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Mission: Empower blind Iowans to be gainfully employed and live independently.
Vision: To be the world's leader in blind rehabilitation services.
IDB Volunteer Newsletter!
Welcome to our newsletter! In this issue, we are highlighting the Youth Library, e-Reader Pilot Project, Update from the Director, and Long Term Volunteers put Braille into Young Iowans' Hands. We hope you find this newsletter useful and informative. Please feel free to share any suggestions you may have for things to include or ways to improve by emailing Janice Eggers, Executive Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator at janice.eggers@blind.state.ia.us. If you are a current volunteer, thank you for all that you do. If you are not a current volunteer, please visit our website at https://blind.iowa.gov/volunteers to learn about opportunities or fill out an application.
Volunteer Spotlight - Doug Cole
What is your role at IDB? Open boxes of newly arrive Braille books from NLS.
Why did you decide to volunteer at IDB? I joined the Library Staff at the Iowa Department for the Blind in 1971 and retired in 2010 after 39 years. I enjoy coming back to work in my old area in the 2nd floor braille Stacks and visiting with Library Staff.
Where did you work before IDB? Before working at IDB I worked at the University of Northern Iowa in food service cost accounting.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at IDB? I enjoy being able to work on a job that I did while I was on the Library Staff. I also enjoy working with a dedicated Library Staff to give outstanding service to the Blind of Iowa.
What is your favorite memory at the IDB? After 39 years on the Library Staff I have many good memories, but my favorite is when I was selected to receive the Elizabeth Perowsky Memorial Award in 2018. That is something I will always cherish.
What do you like to do in your free time? My wife and I like to go fishing and we also do a lot of walking on a walking trail at Easter Lake Park. We also babysit our great grandson a couple times a week and that brings great joy to us.
Employee Spotlight - Kimberley Barber
What is your role at IDB? Program Administrator for the Independent Living Program
Why did you decide to work at IDB? No stranger to the Department, I was employed as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Iowa Department for the Blind from 2005 to 2007. My work with the agency allowed multiple clients to secure gainful employment and increase their level of independence. In December 2007, an opportunity arose to collaborate with the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) and the Iowa Department for the Blind to serve blind Iowans and general agency clients through the newly redesigned Iowa Self-Employment (ISE) program. During December 2007 through part of September 2013, I worked as a Program Planner 2 with ISE-IVRS. During the Summer of 2013, the Department sought to fill an opening for an Independent Living Program Administrator. Based on my interest to return to work for the Iowa Department for the Blind and given there was an opening, I applied for the position. Given my background, education, experience and knowledge, the hiring committee made an offer and the rest is history.
Where did you work before IDB? Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services as a Program Planner 2
What do you enjoy most about working at IDB? Being part of a great team is like being in an exclusive club. Sometimes it can feel as though it’s your team versus the world. You may have individual goals and targets, but ultimately, you’re all working towards what Grandma always used to call ‘mission success’ - you have shared goals and that’s what unites all of us.
What is your favorite memory at the IDB? There are many fond memories; however, the ones I most remember having a blast at was our Holiday Teas. The Charlie Brown Christmas theme was great and stands out, but there were many, many more themes we had over time that were equally as great. Thanks for the memories!
What do you like to do in your free time? Love to spend time with my family and granddaughters. Going out with friends has always been an honor and top of my list; however, with the recent event of COVID19, this has been set aside for now due to safety issues. I enjoy reading my audible books and learning to speak Hebrew, shalom. Listening to music is another favorite, especially playing Stevie Nicks. Of course, in my youth I raised and would show quarter horses so I love to watch equestrian shows on TV whenever available. What gives me more joy than anything in the world though is to cook a special meal and spend time with my husband, my soulmate.
Updates from the Director
by Emily Wharton
Our Commission Board approved and IDB submitted our state fiscal year 2022 appropriation request at the end of September. We are asking for an increase to provide ongoing support to the Young Adult Transition Program we are piloting this year, cover rising personnel costs, and fund a seventh independent living teacher position. We are also requesting capital improvement funds to repair our roof and replace one of our boilers. We are hopeful that the Governor will support these requests and include them in her budget proposal. to the legislature. To read the full overview and supporting statistics, visit https://blind.iowa.gov/ask22
Just a reminder, one particularly easy way to help out IDB’s programs and services is to spread the word. We currently have an overall agency 1 page flyer on our website that you can print and distribute in your community or email to friends or community group lists. and we are working to ad more directed at particular groups and demographics. These handouts can be found at https://blind.iowa.gov/1page
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Volunteers Needed - Audio Editor
by Tim West
An audio editor is responsible for processing previously recorded audio files for the purpose of creating digital audio books and magazines in a specialized format for the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The audio editor operates computer audio editing software and equipment, ensuring that the necessary "digital talking book" requirements are met according to National Library Service specifications including the ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002 standard. Training is provided; however having good listening skills, good hearing, and good computer skills is very helpful! The volunteer audio editor will need an attentive mind and ear, even if the material being read is boring. Also, the audio editor will need an open mind regarding the variety of books selected for recording (at times subject matter may be offensive to personal tastes and beliefs).
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Youth Library
by Denise Bean
Hello, my name is Denise Bean, and it is such a privilege to be your Youth Services Librarian. How does one begin to put into one neat little package of what your Youth Library is up to, but let’s give it try, shall we? Drum roll please, let’s start off with Makerspace Mondays. This is an evening event for the entire family. This program is hands-on with a twist of building, creating, learning, touching, crafting and exploring.
Next, let’s shift our direction onto our next program called STEM & Stories Saturdays. What makes this virtual event so special, it is all about meeting new guest that will take you on a brand new adventure. So far, we have met Sarah Barzo who taught us all about recycling and Abigail Kelley who flew us into a beehive to learn about bees. Imagination is key, and helping others make new discoveries is what this program is all about! Both of these programs are geared towards the entire family. Activity-kits are sent out prior to each event containing; braille, tactiles, and let’s not forget the craft material too.
The youth library is also offering an incredible program called Hooked on Books every Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. This program is broken into four sections for the month, starting with; Little Cooks and a Book, games, crafts and more, and finally Story Time fieldtrip. Like I said at the beginning of this, how do we begin to put all of this into one paragraph. Hooked on Books is offered for grades K-12th.
Now, let’s look at Books for Kids program designed to provide youth with daily access to books. The program provides books each month in the format the reader needs and on the subjects, they love and are interested in. Along with the books each month they receive a bonus fun activity to help reinforce their braille skills and reading. The library sends out books to over 100 kids each month.
Next, let’s not forget about READSquared. READSquared is an online reading program that tracks reading. This powerful application offers customization and other reading and learning programs, as well as readers' advisory tools for all ages and all reading levels. But wait a minute, shhhhhh, now don’t say anything, but we still have more programs in the works. Who can forget about babies! That is right, starting in January, a brand new program is rolling out called Braille Babies. This program is for children 0-4 years old. The goal of this program, to get little hands and fingers exploring books, tactiles and more while providing engaging structure and learning. This program will also include a parent section. Please stay tune for more detail at a later date!
Whew, we did it, as you can see, the Youth Library has a-whole-lot-of shaking going on! If you can’t find it here in your Youth Library, I will be surprised! Please help to spread the word! On a personal note as your Youth Services Librarian, children are my heartbeat and it was once mentioned to me, that once you find your “why” in what you do, you will than find your “purpose” in what you live! Children are my “why” there is no doubt about it! So rest assured more will be rolling down the pike, just you wait and see!
For updated information on these programs and more go to https://iowalibrary.blog and check out the Youth Library tab.
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Our Library and the NLS eReader Pilot Project
by Tyler Swett
Our library was one of five to be selected to participate in the first phase of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) Braille eReader pilot. The Braille eReader has a 20-cell braille display, an eight-key, Perkins-style keyboard. The eReader can access braille books on BARD or connect with a phone/computer to be used as a braille display/braille keyboard
The purpose of the NLS Braille eReader Pilot is to test the functionality of the eReader devices and collect feedback from pilot patrons. The NLS Braille eReader Pilot Project will lay the groundwork for the general distribution of braille eReaders. This will will increase access to digital braille materials, promote braille literacy, and provide access to tens of thousands of braille titles in digital format.
We have currently checked out over 120 eReaders to our patrons throughout Iowa. If you would like more information or would like to participate in the pilot, please contact Tyler Swett, Accessible Media Specialist, 515-452-1343 or tyler.swett@blind.state.ia.us. Individuals must be a patron of our library before they are able to participate in the project.
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Did You Know?
Long-Term Volunteers Put Braille
into Blind Iowans' Hands
by Sandi Ryan
Since the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled began sending braille books to blind Iowans in the early 1960s, volunteers have been an important part of fulfilling blind readers’ passions for books.
Many of our braille transcribers and proofreaders have worked with braille for years, or decades. To become a volunteer braille transcriber, one must learn braille and become nationally certified in its transcription. This training prepares one for putting words, punctuation, tables, picture descriptions, mathematics and music from printed material onto braille pages. Over the years, long-term volunteers learn new standards for transcribing braille, including, in the last five years, a completely new standard (Unified English Braille) that contains many new symbols to remember, and even a few to forget, while it provides braille pages that more closely resemble the printed page.
Once a braille document has been transcribed, it is sent to a braille proofreader, who reads each word, noting corrections to be made before the book joins the Library’s collection or is sent to a student. Volunteer braille transcribers and proofreaders are key in helping blind Iowans achieve braille literacy and keeping them supplied with braille books to read.
Starting at around the time of the latest braille code update, Denise Bean, then a staff transcriber in the library, began to produce and distribute the Weekly Dose of Braille email to all the braille volunteers. Each edition is a brief explanation, instruction, or example of a very specific aspect of the braille code. Often the tips and techniques originate from volunteer questions, slight revisions of the code, or breaking more difficult concepts into small chunks for easier learning.
When Denise became the Youth Librarian, her passion for braille literacy for all blind Iowans did not waver, and she continues to send Weekly Dose of Braille. For about the last year, several of the library’s braille volunteers have met with Denise, first in person, and now via Zoom, to review the Weekly Dose emails together and ensure understanding. The meetings have resulted in better braille for blind Iowans, and have provided opportunities for the volunteers to get to know one another.
To access the newest Weekly Dose of Braille, visit the Instructional Materials Center blog, https://idbimclibrary.blog/. For an archive of the Weekly Dose of Braille and other useful resources, click on the Transcriber’s Page at the same address.
For up-to-date information on library programs and other opportunities for volunteering, visit https://iowalibrary.blog/.
To learn more about long-term or short-term volunteer opportunities at the Iowa Department for the Blind, visit https://blind.iowa.gov/volunteers
Upcoming Events:
10/30-11/1, Youth Weekend Retreat NFBI state convention
11/11 – State Holiday – Veterans Day (Wednesday)
11/20 – 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Director’s Forum
11/26-11/27 – State Holiday –Thanksgiving
12/1 - 12:00 p.m. – Commission Board meeting
12/3 - 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. SILC Annual Meeting
12/9 - 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ILAC meeting
12/11 - 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. – All Staff Meeting
12/11-12/13, Youth Weekend Retreat
12/18 – 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Director’s Forum
12/25 –State Holiday – Christmas Day (Friday)
1/1 – New Year’s Day (Friday) State Offices Closed
1/3 –YATP students return from break
1/12 - Deadline to apply for March self week session Link to application: https://iowadeptblind.wufoo.com/forms/zzl1r341sgccmg/
1/18 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (state holiday)
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