Hi y’all!
This is Madde Hoberg, the new Interim Executive Director at the LGBTQ Iowa Archives and Library (LIAL). It’s been a while since we’ve updated everyone on news, so I wanted to introduce myself and send out a summer wrap up to bring our wonderful community up to speed!
I started working with LIAL during the Fall 2021 semester as a practicum student while seeking my MLIS through the UW-Madison iSchool, after which I was brought on as the Archives Coordinator. LIAL immediately felt welcoming and everyone I met through the organization offered so much love and warmth—from leadership members to volunteers to patrons. I’ve spent countless hours between the Wesley Center basement and the Close House in Iowa City. I met so many people at Iowa Prides this summer and heard some amazing stories along the way. I’ve been lucky enough to watch my son grow up alongside the organization with his loud screeches filling the library space as he pulls books off shelves. It has truly become a home away from home for me which seems to be a common experience for folks who visit LIAL. That is why I’m so excited to see LIAL’s continued growth and to play my part in keeping the organization strong and thriving so it can benefit our entire community.
That said, LIAL is a volunteer-run, donation-funded organization. Our community is what makes us strong and keeps us going with their labor, dedication, and financial support. I want to thank you so much for your interest, engagement, and support for queer community in Iowa, and for your belief in LIAL! Enjoy these exciting updates and learn about more ways you can interact with and support LIAL’s mission to serve LGBTQ people across the state of Iowa.
Madde Hoberg
Interim Executive Director & Archives Coordinator
LGBTQ Iowa Archives & Library (LIAL)
she/they
Leadership Team
You may have seen that our founder, Aiden Bettine, has accepted a new position in Minnesota and has stepped away from his Executive Director role at LIAL. We are excited for him and this new adventure. In response to this change, we’ve made some updates and want to take this time to introduce you to our current leadership team.
Madde Hoberg – Interim Executive Director and Archives Coordinator. Handles general inquiries and questions related to archival materials and collections.
Ann Kreitman – Associate Director. Manages social media, community outreach, and fundraising.
Annie Fitzgerald – Library Coordinator. Handles questions about library services and catalog.
Ash Hoberg – Volunteer Coordinator. Coordinates volunteer opportunities, schedules, and requests.
Veronica Armstrong – Youth Education Coordinator. Oversees youth programming and services.
You can find all the contact information for our leadership team at https://lgbtqiowa.org/about/our-leadership/. We are here for any questions you may have!
2022 Pride Tour
This summer, we went on a massive statewide Pride tour! In our travels, we made many wonderful connections with people from all over Iowa. We visited the following 10 Pride events:
SUX Pride (Sioux City)
Quad Cities Pride (Rock Island, IL)
Let Love Fly (North Liberty)
Wings Over Iowa (Eastern Iowa Airport, Cedar Rapids)
Capitol City Pride (Des Moines)
Iowa City Pride
Ankeny Pride
Burlington Pride
Fairfield Pride
Cedar Rapids Pride
In addition to these Prides, we will also be attending Cedar Valley Pride (8/26-27) and Coralville Pride (9/4). We hope to see you at these upcoming events. Stop by our table for a bookmark or button!
Regular Programming
In the past several months, we have expanded the programming offered through LIAL. In addition to our longstanding Queer Threads crafting group (Mondays 7 – 9 PM, Close House, Iowa City), we have added the following recurring events:
Queer Writers Interest Group (Mondays 3 – 4 PM, Close House, Iowa City)
Transistors – Trans Adults Support Group (every other Wednesday starting 8/31, 6 – 8 PM)
Hellenistic Astrology with Craig – Natal charts & tarot readings (Thursdays 4:30 – 6:30 PM, Close House, Iowa City)
Queer Divination Interest Group (Thursdays, 7 – 8 PM, Close House, Iowa City)
Queer Storytime – Ages 5 and under (Saturdays 10 – 11 AM, Close House, Iowa City)
* Queer Storytime will take place at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market at 11 AM on the following dates: 9/17, 10/15
If you’re in Iowa City, we would love to see you at any of these events! Follow us on social media for continued updates.
Engage and Support
There are plenty of ways to engage with and support LIAL regardless of your location! Here’s some information on the various ways to interact with and support our community.
Follow, Like, and Comment
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LGBTQIowaArchives
Instagram: @lgbtq_iowa_archives
TikTok: @lgbtq_iowa_archives
Twitter: @LGBTQIowa
Build Community
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwK9GtCJjR
Donate
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LGBTQIowa
PayPal: @IowaArchives, https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SZ2UPVG6YS3WG
Venmo: @lgbtqiowa
Upcoming Events
Back To School Book Drive through bookshop.org (more details to come)
Cedar Valley Pride (8/26 – 27)
Coralville Pride (9/4)
Family Fun at Close House: “Harvest” (9/10, 3 – 5 PM, Iowa City)
September Board Game Night (9/10, 4 PM – Midnight, Close House, Iowa City)
Presenting at GSACon (9/17, Des Moines)
October Art Salon (more details to come)
December Showcase and Silent Auction (more details to come)
