If you know all about Squirtle, Charmander and Pikachu, this program is for you! Join the Pokémon Club, for ages 6 and older.  Bring your Pokémon cards to trade or battle with friends. Learner decks will be available for new players. We hope to see you there!

Schedule:
Wednesdays, March 13, April 10 and May 8, 6:30 PM – Grandville branch 
Thursdays, March 21, April 18 and May 16, 3:30 PM – Tyrone Township branch

*** Please note: The Pokémon Club scheduled at the Tyrone Township branch on May 16 has been cancelled.

You can now receive library text alerts on your mobile phone via the new SMS Alerts Service. Once you sign up, you will receive a text message when:

• You have a hold item ready for pickup
• You have materials that are due soon
• You have materials that are overdue

To opt in to this service, follow these simple instructions:

1. Go to https://sam.llcoop.org/patroninfo and log in to your account.
2. Click on the Opt In/Out for SMS Messages link.
3. Enter your Mobile Phone Number
4. Check the box to “Opt In” to text alerts.
5. Review the Terms and Conditions and Submit the form.

This is a free service, but standard carrier message charges apply. Also, please note that each cell phone number may only be used once (different family members cannot use the same phone number for multiple library card numbers). Additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions, can be found here. Don’t hesitate to talk to a KDL staff member if you need some help!

You are invited! We would love for you to attend the Write Michigan Awards Ceremony, taking place at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 19 at the Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library St. NE). Come celebrate the Write Michigan short story contest winners.

The free event will feature Saugatuck-based author Wade Rouse, a humorist and memoirist. Copies of the Write Michigan inaugural anthology published by Chapbook Press will be available for purchase. You can also pre-order the book here.

We hope to see you there!

Did you know that an adequate supply of disposable diapers can cost up to $75 per month and safety net programs, such as W.I.C. and food stamps, do NOT cover the cost of diapers?  We have teamed up with the Great Start Parent Coalition and local food pantries to help families who cannot afford diapers for their little ones. Eleven KDL branches will be drop off sites for the annual Great Start Diaper Drive taking place through May 1. Unopened packages of disposable diapers in any size can be dropped off at these KDL branch locations:

• Alpine Township
• Alto
• Byron Township
• Comstock Park
• East Grand Rapids
• Gaines Township
• Grandville
• Kentwood (Richard L. Root)
• Sand Lake / Nelson Township
• Spencer Township
• Wyoming

The next time you are out running errands, consider purchasing a package of diapers and dropping it off in one of our collection boxes. We can all play a part in keeping the babies in our area happy and healthy!

If you have been meaning to sign up yourself or your child  for a library card and haven’t gotten around to it, don’t put it off any longer. If you know someone who lives in the KDL service area who doesn’t have a library card, tell them that now is the perfect time to sign up for one.

Why?

If you sign up for a library card before March 31, you have the chance to win some amazing prizes including an overnight stay at the JW Marriott, a three-month family membership to the YMCA, gift certificates and more! All you have to do is sign up for a KDL card and participate in our Find Your Happiness Scavenger Hunt, which will introduce you to all the amazing free services KDL has to offer. Visit your local branch for more information or to sign up. Happy Hunting!

Check out all the vendors that donated prizes. If you visit any of these businesses, make sure to thank them for their generosity and community involvement.

Don’t forget… KDL is your place for happiness!

Learn how your daily activities affect the water quality of area rivers. Rivers and Rain Barrels will take place at several KDL branches this spring.  The West Michigan Environmental Action Council will discuss what each of us can do to protect our treasured resources. Participants can also construct rain barrels for $20, which can be paid by cash or check. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Please register online or by calling 784-2007.

Schedule:
Saturday, March 9, 10:30 AM – Spencer Township branch
Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 PM – Alpine Township branch
Thursday, April 25, 6:30 PM – Grandville branch
Monday, April 29, 6:30 PM – Plainfield Township branch
Thursday, May 2, 6:30 PM – Tyrone Township branch

The library is the place for building fun! Several KDL branches will host a Family Building Bricks Party this spring. It’s your chance to design, build and bond. Bring the whole family and create a towering monument using the library’s building bricks. The best part? There’s no big mess at home to clean up!

Schedule:

Saturdays, March 2, April 6 and May 4, 10:00 AM – Grandville branch
Saturday, March 9, 10:00 AM – East Grand Rapids branch
Saturday, March 9, 2:00 PM – Gaines Township branch
Saturdays, March 9, April 13 and May 11, 2:00 PM – Comstock Park branch
Saturdays, March 9 and April 20, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township branch
Saturday, March 16, 10:30 AM – Tyrone Township branch
Saturday, March 23, 10:00 AM – Walker branch
Saturdays, March 23, April 20 and May 18, 10:30 AM – Alpine Township branch
Saturdays, March 30 and April 27, 2:00 PM – Plainfield Township branch
Monday, April 1, 1:00 PM – Englehardt branch

Get your creative juices flowing and join us for some creation mania at the library!

This March, KDL is offering fantastic prizes to residents who register for a library card. These rewards are a fun way to encourage new customers to take advantage of the great services and resources available at KDL.

Don’t worry — existing cardholders can also reap worthwhile benefits!

Look for this image at the following vendors and proudly display your KDL card to connect with special discounts. Visit these local businesses and let them know you appreciate all the perks of having a KDL library card!

• Clique Coffee Bar, 1600 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, 10% off all orders
• Creekside Garden Center, 4015 Fruit Ridge Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, 10% off all merchandise
  (not in conjunction with other discounts)
• Grand Rapids Griffins, Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, $7 off the price of a Lower Level Faceoff ticket for all Sunday and Wednesday home games
• PJ’s Pizza, 3836 52nd St. SE, Kentwood, 10% off all orders
• Quaker Steak & Lube, 515 28th St., Kentwood, 15% off all orders

The best part? These deals are good for the whole year!

Due to poor weather conditions, the Lost on the Lady Elgin program scheduled at the Sand Lake Branch tonight  (Monday, February 11 at 6:30 PM) has been cancelled.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we hope to offer the program again in March.

We are excited to offer you the chance to win tickets to 100 Years of Magic, presented by Disney on Ice! Stop by your local branch by February 15 and register to win by filling out an entry form (one entry per person please). Each of our 18 branches will be giving away a family four pack of ticket vouchers to the opening night performance taking place at 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 28 at the Van Andel Arena. Winners will also receive a Disney prize pack!

Join the celebration as 65 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in 100 Years of Magic! Join the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and all the Disney Princesses in a skating spectacular you’ll remember forever.

The show visits Grand Rapids from February 28 – March 3 for seven performances at the Van Andel Arena. Tickets can be purchased at the Van Andel Arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to win a free evening of family fun! Good luck!