Episode Transcript
[00:00:17] Speaker A: Greetings, readers. Welcome to the second episode of our April 2025 Library News. April is here, bringing warmer days, blooming bookshelves, and the crack of the baseball bat. This month we are diving into all things spring, IDB's Centennial Open House, fresh reads, upcoming events, and a nod to America's favorite pastime. Whether you're looking for the perfect book to enjoy at the ballpark or want to stay updated on what's new in the library, we got you covered. Let's step up to the plate and get started.
Today we reflect on a momentous occasion the Iowa Department for the Blind's 100th anniversary open house. With over 200 guests in attendance, including the Governor of Iowa, the event was a powerful tribute to a century of service, advocacy and progress. We highlight the impact of our programs, the strength of our community partnerships, and the ongoing commitment to empowering individuals to live independently and pursue their goals without limitation. Here's to the next 100 years of inclusion, opportunity and transformation.
[00:01:40] Speaker B: For this month's D list. Spotlight Bases Loaded Books Open Diamonds in the Rough the Untold History of Baseball by John Bowman, DB33 215 the authors concern themselves with the human side instead of the statistical side of baseball, a game that has become part of American society. Claiming that they have no favorite team and can thus offer unbiased account, they explain how baseball was invented, name the game's first song, and identify the first woman umpire.
The Greatest Summer in Baseball History how the 73 Season Changed Us Forever, by John Rosengren, DBC 29852 A Rousing Chronicle of one of the most defining years in baseball history that changed the Sport forever. In 1973, baseball was in crisis. The first strike in pro sports had soured fans, American League attendance had fallen, and America's team, the Yankees, had lost more games and money than ever. Yet that season, five of the game's greatest figures rescued the national pastime. The season itself provided plenty of drama, served up by a colorful cast of characters, including the Mets rise from the last place to win the division under Yogi Berra's leadership, Pete Rose edging out Willie Stargell as MVP and, in a controversial vote, Hank Aaron chasing Babe Ruth's landmark record in the face of racial threats, Reggie Jackson solidifying his reputation as Mr. October, Willie Mays hitting the final home run of his career and future hall of Famers Dave Winfield and George Brett playing in their first major league games.
The Victory Season, the End of World War II and the Birth of Baseball's Golden Age by Robert Wintrop DB83,569 the Second World War had a big impact on major League baseball, with most of its famous players serving in the armed forces. A sports writer looks at the 1946 season and baseball's resurgence after the war.
[00:03:51] Speaker C: The Boys of Summer By Roger Conn DB16430 a former sports writer for the Herald Tribune writes about the Brooklyn Dodgers of Abbotsfield. He also tells what happens to Jackie Robinson, Carl Erkshein, Pee Wee Reese, Preacher Rowe and the other baseball greats of that team. The 25 greatest baseball players of all time by Len Berman DB 74531 panel of experts pick their favorite baseball stars. Discusses the players, statistics, best games and personalities on and off the field. Includes early greats like Cy Young and Ty Cobb and later ones like Mike Schmidt and Alex Rodriguez. I Never Had It Made An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson By Jackie Robinson, DB58600 Baseball Legends Account of his triumphs and tragedies on the road to becoming the first African American to play major league baseball. Descended from slaves and sharecroppers, Robinson recalls struggling to overcome racial barriers before and after his 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
My Prison Without Bars By Pete Rose DB57590 Autobiography by former Cincinnati Reds baseball star Bay Banned from the sport in 1989 after gambling allegations, Rose describes his rise to fame as a record breaking hitter and team manager. Five month prison stay for tax evasion and bid in 2002 for reinstatement to baseball by admitting bets on his team.
[00:05:37] Speaker A: The Yankee Years By Joe Torre DB68610 Torrey's take on managing baseball's New York Yankees from 1996 to 2007, achieving six American League pennants and four World Series championships. Torrey describes crucial games, steroid abuse, his relationships with superstars Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez and disagreements with owner George Steinbrenner and the front office.
Politics of Glory How Baseball's hall of Fame really Works by Bill Baseball James DB 4527 History of an institution created as a tourist attraction for the upstate New York village of Cooperstown. James paints the Baseball hall of Fame as a highly politicized, controversial sports shrine. He closely examines the admission criteria and criticizes the voting process. He then offers suggestions for improving the selection policies.
Shoeless Joe by W.P. kinsella, DB18921 A warm hearted, humorous novel about the power of dreams to breathe wonder into life. An Iowa insurance agent turned farmer hears a voice telling him to build a baseball stadium in his cornfield. He does, of course. There, under the glow of the lights, he and a motley crew of fellow dreamers work out their redemption through the magic of love and baseball.
[00:07:32] Speaker B: For April, our magazine of the month is AARP the Magazine. This publication features news and short articles on retirement, lifelong learning and aging. It is published six times a year and is available in audio format, on cartridge or for download through Bard.
[00:07:50] Speaker A: Hello and welcome to April's Tech Tip. I'm Leland and today I have some basics to share about using a screen reader on your phone or tablet. Let's get started. First, what exactly is a screen reader? Screen readers are programs that you can use to have text on screen read to you while the screen reader is on. It changes how you interact with your device and can be a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, most screen readers today will give you a basic tutorial to learn how it works. IPhone's and iPads screen reader is called Voiceover, while Android devices have Talkback. Both can be found in your settings app under Accessibility. Some of the handy commands you can use with these Screen readers can pick up phone calls, end calls, start playing your book while in the Bard mobile app, and stop books. This is helpful especially when you find yourself having troubles tapping the buttons on screen for Voiceover. The command for these actions is tapping the screen with two fingers twice, also referred to as a two finger double tap. For talkback, the two finger double tap will stop and start your book, but for answering phone calls, you would need to swipe two fingers up or swipe two fingers down to hang up. With some practice, using a screen reader can make using smart devices easy. That's your tech tip for the month and we'll be back next month with another one. If you have suggestions for a tech tip you want shared, feel free to call us at 515-281-1323. Happy reading.
[00:09:39] Speaker D: Hello everyone. My name is Sydney Matzdorf. I'm a Library Resources Technician here at IDB and I have been chosen for April Staff Spotlight. The book I want to highlight this month is titled the Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. As an ancient history buff, this book has been on my reading list for quite some time. I finally got the chance to read it last year and I was so engrossed in the book I finished it in one day. I had heard from many of my friends and co workers that this book would take me on a roller coaster of emotions and it did not disappoint. This book is a retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus Patroclus follows Achilles into war because of his strong friendship and growing love for Achilles. Because these ties keep the two tightly bonded, drama and romance ensues for the couple as they navigate through their adventures. As the book description states, this book is profoundly moving and breathtakingly original. This rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame, and the human heart. I found all of this to be true and then some. This book made me laugh, cry, and set my heart racing at times. As this author's debut novel, Miller did an excellent job creating a world the reader could dive into. I empathize immediately with Patroclus as he struggled with how to navigate his relationship with Achilles, as well as I continued to wait on bated breath to see where their relationship and the epic battles progressed to. After discovering and falling in love with this author, I hope to get a chance to read more books by Madeline Miller in the future.
[00:11:21] Speaker C: In this month's Makerspace Monday Night workshop participants will create personalized macrame wall hangings inspired by their favorite books. Using soft cotton cords and simple knots, participants can add decorative, colorful wooden beads to design a unique hanging that represents the themes or symbols of their favorite.
As a fun bonus, participants will have the option to craft stylish macrame painted rock necklaces.
Makerspace Monday will be held April 14th from 6 to 7:30pm it 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 you get registered. For any questions about Makerspace Mondays, contact Denise Bean at Denise Bean State IA US or 515-452-1338.
Volunteers for the Iowa Library for the Blind Save the Date the Elizabeth Porowski Volunteer Workshop and Luncheon will be held on Friday, April 25th at the Iowa Department for the Blind. We are excited to recognize all the wonderful volunteers and the hard work they have done in the past year.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: Smart Speaking to the SMART Speaker A new limited series program from the National Library Service will be held Thursday, April 17th 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 Tuesday, April 29 at 6pm via Zoom. Contact the library if you need assistance getting registered for any of the NLS events. 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.
