In This Day and Page

In today's episode, I spoke with two staff members from the West Des Moines Public Library, Kate Thompson and Susan Greenwood, who were founding members of our Accessibility Committee. They recently presented at the Iowa Library Association Conference about their work on the committee and how other libraries can do an accessibility audit of their space and services. They also highlighted some of the incredible work they've done so far to make the library more accessible and some dream projects they're working towards in the future. See all of the work they've done on the Accessibility Resources page here.

In today's episode, we're celebrating DINOvember with local picture book author, Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia! Liz will be hosting a fun dinosaur storytime on Saturday, November 16 at 10:30 AM where she'll read from her new book, out Tuesday, November 12, called Spinosaurus Makes a Splash. She also will be hosting a craft and singing songs with attendees. We can't wait!

In today's episode, we spoke with local bestselling author Kimberly Stuart. Kimberly is the author of nine books, including the Heidi Elliott series, and, most recently Star for Jesus (And Other Jobs I Quit), a memoir about rediscovering the grace that sets us free. She will be at the library on Tuesday, November 12 from 6:45 – 8:00 PM for a Booked for the Evening Author Event, and you can either join us in person or on Zoom to see her speak.

In today's episode, I got to speak with the first author presenting at the Friends Foundation's Booked for the Evening series, Stephanie R. Caffrey. Stephanie is a local author who writes romantic suspense and has published two books (so far!) titled Mistaken Identity and Be My Little Baby. She will be at the library on Tuesday, September 24 from 6:45 – 8:00 PM for the event, and you can either join us in person or on Zoom to see her speak.

In today's episode, I got to sit down and chat with our Teen Services Assistant, Hailey McKinney, about the book c lub that she runs for kiddos ages 11-14: Tween Club Read. Tween Club Read recently turned a year old, so I wanted to check in with her on how the year has been (and we might just get a little testimonial from one of the Tweens in the club themselves!) Learn more about the West Des Moines Public Library's book clubs here: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/events/book-clubs

I had the immense pleasure to sit down with the library's new Director, Traci Glass, to chat about her background in libraries and her ultimate vision for the West Des Moines Public Library as she looks to the future. This is one you won't want to miss.

In today's episode, we sat down with our Head of Youth Services, Jenna Ehler. She highlighted some of the new learning kits we recently added to our collection and shared how our patrons can start checking them out and exploring them at home. Check out a Learning Kit here.

In today's episode, we sat down with local picture book author Brooke Van Sickle. Not only is Brooke the author of three picture books, but she is the creator of a children's publishing house called Bibliokid Publishing. Through Bibliokid and her blog, Journey to Kidlit, she has helped over thirty picture book authors realize their dreams of getting published.

In today's episode, we sat down with our Library Director Darryl Eschete. If you're listening to this episode between October 1-7, it's Banned Books Week. While we chatted, Darryl shared the historical context behind Banned Books Week and explained why we celebrate here at the West Des Moines Public Library. Learn more about it at BannedBooksWeek.org.

In today's episode, we sat down with our Homebound and Outreach Assistant Betsy Richter. Betsy wears many hats in the outreach world, but one of her newest is coordinating memory care storytimes and kits to eldercare facilities in our community. She shares what inspired her to start this program and why it's so important to engage with our population experiencing cognitive decline. Learn more about this program by visiting: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/services/outreach/elder-care-facilities

In today's episode, we sat down with our Youth Services Summer Intern Ben Siegal in honor of National Intern Day! He spoke with us about his experience working at the West Des Monies Public Library for the summer as well as plans for his future.

In today's episode, we're sitting down with four library staff members in honor of National Library Week. First, we'll speak with Susan Greenwood, the Library's Administrative Secretary. Next we'll chat with Megan Hartman, a Youth Services Assistant. Third on the list is Rachel Bussan, our Collection Services Specialist. And last but certainly not least we'll talk with Chris Mortimore, one of our hardworking Circulation Clerks. National Library Week is a yearly, week-long celebration that highlights our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions and promotes library use and support.

In today's episode, we're highlighting the important work that volunteers do here at the library. We had a chance to sit down with Hailey McKinney, who coordinates our teen volunteers; Heather Hildreth, who helps coordinate our adult volunteers; and Sue, Malina and Sarah , three of our current library volunteers. If you're interested in applying to become a library volunteer after hearing from these incredible people, visit www.wdmlibrary.org/volunteer.

In today's episode, we sat down with author Denise Williams. Denise will be the guest author at our upcoming Friends Foundation Author Event on Tuesday, March 28 from 6:45 – 8:00 PM. Denise is the author of "touching, funny, steamy romance novels" including How to Fail at Flirting, The Fastest Way to Fall, Do You Take This Man, and her latest collection of novellas, The Sweetest Connection. If you'd like to join us for Denise's talk via Zoom, you can register for that here. To keep up with all of the exiting things Denise is working on, you can follow her journey on her website, denisewilliamswrites.com.

In today's episode, we sat down with Ashley Molzen, the Community Engagement Supervisor at the Des Moines Public Library, and Jenna Ehler, The Head of Youth Services here at the West Des Moines Public Library, about the Simple Steps to Success Early Literacy Program. The program, which started at DMPL in 2017, is now being introduced to our patrons here in West Des Moines. For more information, please visit wdmlibrary.org/simplesteps.

In today's episode, we sat down with author Kali White VanBaale. Kali will be the guest author at our upcoming Friends Foundation Author Event on Tuesday, February 28 from 6:45 – 8:00 PM. Not only is Kali local to Des Moines, but she is the recipient of the American Book Award and the Iowa Arts Council major artist grant. She has published three books and her latest is titled The Monsters We Make.

In today's episode, we sat down with author Kay Fenton Smith. Kay co-wrote the book “Baking Blue Ribbons: Stories and Recipes from the Iowa State Fair Food Competitions” with Carol McGarvey. The book highlights the history, stories, and recipes from the very first Iowa State Fair up through present day. Kay will be at the library on Sunday, December 11 speaking about her book and giving guests a taste of the book's blue-ribbon donuts!

In today's episode, we sat down with two members of the WDM Library Friend Foundation Board, Kate Amdor and Heather Martin, to learn more about the upcoming Friends of the Library Book Sale! The largest book sale of the year will be taking place in the library's community room on Thursday, December 1 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Friday, December 2 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, and Saturday, December 3 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

In today's episode, we sat down with author John Mahoney. John played at Notre Dame as a safety from 2017 – 2020 and co-wrote a book with his fellow teammate about the wild, undefeated season that Notre Dame had in 2020. Learn more about joining us for John's author event on November 22 here: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/event/author-event-john-mahoney

In today's episode, we sat down with Kate Thompson, one of our Adult Services Assistants, to learn more about the upcoming Great Books Showcase: Holiday Edition on November 7 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM! Listen on to get a sneak preview of the event and learn some tips and tricks to find your next great read.

In today's episode, we sat down with Ann Renken, our Head of Collection Services, to learn more about how to donate physical materials to the library. Now's your chance to listen! Find out which items we'll gladly accept and how your generous material donations can benefit the WDM Library. Our full donation policy can be found here: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/about/material-donations

In today's episode, we sat down with Carol Grant, the president of our library Board of Trustees, and Darryl Eschete, our library director, to talk about our new five-year strategic plan. They each shared what the development of the plan looked like as well as the initiatives they look forward to seeing take shape in the next five years. You can read our full strategic plan at wdmlibrary.org/strategy.

In today's episode, we sat down with Stacy Conradt, a member of the West Des Moines Public Library Friends Foundation Board. She spoke about the upcoming author series that the Friends will be hosting this year including visits from Heather Gudenkauf, John Mahoney, Kali Van Baale, and Denise Williams. If you'd like to learn more about the Friends Foundation, you can visit www.wdmlibrary.org/friends.

In today's episode, we sat down with Gale Brubaker, the Executive Director of the West Des Moines Historical Society. Gale spoke with us about the return of the Iowa Files History Series and gave us a preview into what to look forward to for the next eight months of the program. The first session, The Only Free Road, meets here at the library on Sunday, September 18. See the full list of Iowa Files events here: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/events/upcoming?keywords=iowa%20files

In today's episode, we sat down with our Youth Services Summer Intern Elizabeth Lovell in honor of National Intern Day! She spoke with us about her experience working at the West Des Monies Public Library for the summer as well as plans for her future.

In today's episode, we sat down with the library's two Teen Library Assistants, Hailey McKinney and Sarah Allen. Hailey and Sarah shared about their role and how they work together to engage our teen patrons. We're also celebrating the year anniversary of our podcast and are happy to share we have moved officially into season 2! Thanks for joining us on this journey.

In today's episode, we sat down with Courtney Bench who is an Adult Services Assistant here at the library. Courtney chatted all things crafts with us and highlighted some of the exciting upcoming adult crafting programs on the horizon!

In today's episode, we sat down with Sara Ennis, an author who recently presented at a Friends Foundation author event here at the library. Sara chatted with us about the process of writing and self-publishing three psychological thrillers in a little under a year. She also gave some wonderful advice for writers who are thinking of making that leap into publishing.

In today's episode, we sat down with Jenna Ehler, Head of Youth Services, and Jen Ohzourk, Head of Adult Services, to get a sneak preview at Summer Reading 2022! Registration opens on May 23rd and you won't want to miss out on all of the exciting things happening in the library from May 23 – July 30! Learn more about Summer Escape at the West Des Moines Library here: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/summer

In today's episode, we sat down with three library staff members to talk about some projects that might surprise patrons that they work on, or, as we like to call them “Other Duties as Assigned.” You'll hear from Jacob Kirby, Circulation Clerk, Betsy Richter, Homebound and Outreach Assistant, and Max Schafer, Circulation Assistant. If you want to listen to the podcast about caring for books featuring Ann Renken, it is Episode 11 found here: https://anchor.fm/wdmlibrary/episodes/Episode-11-The-Care-and-Keeping-of-Library-Materials-and-YOU--November-15--2021-e1a6mlp

In today's episode, we sat down with the president of our Library Board of Trustees, Mary Brooks. Mary shares information on the important role that the Board of Trustees plays in the success of the library, and things to look forward to on the next five-year strategic plan. If you would like to take part in our strategic survey, you can do so at this link: https://survey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aeJJWuuNWrU1gAm?Q_CHL=qr

In honor of National Library Week, we sat down with four of our library patrons to pick their brains about what inspires them to keep coming back to the library. You'll hear from Maggie Wyborny, Deb Guntly, Steven Bush and Holly Anderson in today's episode.

In today's episode, we sat down with two members of the West Des Moines Public Library Friends Foundation board, Jean Fajen and Kate Amdor. Jean and Kate shared information about the upcoming Wine, Beer and Cheese Fundraiser on April 7, 2022 that anyone can attend as well as a large fundraising push for a new Library Pop-Up Vehicle for the library's youth services department. Learn more about the Friends Foundation and where to donate here: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/about/friends-foundation

In today's episode, we sat down with Kate Thompson, Adult Services Assistant, who is one of the presenting speakers for our Job Smarts series here at the library. Kate talked about each of the upcoming sessions in March including: Job Training with Library Resources, How to Interview and Negotiate, and Job Searching: Tips on What NOT to do. If you'd like to register to attend these sessions, please visit: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/events/upcoming?keywords=job%20smarts

In today's episode, we sat down with local author Aaron Putze. Aaron has authored two books—Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long & Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes' Football, and YOU Are Destined for Greatness: Stories of Inspiration and Empowerment. We are delighted to have Aaron as a presenting speaker for a Friends Foundation author event this evening, February 22.

In today's episode, we sat down with Louise Alcorn, the library's Technology Coordinator. Louise shared what excites her most about library technology and highlights some hidden gems that we have available FOR FREE to patrons that they might not be aware of. All of the databases mentioned by Louise can be found by visiting: https://www.wdmlibrary.org/digital-library

In today's episode, we sat down with the Director of the West Des Moines Public Library, Darryl Eschete. As we spoke, Darryl shared about his responsibility to promote intellectual freedom within his public institution and the negative effects of censorship. Read Darryl's article about Forrest Spaulding published on the The Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association's blog here: https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/forrest-spaulding-drafter-of-the-original-library-bill-of-rights/

In today's episode, we sat down with Jean Fajen, President of the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation Board. Jean talked with us about her tenure as Board President, the impact that the Friends have on the library, and how patrons can become Friends of the library. Become a Friend by visiting wdmlibrary.org/friends.

In today's episode, we sat down with Jen Ohzourk, the Head of Adult Services here at the library. She shared how she and her team come up with fun events for adult patrons and gave us a little sneak peek into what we can look forward to in 2022. See our full and updated event calendar here: www.wdmlibrary.org/events

In today's episode, we sat down with New York Times Bestselling Author Tracey Garvis Graves! Tracey recently celebrated the ten-year anniversary of her breakout hit debut novel, On The Island, and her latest book, Heard It in a Love Song, released from St. Martin's press on November 9.

In today's episode, we sat down with our Head of Collection Services, Ann Renken, to learn more about the care and upkeep of library materials. We also sat down with Meetu Sharma, one of our Circulation Clerks who is also Yoga Alliance Certified, about the care and upkeep of YOU. She focused on some simple mindfulness and yoga techniques that we can all use in our every day lives. Meetu will be hosting a Beginners Yoga and Mindfulness four-week program starting on Saturday, November 27th.

In today's episode, we sat down with a handful of people to highlight a new program being offered here at the library: Tech Help with Teens - a program designed to pair trained teen technicians with library patrons who have specific questions about technology. This program was created by its supervisor, Jodi Tschudin, and is sponsored by the City of West Des Moines, Youth Justice Initiative, United Way, Microsoft and Google Fiber. I was able to chat with Jodi, five of the teens who are currently participating in the program, and Jennifer Hahn, the Director of Youth Justice Initiative.

In today's episode, we sat down with award-winning picture book author Lydia M. Sigwarth. Lydia's book, Dear Librarian, offers a moving true story about a child experiencing homelessness who finds a safe haven in her local library. We are so honored that Lydia will be joining us here at the West Des Moines Public Library on Monday, October 25 for a storytime and book signing! She will be here from 10:30 – 11:30 AM that morning.

This week on In This Day and Page, we are talking with author Jay Kasperbauer who spoke at a recent WDM Library Friends Foundation event. His debut novel, Perlie, follows Perlie, a scrutinized convict struggling with identity and reestablishment after a brief prison sentence.

This week on In This Day and Page, we are talking with Kate Thompson, Adult Services Assistant, about her research around library programming for Autistic children and teens. Additionally, she will present at the Iowa Library Association conference on how to increase accessibility in the library for Neurodivergent adults.

This week on In This Day and Page, we are talking with Nate Huber, Youth Services Assistant at the West Des Moines Public Library, about the library's new Kids Graphic Novel Club Read that he will be starting. The first club meeting will be on September 23 from 4:15 - 5:00 PM and the group will be reading New Kid by Jerry Craft.

This week on In This Day and Page, we are talking with the new podcast host, Maggie Martin who is the Information Coordinator at the West Des Moines Public Library about her vision for the podcast moving forward. She'll also chat about her two published Young Adult novels and the writing process!

This week on In This Day and Page, we are talking with Betsy Richter (Homebound and Outreach Assistant at the West Des Moines Public Library) about the library's outreach and homebound delivery program.

This week on In This Day and Page, we are talking with Amy Seufert (Youth Services Assistant at the West Des Moines Public Library) about the summer reading program bonus logs and the summer reading program finale event. After this week, In This Day and Page will switch to an every-other-week schedule.

This week on In This Day and Page, we are talking with Alana Hetland and Amy Scherer about the West Des Moines Public Library's Adult Club Read, touching on subjects such as the book selection process, what a typical meeting looks like, and increased accessibility in the time of Covid.

Welcome to In This Day and Page! For our kickoff episode, we are speaking with Jenna Ehler (West Des Moines Public Library's Head of Youth Services) and local teen Cece to talk about all things books, the West Des Moines Public Library, and the Summer Reading Program.