Episode Transcript
[00:00:16] Speaker A: Greetings, readers, and Happy New Year. Welcome to the second episode of our January 2026 Library News podcast. January is all about fresh starts, new books to fall in love with, new skills to explore, and new perspectives waiting just around the corner. Whether you're under a blanket with a warm drink or fitting us into a jam packed day, this podcast is your invitation to slow down, learn something new, and reconnect with your library community.
In today's episode, we're diving into our D List Fireside Favorites for January, welcoming Leland back with another must know tech tip and shining our staff spotlight on Denise from youm Services.
So get comfortable, turn up the volume and let's kick off the new year together, library style.
[00:01:04] Speaker B: And now for this month's D List Fireside Favorites for January A Chill Rain in January by L.R. wright, DB 83687 Canadian police chief Carl Alberg investigates the disappearance of Ramona Orlinsky and a retired home resident with memory issues. Meanwhile, Zoe Strachan's childhood secrets could destroy her carefully constructed life as the two women's lives intersect.
January's Stories of Love, Magic, and Betrayal by Olivie Blake, DB 128263 Once Upon a time in a land far, far away, a wish granting spirit rapidly approaches burnout. Meanwhile, a banished fairy answers a Craigslist ad, a Victorian orphan navigates a occult situation ship, and a multiverse assassin contemplates the one who got away with both iconic fan favorite stories and tenderly original pieces. January's features modified fairy tal tales, contemporary heists, absurdist poetry, and at least one set of actual wedding vows escape the slow trudge of mortality by diving into these enchanting new worlds with a master of imagination.
The January Dancer by Michael Flynn, DB 69013 Captain Amos January and the crew of the merchant's spaceship New Angelus land for repairs on a remote planet where they discover a powerful pre human artifact called the Dancer.
The Dancer changes hands frequently as governments, cabals, bandits and others fight, scheme, even kill to possess it. January Joker By Ron Roy, DB 78752 when first graders Bradley, Brian, Nate and Lucy are awakened by strange lights outside, they believe aliens have invaded the four set off to investigate.
[00:03:38] Speaker C: River of January By Gail Chumbley, DBC00906 he ached to fly while she trained timelessly for the stage. Part one of the two volume river of January examines the dizzying development of the 20th century through the lives of Virginia farm boy Montgomery Chum Chumbley in his quest to fly and Helen Thompson, a glittering new York dancer who aspired to fame.
Hailing from rustic beginnings, chum challenged the U.S. navy's rigorous flight program, receiving his wings in 1927. A pilot in the early days of aviation, he won the 1933 Darkness Derby, a night race from Los Angeles to New York. His world of aviation introduced acquaintances including Amelia Earhart, Helen Hayes, and Howard Hughes. Helen Thompson, too, rose from precarious beginnings. Pushed by a resolute stage mother, the beautiful and versatile dancer performed on three continents, crossing paths with the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Sophie Tucker, Maurice Chava, and mobster Charles Lucky Luciano. This true saga carries readers around the globe, chugging on rail cars, cruising on ocean liners, and racing in airplanes.
Follow the dancer as she finds success on countless stages and the pilot from silent cockpits, winging over north and South America, eventually finding each other and true love in Rio de Janeiro. The 10,000 Doors of January by Alex E. Harrow, DB 96852 Living in a sprawling mansion as the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, January scholar is isolated and largely ignored. One day she finds a strange book and discovers she has the ability to open doors between worlds. Three Days in January by Brett Baer, DB 88772 an examination of the final days of President Eisenhower's tenure in office, specifically the time between Eisenhower's farewell address and John F. Kennedy's inauguration.
Recounts Eisenhower's efforts to prepare the country and the next president for the challenges that lay ahead. Also discusses Eisenhower's work in office and his continuing legacy.
[00:06:04] Speaker A: The Two Faces of January by Patricia Highsmith, DB 115791 In a grubby Athens hotel, Rydle Keener is bored in killing time with petty schemes. But when he runs into another American, Chester McFarland, dragging a man's body down the hotel hall, Rydle impulsively agrees. Help, perhaps because Chester looks like his father. Then Rydal meets Colette, Chester's younger wife and, captivated, becomes entangled in their sordid lives as the drama marches to a shocking climax at the ruins of the Labyrinth at Knossos. A winner of a Crime Writers of American Award, the Two Faces of January was the basis of a film starring Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, and Oscar Isaac.
The January 6th report DB 111779 from the Pulitzer Prize winning staff of the New York Times, this edition of the January 6 report offers the definitive record of the attack on the US Capitol, with exclusive reporting, eyewitness accounts, and analysis. Listen to the report from the Select Committee's investigation into the January 6th attack on the Capitol, with accompanying insights from New York Times reporters who've covered the story from the beginning. This edition from the New York Times in 12 book contains the January 6 report from the Select Committee. Reporting and analysis from the New York Times that puts the Committee's finding in context. A timeline of key events photos and illustrations including detailed maps that show the path insurrectionists took to breach the Capitol.
Interviews, transcripts and documents that complement the Committee's investigation. A list of key participants from the January 6 hearings.
A critical examination of the facts and circumstances surrounding that dark day. The January 6 report promises to be the definitive account of what happened, with recommendations from the Committee about how to safeguard the future of American democracy.
Benjamin January, A Free man of Color By Barbara Hambly DB46286 1833 New Orleans in a complex world where Creoles, Americans, French and blacks live and love, a Creole's beautiful black mistress is murdered during Mardi Gras. Paris educated Benjamin January, who was trained to adjust to being a free black man in an unforgiving world but feels obligated to find the murderer the January.
[00:08:40] Speaker C: Magazine of the Month is Contemporary, a review of pop, jazz, rock and country.
This engaging publication brings together a curated sampler of articles from leading national music magazines covering the sounds and stories shaping today's music scene. Issued bimonthly six times a year, Contemporary Soundtrack is available in audio format, on cartridge and as a downloadable edition through Bard.
[00:09:07] Speaker B: I'm back again with January's Tech tip. I'm Leland and this month's tip is common. Things to Check when Bard stops Working no matter if you are using NLS Bard on a library machine like the new Book Player or E reader or a phone and tablet, one of these may be causing your problem.
Let's get started. NLS Bard is great.
It allows us to download and read books whenever and wherever we are. That is, until we face an error and can't access our books. Here's the three most common reasons it may stop working.
1. No Internet. This one catches most people. It's easy to be away from home and try to download a book when you are faced with new results.
Forgetting to sign into a new WI fi while somewhere new is easy to do and easy to fix. Go into your device's settings and check for Wi Fi.
2.
Not signed into Bard.
This one is more obvious. When you go to Bard and you aren't signed in, your device will promptly ask you to sign back in. If you get past this message and try to play a book, you'll also be faced with a message of not authorized, which can also indicate you are signed out re enter your password and things should start working again.
Three Miscellaneous Mysteries if neither of the other reasons seem to be the cause, it may be a small hiccup with your device or the Bard app.
In this case, powering off and resetting the device will typically resolve these issues.
This is also called power cycling.
By powering off, this causes things to return to a fresh state.
Open Bard again and see if things are working.
Of course, if you need assistance or someone to walk you through fixing any Bard issues, you can give us a call at 515-281-1323.
[00:11:28] Speaker D: Hi there, I'm Denise Bean, your youth Services librarian with this month's Staff Spotlight to say I love our young patrons to the stars and back might be an understatement. Empowering them to discover the magic of reading is my ultimate joy.
The best part about kids? They have absolutely no filters and I love them for it. They are tiny little sponges soaking up the world around them and I consider it my mission to make sure that world is full of wonder, variety and accessibility.
My reading life is all about adrenaline overcoming. Personally, I am a bit of a literary thrill seeker. If a book involves learning, growing, striving or surviving, I'm in.
If the word overcome is anywhere in the title, you can bet those pages are already being devoured.
So I live for nonfiction and survival stories that get the heart racing.
Here are a few of my all time favorites.
I would call this book the Pulse Pounder those who Wish Me Dead DB7866 by Michael Corita this is pure adrenaline. It follows a 13 year old witness to a murder who is hidden in a wilderness program.
It's a hold your breath kind of read.
I would call this book the perspective shifter. Unbroken BR 21664 or DB 72129 or LT 9993 by Laura Hillebrand this book lived in my head long after I finished it.
It's a masterclass in seeing life as a gift, even in the midst of unimaginable pain.
We all love books that are spirit lifters. Stronger DB78603 by Jeff Bauman A powerful memoir from a Boston Marathon bombing survivor.
Watching his journey through recovery and finding a renewed sense of purpose is nothing short of incredible.
I love books that melt your heart.
Wonder jltpal by RJ Palacio who doesn't love Auggie? It's a beautiful story about inner strength, courage and the way family love can anchor us through anything.
Books are wide open doors to imagination and resilience.
I feel such enormous gratitude every time I get to help a young reader open one of those doors.
I truly love this job Join our.
[00:14:48] Speaker C: Virtual Coffee Hour 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. Can't wait to see you there. Starting January 6, 2026, virtual coffee hour will be held every Tuesday at 10am and Friday at 2pm until the end of February. Contact the library to get the Zoom link or call in number or go to IowaLibrary blog. No registration is necessary.
[00:15:44] Speaker A: Next is the Music Introduction and Exploration class for youth ages 8 to 14. Join instructors from the Philemon MD D' Agostino Greenberg Music School for an eight week course that will include a mix of theory, listening, analysis and performance as students engage with music that interests them while also exploring new genres. Beginning January 15th and running through March 5th, it will take place every Thursday from 5:30pm to 6:30pm via Zoom. The class is free, but spots are limited. Contact the library to get signed up.
[00:16:21] Speaker B: And of course we have the return of Peekabox. Get ready to explore the globe one city at a time. 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 with a specially curated list of books set in that muns Olympic host City and a sticker to stamp the passport they will receive with the 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.
Contact the library to get signed up or go to www.iowalibrary.blog.
[00:17:16] Speaker C: Save the date for the 2026 Braille Challenge the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Iowa Department for the Blind. Braille readers grades one through twelve from Iowa will gather to test their braille skills in 5 Reading comprehension Braille spelling charts and graphs, reading, proofreading and Braille speed and accuracy.
Again this year there will be the Foundational Group which welcomes students at any grade level, including preschool and kindergarten to participate.
So no matter your braille skills, please join us for this fun day of Braille. Winners of the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge may go on to compete in the national finals in California.
The theme for 2026 is Love Braille. This year, following the competition, there will be a Valentine's party that will include crafts, snacks and fun. And we are also celebrating our 20th year as regional Braille Challenge host site.
[00:18:14] Speaker A: Interested in joining a book club? Look no further. We've got something for everyone.
First up is the Tuesday Book Group. This group meets on the second Tuesday every other month at 2pm starting in February.
Meeting months include February, April, June, August, October and December. To learn how to join, contact Leslie at 515-452-1329 or email Leslie Heinzlerlind, State IA US.
Next is the Thursday Book Club. This group meets on the third Thursday of every other month at 2pm Meetings take place in January, March, May, July, September and November. For conference call information, Contact Angie at 515-452-1330 or Angela Haucklind, State IA US looking for something more relaxed? Check out the no Book Book Club. No assigned reading required. Just great conversation.
This group meets on the third Wednesday of every other month at 2pm in January, March, May, July, September and November. For details, contact Jodi at 515-452-1327 or Jodi Aldinilind, state IA US and for teens we're excited to offer beyond the Book Teen Book Club Club a welcoming and accessible space to explore stories, share perspectives and get creative with other teens. The program runs from Sept. 25 through March 26 and meets Thursdays from 5 to 6pm for more information, contact Denise Bean at 515-452-133A or Denise Bean at Blind State IA US no matter your age or reading style, there's a book club waiting for you. We hope you'll join us.
[00:20:18] Speaker B: Join Youth Services librarian Denise Bean for Crafting your Story, a fun and creative after school program from the Iowa Library for the Blind Imprint Disabled. This monthly virtual series runs September through April with a new theme each month and four weeks of hands on projects you can do from home. Make new friends, get creative and share your imagination in a welcoming, fully accessible space.
Join us Tuesdays from 4:15 to 5:00 clock for creativity, connection and fun.
[00:21:01] Speaker C: Join us for Braille Baby storytime Thursdays from 10 to to 10:30am for children ages 0 to 4 and their caregivers. Enjoy stories, songs and hands on sensory play while exploring Braille in a fun, age appropriate way. Offered in person at the Iowa Department for the Blind and on Zoom. Families receive activity, materials and resources. Come learn, play and read with us.
[00:21:27] Speaker A: NLS's Smart speaking to the Smart speaker will be held Thursday, January 15th at 6pm and that all May Eread will be held on Tuesday, January 27th at 6:00pm all programs are held via Zoom and the topics for Smart Speaking to the Smart speaker and that All May Eread have not been released yet. Check our blog, IowaLibrary blog for updated information.
Contact the library to get more information or go to www.location.
[00:22:03] Speaker B: The library will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Please don't hesitate to contact the library with any questions or comments at 515-281-1323 or by email at Librarylined State IA US. The library is open Monday through Friday AM to 4:30pm Happy reading.
