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.

Upon registering parents will have access to three programs:

  • Monthly IDB Parent Toolbox Virtual Meetings
    Staring May 22, 2023, at 6:00pm, 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.
  • Receive Monthly IDB Parent Toolbox Newsletter via Email
    Parents are kept informed about current and agency upcoming events, activities, and helpful topics.
  • IDB Parent Toolbox Subscription Box
    Sent quarterly filled with activities, information, and fun and helpful items for parents and families.

Online Registration Form

May Story Box Program

Image of Story Box Program Logo with text Stories and fund delivered to your door!Did you know Chimpanzees can communicate by using Sign Language? This month, get excited about learning how bubble gum is made, and not just bubble gum, but learn the step-by-step process of what it took to build the Empire State Building, which by the way is 1,454 Feet Tall! From a jaguar to basketball and music, this month’s Story Box Program covers all the bases.

Each month young patrons in the program will receive a special box filled with books – audio or braille or large print – and goodies centered around a neighborhood theme. 

The audio books included in this month’s Story Box Program focused on Neighborhood Collection – Our World!

  • DB102343 Above the Rim by Kimberly and Jen Bryant
  • DB104782 Areli the Dreamer by Areli Morales
  • DB71676 Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy
  • DB101604 At the Mountain’s Base by Traci Sorell
  • DB37297 The Bicycle Man by Allen Say
  • DB102068 Hair Love by Matthew A Cherry
  • DB105270 Grandude’s Green Submarine by Paul McCartney
  • DB85028 I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel
  • DB60652 A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements
  • DB82083 A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz
  • DB78118 Sky Boys: and How They Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hopkinson
  • DB95332 Guitar Genius by Kim Tomsic
  • DBC20076 The Elephants Come Home by Kim Tomsic
  • DB19679 The Boy Who Spoke Chimp by Jane Yolen

If you are interested in subscribing to Story Box Programplease complete this registration form or contact Denise Bean, Youth Services Librarian, at 515.452.1338 or email denise.bean@blind.state.ia.us to subscribed. 

This Week: May’s The Many Faces of BARD Virtual Program (Thursday, May 11th at 6:00pm)

On Thursday, May 11, 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 May’s Many Faces of BARD program will be BARD: Fire Tablets Do Work. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded.

This session will include a discussion and demonstration of how to use BARD on an Amazon Fire tablet. After the presentation, we will answer questions about the presentation and general questions about BARD.

 

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

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

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

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.

Celebrate National Library Week with the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled!

Image of National Library Week Logo There's More to the StoryNational Library Week is April 23-29.  The theme for 2023 is There’s More to the Story.  Libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats from picture books to large print, audiobooks to eBooks, and more. But there’s so much more to the story. Libraries of Things lend items like museum passes, games, musical instruments, and tools. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, story times, movie nights, crafting classes, and lectures. Library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. Join us this year as we celebrate libraries and library workers and tell our story. We are excited to celebrate National Library Week 2023 with you.

Each day will bring a new celebration and story! 

Prologue: Monday, April 24
Check out the library podcast, Library Chat!  This month’s episode is all about Libraries and National Library Week.

Chapter 1: Tuesday, April 25
National Library Workers Day! Give thanks to library workers.  Call in, send an email, or mail in a card to the library workers in your life! 

Chapter 2: Wednesday, April 26
Tune in for a National Library week edition of IDB Read!  Listen to IDB narrator, Bob White, read Dragons Don’t Cook Pizza by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thorton Jones.  This event will be done via Zoom at 10:00 am and again at 3:00 pm! Register Here
or call the library for information (515.281.1323)

Chapter 3: Thursday, April 27
It’s Joke Day!  Call in for a different joke at the top of every hour.  Call 515-452-1330 for all the laughs.

Epilogue: Friday, April 28
A big thank you to all of our patrons!  If you are in the building, stop by the front desk for some yummy treats!