Library News Podcast: March 2023

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

  • A recap of the 2023 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and STEM Fest
  • Top ten most downloaded nonfiction books on BARD
  • Upcoming Makerspace Monday and other youth programming
  • Information about the Library’s participation in the upcoming Des Moines Book Festival
  • Save the date for the Elizabeth Perowsky Workshop and Luncheon
  • And Programs from the National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled

Today is World Braille Day!

Logo Iowa Department for the BlindToday is #WorldBrailleDay and Louis Braille’s birthday!  Happy Birthday Louis Braille, the inventor of #Braille, six dots creatively put together to create a code for writing and reading all by touch.
“Braille is knowledge, and knowledge is power.” – Louis Braille

Library Braille Programs and Resources:

Latest Iowa Department for the Blind Volunteer Newsletter

Iowa Department for the Blind Logo features the state outline of the state of Iowa with idb in braille in the center of the state.Welcome to our Volunteer Newsletter! In this issue the Instructional Materials Center Launches New Ordering Portal, Director’s Update, and the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Enhances Library Services for All Patrons.

Iowa Department for the Blind Volunteer Newsletter Volume 4 Issue 4

Library Chat Podcast: October 2022

October’s Library Chat Podcast, is a special “Live” episode in the spirit of October, Halloween and the spooky season.  We decided to do a ghost hunt in our Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) building.  The IDB’s building has long and rich history and there has been a lot of unexplained occurrences, sightings and feelings throughout, so we thought we should investigate.  Joining us for the podcast is a special guest Dave Coulson, former IDB Facilities Engineer, to do an investigation and tour of the building.

October Book List

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson  DB26427  BR11092  LT4028

Dracula by Bram Stoker  DB31689  BR8277

Frankenstein by Mary W. Shelley  DB25835  BR12173  LT5603

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman  DB68027  BR18241

Hallowe’en Party:  a Hercule Poirot mystery by Agatha Christie  DB97649

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury  DB44005  BR10971

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson  DB26179  LT11759

Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving  DB16731  BR08876

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King  DB62402  BR22530  LT4278

Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark by Alvin Schwartz  DB19713

The Shining by Stephen King  DB51373  BR13271  LT4276

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury DB50233  BR12583

The Magic of Braille T-Shirts + DSM Book Festival

We are taking The Magic of Braille to the Des Moines Book Festival today! 

Front of the t-shirt: says in print, The Magic of Braille, with a graphic of a cauldron with books piled on top surrounded by stars. The Magic of Braille T-shirts will be available to purchase starting today through April 4th in our online store.

Link to Online Store

All shirts are crew neck and short sleeved.  Shirts are heather black with gold lettering.  The front of the t-shirt says in print: The Magic of Braille, with a graphic of a cauldron with books piled on top surrounded by stars.  The back of the t-shirt says, The Magic of Braille, in Braille.  All sizing is unisex and all shirts are $20.00.  The t-shirts will be mailed directly to you.  We are pleased to work with local, small business The Side Garage.

All proceeds from the t-shirt sales will benefit the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped who help fund library programs.

Image of DSM Book Festival logoAnd join the Library and the Iowa Department for the Blind at the Des Moines Book Festival today at Capital Square in Downtown Des Moines from 9:00am – 7:00pm.  For more information about the DSM Book Festival: https://www.dsmpartnership.com/dsmbookfestival/

The library will be hosting programs for adults and families:

  • 12:00pm: That All May Read:  Intro to Braille Hands-On Workshop
  • 2:00pm: The Story of Braille: stories and hands-on activities in the Just for Kids Room

We will also have a table throughout the day, so stop by!

The DSM Book Festival connects people who love books with the people who create them.