What is the Story Box Program?

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March 3, 2023

10:35 am

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Image of Story Box Program logo of a delivery truck with a bunny reading a book on the side. Below the delivery truck with the words "Stories and fund delivered to your door!"The Story Box Program offers young patrons, ages 0 through 18 years old, a program to receive a monthly box of books and themed selected gifts that highlights the Youth Library’s 9 Book Neighborhoods: Favorites, Our World, Stories, Fairy and Folk Tales, Concepts, Transportation, Rhymes and Songs, Nature, and Celebrations! 

Thank you to the families who have signed up for the Story Box Program, it has been a hit! The first 2 neighborhood themed boxes: Celebrations and Transportation have been sent and Nature is underway to go out soon!

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. 

Young Patrons and families who opt for audiobooks will receive a cartridge with 10-20 books dedicated to the neighborhood of the month. Young patrons who choose to get braille or large print will receive 1-3 books.  Braille and large print books will be mailed separately, apart from the Story Box. Young patrons should return the cartridges and books when finished with them and keep the goodies for themselves. Books to borrow and bonus gifts to keep!

By subscribing to the Story Box Program, you are subscribing to 12 months of Story Box Program deliveries, but you can cancel your subscription at any time by contacting the library.

If you are interested in subscribing to Story Box Program, please 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. 

Together We Read Book Club Begins on Bridges

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March 1, 2023

4:07 pm

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Adult Programming, Book Reviews, library

Image of the Together We Read logo and the cover of the book River Woman, River Demon by Jennifer Givhan.Booklovers in Iowa can now join readers from 16,000 public libraries and colleges across the United States enjoying this year’s Together We Read: US digital book club selection. From March 1 to 15, our library patrons can read award-winning Mexican-American and Indigenous author Jennifer Givhan’s book, River Woman, River Demon, as an ebook and audiobook for free. Readers can join hundreds of thousands of others accessing the digital book with no waitlists or holds by downloading the Libby app. Our library patrons with a valid library card can also borrow the book by visiting Bridges, and then participate in an online discussion.

For more information about Bridges check out our Bridges Page

The Together We Read: US digital book club connects readers through thousands of U.S. public libraries and colleges with the same ebook for two weeks and only requires a library card to get started. During the program, readers participate in engaging online discussions about the title. This free program is facilitated by the library and OverDrive.

About the Book
River Woman, River Demon tells the story of Eva Santos Moon, a burgeoning Chicana artist who practices the ancient, spiritual ways of brujería and curanderisma. She’s at one of her lowest points—suffering from disorienting blackouts, creative stagnation, and a feeling of disconnect from her magickal roots. When her husband is taken into custody for the shocking murder of their friend, Eva doesn’t know whom to trust—least of all, herself. She soon falls under suspicion as a potential suspect, and her past rises to the surface, dredging up the truth about an eerily similar death from her childhood. Struggling with fragmented memories and self-doubt, an increasingly terrified Eva fears that she might have been involved in both murders. As she fights to keep her family out of danger, Eva realizes she must use her magick as a bruja to protect herself and her loved ones, while confronting her own dark history.

River Woman, River Demon is published as an ebook and audiobook by Blackstone Publishing. The digital book can be borrowed from participating U.S. public libraries and colleges during Together We Read between March 1-15. The ebook and audiobook can be read on all major computers and devices, including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets and Chromebook™ without waitlists or holds. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [U.S. libraries only]. The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.
Download Libby or visit https://bridges.overdrive.com to get started.

Library Chat Podcast: February 2023 Featuring the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and IDB STEM Fest

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February 28, 2023

4:07 pm

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February’s Library Chat Podcast is all about Braille, the Braille Challenge and our accessible STEM Fest.  Library staff discuss the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and the IDB STEM Fest that was hosted by the Library at the Iowa Department for the Blind on Saturday, February 25, 2023.  Jodi, Angie and Leland had a chance to talk with the students participating in the Braille Challenge, their parents and IDB staff about braille.  The podcast also features a song created and performed by Frank Strong especially for the Braille Challenge and a rap that staff member, Jodi Aldini wrote and performed highlighting the Braille Challenge participants.

 

Iowa Braille Challenge T-Shirts are still available until Friday, March 3rd!

Link to Online Store
Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering. The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.
To help us celebrate the 2023 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and Braille literacy, we are pleased to work with local, small business The Side Garage this year for the Braille Challenge t-shirt.  The theme for 2023 is Braille! Let the Sunshine In.The back of the t-shirt says, BRAILLE let the sunshine in, in braille.

All shirts are crew neck and short sleeved.  Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering.  The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.  The back of the t-shirt says, BRAILLE let the sunshine in, in braille.  All sizing is unisex and all shirts are $20.00.  Participants of the Braille Challenge will be provided with a t-shirt that have been  generously donated by the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Congratulations to Iowa’s Regional Braille Challenge Participants!

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February 27, 2023

9:45 am

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Braille Challenge LogoThe Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind in North America for students who are blind or low vision. Braille Institute developed the Braille Challenge to motivate students to practice and hone their braille literacy skills, which are essential to academic and employment success.

Braille Challenge participants tested both remotely during the month of February and at the in-person Iowa Regional Braille Challenge held on Saturday, February 25th at the Iowa Department for the Blind.

Thank you to our students, proctors and parents for making the 2023 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge such a great success!

Check out our 2023 Braille Challenge Page for more information and this year’s results!

We would also like to send out a huge thank you the South Central (SC) STEM Hub and to all of the organizations that helped make the IDB STEM Festival a success.  Exhibitors from around the metro area shared their expertise in STEM, and all the activities were based on the best practices of Universal Design concepts and materials were provided in accessible formats (large print and braille).  The goal of the event was to communicate that STEM is all-inclusive and that the best ideas come when diverse minds team up to solve problems. It was an amazing way to end the day!

Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering. The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.The T-Shirts are still available until Friday, March 3!

Link to Online Store

To help us celebrate the 2023 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and Braille literacy, we are pleased to work with local, small business The Side Garage this year for the Braille Challenge t-shirt.  The theme for 2023 is Braille! Let the Sunshine In.

All shirts are crew neck and short sleeved.  Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering.  The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.  The back of the t-shirt says, BRAILLE let the sunshine in, in braille.  All sizing is unisex and all shirts are $20.00.  Participants of the Braille Challenge will be provided with a t-shirt that have been  generously donated by the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Book Reviews From Deena

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February 20, 2023

8:30 am

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Heart shape filled with books on shelvesCheck out these book reviews from Deena.  Deena was a member of the Library’s Patron Service Team and continues to generously share book reviews with us during her retirement.  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 available.  Need more information about BARD?  See our BARD Page.

The Witness by Sandra Brown  DB40616

Kendall is put in a witness protection program after witnessing a terrible crime. There is a bad storm on the way back to South Carolina and an accident happens involving the car in which Kendall is riding. One officer is dead and another, John suffers from amnesia.  At the hospital, rather than tell the doctor the truth, Kendall claims John is her husband.  Kendall plans to escape the hospital and go on the run.  John catches up to her and goes with her.  Kendall and John live together as husband and wife (John still has no memory) and a romance begins. Kendall keeps in touch with a friend back home and finds out the perpetrators of the crime, have escaped jail and are looking for her.  She has to leave John and go on the run.

If the Creek Don’t Rise by Leah Weiss  DB91901

Sadie is seventeen and pregnant, living in the hills of North Carolina.  She marries the father of her baby who is abusive. A new teacher, Kate Shaw, has come to hills, she finds the area backward and full of quirky characters such as Birdie Rocas, who has a crow for a pet. Then there is Prudence Perkins, sister to Rev. Eli Perkins, who brought Kate to the area.  Prudence is unhappy that her brother is so welcoming to Kate Shaw.  She is so much against her brother’s happiness with the schoolteacher that she steals one of Kate’s letters from the post office. She hopes to get the dirt on Miss Shaw. Join these characters as each tells the story of the Appalachian town of Baines Creek from their point of view.

The President’s Daughter by James Patterson  DB103817

President Matt Keating orders Navy SEALS to kill Asim Al-Sheed and collect evidence against him. A building explodes while the SEALS are on the mission and Asim Al-Sheed’s wife and children are killed. Asim avenges this act by kidnapping Matt Keating’s daughter. Matt Keating is no longer president, so he and several others set out to rescue his daughter.  This is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of action.

Coming Soon! STEM Fest at the Iowa Department for the Blind

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February 17, 2023

8:30 am

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Our STEM festival is back!  STEM stands for Science-Technology-Engineering-Math and the library is excited to partner with the South Central (SC) STEM Hub to host an event themed: Let the Sunshine In!

When: Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: Iowa Department for the Blind (524 4th St., Des Moines)

Who:  The festival is open to the public and will serve all children in grades K-12 and their families.

Exhibitors from around the metro area will share expertise in STEM, and all activities will be based on the best practices of Universal Design concepts and materials will be provided in accessible formats (large print and braille). Participants can take part in cooking and wood shop demonstrations highlighting non-visual techniques. 

Jill Wells Art in partnership with Mosaic in Central Iowa will be one of the exhibitors at the STEM Fest. Bringing BRAILLE ART with a Braille Butterfly Sound Garden! Their booth includes a Build-Your-Own STEM art project that combines textures, braille, science, technology, and ART! Stop by their booth at the festival to have fun, create and take a “grab and go” art bag home! 

The goal of the event is to communicate that STEM is all-inclusive and that the best ideas come when diverse minds team up to solve problems. Register to attend at https://scstemhub.drake.edu/festivals/. Attendees who pre-register will receive a free tote bag while supplies last. Walk-ins are welcome, also.

Image of a sun shining Let the Sunshine In! Text: IDB STEM Fest Saturday, February 25, 2023 Iowa Department for the Blind 2:00pm - 4:00pm