Episode Transcript
[00:00:16] Speaker A: Greetings, readers. Welcome to the first December edition of Library News. This month we'll discuss the new programming for 2026 Bard Top 10 Nonfiction, MakerSpace, Monday, and much more.
The holidays are upon us and to kick off the holiday season, the Friends of the Library for the Blind held their annual Holiday concert fundraiser on November 21st. A good time was had by all as we listened to Barbershop quartet Antique Harmony as well as great performances from the duet of Dave and Cindy. It was a fun evening of songs, laughs and conversation.
The Friends have generously given the library money every year for library programs, 3D printers, equipment and special projects. A big thank you to everyone who attended the concert and to the Friends for their support.
[00:01:04] Speaker B: Get ready to explore the globe one city at a time. Beginning January 2026, Peekabox returns. We invite you to travel through the pages of exciting books set in Olympic host cities from around the world. Each month, participating patrons will receive a cartridge of specially curated books set in that month's Olympic host city and a sticker to stamp the passport they will receive with their first box. As the year unfolds, readers will build their passports, fill them with stamps, and discover new cultures, iconic locations, and inspiring stories connected to the legacy of the Olympic Games. Peekabox encourages reading, exploration and a sense of adventure. No plane ticket required. Join us in January and start your journey around the world one Olympic city at a time.
[00:01:47] Speaker C: Do you need something to beat the winter blues? Shake off the winter chill and brighten your day with our cozy Virtual Coffee Hour held on Zoom. Join us for a relaxing, conversation filled break where you can sip your favorite warm drink, connect with others and enjoy a little lift during the colder months. This informal gathering is the perfect chance to unwind, share stories, meet new people, and feel part of a friendly community all from the comfort of home. Bring your coffee, tea, cocoa or whatever warms your hands and heart. Whether you're looking for company, conversation or just a cheerful way to start your day, our Virtual Coffee Hour is here to help you beat the winter blues. We can't wait to see you there. Starting January 5, 2026, virtual coffee hour will be held every Tuesday at 10am and Friday at 2pm until the end of February. Stay tuned for more information on how to join.
[00:02:42] Speaker A: Now for the top 10 nonfiction books downloaded from BART Moments of grace and beauty 40 stories of kindness, Courage and Generosity in a troubled world.
DBC11792 by Roland Murillo Every day around the globe, there are billions of acts of kindness, courage, generosity and grace, but we rarely get to hear much about them. It's easier to write about the evil in the world than about the good.
At the start of a recent gray, cold New England winter, the author decided to make a list of some of the remarkable acts he has witnessed, serving as a counterweight to the abundance of trouble in the news, and is offered as evidence of the good will still present on earth. Hidden History of Martha's Vineyard DBC11801 by Tom Dresser behind the mansions and presidential vacations of Martha's Vineyard hide the lost stories and forgotten events of small town America. Delve deep below the surface of history to discover the origin and meaning of of local place names and the significance of beloved landmarks. A Marriage at Sea A true story of love, Obsession and Shipwreck DB131217 by Sophie Elmhurst Maurice and Marilyn make an odd couple. He's a loner, awkward and obsessive. She's charismatic and ambitious, but they share a horror of wasting their lives.
And they dream, as we all dream, of running away from it all. What if they quit their jobs, sold their house, bought a boat and sailed away?
Most of us begin and end with the daydream, but Maurice began to study nautical navigation. Marilyn made detailed lists of provisions, and in June 1972 they set sail. For nearly a year all went well until deep in the Pacific, a breaching whale knocked a hole in their boat and it sank beneath the waves.
What ensues is a jaw dropping fight to survive on the wild ocean with little hope of rescue. Alone together for months in a tiny rubber raft, starving and exhausted, Maurice and Marilyn have to find not only ways to stay alive, but ways to get along as their inner demons emerge and their marriage is put to the greatest of tests. Although they could run away from the world, they can't run away from themselves.
[00:05:09] Speaker B: Catholic Nuns and the making of America DBC 32239 by John J. Fialka Nuns were among America's first independent professional women, founding hospitals, schools, and charitable institutions as they moved west in the 1800s and served on the front lines of major historical moments like the Civil War and the Chicago fire. In the 20th century, they built vast education and health care systems, championed civil rights and and adapted to changing times by taking on new professional roles to sustain their aging communities.
The Kingdom of the True Story of Missouri's Country Kings DBC 31100 by Jonathan A. Jones 50 miles south of Kansas City lies a rural community whose history makes it different than any other in the United States.
The residents of this small Missouri hamlet were once ruled by a king.
The Kingdom of Amarugee the True Story of Missouri's Country Kings tells the strange story of a monarchy, beginning with the early white settlers of western Missouri in the mid-1800s. The book chronicles the origin of the kingdom, the lineage of the kings, and what life may have been like for its subjects during its existence into the early 1900s.
One Shining Season DBC 32244 by Michael W. Fido 11 baseball players who each had a single standout season reflect on the brief moments when everything came together on the field. Sharing memories from their homes, they revisit the highs of their careers and the realities that followed, offering a poignant glimpse into the fleeting fame and lasting pride land of Adventures in Abe's America DBC 32242 by Andrew Ferguson Journalist Andrew Ferguson, a lifelong Lincoln enthusiast, sets off on a cross country journey to explore Abraham Lincoln's presence in modern Americ.
From impersonators and collectors to forgotten landmarks and leadership seminars, he uncovers a surprising and often humorous portrait of how Lincoln's legacy still shapes and sometimes divides the national imagination.
[00:07:13] Speaker C: Kika and Me How One Extraordinary Guide Dog changed my world DB13 1133 by Amit Patel Amit Patel is working as a trauma doctor when a rare condition causes him to lose his sight within 36 hours. Totally dependent on others and terrified of stepping outside with a white cane after he's assaulted, he hits rock bottom. He refuses to leave home on his own for three months. With the support of his wife, Seema, he slowly adapts to his new situation.
But how could life ever be the way it was?
Then his guide dog, Kika, comes along, but Kika's stubbornness almost puts her guide dog training in jeopardy. Could her quirky personality be a perfect match for someone?
Meanwhile, Amit has reservations. Can he trust a dog with his safety?
Paired together in 2015, they start on a journey, learning to trust each other before taking to the streets of London and beyond. The partnership not only gives Amit a renewed lease of life, but a new best friend. Then, after a video of an irate commuter rudely asking me to step aside on an escalator goes viral, he sets out with Kika by his side to spread a message of positivity and inclusivity, showing that nothing will hold them back. Animal Architects Building and the Evolution of Intelligence DBC 32232.
[00:08:44] Speaker C: By James L. Gould and Carol Grant Gould what Animals Build, From Spider Webs to Beaver Dams offers a fascinating glimpse into the interplay between instinct, learning and cognition.
By examining these structures, this exploration sheds light on how animal minds work and what their behaviors reveal about the age old nature versus Nurture debate, and even about human intelligence itself.
Stories from The Round Barn DBC 30433 by Jacqueline Jackson Jacqueline Dugan Jackson recalls life on her family's dairy farm near Beloit, Wisconsin in the early 1900s.
[00:09:27] Speaker A: Join us for MakerSpace Monday on Monday, December 8th from 6 to 7:15pm you can join us in person or via Zoom.
This month, bring your family for a cozy holiday makerspace where we will decorate a gingerbread house together and create a clear ornament to hold a special message or memory. Don't miss out on this chance to laugh, create and make sweet memories to treasure this holiday season.
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 questions about Makerspace Mondays, contact Denise Bean at Denise Beanline, State IA US or 515-452-1338.
[00:10:16] Speaker B: The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled will resume its regular programming this month.
Many Faces of Bard will be held Thursday, December 11th at 6:00pm smart speaking to the smart speaker on Thursday, December 18th at 6:00pm and that all may read on Tuesday, December 30th at 6:00pm all programs are held via Zoom and the topics for these NLS programs have not been released yet. Check our blog, IowaLibrary blog for updated information.
Contact the library to get more information or go to www.loc.govnlS.
[00:10:50] Speaker C: The library will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25 and and Thursday, January 1 for the holidays. Please don't hesitate to contact the library with any questions or comments at 515-2811-1323 or by email at librarylind state ia us.
The library is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm Happy read.
[00:11:22] Speaker A: It.
