Fall is officially here, and we are blasting off into an incredible season of learning, creativity, and connection!
On September 14, 2026, the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled opens our flagship fall exhibit: Experience the Cosmos: The James Webb Space Telescope Traveling Tactile Exhibit!
The same week, all of our fall youth programs will kick off—and every single one features a special tie-in to our cosmic exhibit! Whether you join us virtually from home or visit in person at the library, there are endless ways for kids, tweens, teens, and families to explore the mysteries of deep space through touch, sound, and hands-on fun.
🎨 Makerspace Monday Workshops: Hands-On Cosmic Builds
Get your creative juices flowing with Makerspace Mondays! Our monthly workshops feature tactile STEM creations, galaxy art, and space-themed engineering challenges tied directly to the exhibit.
You can join us live in Des Moines or register to receive the monthly activity supply kit and video link to participate from home. We are overjoyed to welcome our first guest Monday, September 14th at 6:00 p.m. so don’t forget to register below!
🚀 Virtual After-School Program: Cosmic Weekly Discovery
- Kicks Off: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Program runs through April 20, 2027)
- Where: Online via Zoom
- Cost: 100% Free (Includes a 4-week Activity Supply Kit shipped right to your door!)
Starting the week right after our exhibit opens, our free Virtual After-School Program returns on Tuesday, September 15th! Designed for students of all ages, every month brings a brand-new theme packed with hands-on projects, inspiring guest speakers, story adventures, and STEM challenges.
Throughout the fall, our monthly tracks will feature out-of-this-world space exploration tie-ins with the Experience the Cosmos exhibit.
What to expect each month:
- Week 1: Guest Spotlight (Meet scientists, authors, and inspiring professionals!)
- Week 2: Book Club & Story Adventures
- Week 3: Creative Arts Studio (Tactile builds and space-themed projects)
- Week 4: Surprise Adventure Week (STEM challenges and virtual field trips)
Bonus for parents: Each kit includes our Parent Corner Newsletter with family activities, recipes, and weekend tips!
📚 Beyond the Book: Teen & Tween Book Club
- Kicks Off: Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Where: Online via Zoom
Starting that same kickoff week on Thursday, September 17th, the Beyond the Book Club is back—and now expanded to include Tweens as well as Teens! It offers a welcoming, accessible space to dive into great stories, share perspectives, and get creative at your own pace.
This fall, we’re blasting off into space-themed reads, deep-space stories, and mixed-genre titles that connect directly to our space exhibit and beyond! Participants receive curated book lists with titles available in all accessible formats (braille, audio, and large print), alongside optional creative activities for each session.
- Kicks Off: 2nd Monday of October (Runs October – May) | 6:00 p.m.
- Where: In-Person at the Library (524 Fourth Street, Des Moines) OR Virtual via Zoom with a mailed supply kit
- Who: All ages & the whole family!
🌌 Featured Exhibit: Experience the Cosmos
- Exhibit Dates: September 14 – December 21, 2026
- Grand Opening: Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
All of our fall youth activities connect to this one-of-a-kind tactile experience! Experience the Cosmos: The James Webb Space Telescope Traveling Tactile Exhibit allows blind, low-vision, and sighted visitors to touch 3D tactile renderings of distant galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters while exploring infrared astronomy.
Mark Your Calendars for Special Youth & Family Events:
- October 3 (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Grand Opening Celebration featuring tactile stations and interactive activities with acclaimed artist Jill Wells.
- October 24 (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM): STEMFest in partnership with the South Central STEM Hub, featuring STEM professionals, accessible activities, and exhibit tours.
How to Sign Up
Registration is required for supply kits and Zoom links:
- Visit our After-School Program Page to request your free monthly activity kits.
- Sign up for Teen/Tween Book Club to get your monthly reading list.
- Reserve your spot for Makerspace Monday (in-person or kit delivery).
- Planning to bring a group of 10 or more to the exhibit? Fill out our Group Visit Form.
Questions? Reach out to Youth Services Librarian Denise Bean at denise.bean@blind.state.ia.us or call 515-452-1338.
