Good news for eBook fans — a collection of titles from Macmillan Publishers are now available from the library for the first time! Macmillan has previously chosen not to sell eBooks to libraries, but they are now testing a ”pilot program” featuring selected mystery and crime titles.

KDL has purchased over 200 Macmillan eBook titles, including:

• A Crimson Warning by Tasha Alexander
• Burn by Nevada Barr
• Introducing Agatha Raisin by M. C. Beaton
• Blue Heaven by C.J. Box
• Heartsick by Chelsea Cain

• Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo

• A Burial at Sea by Charles Finch
• The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton

• In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming

• A Taint in the Blood by Dana Stabenow

• The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer

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

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 April classes:

• Computer Basics: Mousing and More
• Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
• Digital Photos: Creating Digital Photo Slideshows
• Digital Photos: Online Photo Sharing, Saving and Ordering
• Gadgets: Get Appy with Your iPad
  (pre-registration not required)
• Internet: Blogs, Wikis, Social Networking & More
• Internet: Create Your Own Website or Blog
• Internet: Email Basics
• Internet: Facebook Basics
• Internet: Internet Basics & More
• Job Seekers: Job & Career Accelerator
• Microsoft Excel Basics I & II
• Microsoft PowerPoint Basics
• Microsoft Word Basics I, II & III
• 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):

• April classes: Registration begins Monday, March 4 for KDL cardholders
  (Monday, March 11 for non-KDL cardholders)
• May classes: Registration begins Monday, April 1 for KDL cardholders
  (Monday, April 8 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

The Spring 2013 issue of the KDL Kaleidoscope program guide is now available at your local branch library. Or check it out online. You’ll find all you need to know about spring programs and get some great information on library resources and staff recommendations.

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

One great way to entice children to become actively engaged in music is to use scarves. Any light-weight, sheer fabric will work as a great dancing scarf to help direct movement in a more rhythmic way. Have children wave the scarf around, make it fly like a kite or flap like a flag.

Some great songs to use with scarves with directed movement are Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gill, Shake Your Scarves by Johnette Downing, Coconut Soap by Frank Leto or Rock and Roll Freeze Dance by Hap Palmer. Just grab a scarf and pick some of your favorite tunes to dance and have a fun, family experience with your child.

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.

“The New Health Care Law & You” program scheduled to take place at the Plainfield Township branch tonight has been CANCELED due to weather conditions. Those interested in attending this program are instead invited to join us at 6:30 PM on Thursday, February 21, when the program will be offered at the Gaines Township branch.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

There is a heap of information and activities for young children to be found on the KDL website. The PLAY-GROW-READ! section of the KDL website can be found under the “Parents & Kids” tab. There you will find a goldmine of “Simple Crafts and Activities for Early Literacy Skills.”

This list of crafts and activities will help your child get ready to read by talking, writing, reading, playing and singing. For instance, make a simple mailbox and have your child “write” notes to other family members. Similarly, use grocery store ads to cut out pictures and create your child’s favorite menu. This is a great place to find inspiration for educational and fun activities.

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.

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 East Grand Rapids branch Youth Specialist Morgan Doane talk about all the great Early Literacy resources KDL offers, including PLAY-GROW-READ!, KDLville and more.

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 WGVU2-7-13.mp3

(photo courtesy of Shelley Irwin)

Mice by Rose Fyleman

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.

Due to hazardous weather conditions, all Kent District Library branches will be closing at 5:00 PM today (Thursday, February 7.) All evening programs have been cancelled.
We will resume normal business hours as the weather permits.

Thank you for your patronage and we hope to see you soon.

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.