Tag: Youth

March Makerspace Recap and What’s Next in April

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April 7, 2023

11:30 am

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library, Youth Programming

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Makerspace Monday @ The PlaygroundImagine this, just a few days ago parts of Iowa, not only had measurable snow fall, but 35 mile an hour winds. Mother nature must have received our blog post that we were making Soundful Memory Wire Wind Chimes! It was an absolute great time together, listening to the sound of wind chimes while putting together, colorful beads and jingling jangling bells. Did you know that when you hang a wind chime in your space it promotes calmness, and healing. This would be called the Feng Schui way, Chinese culture believes that wind and water promote good health and positivity!

In the month of April, we are inviting nature to be our guest! Makerspace is all about molding a ball of beautifully colored clay into an uniquely designed pinch pot. The scents of mixed potpourri will be sprinkled on top to embrace nature as an added touch! April showers bring in May flowers! By the way, have you ever enjoyed the taste of a flower, if not, stop by and enjoy a delicious edible flower sugar cookie as a tasty scrumptious spring treat!

Coming up next month in April
Date: April 10th
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Activity: Nature Made Pinch Pot!
Where: 524 4th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Online Registration

If you are unable to join in person, no problem, just complete the online registration form and choose “mail activity kit and video link” directly to your preferred address. 

What is the Story Box Program?

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March 3, 2023

10:35 am

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library, Youth Programming

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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. 

Upcoming STEM Fest at the Iowa Department for the Blind

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February 3, 2023

2:14 pm

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library, Library Events, Youth Programming

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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.

The Great Des Moines Botanical Garden will be one of the exhibitors at the STEM Fest.

The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is committed to exploring, explaining, and celebrating the world of plants with everyone. We look for ways to build partnerships with those from all walks of life in not only the Des Moines metro, but across the state and even the country. Part of how we do that is by ensuring we’re being fully inclusive to all. To achieve this, we participate in many activities and events throughout the year. Over the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with the Iowa Department of the Blind and Print Disabled and have hosted them onsite at the Botanical Garden for educational programs. So, we were very excited to receive an invitation to participate at the Universal STEM Fest coming up! One of the many things we love about plants is how overwhelmingly sensory they are. Their touch, scent, taste, and even their sound can stand alone as an unforgettable experience, and our traveling Plant Petting Zoo offers people the opportunity to interact with plants using different senses. The more people can experience the botanical world around us and share it with others, the more enriched our lives and communities become. We’re so excited to share that enrichment with everyone on February 25!

Matthew Card, Education Coordinator
Greater Des Monies Botanical Garden

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 or exhibit 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

January Makerspace Monday Recap and What’s Next in February

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January 25, 2023

1:58 pm

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Imagine this, a room saturated with the smells of lavender, lemon, peppermint, and the sweet zest of orange. Roller-tubes were filled with grapeseed oil and essential oil to create a stress-free meditation tool. We discovered mediative techniques such as the Bear, Whale, Birthday Cake and Box Breathing. Our night ended, with a little science. Mixing and stirring cocoa powder, bees wax and coconut oil together to make lotion bars!

Coming up in February

Date: February 13th
Time: 6 – 7:30pm
Activity: “Chocolate & Art!”
Where: 524 4th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Online Registration

Are you curious about how to mix a little braille and chocolate together? Or do you want to learn about copper wrapped into a sculpture? Then you better sign up quick! In February, you will turn chocolate into a chocolate bar, however, this chocolate bar will be in braille! Topping off the night with Copper Art Designs.

If you are unable to join in person, no problem, just complete the online registration form and choose “mail activity kit and video link” directly to your preferred address. 

Please contact Denise Bean at denise.bean@blind.state.ia.us or 515-452-1338 

Check out the Makerspace Mondays page!

2022 IDB Virtual Book Festival on September 24th

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September 12, 2022

11:50 am

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Adult Programming, library, Library Events, Youth Programming

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Image of a colorful shelf of books with text below, 2022 IDB Virtual Book FestivalJoin library staff and special guests for a morning all about books and reading at the 2022 IDB Virtual Book Festival!

Saturday, September 24th from 10:00am – 12:30pm

10:00am – 11:00am:  Author Visit with Reid Forgrave, Love, Zac: Small-Town Football and the Life and Death of an American Boy

11:00am – 12:00pm:  Pick from 4 sessions all about books and reading

  • The Art of Creating an Iowa Audiobook
  • Your Reading Toolbox
  • Braille Books:  From Print to Shelf
  • Ready, Set, Adventure!  Books that Spark Storytelling

12:00pm – 12:30pm:  Be our guests as we record the Library Chat Podcast live

Join us for one or all of the sessions planned throughout the morning.

For more information and to register go to the 2022 IDB Virtual Book Festival Event Page

Questions contact the Library at 515-281-1323 or library@blind.state.ia.us

Crafting Your Story Afterschool Program

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August 19, 2022

4:12 pm

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Library Events, Youth Programming

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Image of a stack of booksTime to put magic into your Tuesday afternoons with friends and a story time, all with a brand-new twist. Coming this fall we will roll out our much-anticipated afterschool program.  Kicking off our first monthly theme in September, let’s celebrate “Autumn.”

Date: September 13, 2022 – May 2, 2023 [Every Tuesday of the month.]
Time: 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Zoom – Virtual
Ages: All ages!
Registration Link

 A monthly theme, with 4 weekly events!

  • Week One: Crafting Corner!
  • Week two: One Week Challenge Mission!
  • Week three: Featured Guest of the Week!
  • Week four: Stirring up “Edible and Tasty Recipes” that are mixed with science!

When you sign up, once a month, your family will receive for FREE:

  • Program Supply Kit
  • Family Fun Activity Check List
  • Read a Book Challenge
  • Access to our READsquared Online Reading Program

Please reach out if you have any question!
Denise Bean, Youth Services Librarian
denise.bean@blind.state.ia.us or 515-452-1338