.

Special Family Storytime: Fall Seed Starters with Nine Square Feet

Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:00am

Program Type:

Storytime

Age Group:

Ages 0-2, Ages 3-5
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Ages 0-2, Ages 3-5
Program Type: Storytime
Registration Available
Event Details:

Join us for a special edition of Saturday Family Storytime! We’ll enjoy one plant-themed book and one song, make a gardening-themed craft, and dig a little dirt with our special guest, Amanda from Nine Square Feet!

Author Brooke Van Sickle holding her book about writing children's books.

Write a Children's Book That Matters: How to Hook, Engage, and Inspire Young Readers

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Program Type:

Guest Speaker

Age Group:

Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Event Details:

Want to write a children’s book that truly connects with young readers? Best-selling author and publisher, Brooke Van Sickle, will guide you through the essential storytelling techniques that make a children's book unforgettable.

Fantasy clay figures and soda floats

Tween & Teen Mini Model Magic Fantasy Figures + Frosty Floats

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Program Type:

Crafts & DIY

Age Group:

Teens, Ages 10-14, Ages 12-17
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Teens, Ages 10-14, Ages 12-17
Program Type: Crafts & DIY
Registration Available
Event Details:

Experience the magic of miniature figure making with Model Magic! Make a gnome or a dragon and customize it by adding color and your own accessories made from Model Magic. While you work, quench your thirst with a DIY ice cream float! 

Behind the Blue Ribbon

Iowa PBS Film Screening: Behind the Blue Ribbon at the Iowa State Fair

Monday, August 4, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Program Type:

Guest Speaker

Age Group:

Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Event Details:

Step beyond the Grand Concourse and into the heart of the Iowa State Fair with an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at four people keeping some of its most beloved traditions alive.

Filters
Age Group

Double Booked Afternoon Book Club

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Conference Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adults
Book Clubs:

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 colle...

Double Booked Afternoon meets every 4th* Wednesday at 1:00 PM. 

 

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Conference Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Available
Event Details:

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. 
 

Double Booked Afternoon meets every 4th* Wednesday at 1:00 PM. 

 

Classic Cinema: Rudy

Friday, July 25, 2025 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adults
Classic Cinema:

Join us on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month for classic cinema from the 20th century. This film screening will include English subtitles/ closed captioning when available. ...

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Movie
Registration Available
Event Details:

Join us on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month for classic cinema from the 20th century. 

This film screening will include English subtitles/ closed captioning when available. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy. Limited space, registration encouraged. 

 

Adult Recreational Chess

Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
Adults
Adult Recreational Chess:

Drop in and play some chess; all skill levels are welcome! Held every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must b...

Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Gaming

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

Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Write a Children's Book That Matters: How to Hook, Engage, and Inspire Young Readers

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room A/B at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Guest Speaker
Age Group:
Teens, Adults

Want to write a children’s book that truly connects with young readers? Best-selling author and publisher, Brooke Van Sickle, will guide you through the essential storytelling techniques that make a children's book unforgettable.

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Event Details:

Want to write a children’s book that truly connects with young readers? Best-selling author and publisher, Brooke Van Sickle, will guide you through the essential storytelling techniques that make a children's book unforgettable.

Virtual Author Talk: On the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains with Pria Anand (Watch Party)

Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Guest Speaker
Age Group:
Adults

Attend the live virtual watch party at the library!

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Event Details:

Attend the live virtual watch party at the library!

Adult Recreational Chess

Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
Adults
Adult Recreational Chess:

Drop in and play some chess; all skill levels are welcome! Held every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must b...

**No Chess Next Saturday, August 9

Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

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

Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

**No Chess Next Saturday, August 9

Iowa PBS Film Screening: Behind the Blue Ribbon at the Iowa State Fair

Monday, August 4, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room A/B at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Guest Speaker
Age Group:
Teens, Adults

Step beyond the Grand Concourse and into the heart of the Iowa State Fair with an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at four people keeping some of its most beloved traditions alive.

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Event Details:

Step beyond the Grand Concourse and into the heart of the Iowa State Fair with an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at four people keeping some of its most beloved traditions alive.

Drive-Thru Book Drop Closed

All Day
Off Site

The library’s drive-thru book drop on the north side of the building will be inaccessible on Tuesday, August 5 due to National Night Out. You will still be able to return...

Closing
Branches:
Off Site
Description:

The library’s drive-thru book drop on the north side of the building will be inaccessible on Tuesday, August 5 due to National Night Out. 

Author Talk with Smithsonian Biologist Jay Falk (Virtual)

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual
Program Type:
Guest Speaker
Age Group:
Teens, Adults

Click here to register to watch this program on your own.

Virtual Event
Library Branch: Virtual
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Guest Speaker
Event Details:

Click here to register to watch this program on your own.

National Night Out: Book Sale & Kids Craft

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Off Site
Program Type:
Crafts & DIY, Special Event
Age Group:
Children, Teens, Families, Adults, All Ages

Bring the entire family for a fun-filled evening of activities and games!

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Children, Teens, Families, Adults, All Ages
Program Type: Crafts & DIY, Special Event
Event Details:

Bring the entire family for a fun-filled evening of activities and games!

Art Gallery Reception: Denice Peters

Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Art Gallery at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Art Gallery
Age Group:
Adults, All Ages

Join us for light refreshments, meet artist Denice Peters, and check out their exhibit in the Art Gallery from August 3 – September 13.

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Art Gallery
Age Group: Adults, All Ages
Program Type: Art Gallery
Registration Available
Event Details:

Join us for light refreshments, meet artist Denice Peters, and check out their exhibit in the Art Gallery from August 3 – September 13.

Double Booked Evening Book Club

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room A at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adults
Book Clubs:

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 colle...

Double Booked Evening meets every 2nd Tuesday at 6:00 PM.

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Available
Event Details:

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. 
 

Double Booked Evening meets every 2nd Tuesday at 6:00 PM.

Spinning Yarns

Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Crafts & DIY
Age Group:
Adults
Spinning Yarns:

Join us on the second Thursday of the month and bring your own knitting/crochet projects to work on in this program centered around knitting and crocheting. Please bring all n...

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Crafts & DIY
Registration Available

Join us on the second Thursday of the month and bring your own knitting/crochet projects to work on in this program centered around knitting and crocheting. 

Please bring all necessary materials for your project. Materials are not provided, but crochet and knitting kits may be available for check-out.

Craft & Hobby instructional videos will also be available for anyone who needs some help or wants to learn a new skill. A selection of knitting/crochet-related books will also be available to check out. 

All skill levels are welcome! 

Adult Recreational Chess

Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
Adults
Adult Recreational Chess:

Drop in and play some chess; all skill levels are welcome! Held every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must b...

Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Gaming

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

Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Movie Night Special Edition: Live Virtual Author Talk with Casey McQuiston (Watch Party)

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Movie, Guest Speaker
Age Group:
Adults
Movie Night:

Join us on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for Movie Night at the Library. This film screening will include English subtitles/ closed captioning when available. Feel free to br...

This month, we are highlighting our Library Speakers Consortium resource, which offers about three 1-hour live author talks per month. Check out past author talks and register for upcoming events here: 

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Movie, Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Event Details:

Join us on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for Movie Night at the Library. 

This film screening will include English subtitles/ closed captioning when available. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy. Limited space, registration encouraged. 

 

This month, we are highlighting our Library Speakers Consortium resource, which offers about three 1-hour live author talks per month. Check out past author talks and register for upcoming events here: 

Page Turners Book Club

Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room A at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adults
Book Clubs:

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 colle...

Page Turners meets every 3rd Thursday at 6:00 PM.

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Available
Event Details:

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. 
 

Page Turners meets every 3rd Thursday at 6:00 PM.

Classic Cinema: The Awful Truth

Friday, August 22, 2025 at 1:00pm - 3:30pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adults
Classic Cinema:

Join us on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month for classic cinema from the 20th century. This film screening will include English subtitles/ closed captioning when available. ...

The Awful Truth (1937 ‧ Romance/Comedy ‧ 1h 31m ‧ Not Rated) 

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Movie
Registration Available
Event Details:

Join us on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month for classic cinema from the 20th century. 

This film screening will include English subtitles/ closed captioning when available. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy. Limited space, registration encouraged. 

 

The Awful Truth (1937 ‧ Romance/Comedy ‧ 1h 31m ‧ Not Rated) 

Adult Recreational Chess

Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
Adults
Adult Recreational Chess:

Drop in and play some chess; all skill levels are welcome! Held every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must b...

Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Gaming

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

Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Double Booked Afternoon Book Club

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Conference Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adults
Book Clubs:

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 colle...

Double Booked Afternoon meets every 4th* Wednesday at 1:00 PM. 

 

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Conference Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Available
Event Details:

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. 
 

Double Booked Afternoon meets every 4th* Wednesday at 1:00 PM. 

 

Author Talk with Tasha Eurich (Watch Party)

Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Guest Speaker
Age Group:
Adults

Attend the live virtual watch party at the library!

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Event Details:

Attend the live virtual watch party at the library!

Adult Recreational Chess

Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
Adults
Adult Recreational Chess:

Drop in and play some chess; all skill levels are welcome! Held every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must b...

Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Gaming

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

Please note that this program is not staffed and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Labor Day

All Day 8/31 - 9/1
Urbandale Public Library
Closing
Branches:
Urbandale Public Library

Living with Nature: Being Coyote Aware In and Out of the City

Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room A at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Guest Speaker
Age Group:
Adults

Join Iowa DNR Wildlife Biologist Andy Kellner to discuss coyotes, an adaptable wildlife species that lives inside and outside of urban places. Topics will include coyote history, ecology, and tips for avoiding human-wildlife conflict. 

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Event Details:

Join Iowa DNR Wildlife Biologist Andy Kellner to discuss coyotes, an adaptable wildlife species that lives inside and outside of urban places. Topics will include coyote history, ecology, and tips for avoiding human-wildlife conflict. 

Double Booked Evening Book Club

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
ICN Room at Urbandale Public Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adults
Book Clubs:

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 colle...

Double Booked Evening meets every 2nd Tuesday at 6:00 PM.

Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Club
Registration Available
Event Details:

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. 
 

Double Booked Evening meets every 2nd Tuesday at 6:00 PM.