Library Chat

Library Chat: February 2024

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 23:00:00 +0000

February's Library Chat Podcast is here! Join library staff as they chat about the library, books and more. This month hear more about the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge, Magazines, Peek-A-Box Program, Makerspace Mondays, and Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD).

Books

Simpson’s sheep just want to sleep! by Bruce Arant

Simpson’s sheep won’t go to sleep! by Bruce Arant

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover DB86517

It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover DB110817, LT13494

Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan DB99562

How to cook everything fast: great food in 30 minutes or less by Mark Bittman DB115734, BR25131

Everyday Italian: 125 simple and delicious recipes by Giada De Laurentiis DB110186, BR24511

Dolly Parton : songteller : my life in lyrics by Dolly Parton DB102063, BR24608

11/22/63 by Stephen King DB73931, LT10044, BR18758, DB85952 (Spanish)

Resources

Iowa Regional Braille Challenge
Book Bundles Program
Story Walk and Story Trail Resources

Magazines

Peek-A-Box Program

Makerspace Mondays

BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download)

Library Chat: January 2024

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:09:25 +0000

January's Library Chat Podcast is here! Join library staff as they chat about the library, books and more. This month hear more about the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge, Peek-A-Box Program, Book Discussion Groups and Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD).

Podcast Resources

Library's Blog

Iowa Regional Braille Challenge

Braille Challenge - Braille Institute

Peek-A-Box Program

Book Discussion Groups

Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)

Books Discussed

North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan DB116126
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas DB99138
House of Sky and Breath By Sarah J. Maas DB107264
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben – DB84266, LT12094, BRG03874
Stranger by Harlan Coben – DB81146, LT11550
Stay Close – DB74435, LT10370

Library Chat: December 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 18:47:04 +0000

The Library Chat Podcast and Book Club for December is here. Join library staff as they review and discuss the title Educated by Tara Westover. Spoiler alert if you haven't read the book.

DB90188 – Educated by Tara Westover

DB95267 – Una educacion por Tara Westover

BR22656 – Educated by Tara Westover

LT12707 – Educated by Tara Westover

Podcast Resources and References

Educated Guided Reading and Discussion Questions https://www.iwu.edu/summer-reading/educated.questions.pdf
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35133922-educated
Tara Westover https://tarawestover.com/
Article: "Mother of "Educated" author tells her own story about life off grid in Idaho" The Herald Journal, Necia P. Seamons Aug. 2020 https://www.hjnews.com/news/local/mother-of-educated-author-tells-her-own-story-about-life-off-grid-in-idaho/article_c3f3e01c-5a81-53f1-8212-461b8670b897.html
Article: "‘She knows me least’ — 5 years after ‘Educated,’ Tara Westover’s family yearns for reconciliation. Is it possible?" Deseret News, Daryl Gibson, Jan. 2023 https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2023/1/29/23575258/what-does-educated-tara-westover-family-think-about-reconciliation-book

Happy Reading!

Library Chat: November 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 22:29:28 +0000

The Library Chat Podcast and Book Club for November is here. Join library staff as they review and discuss the title Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (DB92245 and BR22862). Spoiler alert if you haven't read the book.
Resources from the Podcast:

Delia Owens Book Club Kit (includes recipes) - https://www.deliaowens.com/book-clubs
Good Read Reviews https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/36809135

For December's Library Chat Podcast staff will be reviewing and discussing the title Educated by Tara Westover (DB90188, DB95267, BR22656, LT12707).

Book Synopsis: Memoir exploring the author's path from being raised in a fundamentalist, paranoiac Mormon family where she was homeschooled to eventually working her way to graduate degrees at Cambridge and Harvard. Discusses hardships faced by the family, abuse at the hands of a sibling, and more. Some violence, strong language. 2018.

Read the book and then submit your comments or questions to the Library Chat group to be discussed during the December Library Chat Podcast. You can email library@blind.state.ia.us with the subject Library Chat Book Club. Or call the library at 515-281-1323. Please have your comments or questions submitted to the library by Monday, December 4th.

Happy Reading!

Library Chat: October 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:21:19 +0000

The Library Chat Podcast for October is the first-ever Library Chat Book Club. Join library staff as they review and discuss the title What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline (DB107276). Spoiler alert if you haven't read the book.

For November's Library Chat Podcast staff will be reviewing and discussing the title Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (DB92245 and BR22862).
Book synopsis: When Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals of Barkley Cove immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home.

Read the book and then submit your comments or questions to the Library Chat group to be discussed during the November Library Chat Podcast. You can email library@blind.state.ia.us with the subject Library Chat Book Club. Or call the library at 515-281-1323. Please have your comments or questions submitted to the library by Wednesday, November 8th.

Happy Reading!

Library Chat: September 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 21:15:01 +0000

September's Library Chat is all about Dolly Parton. Join library staff as they discuss podcasts, books, movies and music by and about Dolly.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Podcasts, Songs, Books and Movies Discussed:

Podcast

Stuff You Should Know – Why does everyone love Dolly Parton? April 25, 2023

Dolly Parton’s America

Albums/Song

9 To 5 from the album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs

Coat Of Many Colors from the album Coat of Many Colors

Jolene from the album Jolene

I Will Always Love You from the album Jolene

Books – Large Print

LT4784 Dolly : My Life And Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton

Books – Braille

BR4740 The New Breed by Rober Krishef

BR19802 Dream More : Celebrate The Dreamer In You by Dolly Parton

BR24102 Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson

Books - Audio

DB21782 Roy Acuff’s Nashville : The Life And Good Times Of County Music by Roy Acuff

DB39868 Dolly : My Life And Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton

DB92810 Dolly on Dolly : Interview And Encounters by Dolly Parton edited by Randy L. Schmidt

DB95006 What Would Dolly Do? : How To Be A Diamond In A Rhinestone World by Lauren Marino

DB101091 She Come By It Natural : Dolly Parton And The Women Who Lived Her Songs by Sarah Smarsh

DB102063 Dolly Parton, Songteller : My Life In Lyrics by Dolly Parton with Robert K. Oermann

DB104697 Music Is My Life by Myles Tanzer

DB107053 Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson

DB110430 I Am Dolly Parton by Brad Meltzer

Television and Movies

9 To 5

Dolly

Dolly Parton’s Christmas On The Square

Dolly Parton’s Coat Of Many Colors

Hannah Montana

Joyful Noise

Rhinestone

Steel Magnolias

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas

The Porter Wagoner Show

Library Chat: August 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 21:16:57 +0000

August's Library Chat is all about the Iowa State Fair.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: July 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 21:31:06 +0000

July's Library Chat is all about books and podcasts. Meet the Teacher Externs that were part of the library staff this summer.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: June 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 17:58:26 +0000

June's Library Chat is about Father's Day, Summer Safety, Fireworks and more.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Check out these resources that go along with June's Library Chat:

Websites

Father’s Day Fun Facts

Summer Safety Tips
7 Essential Summer Safety Tips for All Ages
Summer Safety Tips for Kids
Firework Safety Tips

Youtube
EmmyMade

Podcasts

Brea Talks – Summer Safety

Bost Medical – Important Parent Tips for Summer Safety

Library Chat: May 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Fri, 26 May 2023 19:46:30 +0000

May's Library Chat is all about Mother's Day and a chat with Josh Estabrook, the library's newest staff member.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Check out these resources that go along with March's Library Chat:

Books

Left to Die by Lisa Jackson LT11431 DB67407

The Walrus Was Paul: The Great Beatle Death Clues by R. Gary Patterson

Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums by Travis Barker

What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe

Series

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan

Authors

Sarah J. Maas

Andy Weir

YouTube

The Needle Drop - http://youtube.com/user/theneedledrop

Matty Matheson https://www.youtube.com/c/mattymatheson

Epic Meal Time https://www.youtube.com/epicmealtime

One Bite Pizza Reviews https://www.youtube.com/@OneBitePizzaReviews

Library Chat: April 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 14:11:13 +0000

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

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Books, Podcasts and Resources from the April Podcast:

Books
Encyclopedia of the Library of Congress: For Congress, the Nation, and the World by John Cole DB60351

Bibliotech: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever In The Age Of Google by John G. Palfrey DB82147

America’s Library: The Story of the Library of Congress by James Conaway DB50345 BR12707

The bodies in the library by Mary Wingate DB97038

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron DB67516 LT8860 BR17821

The midnight library by Matt Haig DB 100906 BR23507

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins DB82679

Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates

Mobile Library Mysteries by Ian Sansom

Podcast

Call Number with American Libraries Podcast

The Librarian Is In

Julie’s Library

References

History of National Library Week

National Library Week Honorary Chairpersons

Facts from the Library of Congress

Library Chat: March 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 21:28:36 +0000

March's Library Chat staff members Jodi, Angie and Leland discuss daylight saving time, sleep and more.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: February 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:43:06 +0000

February's Library Chat 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.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: January 2023

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 20:15:00 +0000

January's Library Chat begins a new chapter for the podcast. Library staff members, Sarah Willeford, Leslie Heinzler and Denise Bean introduce staff members, Angie Houk, Jodi Aldini, and Leland Smith who will be taking over the Library Chat Podcast starting in February. Sarah, Leslie and Denise had so much fun creating each episode and would like to thank everyone for listening. They can't wait to hear what Angie, Jodi and Leland have instore for Library Chat.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: December 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 19:14:00 +0000

December’s Library Chat Podcast, celebrates one of our library staff members. Join us as we celebrate staff member, Karen Eis, on her 39th year with the Iowa Department for the Blind and the Library and on her upcoming retirement. Karen shares with us stories about the library, her roles as a reader's advisor, her work with the library collection and audio production, her favorite books and more.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: November 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 20:47:00 +0000

November’s Library Chat Podcast, is all about friends. With Thanksgiving and the holiday season upon us we thought it would be a great time to talk about Friendsgiving. Learn about our Friends of the Library group, books about friends and friendships and podcasts hosted by friends about friends.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: October 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:54:00 +0000

October’s Library Chat Podcast, is a special “Live” episode in the spirit of October, Halloween and the spooky season we are decided to do a ghost hunt in our Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) building. The IDB's building has long and rich history and there has been a lot of unexplained occurrences, sightings and feelings throughout our building so we thought we should investigate. Here with us tonight is a special guest Dave Coulson, former IDB facilities engineer to do an investigation and tour or the building.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: September 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 13:38:00 +0000

September's Library Chat Podcast, is a special "Live" episode from the 2022 Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) Virtual Book Festival. Join us as we discuss the virtual book festival, books, reading and podcasts.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: August 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 18:22:00 +0000

In August's Library Chat Podcast, we asked the library staff to share what they are reading and what podcasts they are listening to. Hear about the library’s staff current and favorite reads and podcasts.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: July 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 16:47:00 +0000

In July's Library Chat Podcast, we discuss programs and learning opportunities that the library and the Instructional Materials Center offered this summer. Staff also discuss BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) resource available to patrons and some of the top BARD titles.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: June 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 18:43:00 +0000

In June’s Library Chat Podcast, we discuss summer reads and how to decide what to read next. We talk about the library’s Great Reading Challenge program and great podcasts to help you pick your next book to read.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: May 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Fri, 20 May 2022 13:09:00 +0000

This month's Library Chat Podcast is a special episode for us. The library staff was asked to present at the annual meeting of the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in April. We were asked to present on the extraordinary lengths the staff went through to keep the Library functioning during the pandemic. In addition, the we spoke about the library receiving the 2020 National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Network Library of the Year Award.

The presentation by the library staff reflects on what was accomplished by the library over these two years and what we learned from the challenges and opportunities those years presented. It is an amazing story that we wanted to share as part of our May Library Chat Podcast by including the audio recording of our presentation. We would also like to extend a huge thank you our Friends of the Library for giving us the opportunity to tell our story.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: April 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 18:29:00 +0000

In April’s Library Chat Podcast, we continue our new format where we invite a different library staff members to join us as a special guest. They will choose the topic to be discussed during Library Chat and we will talk about what they do on the library team, as well as books and podcasts around their chosen topic.

For April’s Library Chat Leslie Heinzler, Special Services Librarian joins us to talk about the 2022 All Iowa Reads titles.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: March 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 14:18:00 +0000

In March's Library Chat Podcast, we continue our new format where we invite a different library staff members to join us as a special guest. They will choose the topic to be discussed during Library Chat and we will talk tabout what they do on the library team, as well as books and podcasts around their chosen topic.

For March’s Library Chat Karen Cunningham, Instructional Materials Center Librarian joins us to talk about inspirational titles and autobiographies.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.

Library Chat: February 2022

Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 22:35:00 +0000

In February's Library Chat Podcast, we continue our new format where we invite a different library staff members to join us as a special guest. They will choose the topic to be discussed during Library Chat and we will talk to them about what they do on the library team, as well as books and podcasts around their chosen topic.

For February’s Library Chat Angie Houk, Technical Services Librarian joins us to talk about true books about pets and animals and podcasts with a focus on pets and animals.

For more information about the library and our podcasts go the library's blog.