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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 celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Month, Update from the Director, 2021 Elizabeth Perowsky Volunteer Program and Workshop, and a Well-Known Leader, Advocate, Volunteer and Friend Dies. 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 - Angela Graham
What is your role at IDB? Braillist
Why did you decide to volunteer at IDB? I had a friend at the time who was taking the correspondence course, and it looked interesting to me. The timing was also right - I needed to be home for our son, and it was something I could do from there. We also moved a lot, and I could just pick it up and move it right along with us.
Where did you work before IDB? I worked temp for many years and at many places.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at IDB? Braille is something I enjoy doing. It's always interesting to see what is inside that black box that comes in the mail and I have learned about many things I probably would not have picked up otherwise. And, hopefully, what I do makes life a little easier for someone who is blind.
What is your favorite memory at the IDB? Well, possibly some of the wide variety of books and projects that have landed at my doorstep, although I can't pinpoint any one in particular. Also, nice conversations with other Braillists at the luncheons. It's always been fun to catch up with those friends even though it was mostly once a year.
What do you like to do in your free time? Besides Braille … our neighborhood has card groups, Mah Jongg, goes out for coffee … they're a fun bunch ... My husband and I also enjoy traveling, even though that has come to a stop due to COVID in the last year. The plan is for that to pick up again soon. I've had a long layoff from guitar and piano - so right now I'm trying to get a little less "rusty" at that.
Employee Spotlight - Leslie Heinzler
What is your role at IDB? Special Services Librarian.
Why did you decide to work at IDB? I was attracted to IDB partly because of the "That all May Read" mission of the National Library Service. Literacy is huge part of a person's life and it excited me that the IDB Library was a part of that by producing and disseminating accessible formats.
Where did you work before IDB? I was an academic librarian at a business college.
What do you enjoy most about working at IDB? I really enjoy working as part of the Library team. It is fun to work with a group of people who are constantly thinking outside the box and pushing themselves to do more. I like knowing that there is not a "typical" day. You never know what to expect some days. And I like helping patrons get the materials they need in the format they want.
What is your favorite memory at the IDB? I have very fond memories of all the Braille Challenges, but especially the one we hosted in 2019 that included a STEM Fest at the end of the day. It was great to see some of the Braille Challenge students and their families engaging with one another and with the STEM Fest participants.
What do you like to do in your free time? I don't have a lot of free time with two school age kids in sports and other activities, but I do like to read (what librarian doesn't like to read?!), take our dog for long walks and just be outside.
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Updates from the Director
by Emily Wharton
Spring is always a time of great excitement at IDB. We have the celebration of the Perowsky Workshops and Awards and National Library Month. Education and Training staff are busy wrapping up the Young Adult Transition Program school year and preparing for the summer youth program called LEAP that we hold at Grandview University. They are also preparing for the May session of SELF-Week. You can read SELF Weeks here. Center students and staff plan summer activities and prepare for June’s IL Integration. The Iowa Legislative Session is drawing to a close. The House bill, HF 868, includes the Governor’s full requested appropriation for IDB. We are very grateful for Governor Reynold’s support of services that empower blind Iowans. However, as of this writing, the Senate bill, SF 596, includes $263,723 less for IDB. If the Senate version were to become law, we would not be able to get a 7th Independent Living Teacher in the field and would be in serious danger of making additional cuts to this vital program. You can learn more about IDB’s appropriation request here. You can learn more about what the Independent Living Program is up to here.
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2021 Elizabeth Perowsky Volunteer Program and Workshops
by Sarah Willeford
Each year the Library and the Iowa Department for the Blind honors their volunteers with the Elizabeth Perowsky Volunteer Program. This year’s theme was Volunteers Help Tell Our Story and was held virtually using Zoom rather than in-person on Thursday, April 22nd. Despite a difficult and complicated year, the library accomplished so much by continuing and expanding services and programs which could not have been done without the help of our volunteers.
During the program, the Friends of the Library presented the library with their annual contribution in the amount of $12,000. Throughout the year the Friends raise funds through memberships and events which is then given to the library. These funds are essential to the success of many library programs such as; the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge, year round youth programming, the new youth library space, the purchase of a 3D printer, additions to the library’s collection and so much more. The library would like to thank the Friends of the Library for their constant support, advocacy and commitment. For more information about the Friends of the Library http://www.iafriendslibraryfortheblind.org/
As part of the Elizabeth Perowsky Volunteer program we honor volunteers who have gone above and beyond throughout the year to assist and support the library.
Retirements
We would like to thank these individuals for their service and commitment to the library and wish them all the best in their retirement.
- Barb Kates, Braillist, 54 years
- Judy Overbeck, Narrator, 14 years
Lifetime Achievement Award
Anita Sundin started narrating for IDB in 1979 and served our Library and patrons for 40 years! She was awarded the Elizabeth Perowsky Award in 2006 and received a Florence Grannis Library Service Award in 2016. She narrated over 150 books for us - probably close to 3000 hours of volunteer service! Anita was friendly, out-going and had a real can do attitude! Anita is no longer with us, but the work she did for our library continues to impact our patrons.
Transcriber Pins
This small bronze medallion is given by the Iowa Department for the Blind to volunteers. It recognizes the completion of the first book by a Braillist, Narrator, or forty hours of other service. The pin was originally designed to symbolize the skills of the Braillist and Narrator with the two rings of an open reel encircling the outline of the State of Iowa, and six dots of a full Braille cell on each side of the state outline. The pin has become symbolic of all volunteer service to the Department for the Blind. It celebrates the generosity of the volunteer and an on-going relationship with the Department. Thank you for joining our library as a volunteer:
- Jeff Fitzhugh, Narrator
- Jonathan Ice, Narrator
- Morey Knutsen, Narrator
- Tara Kurtt, Narrator
- Matty Tate-Smith, Narrator
- Catherine Wood, Braillist
- Aggie Zicari, Braillist
MVPs (Master Volunteer Partners)
The MVP or Master Volunteer Partner recognizes individuals or groups who have gone above and beyond during the year to assist the library with projects and programs. Moving the library forward and helping us reach our goals we had for the year. Thank you to the following MVPs:
- Doug Cole, Library Assistant
- Judy Fausch, Narrator
- Jonathan Ice, Narrator
- Christine Mak, Narrator
- Al Root, Audio Editor
- Mark Tauscheck, Narrator
- Betty Urbanek, Braillist
Florence Grannis Library Service Award
The Florence Grannis Library Service Award is given annually to honor individuals whose exemplary service recalls the selfless spirit of Ms. Grannis, the founder of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Grannis, who died in 2004, served as regional librarian from the Library's inception in 1960 until her retirement in 1976. Florence said, “A library for the blind should supply borrowers the books and information they want when they want them." This year we had two individuals who received the Florence Grannis Library Service Award.
- Angela Graham, Braillist and Proofreader
Angela Graham is very deserving of the Florence Grannis Library Service Award as both a Volunteer Braillist and Proofreader. She became a Braillist for IDB back in 1980. In her over 40 years of volunteering, Angela has been with us through a lot of changes from transcribing on a Perkins Brailler to learning and using Braille 2000 software to producing materials in EBAE and UEB. She has also been through numerous changes with Braille Formats, which requires ongoing learning. Angela is always happy to take on any task that is asked of her. She has transcribed materials for our students, such as, worksheets, workbooks, twin vision books, little readers, and even some foreign language. For our other patrons, Angela has transcribed crochet books, cookbooks, product user guides, sports schedules, and countless menus. She has also helped those in the workforce by Brailling items that they need for their jobs. These are just a few examples of the work that Angela has done for IDB. In addition to Brailling, she has also helped process and assemble twin vision books, and this year she has been especially helpful in volunteering to proofread library collection books transcribed by other Braillists. This has aided us in getting more books added to our collection and to BARD for others to enjoy. Through all of these projects and changes, Angela is always positive, helpful, and selfless. She is a blessing to IDB and Braille readers, and she is always a joy to work with. Congratulations, Angela!
- Bob White, Audio Narrator
Bob is receiving the Florence Grannis Library Service Award for the second time. Looking back over the year we had to ask what didn't he do! He recorded eight books, recorded magazines and he helped other narrators with questions. Bob is one of our go-to narrators when we have a book that has a tight deadline that a patron needs. Also, he helped us as we developed programs to help reach our patrons when we weren't able to meet in person. Bob started our IDB Read Western program with us over a year ago. Bob meets with the IDB Read Western group each Tuesday and Thursday morning to read portions of a western book and to chat. Bob and the group are currently reading book 10 of The Sackett's series by Louis L'Amour. Bob was also willing to do a IDB Read Kids series this summer for our younger patrons. They got together and read books from the James Howe Bunnicula series. Bob doesn't just read the books - he performs bringing the story to life. We had kids that would listen in the car or wherever they were so they wouldn't have to miss any of the story. Bob's knowledge, experience, passion and commitment has lasting impacts for patrons around the state. Thank you Bob for all you do!
Elizabeth Perowsky Memorial Award
For more than 60 years, Elizabeth Perowsky of Des Moines was a volunteer Braille transcriber. She taught herself to Braille and was certified in literary, Nemeth, and music Braille by the Library of Congress. Elizabeth was the group leader and main teacher for the Temple Sisterhood Braille Group. She also conducted Braille workshops throughout the country, teaching others how to Braille. Near the end of her life, Elizabeth’s hands were so disabled by arthritis that she would tell her assistant which keys to press on the computer keyboard to form the Braille letters. This allowed her to continue Brailling when she could no longer type. Elizabeth was still Brailling within a few weeks of her death at the age of 97 in May, 1996. In honor of Elizabeth, the text on the Elizabeth Perowsky Memorial Volunteer Award states: "For extraordinary spirit and inexhaustible dedication in volunteer service to those who are blind".
This year's Elizabeth Perowsky Memorial Award goes to:
Michael Barber, volunteer and advocate
Michael's connection began as a library patron and reader as well as through a long and rewarding career with the Iowa Department for the Blind. He selflessly served others for years before retiring in 2014. Retirement did not stop Michael’s desire to serve, as he served as a board member and president of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, the Diabetes Action Committee and Summit House HOA Board. He also collaborated with other consumer groups, Disability Rights Iowa, National Organization of American Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind to try to improve accessible voting for the blind. He fought these battles up until his passing.
Michael was also a member of the Library Consumer Advisory Committee becoming a committee member in 2015. He served as chair of the committee for 2 years. During this time the advisory committee worked on advocacy, how to share information about the library and the tedious but important task of updating their bylaws.
Michael's work with the Iowa Friends of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped began in September 2016 when he was asked to fill an open position on the board. Michael served as president of the Friends board for 2 years. From 3D printers, a new youth library space, the Braille Challenge, Adult programs, programs for our volunteers to fundraising and advocacy efforts, Michael helped our library grow and offer more services and programs to our patrons.
Michael's passion for the library and ensuring that our patrons received the best possible services, especially for our youngest of patrons showed how he continued what Elizabeth Perowsky established - an extraordinary spirit and dedication to volunteer services. Michael’s calm and gentle nature, his patience and kindness toward others, and his enthusiasm to teach were traits from which many benefited.
Kim Barber, Michael’s wife, accepted the award.
We thank all of our volunteers for your continual support, contributions, enthusiasm, dedication, and passion that help us serve our patrons and Iowans. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of others and for helping us tell our libraries story.
The Library Staff put together a short video to express our thanks to our volunteers. Watch the video here.
Did You Know?
Well-Known Leader, Advocate,
Volunteer and Friend Dies
by Sandi Ryan
On Thursday, April 22, 2021, at the Library’s Elizabeth Perowsky Volunteer Awards Ceremony and Workshop, the Elizabeth Perowsky Award was presented to Michael Barber. It was accepted by his wife Kimberley on his behalf. Michael had passed away on March 23 following hip surgery.
Michael was blind from birth, when he and his twin brother received too much oxygen. It saved their lives, but left them blind.
I met Michael at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in the mid-1950s. He was friendly even as a young child, seeking out friendships with people he had just met, winning us over with his constant smile and quick sense of humor.
Michael was always a leader, helping people to figure out how to get things done, and doing plenty of the work himself. In school he participated in many of the club activities on campus, which prepared him for his adult roles.
Every day Michael lived the philosophy that blind people can do whatever they want, and blindness is not what holds us back. His career was in helping blind people obtain the technology that could help them get through college or training programs, secure jobs, and raise families. He loved his work. When illness ended his career, Michael didn’t just retire to his home and give up. He continued to serve blind people by volunteering for the Library’s Consumer Advisory Committee, and by serving as President of Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled.
Michael also worked tirelessly for nearly two decades to give blind people the right to vote privately and independently. He served four terms as President of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, starting new chapters of the organization and two divisions, the Iowa Diabetes Action Network and the Parents of Blind Children. And each year when the legislative session gaveled to order, Michael was at the Capitol many days, working to get the Iowa Department for the Blind’s budget increased as needed to provide the best programs and services for its clients. And though Iowa’s two membership groups of blind people often disagree, when it came to getting agency funding, or some other issue of importance to all blind people was being considered, he reached out to ICUB and formed an alliance to get the right thing done.
Michael continued all these activities even when illness limited his travel, his physical stamina, and his breath. I talked with him the night before his surgery, and he told me, “I still have so much to do.”
Rest well, good friend. We will not forget you, and we will continue the work you cared about.
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Upcoming Events
5/4 - 3:00-5:00 Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
5/9-5/16, VR Self Week
5/10 - 5:30 – ICUB DSM Chapter Meeting 605-472-5428. Access code: 837272.
5/21 - Young Adult Transition Program last day of school (students move out 5/22)
12:00-1:00Director’s Forum https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
5/31 – Memorial Day, State Offices Closed
6/1 - Start of in-person LEAP staff training
3:00-5:00 Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
6/8 – 12:00 Commission Board meeting
6/13 -Start of LEAP summer program
6/14 - 5:30 – ICUB DSM Chapter Meeting 605-472-5428. Access code: 837272.
6/18 – 12:00-1:00 Director’s Forum https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
6/20-6/25 – IL Integration
7/5 - 4th of July state holiday
7/6 -3:00-5:00 Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
7/12 – 5:30 – ICUB DSM Chapter Meeting 605-472-5428. Access code: 837272.
7/16 – 12:00-1:00Director’s Forum https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
7/31 - October self week application deadline
8/3 – 3:00-5:00 Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
8/9 – 5:30 – ICUB DSM Chapter Meeting 605-472-5428. Access code: 837272.
8/14 - Final Day of LEAP
8/20 – 12:00-1:00 Director’s Forum https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
8/23-8/27 - 9:00-3:00 – New Staff Seminar Week
8/30 – YATP move in – first day of classes 8/31
9/4-6 - YATP Labor Day Break. Students travel home Friday evening and return Tuesday morning.
9/6 – Labor Day (state Holiday)
9/7 - 3:00-5:00 Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
9/13 - 5:30 – ICUB DSM Chapter Meeting 605-472-5428. Access code: 837272.
9/17 – 12:00-1:00 Director’s Forum https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
9/21 - 12:00 – Commission Board meeting
9/24-26 - Youth Weekend Retreat
10/7 - BEP annual meeting) Meeting
10/10-16 - Self Week
10/11 - 5:30 – ICUB DSM Chapter Meeting 605-472-5428. Access code: 837272.
10/15 – 12:00-1:00 Director’s Forum https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
10/21-24 - YATP Fall break. Students travel home Wednesday evening and return Monday morning.
10/29-31 - Youth Weekend Retreat
11/2 - 3:00-5:00 Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
11/8 - 5:30 – ICUB DSM Chapter Meeting 605-472-5428. Access code: 837272.
11/19 – 12:00 -1:00 Director’s Forum https://us02web.zoom.us/j/109673957?pwd=bStha0U3WFdhdFhCS0wzcThnOVBZdz09
11/24-28 - YATP Thanksgiving Break. Students travel home Tuesday evening and return Monday morning.
11/25-11/26 – Thanksgiving (state holiday)
12/7 - 12:00 – Commission Board meeting
12/9 - 3:00-5:00 Elected Committee of Blind Vendors (ECBV) Meeting
12/13 - 5:30 – ICUB DSM Chapter Meeting 605-472-5428. Access code: 837272.
12/10-12 - Youth Weekend Retreat
12/18 - January 2 - YATP Winter Break. Students travel home Friday evening and return Monday morning.
12/25 – Christmas (state holiday)
12/31 - March Self Week Application Deadline
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