Live Homework Help for Kindergarten and Adult Learners The grade levels of the Des Moines Public Library’s award-winning partner program, Live Homework Help®,are being expanded on August 1 to include kindergarten through third grade plus "Adult Learners." Now students from five to eighty-five can connect to a tutor for one-on-one help! Since children today are introduced to the computer at an earlier age, the introduction of Live Homework Help has been lowered to reach students as they enter the school system. Parents who bring their young children to the library's Live Homework Help service expose them to rich learning resources, increase the child's ability to succeed in computer literacy, and provide practice for fine motor skills. The classroom itself will not change, with the exception of the log-in drop down. Our tutors are being prepared right now with a large number of resources to assist parents and their early learners in core skill development. We are excited about this new expansion, the added support it provides to younger children, and the opportunity to support those parents who reach out for it. In addition, we would like to acknowledge the adult learners using the service on a regular basis by providing them with their own access level. The Adult Learner selection will support those earning their GED,taking adult education courses, seeking grammar help with their resume or a work-related project, and more. Adult Learner level will also launch on August 1 and will include the following subjects:

English (including an English “Writing Center” section, formerly known as the “Essay Writing” section) Math Algebra, Algebra II, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry Science Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics Social Studies

Sign up now!

Celebrate Summer Reading with a Party! Renaissance Faire Ever had the urge to travel back in time to an era of knights, squires, princesses, and kings? Then time-warp your way over to the Central Library’s Grand Meeting Wing for our Renaissance Faire on Tuesday, July 29,from 2:00 to 4:00 PM for a good olde- fashionedtime! Gather around and listento medieval stories, make your own glorious goblets, and storm the castle for fire-breathing fun. Snacks and drinks provided. First through fifth graders invited. Preregistration is required. Summer Reading Party (And a Carnival!) As the summer’s “Catch the Reading Bug” program draws to a close, we want to celebrate a summer’s worth of good books—and the hours and hours you have spent reading—here at the library. The Forest Avenue Library is hosting a party filled with fun activities and refreshments for the children who have participated in the summer reading program on Thursday, July 31, startingat 2:00 PM. Meanwhile, children who have participated in “Catch the Reading Bug” at the Franklin Avenue Library this year are invited to a carnival! The carnival lasts from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Thursday, July 31. Play games, gobble down a bowl of ice cream, and win prizes. Be sure to bring in your summer reading log to collect your last prizes! Belin Quartet “Awesome August” Kick-Off Even though summer reading may be over, join us on Friday, August 1, at 10:30 AM in Gateway Park to finish celebrating the end of the summer reading season and kick off “Awesome August” at the Central Library! The Belin Quartet will give their concert as featured professional dancer and teacher Janice Baker performs for you. Metro Arts “Education on Location” Program Tours Library Partnering with the Des Moines Public Library’s “Catch The Reading Bug” children’s summer reading program this summer, the Metro Arts Alliance proudly presents the talents of local artists. As their “Education on Location” program goes green this summer, children can learn about how to conserve and help protect our planet. At the same time, they can see how to make paper creations with origami, work on their acting skills, sing along with a songwriter, get down when they dance, and watch one man play twenty-three different instruments!

Central Library: Origami Monday, July 14, 10:00 – 11:00 AM Learn origami with experts Dell Radcliffe and Cora Sizer. Space is limited, preregistration is required. East Side Library: Singing and Songwriting Wednesday, July 16, 10:30 – 11:00 AM Vocalist Judi Brown shares her experiences as a songwriter and recording artist through participatory music. Franklin Avenue Library: Dance Thursday, July 17, 2:00 – 2:30 PM Valerie William of Co'Motion Dance in Ames will share her dance knowledge with children and teach them how to express themselves through dance. Central Library: Acting Saturday, July 19, 10:00 – 10:30 AM Join us for a fun and energetic workshop with thespian Kim Busbee! Forest Avenue Library: Harp Thursday, July 31, 10:30 – 11:00 AM Listen to harpist Kristin Maahs as she performs an enchanting and vibrant variety of classical, Celtic, and contemporary music.

Dean of Juggling Summer reading fun for children! Laugh with Dean Franzen, a one-man traveling act throughout the Midwest, as he performs his juggling routine and rides a unicycle. His props range from juggling balls to torches while on a unicycle or stilts. It might seem like it’s geared toward children’s summer readers, but the fun is for everyone! Check him out at the library branches at the following times.

South Side Library Monday, July 21, 1:00 – 1:30 PM North Side Library Tuesday, July 22, 10:30 – 11:00 AM Central Library Tuesday, July 22, 4:00 – 4:30 PM East Side Library Wednesday, July 23, 10:30 – 11:00 AM Forest Avenue Library Thursday, July 24, 10:30 – 11:00 AM Franklin Avenue Library Thursday, July 24, 2:00 – 2:30 PM

Children Get Dramatic with the Pros at “Goblets and Games Acting Workshop” Here’s a special opportunity for kids ages ten through fourteen to act up and act out! The Des Moines Public Library and Salisbury House and Gardens are joining to present a free workshop/acting activity and special craft session. Young actors can stretch those drama muscles at the Central Library, in Meeting Rooms One and Two on Tuesday, July 22, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. Come and work with actor and director Lorenzo Sandoval and other actors as they lead you through the “Goblets and Games Acting Workshop,” in conjunction with the Salisbury House’s Shakespeare on the Lawn festival. Silly Sally the Clown Drops by Library Silly Sally the clown wants to help kids “bug out” about reading this summer. Using puppets, magic tricks, music, and audience participation, kids learn how reading can be fun while learning about bugs, too! Check out Silly Sally at the library at these times:

East Side Library Wednesday, July 9, 10:30 – 11:15 AM South Side Library Monday, July 28, 1:00 – 1:45 PM North Side Library Tuesday, July 29, 10:30 – 11:15 AM

Science Center Teaches Teens How Hollywood Does Special Effects Tweens and teens from grades six on up are invited to join the Science Center of Iowa staff as they demonstrate how the entertainment biz often uses simple scientific deceptions to turn its audience’s heads. Teens can go behind the scenes and see what’s really going on in the movies. From pyrotechnics to optical tricks, this is a truly thrilling way to learn about science. Since space is limited, preregistration is required.

South Side Library Thursday, July 24, 3:00 – 3:45 PM North Side Library Friday, July 25, 3:00 – 3:45 PM

If Those Fingers are Frisky, Tweens and Teens Invited to Knitting Club Join us at the Franklin Avenue Library on Friday, July 25, at 4:00 PM. to work on those knits and purls! Kids ages eight through eighteen are invited to bring their knitting needles and yarn and join our Tween and Teen Knitting Club. Beginners are welcome!Both library staff and Des Moines Knitting Guild members will be there to lend a hand with the projects and teach new techniques. “Transform Yourself” End-of-Summer Reading Parties Teens who have participated in our summer reading program, “Transform Yourself,” are invited to two different parties, celebrating a summer’s worth (well, two-thirds of a summer’s worth) of great books! The fun begins at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 29, at the Forest Avenue Library, with special fun and refreshments. Then cruise on over to the Central Library’s Grand Meeting Wing on Wednesday, July 30, from 2:00 to 4:00PM for our gaming party. We will be playing Wii Sports and Dance Dance Revolution on the big screens. Refreshments will be served as well. Oh, for the Love of a Good Book! Book Discussions Abound at Your Local Library Join other book lovers like yourself at any of the Des Moines Public Library’s book discussions, listed below. Everyone is welcome!

Forest Avenue Library Monday, July 21, 7:00 PM: Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen. North Side Library Young Professionals Book Club Saturday, August 2, 2:00 PM: Catch-22, by Joseph Heller. South Side Library Thursday, August 7, 2:00 PM: The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss.

The Rest of the World Is Just a Click Away Internet, E-Mail, and Computer Basics Classes at DMPL They call it the Information Age, and computers seem to be driving the world forward. If you would like a little help playing “catch up” with some computer essentials, we here at the Des Moines Public Library are offering computer classes, including: computer basics, how to use the Internet (must be familiar with mouse and keyboard), and how to set up an e-mail account (basic computer and internet skills required). Check them out! Class size is limited, so please preregister by calling 283-4152, ext. 3.

Central Library Thursday, July 24, at 3:00 PM: Computer Basics Thursday, August 7, at 3:00 PM: Basic Internet Searching Forest Avenue Library Thursday, July 10, at 3:00 PM: Introduction to the Internet South Side Library Thursday, July 24, at 9:00 AM: Introduction to the Internet Monday, August 4, at 9:00 AM: Introduction to the Internet

Learn to Play Bridge @ the Central Library First Class Starts August 6! Looking for something to do? Learn to play bridge for free from the pros in eight lessons. Starting on August 6 and going through September, classes will meet every Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at the Central Library. You are strongly encouraged to attend all eight classes, which will meet in Meeting Room One. Want to Know Which Way the Family Tree Forks? The Central Library’s Genealogy Class can help! Look up your family history after learning how to use Heritage Quest and Historical Sanborn Maps Online databases. The class will be held in the Central Library Computer Lab on Tuesday, July 22, from 2:00 - 3:00 PM. Friends of Franklin Avenue Library Meet in July It's the local community’s friendly support, ideas, and input that keep a library going and the Franklin Avenue Library wants your friendship! The Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library will meet on Tuesday, July 22, at 2:00 PM. As always, new “friends” are invited! Free Movies Screened at Franklin Avenue Library If you’re looking for an excuse to get out of the house, have we got one for you! Come over to the Franklin Avenue Library Tuesday, August 5, 2:00 PM to watch the movie Enchanted. Rated PG, 107 minutes.