![Graphic for National Friends of Libraries Week, October 18–24, 2026. The top section features bold text on a pink background reading "We [heart icon with an open book] the Friends of the Library". Below on a light blue background, text reads "National Friends of Libraries Week, October 18–24, 2026, an initiative of United for Libraries".](https://i0.wp.com/iowalibrary.blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/United-EC-Calendar-Slider-2026-NFOLW.png?fit=920%2C620&ssl=1)
Join us as our library spends this week, October 18-24, 2026, celebrating our amazing Friends of the Library group as part of the annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week.
In April, the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind gave a $12,000 donation to the library. Each year the funds have helped the Library do so much throughout the years including:
- Adding activity kits to the Youth Library and Makerspace
- Providing Kindle Fires for volunteer audio narrators to use when recording books
- Purchasing program materials for youth activities
- Supporting of the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge activities
- Purchasing print/braille and large print books for the adult and youth collections
- Supporting the library’s outreach activities
- Purchasing 3D printers
We would like to thank our Friends Group for their financial support and the advocacy work they do for our library. They help the library provide great programs and services across the state.
Save the Date: Annual Friends of the Library Holiday Concert
Friday, December 11th from 6:30pm – 9:00pm at the Cozy Café (8683 Birchwood Court, Johnston, Iowa). Enjoy a meal and music! Sing along with Antique Harmony Barbershop Quartet and Dave & Cindy. Free will offering and all proceeds from the concert will go to the Friends of the Library.
For more information about the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind fundraising and membership initiatives check out their website at http://www.iafriendslibraryfortheblind.org/
Current Fundraiser
In conjunction with the Experience the Cosmos: The James Webb Space Telescope Traveling Tactile Exhibit and STEM Fest 2026, we are excited to launch two commemorative t-shirts. All proceeds from t-shirt sales will directly benefit the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Option 1: A navy blue shirt with light purple lettering. On the front it has Reach for the Stars in print with a large shooting star and in the tail of the star it says Reach for the Stars in braille. The back of the shirt says, Reach for the Stars in braille and includes the logos of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled and the South Central Iowa Region Governor’s STEM Council.
Option 2: A heather lavender shirt with dark purple lettering. It has the words Reach for the Stars in print around the graphic of a stick man figure with a white cane wearing an astronaut helmet. The stick man figure appears to be walking in space. Underneath the graphic is Reach for the Stars in braille. The back of the shirt says, Reach for the Stars in braille and includes the logo of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled.
