Help address childhood hunger in Kent County by supporting Kids’ Food Basket! During the month of April, KDL Gives Back will sponsor juice box collection and bag decorating stations at all 18 branches.

Drop off juice boxes and bring the family in to decorate sacks:
Monday, April 1 – Tuesday, April 30

Kids’ Food Basket is a nonprofit West Michigan organization whose mission is to make sure children in our community do not go to bed hungry. The group began more than nine years ago by serving 125 kids every school day through its Sack Supper program, and now serves nearly 5,000 kids every day.

*photo: Kids’ Food Basket

** UPDATE: Wow, thanks for the library love bombs! We wish we had tickets for each and every one of you. The (random number-generated) winner of the pair of tickets is Shelly, who wrote on March 28 that she enjoys long walks with audiobooks. Have a great time, Shelly!

Love David Sedaris? Know anyone who does?

Here’s your chance to win a pair of tickets to see Sedaris, best-selling author and National Public Radio humorist, in person at 7:00 PM on Sunday, April 14 at the DeVos Performance Hall downtown.

All you have to do is sign up for KDL’s monthly eNewsletter and leave a comment on this blog post telling us what you love most about the library. Enter by March 31. Already receive our eNewsletter? Great! Just leave your comment below! And so it will be done. You will be entered.

* Tickets courtesy SMG/Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place & DeVos Performance Hall

The calendar in April will attest
KDL’s 10th Annual Teen Poetry Contest,

Up to 10 teens a-rhyming
Will earn prizes for poetic timing,

$50 in Schuler Books gift cards
For stanzas o’er which you labored hard,

Rules and entry forms available here
Or at the KDL branch you hold most dear,

Poems better than this one accepted April 1 through 30,
Your mom might read them, so nothing dirty.

Last year more than 200 area teens in grades 6-12 entered our annual  poetry contest. In case you missed it, here are those winning entries. Go forth and compose those cantos.

Note: As of April 8, this conference is at capacity for registration and we will be unable to accommodate walk-ins.

It’s the summer of 2005, and Mardi Jo Link’s dream of living the simple life has unraveled into debt, heartbreak and perpetually ragged cuticles. Still, when she and her husband call it quits, leaving her more broke than ever, Mardi makes a seemingly impossible resolution: to hang on to her northern Michigan farm and keep writing for a living. Her forthcoming memoir, “Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm,” (due to be published in the summer) details her often humorous story of motherhood and survival.

Mardi will share what she learned on out-of-the-box ways to make money as a writer during a presentation at this year’s Celebrate the Mitten writers conference. The free half-day event features local publishing insiders and published authors who will lead sessions on how to market your book, how to put together a book trailer and traditional vs. self-publishing. A full agenda is below.

All genres and skill levels are welcome. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited — last year’s event drew nearly 100 attendees, so… seriously, register now! Everyone who does will be entered for the chance to win one-on-one mentoring with Michigan publishing professionals. You do not have to have a completed (or even started) book to attend.

To register, click here, ask at your local branch or call 616-784-2007.

Saturday, April 20, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM – Cascade Township branch

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Cascade Library, Arbutus Press, and StoryLook Design.

Susan Bays, publisher, Arbutus Press; Jon Bradley, children’s book author; John Forsberg, military science fiction author; Ryan Hipp, children’s books author and illustrator; D.E. Johnson, fiction author; Mardi Link, true crime author & memoirist; Sue Merrell, mystery/thriller author and memoirist; Lisa Orchard, young adult fiction author; Kris Nelson, creative director/principal, StoryLook Design; John Warnock, short story author, humorist and novelist

Agenda:

8:30 AM — Sign in and choose breakout sessions

9:00 AM — Intro and panel and Q&A with all participants present: So You’ve written the book… Now what? Is there a master list of tasks that need to be completed? A certain order to do things? What must every published or soon-to-be published author do?

9:50–10:00 AM — Break

10:00–10:50 AM — Breakout  Sessions I:

1. Go Commando or No? Which is for You: Try to Find a Traditional Publisher, or Go the Self-Publishing Route? pros and cons of both (Lisa Orchard, Jon Warnock, Susan Bays of Arbutus Press, Ryan Hipp)
2. Funding the Writer’s Life (Mardi Link)

10:50–11:00 AM — Break

11:00–11:50 AM — Breakout Sessions II:

1. It’s Perfect Just As It Is, Thank You Very Much: Cover art, copyediting and more… why they can make or break your book’s success  (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design; Susan Bays, Arbutus Press)
2. “A Brilliant Debut!” Ways to promote/market  your book, and  tales of marketing fails and successes (John Forsberg — book trailers, Lisa Orchard, D.E. Johnson, Ryan Hipp)

11:50–12:50 PM — Lunch — not provided

12:50–1:40 PM — Breakout Sessions III

1. The ABC’s of Children’s Books How are they different from/ the same as any other published book? Do’s and Don’ts, The Three Most Important Things (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design;  Jon Bradley)
2. Live and In-Person: Elements of a successful book reading/appearance — is there more to it than reading out loud? (Ryan Hipp, Sue Merrell)

1:45–2:30 PM — Drawing for Prizes and Networking Time: presenters/attendees mix, mingle, share and sell  books

Drawing “prizes”:

Susan Bays, Arbutus Press: personal consult TBD

Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design: personal consult TBD

Ryan Hipp, personal consult/topic of winner’s choice

In February, KDL put out a call to staff and patrons at all our branches to donate travel-sized hygiene products to be distributed to the nearly 2,900 kids in the Kent Intermediate School District who are experiencing homelessness.

And boy, did you answer that call. Yesterday we delivered two van loads – 54 boxes and bags — of items to a very grateful KISD.

As a result of your generosity, more than 5,000 items were collected.  An additional 130 pre-made hygiene kits as well as  sidewalk chalk, coloring books and Play-Doh were purchased with funds employees donated during an employee in-service in January.

Casey Gordon, special populations consultant at KISD, said he was amazed by the donation. “We have had so many requests for hygiene items and kits lately that this will solve an immediate need for our homeless students,” he said. “The extra items will be so appreciated — not only will the hygiene kits go directly to students who need them, but the coloring books, sidewalk chalk and Play-Doh will be amazing gifts for our students – so many of them don’t have toys or activities that they can take with them and this will be perfect.”

You did a good thing, KDL peeps. A good good thing.

Another KDL Gives Back opportunity is coming up in April: All branches will be collecting juice box donations for Kids Food Basket.

NOTE: As of April 8, registration for this event is at capacity, though you may still register to be put on a waiting list. We will be unable to accommodate walk-ins.

Last year, nearly 100 people attended our inaugural Celebrate the Mitten Author Showcase, and we heard it over and over: please do this next year!

Consider it done. Registration is open for this year’s event, a free half-day writers conference featuring local publishing insiders and published authors who will lead sessions on how to market your book, out-of-the-box ways to make money as a writer and traditional vs. self-publishing, among other topics.

All genres and skill levels are welcome. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited — last year’s event drew nearly 100 attendees, so… seriously: register now! Everyone who does will be entered for the chance to win one-on-one mentoring with publishing pros in attendance. You do not need to have completed (or even started!) a book to attend.

To register, click here, ask at a branch or call 616-784-2007.

Saturday, April 20, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM – Cascade Township branch

Agenda:

8:30 AM — Sign in and choose breakout sessions

9:00 AM — Intro and panel and Q&A with all participants present: So You’ve written the book… Now what? Is there a master list of tasks that need to be completed? A certain order to do things? What must every published or soon-to-be published author do?

9:50–10:00 AM — Break

10:00–10:50 AM — Breakout  Sessions I:

1. Go Commando or No? Which is for You: Try to Find a Traditional Publisher, or Go the Self-Publishing Route? pros and cons of both (Lisa Orchard, Jon Warnock, Susan Bays of Arbutus Press, Ryan Hipp)
2. Funding the Writer’s Life (Mardi Link)

10:50–11:00 AM — Break

11:00–11:50 AM — Breakout Sessions II:

1. It’s Perfect Just As It Is, Thank You Very Much: Cover art, copyediting and more… why they can make or break your book’s success  (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design; Susan Bays, Arbutus Press, Sue Merrell)
2. “A Brilliant Debut!” Ways to promote/market  your book, and  tales of marketing fails and successes (John Forsberg — book trailers, Lisa Orchard, D.E. Johnson, Ryan Hipp)

11:50–12:50 PM — Lunch — not provided

12:50–1:40 PM — Breakout Sessions III

1. The ABC’s of Children’s Books How are they different from/ the same as any other published book? Do’s and Don’ts, The Three Most Important Things (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design;  Jon Bradley)
2. Live and In-Person: Elements of a successful book reading/appearance — is there more to it than reading out loud? (Ryan Hipp, Sue Merrell)

1:45–2:30 PM — Drawing for Prizes and Networking Time: presenters/attendees mix, mingle, share and sell  books

Drawing “prizes”:

Susan Bays, Arbutus Press: personal consult TBD

Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design: personal consult TBD

Ryan Hipp, personal consult/topic of winner’s choice

Presenters:

Susan Bays, publisher, Arbutus Press
Jon Bradley, children’s book author
John Forsberg, military science fiction author
Ryan Hipp, children’s books author and illustrator
D.E. Johnson, fiction author
Mardi Link, true crime author & memoirist
Sue Merrell, memoirist and mystery/thriller author
Lisa Orchard, young adult fiction author
Kris Nelson, creative director/principal, StoryLook Design
John Warnock, short story author, humorist and novelist

Yeah, we said it: your library card can get you discounts at select area merchants.

Look for this image at the following vendors and show 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. SE, Kentwood, 15% off all orders

… and coffee, and gardening stuff, and dinner out with the fam, and hockey tix …

Look for this image at the following vendors and show 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

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 PM, when winners of the inaugural Write Michigan short story contest will gather at the Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library St. NE) for an awards ceremony and the kickoff sale of the collection of their work, published by Schuler Books & Music’s Chapbook Press.

Like a literary Ryan Seacrest, Saugatuck-based author Wade Rouse will speak at the event. Wade is a humorist and memoirist whose work has been featured multiple times on NBC’s Today Show as well as on Chelsea Lately on E!, People.com, Salon.com, Forbes.com, Publisher’s Weekly and Michigan Radio, where Wade is a regular contributor.

Wade is the author of five books, including his current memoir, the IndieBound bestseller, It’s All Relative: Two Families, Three Dogs, 34 Holidays and 50 Boxes of Wine.

Nearly 600 Michigan writers entered Write Michigan, and after a volunteer crew of some 80 preliminary judges whittled those entries to a list of top 10 finalists, you voted for your favorites.

Click here to see a complete list of winners!

Test your skills and have fun competing in KDL’s first-ever Ultimate Beyblade Battle!

Bring your own Beyblades and arenas, or train and compete using the library’s equipment. This is for children ages 6 and older and is a Guys Read-approved event.

Schedule:

Saturday, March 16, 1:30 PM – Sand Lake/ Nelson Township branch
Tuesday, April 2, 1:00 PM – Englehardt branch
Wednesday, April 3, 2:00 PM – Cascade Township branch
Thursday, April 4, 1:00 PM – Walker branch
Thursday, April 4, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch
Saturday, April 6, 2:00 PM – Wyoming branch
Saturday, May 11, 11:00 AM – Tyrone Township branch