Save the Date: Friends of the Library Holiday Concert

Image of a snowmanTime to get into the holiday spirit!
Join the Friends of the Library for their annual holiday benefit concert.

Sing along with Antique Harmony and Midnight Madness as they harmonize to your holiday and Barbershop favorites.  And Friends of the Library members Frank Strong, Dave Hammel and Cindy Ray will also perform.

When: Friday, November 17, 2023 from 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Where: Iowa Department for the Blind (524 Fourth Street, Des Moines)

 

Only $10 a ticket – Tickets available at the door

This is a benefit concert for the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.  The Friends have generously given the library $21,000 this year for library programs, 3D printers, equipment and special projects.

Check out the Friends of the Library Webpage for more information.

Friends of the Iowa Lilbrary for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Logo

November The Many Faces of BARD Virtual Program (Thursday, November 9th at 6:00pm)

On Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 6:00pm (central), the Patron Engagement Section of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) will hold its monthly virtual program called The Many Faces of BARD on Zoom.  The event is free to attend.

The topic for the November’s Many Faces of BARD program will be program will be Using BARD Mobile for iOS without VoiceOver.  Since this presentation is specifically for low-vision users, they will be displaying the screen. After the demonstration, NLS staff will take questions about the demonstration or anything else relating to BARD.

To learn more and join the conversation, visit The Many Faces of BARD page from NLS.

Image of Logo for National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

Library News Podcast: November 2023

Join library staff for November’s Library News podcast which features:

  • A Thank You
  • Mailing Library Materials Update
  • Top Ten Fiction Books Downloaded from BARD
  • More about this month’s NLS virtual programs
  • November’s Makerspace Monday
  • Friends of the Library Holiday Concert on November 17th
  • And more!

Book Reviews from Deena

Heart shape filled with books on shelvesCheck out these book reviews from Deena.  Deena was a member of the Library’s Patron Service Team who recently retired.  She has generously continued to share book reviews with us.  Thank you, Deena! 

Beartown by Fredrik Backman DB88118 

The Bears of Beartown are in the semi-finals of the hockey championship.  The small community of Beartown is a hockey town. A win will put Beartown on the map and bring the community together.  As the story moves on, you get to know the players, members of the community, coaches and former players. After winning the semi-final there is an incident that changes everything for the players, the community and the team. The town takes sides and things get ugly. The whole town is changed and there are hints about events that will occur in the next book. If you love sports and particularly hockey you will enjoy this book. 

The Library Book by Susan Orlean  BRC01820, DB92869 

In 1986, the Los Angeles Central Library caught fire and burned for seven hours. This tells the story of the library: the directors, the collections, the politics, librarians, the suspected arsonist, and of course, the books and how they worked to save them. This is a very interesting look into the library and how things were done in the past and how things have changed, and libraries have adapted. To this day no one has ever been charged with the burning of the library. 

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett  BR22980, DB96739 

This is told from the point of view of Danny. Danny is in high school when his stepmother kicks him out of the house, after his father dies. He and his older sister, who is on her own and working, are very close. 

They become obsessed with the Dutch House where they grew up.  The house is now owned by their father’s widow, and they often come by and sit in the car together watching the house and talking about their future and their past. Their lives are changed when the mother who abandoned them returns.  She feels they must confront their past by knocking on the door of the Dutch House. 

Let us know if you would like any titles added to your booklist or head over to BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) to download the titles now.  Need more information about BARD?  See our BARD Page

October 2023 Peek-A-Box: Creepin’ It Real

Peek-A-Box Logo, blue polka dot with a stack of books.With October comes Halloween and all things spooky!  This month’s Peek-A-Box is guaranteed to send your spine a-tingling.  We are “Creepin’ It Real” with spooky stories from all genres.  On your cartridge you will find the newest suspense novels, classic horror tales, psychological thrillers and more!

In your box you will find a Halloween themed tea towel, two ornaments – a jack-o-lantern and a ghost, 3D ghost and bat stickers, a jack-o-lantern tea light and a Halloween goodie bag filled with chocolate, candy corn and pretzels.

Discover your favorite creepy tale that will keep you awake at night!

Thanks for reading with the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled!

Library Chat Podcast: October 2023

The Library Chat Podcast for October is the first-ever Library Chat Book Club. Join library staff as they review and discuss the title What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline (DB107276). Spoiler alert if you haven’t read the book.

For November’s Library Chat Podcast staff will be reviewing and discussing the title Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (DB92245 and BR22862).
Book synopsis:  When Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals of Barkley Cove immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home.

Read the book and then submit your comments or questions to the Library Chat group to be discussed during the November Library Chat Podcast. You can email library@blind.state.ia.us with the subject Library Chat Book Club. Or call the library at 515-281-1323.
Please have your comments or questions submitted to the library by Wednesday, November 8th.

Happy Reading!