Des Moines Public Library Mah Jongg Open Play (South Side Library, Des Moines IA)

Category: Local groups · Des Moines IA / public-library twice-monthly mah jongg open play
Also called: Mah Jongg Open Play at South Side Library; DMPL Mah Jongg Open Play; Des Moines Public Library South Side Mah Jongg
Last checked: 2026-10-08

What it is

Mah Jongg Open Play is a recurring adult open-play session run by the Des Moines Public Library (DMPL). It meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, 1:30–3:30 PM, in the South Side Meeting Room of the South Side Library, 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. The library says it has two open tables to play and invites players to bring their own sets to start more tables. It also mentions an occasional Saturday session. It is local community open play hosted by a city library, not a lesson series and not a shop.

Who it’s for

Des Moines–area adults who have recently learned mah jongg and want regular practice: “Fell in love with Mah Jongg recently? Want to practice more?” The library’s Oct–Nov 2026 program guide adds that it suits both new and seasoned players. Iowa has no listing of any kind on disk. Existing local-group coverage is in other metros (Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis, Denver, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Tulsa, Providence and others), mostly at JCCs and private clubs.

Why it’s listed

The plaza needs a local group in an unused state, with an address and a printed schedule that runs well past the check date. Recent local-group picks were Wednesday’s Rochambeau Library (Providence RI), Tuesday’s CSJCC Tulsa (OK), Monday’s JCC Denver (CO) and Friday’s Sid Jacobson JCC (NY). This is the plaza’s first Iowa listing and its second public-library group. Unlike Rochambeau’s weekly drop-in, it meets twice a month and offers tables on site.

• Event page (https://www.dmpl.org/event/mah-jongg-open-play-138617) returned 200 on 2026-10-08:
  • Mah Jongg Open Play, Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 1:30pm–3:30pm, South Side Meeting Room. The series also ran on first and third Tuesdays from April through Oct 6, 2026 (04/07/26 through 10/06/26), with 11/03/26 listed next.
  • Program type Gaming; age group Adults.
  • Description: “Join us for open Mah Jongg play! We have two open tables to play, but feel free to bring your own sets and create more tables to play. Mah Jongg Open Play is scheduled for the first and third Tuesdays of the Month with an occasional Saturday open play (check dmpl.org/events for Saturday events).”
  • Location: South Side Library, 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315, (515) 283-4152. Contact: Rebecca Cloud (library email printed).
  • Footer: “The Des Moines Public Library is a department of the City of Des Moines.” An accessibility statement invites accommodation requests.
• Follow-on series page (https://www.dmpl.org/event/mah-jongg-open-play-150326) returned 200:
  • Same time and room, with dates 11/17/26, 12/01/26, 12/15/26, then first and third Tuesdays monthly through 12/21/27.
• Event list filtered for “mah jongg” (https://www.dmpl.org/events/list?keywords=mah%20jongg) returned 200. It showed upcoming Mah Jongg Open Play dates from Oct 20, 2026 onward, all 1:30–3:30 pm at the South Side Meeting Room. No Saturday session was listed on the check date.
• Program guide “Engage” Oct–Nov 2026 (https://www.dmpl.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/ENGAGE_%20OCT-NOV%202026-_FINAL.pdf) returned 200. Under South Side Library, Adults: “Mah Jongg Open Play — Tuesday, October 6 & 20, November 3 & 17, 1:30 PM. … Two tables are available for gameplay, or bring your own set to create additional tables. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, this is a great chance to practice and connect.”
• South Side Library branch page (https://www.dmpl.org/locations-hours/south-side) returned 200:
  • Address 1111 SW Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315; phone (515) 283-4152.
  • In-person hours: Mon–Thu 10:00 AM–8:00 PM; Fri 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; Sat 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sun closed.
• Related past event (https://www.dmpl.org/event/mah-jongg-101-136657, 200): a “Mah Jongg 101” class on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the same branch, presented by The Dealt Hand, taught American Mah Jongg basics including reading the card. It is past, so it is not part of this listing’s schedule.

Not stated on site: which ruleset open play uses (the past Mah Jongg 101 taught American Mah Jongg, but the open-play pages don’t specify), whether registration is needed (none is mentioned), any fee (none listed), and whether cards are provided. The event page prints “1111 Porter Avenue” and the branch page “1111 SW Porter Avenue.” Holiday-season dates can change, so check the event list before you go.

Official URL

Event page (current dates): https://www.dmpl.org/event/mah-jongg-open-play-138617

Follow-on series (Nov 17, 2026 – Dec 2027): https://www.dmpl.org/event/mah-jongg-open-play-150326

All upcoming mah jongg events: https://www.dmpl.org/events/list?keywords=mah%20jongg

South Side Library (address, hours): https://www.dmpl.org/locations-hours/south-side

Oct–Nov 2026 program guide (PDF): https://www.dmpl.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/ENGAGE_%20OCT-NOV%202026-_FINAL.pdf

Location

South Side Library – South Side Meeting Room, 1111 (SW) Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315. Phone (515) 283-4152.

Notes

• Local open play at a public library, adults only, with two library tables and room for players who bring sets. No formal instruction is advertised.
• First Iowa listing on disk; Des Moines is a new metro for the plaza.
• Library-run (City of Des Moines department, named library contact), not a private club using library space.
• Not affiliated with Mahjong Plaza.

FAQ

Q: When does Des Moines Public Library mah jongg open play meet?
A: The first and third Tuesdays of the month, 1:30–3:30 PM Central, at the South Side Library. On 2026-10-08 the next dates were Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 17, Dec 1 and Dec 15, 2026, with dates printed through December 2027.

Q: Do I need to bring a set?
A: Not necessarily. The library says it has two open tables to play and invites players to bring their own sets to create more tables.

Q: Is it for beginners?
A: It’s aimed at people who have learned recently and want practice. The program guide says new and seasoned players are welcome. It is open play, not a lesson.

Q: Where is it?
A: South Side Library, 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315, South Side Meeting Room. Phone (515) 283-4152.