Tag: Events

National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Kicks Off 90th Anniversary Celebration

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February 26, 2021

9:00 am

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Matthew Whitaker with NLS LogoThe National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Library of Congress, will kick off its 90th-anniversary celebration with a free virtual concert by jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker on Wednesday, March 3, at 8:00 p.m. (EST)—and you’re invited!

Whitaker, who has been blind since birth, is an NLS patron who has garnered accolades across the jazz world. He won ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards for 2019 and 2020 and has been featured on stages around the world and on TV shows including Ellen and NBC’s Today. In a story on the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes, neuroscientists discussed how Whitaker’s brain is stimulated by music—so much so that his visual cortex lights up when he plays.

Like previous NLS concerts that featured José André in 2019 and Justin Kauflin in 2014, this event showcases the NLS Music Section’s work in providing patrons with direct access to the world’s largest collection of braille, audio, and large print music materials.

Whitaker’s concert will be broadcast on the Library of Congress YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/libraryofcongress). An interview with Whitaker will be posted there at 8:00 a.m. (EST) on March 3.

For more information, follow NLS on Facebook or check out the Library of Congress Events page or the NLS Music Notes blog.

Summer Reading Program Report of the Week

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August 3, 2020

4:47 pm

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Cat carriying books with text Imagine Your StoryIt has been such a spectacular six weeks of fun for all! Our Summer Reading Program explored many new worlds from learning about the weather, traveling to the depths of the ocean, singing at the top of the trees in the jungles, we did so much. This past week did not disappoint, we had hands on STEM learning with singing balloons and wine glasses that could perform with the Des Moines Symphony. We ended on a delicious taste sampling as we discover the science behind making ice cream in a bag. Did you know that the number one flavor of ice cream is vanilla? Yummy!!  As our Summer Reading Program comes to an end we look forward to the exciting new adventures that lie ahead. Stay to find out more!

VIRTUAL EVENTS COMING UP NEXT!

  • On August 10th at 6:30pm for our Makerspace Monday virtual event, learn how to create an “Air Dry Clay Bowl” with your Youth Services Librarian, Denise Bean.
  • On September 14th at 6:30pm for our Makerspace Monday virtual event, Abigail Kelly will be joining us for an incredible hands-on virtual DIY Rolled Candle making project that is sure to be a hit!  
  • On September 19th at 11:00 a.m. enjoy story time with Abigail and her bee friends to learn how to create beeswax lip balm of your very own.

In order to participate, you must sign up.  All supplies for this activity will be sent directly to your home.  Contact Youth Services Librarian, Denise Bean, to register at denise.bean@blind.state.ia.us or call 515.452.1338

Summer Reading program Report of the Week!

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June 26, 2020

8:30 am

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Cat carriying books with text Imagine Your StoryHere at our Youth Library with all of our library friends has been a blast of electric fun!

In the first week of our Summer Reading Program we explored the weather and met with a real storm spotter Scott who taught us a few tricks in predicting the weather! We also made pinwheels, and learned all about what happens when you put soap in the microwave and so much more!

In the second week, our library friends Raced into Space with Dan Chibnall! Dan made space come alive with excitement! To top it all off in a twinkling star fashion we explored the sun, which by the way is a star, and discovered how craters form on the moon!

We also had a great time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00pm listening to Bob White, a volunteer narrator, read from the book Bunnicula by James Howe.  Feel free to join us and listen to the story during IDB Read Kids.  The sky is the limit on all the fun this Summer Reading Program has in store for everyone!

Join us next week for our Animal Virtual Events.  We are going to have a roaring good time!

  • June 29th:  Pet Rock Activity and Recipe Fun “Dog Chow”
  • July 1st:  Pine Cone Bird Feeder and Feather Bead Necklace Frenzy
  • July 6th:  Jellyfish, Sharks and Amazon Rain Stick Activity

To see the full Summer schedule checkout the Summer Reading Program Blog Page.

You still have time to be a part of this summer sensation!  Register Today

Hope to see you soon!

Denise Bean, Youth Services Librarian
 Denise.bean@blind.state.ia.us
515.452.1338

April 25th S.O.A.R. Saturday Cancelled: Check out Books for Kids

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April 17, 2020

10:33 am

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Due to health concerns and our desire to make sure we keep everyone healthy and safe, we will be cancelling our S.O.A.R. Saturday on April 25, 2020.  The library will also cancel its extended hours on Saturday, April 25th form 10:00am – 2:0pm. Please continue to watch our blog and the Iowa Department for the Blind website, https://blind.iowa.gov/ for updates.

Books for Kids Program

During this time the Books for Kids program is a great way to keep kids reading!  It is designed to provide kids daily access to books throughout the year.  We want to motivate kids to help develop a love of reading, spark the imagination and provide tools for future success in school and beyond.

The program provides at least five Braille, print/Braille, large print and/or audio books each month to participants.  It allows for the child to choose the books they want in as many formats as they would like to receive.  The books can be sent to the child’s home, school and/or other addresses.  Check out the Books for Kids Page for more information and the registration form.

Join Us Next Week for IDB Read

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March 25, 2020

5:00 pm

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Join us next week as we begin IDB Read.  Call in and listen to one of our wonderful volunteer narrators read live on the phone, followed by a short chat about the book.

  • Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00pm-5:00pm, you call in and listen to our narrator, Christine Mach, read a cozy mystery. The first one is titled A Scone to Die For by H.Y. Hanna.
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am – 11:00 am, you can call in and listen to our narrator, Bob White, read a western, titled Sackett’s Land by Louis L’Amour.

Please call the library at 515.281.1323 to get the conference call number for IDB Read.

We look forward to reading with you!

Special Edition of Library News March 2020

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March 23, 2020

3:36 pm

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Greeting Readers!   We hope this finds everyone safe and healthy. The Library is dedicated to your safety and well-being, as well as to the safety and well-being of our employees who are serving you!  Although we are asking the public not to come to the Iowa Department for the Blind building, library staff are continuing to work (some in the building, some at home) and will be providing services through all avenues as best we can such as mail, email, BARD and phone calls.

We are also offering some alternative programs that you can participate in from your own home.

IDB Read.

With IDB Read you can call in and listen to one of our wonderful volunteer narrators read live on the phone, followed by a short chat about the book. IDB Read will start the week of March 30th.

  • Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00pm-5:00pm, you call in and listen to our narrator, Christine Mach, read a cozy mystery. The first one is titled A Scone to Die For by H.Y. Hanna.
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am – 11:00 am, you can call in and listen to our narrator, Bob White, read a western, titled Sackett’s Land by Louis L’Amour.

Please call the library at 515.281.1323 to get the conference call number for IDB Read. We look forward to reading with you!

Tech Time with Tyler

Wednesdays from 8:00am-11:00am you can call Tyler Swett, Accessible Media Specialist, and get your tech questions answered.  The phone number to call is 515.452.1343.

Braille Bits Online.

Monday and Wednesday at 2:00 pm. starting March 30th. It will be conducted over Zoom, an online meeting platform that is very easy to use. Join us twice a week for 45 minutes as we listen to a Braille Bits podcast and have a fun and lively conversations surrounding all things Braille. Please contact Denise Bean at 515.452.1338 for more information or to register. You can also register by completing this registration form

While our building is closed to visitors, we hope that you will stay connected with the library through these additional programs. We hope that we can bring a little distraction and some happiness during this uncertain time. If you have any questions, please call the library at 515.281.1323. Stay safe, stay connected and happy reading!