Episode Transcript
[00:00:16] Speaker A: Greetings readers. Welcome to the first February edition of Library News. We hope everyone is surviving the Arctic blast of cold weather this winter. The library is excited for the Braille Challenge this month. The 2025 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge will be held at the Iowa Department for the blind on Saturday, February 22, with a snow date of Saturday, March 1. The theme for this year is Blast off with Braille. We are excited to offer lodging at no cost to families again this year, as well as a Travel reimbursement of $50 for families who live more than 50 miles from Des Moines. There will be free parking during the event and lunch for participants and their families. And following the Braille Challenge, there will be an ice cream social and birthday bash to celebrate the Iowa Department for the blind's 100th birthday, which will also include karaoke. During the Braille Challenge, there will be parent sessions talking about high expectations at home and school. For the most up to date information about the Braille Challenge, visit the Braille Challenge page on our library blog at IowaLibrary blog.
[00:01:17] Speaker B: Speaking of the blog, it is back and better than ever. We appreciate your patience while we worked behind the scenes to make improvements and enhance your experience experience. We hope we have built something that will serve you, our community, more effectively and give you a place to come back to time and time again for valuable information, insights and more. We're excited to reconnect with all of you via the blog and we can't wait to dive into this new chapter together. Please take some time to explore our new and improved site at IowaLibrary blog.
[00:01:49] Speaker C: Now for top 10 nonfiction books downloaded from Bard Framed Astonishing True Stories of wrongful convictions DB12 4686 by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey in his first work of nonfiction since the Innocent Man Number one, best selling author John Grisham and Centurion Ministries founder Jim McCloskey share their harrowing true stories of Wrongful Convictions. Impeccably researched and grippingly told, Framed offers an inside look at the injustice faced by the victims of the United States criminal justice system. It shares 10 true stories of men who were innocent but found guilty and forced to sacrifice friends, families, wives and decades of their lives to prison while guilty parties remain free. In each of the stories, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey recount the dramatic, hard fought battles for exoneration. They take a close look at what leads to wrongful convictions in the first place and the racism, misconduct, flawed testimony and the corrupt court system that can make them so hard to reverse. American Heroes DB 125431 by James Patterson, Matt Eversman, Tim Eloy and Chris Mooney US soldiers who served in overseas conflicts from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, to Iraq and Afghan shared true stories of the actions that earned them some of America's most distinguished military medals, up to and including the Medal of Honor. They never acted alone, but always in the spirit of camaraderie, patriotism, and for the good of our beloved country. There has never been a better time for all of us to think about duty, sacrifice, and what it means to be an American hero. God According to God A psychiatrist proves we've been wrong about God All Along DB 125237 by Gerald L. Schroeder in his first book since 2002's acclaimed Hidden Face of God, popular scientist Gerald Schroeder combines decades of scientific research in biblical study to present a groundbreaking new paradigm of how to understand God. Readers of Jack Miles A Biography, Francis Collins, the Language of God, and Richard Friedmans, who wrote the Bible, will find much to contemplate in God According to God. How to Keep House While Drowning A Gentle Approach to cleaning and organizing DB12 5338 by KC Davis for anyone tired of staring at the same mess every day but struggling to find the time and willpower to fix it, popular therapist and TikTok star Casey Davis presents a revolutionary method of cleaning to end the stress mess cycle.
[00:04:46] Speaker A: The Hidden Language of How they have us at Meow DB125132 by Sarah L. Brown Descended from shy, solitary North African wild cats, domestic cats set up homes with devoted owners all over the world. By learning how to talk to us, this book translates in case you missed anything. A renowned cat behavior scientist of over 30 years, Dr. Sarah Brown has been at the forefront of research in the field, discovering how cats use tail signals to interact with each other and their owners. Now she reveals the previously unexplored secrets of cat communication in a book that is both scientifically grounded and utterly delightful. Each chapter dives into a different form of communication, including vocalizations, tail signals, sense rubbing, and ear movements. The iconic meow, for example, is rarely used between adult cats. Cleverly mimicking the cries of a human infant, the meow is a feline invention for conversing with people. Referencing historical records, exploring modern scientific studies of cat human communication, and including simple, elegant line drawings, the Hidden Language of Cats is perfect for any cat lover who wants to learn more about their companion.
Something Lost Something Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty DB125635 Hillary Rodham Clinton, a former senator and presidential candidate, offers her candid views on life and love, politics, liberty, democracy, and the threats we face and the future within our reach.
A well Trained Wife My Escape From Christian Patriarchy DB125222 by Tia Levins Recruited into the fundamentalist Quiverful movement as a young wife, Tia Levins learned that being a good Christian meant following a list of additional life principles, a series of secret special rules to obey. Being a godly and submissive wife in Christian patriarchy included strict discipline, isolation, and an alternative lifestyle that appeared wholesome to outsiders. Women were to be silent keepers of the home. Tia knew that to their neighbors, her family was strange, but she also couldn't risk exposing their secret lifestyle to police, doctors, teachers, or anyone outside of their church. Christians were called in Scripture to be in the world, not of it, so she hid in plain sight as years of abuse and pain followed. When Tia realized she was the only one who could protect her children from becoming the next generation of patriarchal men and submissive women, she began to resist and question how they lived. But in the patriarchy, a woman with opinions is in danger, and eventually Tia faced an urgent and extreme choice stay and face dire consequences or flee with her children. Told in a beautiful, honest, and sometimes harrowing voice, A well Trained Wife is an unforgettable and timely memoir about a woman's race to save herself and her family, and details the ways that extreme views can manifest in a marriage.
[00:07:44] Speaker B: The Zen Monkey and the lotus flower 52 stories to relieve stress, stop negative thoughts, find happiness, and live Your Best Life DB125103By Daniel D'Apollo Want a break from constant worries? Do you need more time for yourself? Do you want to get your mind off things? Do you long for more happiness and contentment looking for simple joy every day? Then this book is for you. It contains 52 stories that will change your life and your way of thinking. Each story is carefully selected to explain important Buddhist wisdom and thought processes. They deal with universal themes such as gratitude, mindfulness, self love and happiness. The stories convey valuable life lessons that will enrich your life. After each story, a reference to the present time is made. It also tells you what you can learn from the story for your own life. Especially in today's world full of stress and distractions, the teachings of Buddhism are a true blessing. They give us new food for thought and show us what really matters in life. This book is narrated with a digital voice.
Can you see me now? DB 123231 by Tiffany Dawn Conan do you want to be a better ally to people who are blind or have low vision? Reading this book is a great first step. Have you seen someone struggling with accessibility and wanted to help but were afraid of offending them? Do you want to help your child struggling with their disability?
Do you want to get to know your blind neighbor or co worker? Can you see Me now? Tackles 14 different subjects and strategies meant to educate you about this disability so you can be there for the visually impaired. You'll learn how to be an effective guide when walking with the blind how to appropriately tell the blind person who you are More information about different kinds of vision loss what phrases are offensive to the blind community, what locator words are and how to use them when you should and should not pet service animals how and why blind people use a white cane this book was written with strategies gathered from Tiffany Conan's experiences growing up with vision loss and extensive surveys of those in the blind community.
Anchored in an Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash DB125218 by John Carter Cash John Carter Cash faithfully and objectively reveals new information about his legendary mother and her family through tender memories and heartwarming stories.
[00:10:32] Speaker C: Ereader Essentials with Leland Smith will be held Thursday, February 6th from 1 to 2:30pm via Zoom. This month's topic is Wireless Connections. You will start with the basics, general information, buttons and basic commands. You will also explore the settings and how to connect the ereader to WI fi and look at NLS Bard on the E Reader. Contact the library to get signed up.
[00:10:59] Speaker A: On Monday, February 10th from 6 to 7:30pm Join the library for a cozy and creative Makerspace Monday. This month we'll craft vibrant library themed CD Sun Catchers that Sparkle with book inspired designs, tactile textures and glitter. You can also indulge in the ultimate sweet treat by making your very own hot chocolate mug cake perfect for warming up on a chilly February night. Makerspace Monday is offered in person at the Iowa Library for the Blind and virtually via Zoom. You can find the link to register on our blog at IowaLibrary blog or call the library and we can help get you registered. For any questions about Makerspace Mondays, contact Denise Bean at Denise Beanblind State IA US or 515-452-1338.
[00:11:47] Speaker B: The library will once again be part of the Des Moines Book Festival. This year's event will be held Saturday, March 22nd at the Franklin Event Center. The Library will provide hands on activities surrounding Braille and Braille literacy. Stop by and visit Many Faces of Bard will be held on Thursday, February 13th at 6pm via Zoom. The topic this month is an open forum. There will not be a presentation, just a full hour of answers to your questions about anything related to Bard.
[00:12:20] Speaker C: Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker, a new limited series program from the National Library Service will be held Thursday, February 20th at 6pm A brief presentation will begin the session. Presenters will spend the remainder of the time answering questions about the presentation.
The all May Eread. The monthly NLS program that focuses on the NLS Braille Ereader will be held at Tuesday, February 25th at 6pm via Zoom. You can contact the library to get the login information for all the NLS programs.
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.
