Upcoming Events

Featured Events

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:

Movie, Guest Speaker

Age Group:

Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Movie, 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.

Adults and kids browsing a table full of books.

Book Sale

All Day 8/6 - 8/10

Age Group:

All Ages
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: All Ages
Event Details:

Wednesday, August 6 - Sunday, August 10

Flash Book Sale 

Help build up your personal library in a sustainable way!
 

Denice Peters Artwork

Art Gallery Reception: Denice Peters

Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Program Type:

Art Gallery

Age Group:

Adults, All Ages
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.

Back-to-School craft supplies

“Back-to-School Cool” Craft Day Drop-In

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 9:00am - 6:30pm

Program Type:

Crafts & DIY

Age Group:

Ages 3-5, Ages 6-11, Families
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Story Room
Age Group: Ages 3-5, Ages 6-11, Families
Program Type: Crafts & DIY
Registration Available
Event Details:

Join us in the youth area all day for crafts that will help get you stoked for school! 

Filters
Age Group

“Back-to-School Cool” Craft Day Drop-In

9:00am–6:30pm
Ages 3-5, Ages 6-11, Families
Crafts & DIY
Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Story Room
Age Group: Ages 3-5, Ages 6-11, Families
Program Type: Crafts & DIY
Registration Available
Event Details:

Join us in the youth area all day for crafts that will help get you stoked for school! 

Disclaimer(s)

Adult Supervision

All children under the age of 10 must be supervised by an adult at programs and while in the library.

As per our Children's Use Policy: "The Library is not responsible for the actions, supervision, or safety of a child or for guiding or monitoring a child’s use of the Library. A child 9 years of age or younger must be supervised by a caregiver at all times. A caregiver must be 14 years of age or older." 

Vision to Learn: Glasses Celebrations

10:00am–12:00pm
Children, Teens
Special Event
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: ICN Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Eyeglasses will be dispensed for students who completed their eye exam on July 21 and August 1. Students and their families can drop in between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to pick up their glasses.

Spinning Yarns

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Crafts & DIY
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

1:00pm–4:00pm
Adults
Gaming
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. 

Sundays in the Summer: Public Piano Performances (July 6-August 24)

1:30pm–2:15pm
All Ages
Performance
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Library Outside
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Performance
Event Details:

Enjoy free public piano performances on the library's patio every Sunday from 1:30 to 2:15 PM (weather-permitting)! 

Sensory Spaces

5:00pm–6:00pm
All Ages
Special Event
Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Special Event
Registration Available
Event Details:

Sensory Spaces are Metro area libraries offering special hours for members of the public who appreciate a sensory-friendly environment.

Back to School Scavenger Hunt

All Day 8/18–8/30
Children, Families
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Age Group: Children, Families
Event Details:

Drop into the library and hunt down 9 hidden pictures throughout the Youth Area. Don’t forget to sign the champion’s log after you’ve found them all!

 

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

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Movie, Guest Speaker
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

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Book Club
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

1:00pm–2:30pm
Adults
Movie
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

1:00pm–4:00pm
Adults
Gaming
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. 

Sundays in the Summer: Public Piano Performances (July 6-August 24)

1:30pm–2:15pm
All Ages
Performance
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Library Outside
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Performance
Event Details:

Enjoy free public piano performances on the library's patio every Sunday from 1:30 to 2:15 PM (weather-permitting)! 

Urbandale Public Library Board of Trustees

5:30pm–7:00pm
Open Public Meeting
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Conference Room
Program Type: Open Public Meeting
Event Details:

Urbandale Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Adult DIY: Oat-Standing Plant-Powered Breakfast

6:00pm–7:30pm
Adults
Crafts & DIY
Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Crafts & DIY
Registration Available
Event Details:

Learn about the benefits of incorporating more plant-based foods into your day, starting with breakfast. Plant-Based Des Moines will demonstrate how to make overnights oats for a healthy, whole-food meal to start your day.

Double Booked Afternoon Book Club

1:00pm–2:00pm
Adults
Book Club
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)

1:00pm–2:00pm
Adults
Guest Speaker
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

1:00pm–4:00pm
Adults
Gaming
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
Closing
Branches:
Urbandale Public Library

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

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Guest Speaker
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: The Light Pirate (All Urbandale Reads)

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Book Club
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.

Forecasting the Future: Climate Change Through the Lens of "The Light Pirate"

6:00pm–7:30pm
Teens, Adults
Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Guest Speaker
Registration Available
Event Details:

This talk explores how fiction can illuminate the emotional and societal impacts of climate change, using Lily Brooks-Dalton’s The Light Pirate as a powerful entry point.

Art Gallery Reception: Josh Hall & Libby + Joe Crimmings

1:00pm–2:00pm
Adults, All Ages
Art Gallery
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 and meet acrylic painter, Josh

Urbandale Public Library Board of Trustees

5:30pm–7:00pm
Open Public Meeting
Library Branch: Urbandale Public Library
Room: Conference Room
Program Type: Open Public Meeting
Event Details:

Urbandale Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Double Booked Afternoon Book Club

1:00pm–2:00pm
Adults
Book Club
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.