Good news for eBook fans — new titles from major publisher Hachette Book Group are now available from the library again! Hachette stopped selling eBooks to libraries in 2010, limiting the availability of popular authors such as James Patterson, David Baldacci, Sandra Brown and others to only titles released before this date. But they are now once again making their full collection available for libraries to purchase.

KDL has purchased over 200 new Hachette titles, including:

• Life after Life by Kate Atkinson
• The Hit by David Baldacci
• Death of Yesterday by M. C. Beaton
• Low Pressure by Sandra Brown
• Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
• The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer
• 12th of Never by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
• Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris

Since lots of popular titles are now available for the first time, we’ve also increased the checkout limit to 15 items, so visit http://ebooks.kdl.org and start downloading!

Whether you’re a computer novice or looking to update your skills, KDL’s free computer classes can help you learn something new! Registration opens today for our June classes:

• Computer Basics: Mousing and More
• Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
• Digging into Your Past: Online Genealogy Research
  (Bring Your Own Laptop) (pre-registration not required)
• Gadgets: B.Y.O. eReader & Tablet Users Group
  (pre-registration not required)
• Internet: Email Basics
• Internet: Getting Started on Craigslist
• Internet: Internet Basics & More
• Internet: Wikipedia, the Encyclopedia for Everyone!
• Microsoft Excel Basics I, II & III
• Microsoft PowerPoint Basics
• Microsoft Word Basics I & II
• Senior Wireless Workshop (pre-registration not required)
• Speak to a Geek (pre-registration not required)

For class descriptions and schedule, please see our brochure or search our events calendar.

Unless otherwise noted, pre-registration is required and will begin the month before the scheduled classes on the first Monday of each month for KDL cardholders and the second Monday for non-KDL cardholders (if space is still available):

• June classes: Registration begins Monday, May 6 for KDL cardholders
  (Monday, May 13 for non-KDL cardholders)
• July classes: Registration begins Monday, June 3 for KDL cardholders
  (Monday, June 10 for non-KDL cardholders)
• August classes: Registration begins Monday, July 1 for KDL cardholders
  (Monday, July 8 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

Each month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. This month, listen to KDL Director Lance Werner talk about the library’s selection as a Finalist for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce EPIC Award for Excellence in Business.

The EPIC Awards (Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative) recognize those who support the community, demonstrate growth, are innovative and have worked with others as mentors and collaborators. Award recipients will be revealed on May 15.

Enjoy!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download WGVU5-2-13.mp3

(photo courtesy of Shelley Irwin)

Are you already making plans for summer? Don’t forget about all the FREE programs available at the library! The Summer 2013 issue of the KDL Kaleidoscope program guide is now available online. You’ll find all you need to know about summer events and get some great information on library resources and staff recommendations. (Printed guides will also be available in the branches by mid-May.)

It’s sure to be an exciting summer at KDL, and you don’t want to miss a thing. Check out the KDL Kaleidoscope today!

The flood waters came close, but the Englehardt branch in Lowell remained dry this weekend! Staff will be working hard today to put all the furniture and materials back in place, and the branch will reopen at 4:00 today (Monday, April 22).

Thank you to everyone for your patience and well wishes as we dealt with this unprecedented situation.

Good news for Kindle App users — OverDrive’s latest update to our eBook site has made KDL’s collection of free Kindle eBooks available to download directly from mobile devices! Previously, if you wanted to checkout an eBook in Kindle format, you would have to use a “regular” computer to complete the checkout, then direct Amazon to send the Kindle book to your mobile app. Now, the entire process, from browsing to checkout to delivery to your app, can be completed entirely on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or Android device.

For complete instructions on downloading Kindle eBooks, see our step-by-step guide. Questions? Fill out our help form or give us a call at 616-784-2007.

Happy Downloading!

Due to the threat of flooding, KDL’s Englehardt branch in Lowell will be CLOSED on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20. During this time, Englehardt’s book drop will not be accessible. Items may be returned to the Alto, Cascade Township or any other KDL branch.

Friday morning’s Rhyme Time Music and Movement program at 10:30 AM is CANCELED. However, the History of Barbie with Afternoon Tea program on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 PM will PROCEED as it is to be held at the Lowell Township Hall (2910 Alden Nash SE).

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

UPDATE (Friday, April 19): The Englehardt branch is still dry thus far. All items on low shelves have been moved as a precaution. All current HOLDS for Englehardt patrons will be available for pickup at the Alto branch during the Emergency Closing period. (Alto is closed on Fridays, but will be open from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM on Saturday.)

The Facebook Basics class scheduled at the Plainfield Township branch tonight has been CANCELED due to a staff emergency. Those interested in this class may call 616-784-2007 to register for a future session.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Good news for eAudiobook lovers — Hachette Audio titles are now available in MP3 format! This means that these eAudiobooks can now be downloaded directly to a much wider variety of devices, including Mac, iPhone and Android.

Popular Hachette Audio authors include:

• David Baldacci
• Michael Connelly
• Kami Garcia (Beautiful Creatures series)
• Elin Hilderbrand
• Joyce Meyer
• James Patterson
• David Sedaris
• Nicholas Sparks
• Scott Turow

Visit http://ebooks.kdl.org and download one today!

Each month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. This month, listen to KDL Communications Assistant Morgan Jarema and author/illustrator Ryan Hipp talk about the upcoming Celebrate the Mitten Writers Conference, happening Saturday, April 20 at the Cascade Township branch.

(Space is filling fast for this conference, so register now if you are interested in attending!)

Enjoy!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download WGVU4-4-13.mp3

(photo courtesy of Shelley Irwin)