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!

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!

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.

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.

All branches will be closed until 12:00 PM today (Friday, February 8), but will then resume normal hours. All morning programs and activities for Friday are cancelled.

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.

Whether you’re a computer novice or looking to update your skills, KDL’s free computer classes can help you learn something new! Our spring schedule begins soon, offering the following 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: Getting Started on Craigslist
• Internet: Internet Basics & More
• Internet: Online Genealogy Research I & II
• Internet: Online Resources for Book Lovers
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Developing Your Personal Brand
  (pre-registration not required)
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Résumés, Online Profiles, Cover Letters & More
  (pre-registration not required)
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: LinkedIn Bookcamp
  (pre-registration not required if you bring your own laptop)
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Networking (pre-registration not required)
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Behavioral Interviewing (pre-registration not required)
• Job Seekers: Job & Career Accelerator
• Microsoft Excel Basics I, II & III
• 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):

• March classes: Registration begins Monday, February 4 for KDL cardholders
  (Monday, February 11 for non-KDL cardholders)
• 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.

It’s a snow day for lots of kids in the area,
but KDL branches remain OPEN!
All programs will take place as scheduled.
Please drive carefully if you choose to visit us today.

Now there’s even more Mango to choose from! Our online language learning resource, Mango Languages, recently announced that they’ve added even more new languages to their program:

• Arabic (Egyptian)
• Arabic (Modern Standard)
• Romanian
• Swahili

Mango Languages is FREE to all KDL cardholders, and is an easy, effective way to learn to speak a foreign language. Courses are currently available in 49 foreign languages and 15 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses:

Once you’ve signed up for an account through KDL, you can even access Mango Languages on-the-go with free mobile apps for iOS and Android!

Watch the video below to see Mango Languages in action, then start using it today!

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 “Printable Activities.”

From sequencing cards to puzzles to a rhyming game, there are many fun educational activities for young minds to explore. There are also some printable cutting pages that are great for developing fine motor skills. So the next time you are stuck inside on a rainy day, make sure to explore this great supply of early literacy activities created by KDL Youth Librarians!

Printable Rhyming Cards

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.