Episode Transcript
[00:00:15] Speaker A: Greetings, readers. Welcome to the first April edition of Library News. As spring arrives and the days grow brighter, we're excited to welcome you into a new month at the library. In this episode, we discuss the National Volunteer Month and National Library Week Top 10 Nonfiction on Bard and much more.
April is National Volunteer Month, and the library will host its annual Elizabeth Porowski Volunteer luncheon on Friday, April 24, at the Iowa Department for the Blind. We enjoy this day as it is our chance to recognize all the wonderful work our volunteers do for us throughout the year. We we couldn't do what we do without the dedication of our volunteers, and
[00:00:55] Speaker B: National Library Week is April 19th through the 25th. The theme for National Library Week 2026 is Find your joy. What brings you joy? Whether it's cozying up with a new story, learning a new skill, gathering with community, or something else, you can find your joy at the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. National Library Week is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning. From books and digital resources and creative programming, libraries are essential to thriving communities. At the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, we invite everyone to join the celebration. Whether you're a longtime patron, a new neighbor, or haven't visited in a while, now is the perfect time to explore all the library has to offer.
[00:01:39] Speaker C: The third stop in our 2026 PICA box journey was Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo made history as the first city in Asia to host the Summer Games and later became the first Asian city to host them twice. The 1964 Olympics symbolized Japan's reintroduction to the world after World War II and showcased the country's rapid modernization, including the debut of the famous Shinkansen bullet train.
Do you want to learn and read all about Olympic host cities? It's not too late to get signed up for a Picobox. Call the library to get signed up today or go to IowaLibrary blog now
[00:02:18] Speaker A: for top 10 nonfiction books. Downloaded from Bard Unseen How I Lost My Vision but found my voice DB13:4008 by Molly Burke from social media star and change maker Molly Burke A vulnerable, honest, and darkly humorous memoir on navigating the challenges of being a blind woman in a sighted world. When Molly Burke was four years old, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye disease that leads to eventual blindness, forcing her to see the world through new eyes. Literally.
Growing up disabled didn't stop her from playing sports, becoming a rock climbing instructor, or winning a beauty pageant. But other people's narrow perceptions of her held her back. Years of relentless bullying, toxic work environments, a rodent infested apartment, and life's slowest moments were juxtaposed with red carpets, first class flights, and personal and professional achievements. Throughout her life, Molly has learned to appreciate the duality and most importantly, she's learned the beauty of being unapologetically yourself and standing up for what you truly believe in. Molly chronicles her journey as a disabled woman, entrepreneur and entertainer, illuminating what her experiences have taught her and what she hopes others can learn from her hardship and success.
Part memoir, part rallying cry for a more compassionate and empathetic world, Unseen recounts Molly's life and experiences fighting against the expectations society set for her, and in doing so helps readers find their own voice, inner strength, and self acceptance. Nobody's A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice DB 133461 by Virginia Giuffre the world knows Virginia Roberts Giuffre as Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's most outspoken victim, the woman whose decision to speak out helped send both serial abusers to prison, whose photograph with Prince Andrew catalyzed his fall from grace. But her story has never been told in full in her own words, until now. In April 2025, Giuffre took her own life. She left behind a memoir written in the years preceding her death and stated unequivocally that she wanted it published.
Nobody's Girl is the riveting and powerful story of an ordinary girl who would grow up to confront extraordinary adversity. Here, Giuffre offers an unsparring and definitive account of her time with Epstein and Maxwell, who trafficked her and others to numerous prominent men.
She also details the molestation she suffered as a child, as well as her daring escape from Epstein and Maxwell's grasp. At 19, Gifre made her life from scratch and summoned the courage to not only hold her abusers to account, but also advocate for other victims.
Ain't Nobody's fool the Life and Times of Dolly Parton DB 134275 by Martha Ackman Ain't Nobody's fool is a deep dive into the social, historical, and personal forces of that made Dolly Parton one of the most beloved and unifying figures in public life, and includes interviews with friends, family members, schoolmates, Nashville neighbors, members of her band, studio musicians, producers, and many others.
It also features never before seen photographs and unearthed documents shedding light into her family's hard, scrabble life. More than anything, Martha Ackman's fresh and animated new book proves Dolly Parton knows just who she is, and she ain't nobody's fool.
[00:06:17] Speaker B: How to Test Negative for Stupid and why Washington Never Will DB 133873 by John Kennedy One of the most distinctive and funny politicians, Senator John Kennedy, the one from Louisiana, hailed by Politico as America's most quotable senator, offers his perspective and hilarious takes on the ridiculousness of political life in this scathingly witty takedown of Washington and its elite Dinsians.
How to Test Negative for Stupid offers the Senator's tongue in cheek guidebook through Washington, punctuated by his thoughts on various issues and humorous stories about life from Louisiana politics and inside the Senate. The Promise of Heaven 31 Reasons to Get Excited about yout Eternal Home DB 134039 by David Jeremiah have you ever looked around and thought there has to be more than this? You're not alone, and you're right.
Heaven is your forever home. In the promise of heaven, Dr. David Jeremiah invites you to lift your eyes above the disappointments and burdens of this world and catch a glimpse of the one to come.
In 31 short, hope filled chapters, you'll explore what the Bible really says about heaven. With biblical truth and powerful real life stories, this book will stir your longing for eternity and give you strength for whatever you're facing today.
Because when your heart is set on heaven life, life starts to look different.
Worry loses its grip, pain doesn't feel so final. Joy starts to return, even the middle of hard days, and you begin to live with quiet confidence, knowing that something far better is ahead. If you ever wondered what comes next or longed for something more, this book will show you that God hasn't left you guessing. He's already spoken and what he has promised is even more wonderful than you've imagined.
The Accidental Veterinarian Tales from A PET Practice DB 134158 Philip Schott with insight and humor, Dr. Philip Schott shares tales from the unlikely path he took into his career of veterinary science, and anecdotes from his successful small animal clinic. Dr. Schott brings to his writing the benefit of many years of expertise. Wisdom he imparts on readers includes the best way to give your cat a pill, how to prevent your very handy dog from opening a fridge, and how to handle your fish when it has half swallowed another.
Through these and other experiences, Dr. Shot also learned that veterinary medicine is as much, if not more about the people as it is the animals, and he will have you laughing and crying as you embark on this journey of discovery with him.
Heal youl Gut, Save youe Brain the Five Pillars of Enhancing youg Gut and Optimizing youg Cognitive Health DB 133890 by Partha Nandi Cognitive decline is not your destiny. You can improve your brain function through small steps taken every day. Heal your Gut, Save your Brain by gastroenterologist and health advocate Dr. Parthenandi highlights the latest research on the gut brain connection and gives you a clear protocol for maintaining brain health and slowing or reducing the effects of neurodegenerative diseases as you age.
[00:09:15] Speaker C: Howdy the mini Pearl story DB134062 by Mary Ellen Pethel and Don Kusick Take the back roads, not the highways, Minnie Pearl often said, a sentiment that captures her life's winding, unpredictable journey.
Born Sarah Ophelia Coley in 1912, she grew up in Centerville, Tennessee. This small town upbringing inspired her imagined hometown of grinder switch.
Minnie Pearl's big break came in 1940 when a friend of a WSM radio executive saw her perform and recommended her for the Grand Ole Opry. Her debut marked the beginning of a career that spanned more than 50 years.
At the Opry, the queen of country comedy shared the spotlight with legends like Patsy Cline and Hank Williams. After World War II, she became a mentor and a matriarch, befriending a young June Carter and warming up the crowd for Johnny Cash's Opry debut in 1955. Throughout her career, Sara Ophelia Coley Cannon skillfully balanced her dual roles as Minnie and Sarah. Whether at the Opry, on the road or on Hee Haw, many remained a trusted friend to female performers like Dolly Parton, Tanya tucker and Reba McEntire.
Rich with 155 historic photographs, this definitive biography covers the many chapters of Sarah Cannon's life. Drawing from archives and interviews with those who knew her, the Mini Pearl story captures not only Cannon's enduring humor and impact, but but also the woman behind the laughter.
Bone Valley A true story of injustice and redemption in the Heart of Florida DB 133150 by Gilbert King From Pulitzer Prize winning author Gilbert King comes a chilling exploration of one of America's most haunting wrongful conviction cases.
Based on the hit podcast, Bone Valley dives into the dark heart of rural Florida, where a young man's life was upended by a tragic miscarriage of justice.
In 1987, Leo Schofield was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, Michelle. Always insistent on his innocence, he was poorly served by his legal defense. The investigation was sloppy, the case flimsy, and numerous pieces of evidence were ignored.
He was sentenced to life in prison.
Over 30 years later, Gilbert King is tipped off to Leo's case and is astonished by what he found, layers of corruption, flawed evidence and deep seated errors.
He can't shake the story and starts to get to know Leo and his family.
Leo shows an incomprehensible amount of grace and love about his situation, which spurs Gilbert even more to tell his story. Bone Valley is at once a revelatory investigation into a murder, a chilling portrait of the criminal justice system and a uniquely powerful story of grace and redemption. Gilbert King has written a new classic of narrative nonfiction, the Gales of the Untold Story of The Edmund Fitzgerald DB 133490 by John U. Bacon on the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking, the best selling author of the Great Halifax Explosion tells the definitive story of the mighty fits.
For three decades following World War II, the Great Lakes overtook Europe as the epicenter of global economic strength. The region was the beating heart of the world economy, possessing all the power and prestige Silicon Valley does today, and no ship represented the apex of the American century better than the 729 foot long Edmund Fitzgerald, the biggest, best and most profitable ship on the lakes. But on November 10, 1975, as the storm of the century threw 100 mile per hour winds and 50 foot waves on Lake Superior, the mighty Fitz found itself at the worst possible place at the worst possible time. When she sank, she took all 29 men on board down with her, leaving the tragedy shrouded in mystery for half a century.
In the gales of November, award winning journalist John U. Bacon presents the definitive account of the disaster.
Drawing on more than 100 interviews with the families, friends and former crewmates of those lost, Bacon explores the vital role Great Lake shipping played in America's economic boom, the uncommon lives the sailors led, the sinking's most likely causes, and the heartbreaking aftermath for those left behind, the wives, the sons and the daughters. As Gordon Lightfoot sang in his unforgettable ballad.
[00:14:09] Speaker A: Join us for Makerspace Monday on Monday, April 13 from 6 to 7:15pm you can join us in person or via Zoom. Come create your very own floating butterfly canvas using vibrant texture paint and 3D butterflies that feel as if they are fluttering right off the page.
The fun doesn't stop there. Be a part of our library mural canvas by adding your unique butterfly to this collaborative masterpiece. You'll help A beautiful display of wings in motion take flight filling our library with springtime color to end the night in true Makerspace fashion, every guest will assemble a butterfly snack bag treat. You'll get to decide exactly what goes inside. We provide the goodies, you provide the taste. Don't miss out on this magical, tactile celebration of spring. All ages are welcome. You can find the link to register on our blog at IowaLibrary blog or call the library and we can help you get registered.
For any questions about Makerspace Mondays, contact Denise Bean at Denise Beanline State IA US or 515-452-1338.
[00:15:24] Speaker B: The library will once again be a part of the Des Moines Book Festival. This year's events will be held Saturday, May 2nd at the Franklin Event center in Des Moines. The library will provide hands on activities surrounding Braille and braille literacy from 11am to 6pm if you are in the area, stop by and say hi.
[00:15:41] Speaker C: The National Library Service's Many Faces of Bard program will be held Thursday, April 9 at 6pm NLS's Smart Speaking to the Smart speaker will be held Thursday, April 16 at 6pm and that all My Eread will be held on Tuesday, April 28th at 6pm all programs are held via Zoom and the topics have not been released yet. Check our blog, IowaLibrary blog for updated information.
Contact a library to get more information or go to www.loc.govnlS.
please don't hesitate to contact the library with any questions or comments at 515-281-1323 or by email at librarylind state ia us.
The library is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm Happy reading.
[00:16:40] Speaker D: Sam.
