Learn the basics of yoga, karate and tai chi with the Wyoming branch of KDL. All ages are welcome!

Karate Basics
Learn basic karate through hands-on experience with Sensei Jerry Bomay.
Wyoming branch — Tuesdays, December 1-15, 9:30 a.m.

Tai Chi Basics
Join Tim Parker from the Blue Heron Academy to learn this form of traditional Chinese martial art. Tai chi’s health training concentrates on relieving the physical effects of stress on the body and mind.
Wyoming branch — Saturday, January 9, 2:00 p.m.

Yoga Basics
Professional yoga instructor Susan Duesbury will teach you how to open your heart and live life with increased joy and greater ease through yoga.
Wyoming branch — Saturday, January 23, 2:00 p.m.

Take a stroll down gingerbread lane with the Kent District Library. This program is for children of all ages with an adult. Kids will get to make their very own simple gingerbread house and enjoy some tasty stories and rhymes.

Gingerbread Lane can be enjoyed at the following KDL branches:

Comstock Park — Tuesday, December 1, 6:30 p.m.
Kentwood – Monday, December 7, 6:30 p.m.
Englehardt – Tuesday, December 15, 5:45 p.m.
Caledonia Twp. — Thursday, December 17, 10:30 a.m.
Plainfield Twp. — Saturday, December 19, 10:30 a.m.
Gaines Twp. — Saturday, December 19, 2:00 p.m.

Registration may be required.

Join KDL this holiday season in bringing cheer to a local child. Once again, KDL is participating in the US Marines’ Toys for Tots program, helping to provide toys to deserving children throughout the community.

Drop off your new, unwrapped toys now through December 14 at any one of these KDL branch locations: Cascade Township, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Krause Memorial and Wyoming.

Thank you for your donation!

Warm up to a good book with the Kent District Library’s Let it Snow Reading Club for Adults, sponsored by the KDL Alliance of Friends.

This year’s program will run from December 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010.

The more you read, the more great prizes you can win!

Sign up at your local KDL branch starting December 1 and get your Let It Snow bingo card. Play while you read and enter to win exciting prizes like a gift card to Schuler Books & Music or Meijer.

If you get two bingos, you’ll receive a Let it Snow ice scraper to get you through the long winter! All completed bingo cards will be entered in the final drawing on Wednesday, March 31 for a $50 gift card to the Gilmore Group restaurants.

Earlier this week, Kristin Meyer, of the Wyoming branch, visited the set of WZZM’s Take Five to share some simple crafts you can do with little ones to develop early literacy skills.

Check out the video of Kristin’s appearance:

You can also read the accompanying article and check out our Play-Grow-Read resources.

The Gaines Township branch of KDL is hosting a Book Club Mixer on Saturday, November 14 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Private book clubs are welcome to join us and learn about some great titles for book groups from KDL librarians and other groups.

Bring your own suggestions and learn from each other!

KDL held another online patron survey contest in October. As promised, we have selected a winner to receive a Playaway audiobook.

Of 66 respondents, random.org selected number 17 as the winner.

Congratulations to Johanna Martin who frequents the Cascade Twp. branch

Look for more ways to win great prizes from KDL soon!

As part of the A Novel Experience event last week, Paws with a Cause brought several Assistance Dogs to greet guests in the lobby. They also accepted dog-friendly donations from the Marley & Me fans. Earlier this week we received a letter from Paws with a Cause thanking everyone for the generous donations:

“The amount of donations received from attendees was truly impressive! The kindness of these donors allows us to further our vision: To encourage independence for people with disabilities by sustaining and strengthening our position as the nation’s leading provider of quality Assistance Dogs.”

Thank you to everyone who came to A Novel Experience, and a special thanks to those who were able to support Paws with a Cause.

Earlier this week, Trish Reid, of the East Grand Rapids branch, visited the set of WZZM’s Take Five to share tips on how to get babies and toddlers excited about reading.

Check out the video of Trish’s appearance:

You can also read the accompanying article and check out our Play-Grow-Read resources.

Last week, Michelle Minerd of the the East Grand Rapids branch, visited the set of WZZM’s Take Five to talk about reading activities for young children, from babies to preschoolers.

Check out Michelle’s tips:

For more great ideas, read the WZZM article and check out KDL’s helpful Play-Grow-Read information.