Announcing a New Program! IDB Parent Toolbox

Image IDB Parent Toolbox logoThe Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled is excited to introduce a new program that will encompass a variety of supportive, enriching opportunities designed specifically for parents of blind children. The IDB Parent Toolbox Program will combine a newsletter, virtual meetups, and a subscription box to provide parents with information, activities, and a network of support.

We know your life is busy, when you register and become part of the IDB Parent Toolbox journey, you gain another set of helping partners to assist you along the way.

Upon registering parents will have access to three programs:

  • Receive Monthly IDB Parent Toolbox Newsletter via Email
    Parents are kept informed about current and agency upcoming events, activities, and helpful topics.
  • Monthly IDB Parent Toolbox Virtual Meetings
    Parents are invited to a monthly meetup with IDB staff, guest speakers, tips and more on various topics and upcoming events. Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:00pm starting May 22, 2023.
  • IDB Parent Toolbox Subscription Box
    Sent quarterly filled with activities, information, and fun and helpful items for parents and families.

Online Registration Form

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! 

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

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys  DB106794

This carefully researched historical fiction is the story of Romania’s fight for freedom, in the late 1980’s. The author interviewed many people who lived through this period.  At the time, Romania was ruled by communist leader Nicholae Ceausescu. His countrymen lacked food, electricity was intermittent and the people were cold.  To get what they needed they bartered with packages of cigarettes. They were ruled by fear. Many people were made to inform on their neighbors, friends and even their own family.  At the end of the novel, Romania follows East Germany and other countries behind the Iron Curtain and begins a revolution at the cost of many citizens lives. The incidents in this book are true.  The author created the characters for the story.

Kisses From Katie: a story of relentless love and redemption by Katie Davis  DB75591

Katie Davis convinces her parents that she wants to go volunteer in an orphanage over her Christmas break.  Katie and her mother go to Uganda and work with the babies and Katie falls in love with people and the area.  After graduating from high school Katie feels God is calling her back to Uganda.  Katie again, convinces her parents to take a year off from college to return to Uganda. In her year living in Africa, she sets up a ministry to provide food, medical care and schooling for some of the children in the villages where she lives. She also adopts several girls who have no one else to look after them. She leaves her daughters after a year, to return to the United States to keep her promise to her parents to attend college. While in the U. S. she raises money for her ministry and gets people to sponsor a child so they can go to school. After a semester of college, she drops out and returns to Uganda. She adopts more girls and expands her ability to feed additional children and provide medical care. Her most important job is being a mother to fourteen girls.

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins DB98146, Spanish title DB100709

Lydia and her husband, Sebastian live in Acapulco.  Lydia owns a bookstore and Sebastian is a journalist. Sebastian’s writings sometimes oppose the cartels in Mexico and the family has to go into hiding until things cool down. Lydia has befriended a man at the bookstore who shares her passion for good literature. Sebastian has recently written a piece about the head of one of the cartels, including a poem written by him. Lydia’s family is gathered at her mother’s house to celebrate her niece’s birthday.  The cartel that was written about in Sebastian’s article takes its revenge. Lydia, knowing the cartel will continue looking for her and her son pack to leave the country for the United States.  Lydia and Luca suffer a harrowing journey towards the United States.  They meet a lot of characters along their journey some good, some bad.  If you like action and adventure this is the read for you.

2023 Summer Reading Program: Find Your Voice!

Image of a person with a megaphone with text SRP '23 Find Your VoiceOur voices have power. We use our voices to share stories, express ourselves, and spark change. Our voices include not only the sounds we make, but the words we write, the art we create, the movements we perform, and the actions we take each day to impact our world. 

This Summer Reading Program will have 24 sensational programs full of crafts, food, science, adventure, and tons of fun and laughter! Plus, write and become an author of your very own personal book about, “The One and Only Me. We will dance with dragons, chat with live insects, design jewelry with a secret code, track llama’s footprint this is only the beginning!  

When does it start? June 5th – July 24th             

What are the times?  Virtually Monday, Wednesday, Friday  1:00pm – 1:45pm

  • Monday – Double Craft Mondays
  • Wednesday – Special Guest Visits
  • Friday – Food Frenzy Fridays

What ages can sign up? 0 to 18 years old are welcome

We know summer is a busy time, it is not necessary to attend every program.  Register and participate as you can.

Online Registration Form

Upon Sign-Up Participants Will Receive:
Personalized TEAM Summer T-shirt with your name in Braille or Large Print, passes to the Blank Park Zoo. In addition, Find Your Voice; Book Bag, Spaghetti Yo-yo, wristband, and all 24 events of programming materials! Wow, this is awesome!

Denise Bean, Youth Services Librarian
515-452-1338
denise.bean@blind.state.ia.us

Check out our Youth Program Archive for past program activities and videos.

Library News Podcast: May 2023

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

  • Updates from our Perowsky Volunteer Workshops and Luncheon held last month
  • Top ten most downloaded Nonfiction books on BARD
  • How to register for our Youth Summer Reading Program
  • Information on the new IDB Parent Toolbox Program
  • More about this month’s topic for the NLS Many Faces of BARD program

Thank You for Celebrating National Library Week with Us!

Image of an open book with the pages forming a heart.Epilogue:

Thank you for celebrating National Library Week with the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled!  As the week winds down, we would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to you, our patrons.  Your continued support and your love for reading are what inspire us to continue providing our services and resources to the community.  Remember, there’s more to the story!  And if you are in the building, stop by the Front Desk for a treat!

It’s Joke Day! Celebrate National Library Week with the Library

Chapter 3:
It’s Joke Day! Celebrate National Library Week today with some fun jokes about the books and libraries.

Call in today for a different joke at the top of every hour.  Call 515-452-1330 for all the laughs.

Here’s a sample of the great jokes you will hear:
Why is it impossibleImage of National Library Week Logo There's More to the Story to get a
reservation in the library? 
Because they are always fully
booked!