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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Community connects at “Learn with Lions” event highlighting inclusive library services
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Fairfield — The Fairfield Lions Club welcomed community members to the Fairfield Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 21, for its “Learn with Lions” event, Beyond the Page: Building Connections with the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (ILBPD).
The family-friendly afternoon focused on literacy, accessibility, and inclusion, featuring guest speaker Denise Bean, Youth Services Librarian, and Jodi Aldini, Access Services Librarian, with the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. Bean and Aldini shared information about the free resources and services available to Iowans who are blind or have print disabilities, including audiobooks, Braille materials, large print books, and youth programming.
Attendees of all ages explored hands-on accessibility tools and local middle schooler, Khanh Tran, created Braille alphabet bookmarks to take home. The interactive format gave families a meaningful opportunity to better understand how accessible materials support readers of all abilities.
In addition to a $500 donation from the Fairfield Lions Club, a freewill donation was collected during the event, raising an additional $140 to support ILBPD. Bean shared that ILBPD will use this gift in many ways, such as to add accessible reading formats for patrons unable to read standard print. In addition, this gift allows the library to provide great support for all of accessible youth programs — including those that Khanh participates in. Not only are the programs accessible, but cherished friendships and connections are made for a lifetime.
Community members donated used eyeglasses and hearing aids for recycling through the Lions Club, continuing the organization’s long-standing commitment to vision and hearing initiatives.
The Fairfield Lions Club extends its appreciation to Denise Bean, the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, and all who attended and supported the event. Through partnerships like this, the Lions Club remains dedicated to promoting literacy, inclusion, and service within the Fairfield community.
For more information about future Lions Club events, contact fairfieldlionsclub@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/FFLions/ (search for Fairfield Lions Club — Fairfield Iowa on Facebook.
