On March 18, 1915, British and French forces launched an unlucky naval attack on the Ottoman Empire in the Dardanelles, the thin waterway in northwestern Turkey that separates Europe from Asia. The waterway was heavily mined, and even though the British swept the area before launching the attack, they still lost three ships. Two more were severely damaged.

I have a strong personal interest in WWI because my great-grandfather fought in the British Gallipoli Campaign, and he lost two older brothers within a week of one another in the Battle of the Somme.  The First World War always felt like a rushed subject in school, so I never had much interest in it until I found my family’s connection to it through genealogical research. To further my knowledge and learn more about it I used the WWI Nonfiction booklist to highlight some of the books available at KDL that deal with WWI and all the different battles that occurred.

Can’t get enough basketball? Get an assist from KDL! We’ve got documentary films, training materials and books on all your favorite buzzer-beaters. To view 10 of the most popular Basketball Nonfiction titles at KDL, click on the link to the KDL Top Ten List!

Staying in town for spring break? We can help keep your kids happy, busy and entertained… and we may even sneak in a little education (but they will never know)! Between Family Building Brick Parties, Garden Fun Storytimes, Minecrafting, Chess, Bayblade Battles, Science in the Stacks and much more, there won’t be any time for boredom. Click here for a complete list of our programs taking place March 29 – April 7.

And if you are heading to the sunny south for break, make sure to stop in your local branch and stock up on some great vacation reads. Pick up some audiobooks to make a long car ride more bearable.

Wishing everyone a safe and fun spring vacation!

Join in at your local library for the opportunity to build the best of your imagination!  It will be a time to build creativity, family time and bonding in many of your local libraries during the Family Building Bricks Party. To enjoy the event you might want to read up on building ideas by using several of these titles, or better yet, follow a YouTube demonstration:

And for those who enjoyed hearing the line from the classic baseball film, “Build it, and they will come,” Field of Dreams would be a good warm-up for baseball’s opening day! As fans eagerly approach the nostalgia of baseball games throughout cool spring days and lazy days of summer, a few titles to bring on the game could always be enjoyed. Furthermore, the history of the game could be followed quite easily by browsing the variety of media available.

So, if building with bricks, imagination or sports is your favorite pastime, join us at your KDL library to take a swing!

Free books. Free movies. Free video games. Free eBooks and eAudiobooks. Free music (including downloads). Free programs. Free research databases. Free magazines (including downloads). The list could go on and on!

All this, plus a chance to win a slew of amazing prizes… sign up for a library card today! Our Find Your Happiness library card campaign runs until the end of March, so there is still time to get in on the fun! Those of you reading this probably already have a library card, so make sure to spread the word to your family and friends. They will thank you, I’m sure!

Just in case you’re wondering, the prizes for the campaign include an overnight stay at the JW Marriott, a three-month family membership at the YMCA, movie passes and free popcorn at Celebration! Cinema, gift cards for Schuler Books & Music, Meijer and Family Fare, a free birthday party at the Kentwood Fun Spot and so much more!

Kent District Library really is Your Place for Happiness!

Hey Teens:

Looking for something fun to do over spring break? Then come to the Mario Kart teen video game tournament! It’s on Saturday, April 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Cascade Township branch.

Get your gaming skills ready and join us for some intense Mario Kart action! Many will enter, only the best will be crowned champions. This tournament features great prizes and snacks.  Plus former Cascade favorite Kip will be there to host it, so don’t miss out.  Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. For teens grades 6-12. Click here to register now. Or register in your local branch or by calling us at 616-784-2007.

The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. The winning titles are selected from the previous year’s publishing. The Alex Awards were first given annually beginning in 1998 and became an official ALA award in 2002.

Wondering who the current winners are?  Check out our Alex Award Winners booklist and find your next interesting read.

With spring break coming up, you may be wondering what to do that week.  Some people will go on vacation, while others will be planning a “staycation!”  Why not include Kent District Library in your plans?  The library has a great collection of books, DVDs, music, audiobooks, magazines, and much more!  Have an eReader? Check out our online collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks.  Did you know that we also have magazines and music available?  Spend some time exploring!

Not only does KDL have lots of items available to check out, but we also have lots of fun activities happening during the week of spring break!  Stop at the library and build yourself a new house at one of our Family Building Bricks Parties!  Go to the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch and see a movie, or enjoy everything Star Wars at the East Grand Rapids branch.  If magic is more your style, the Sand Lake/Nelson Township branch will have Stormy the Magician poof in for a visit!  Some teens will enjoy Minecraft building or Mario Kart racing, while others may want to enter our poetry competition. School-age kids have their own Wii gaming party, as well as Beyblade Battles and a Science in the Stacks program.  Preschoolers can join in the fun with a Garden-themed Storytime, and all ages will enjoy our Drop-in crafts.  

For more information, including dates, times and branches, please check out our Spring Kaleidoscope, found here or stop by one of our 18 branches for a paper copy.

If you know all about Squirtle, Charmander and Pikachu, this program is for you! Join the Pokémon Club, for ages 6 and older.  Bring your Pokémon cards to trade or battle with friends. Learner decks will be available for new players. We hope to see you there!

Schedule:
Wednesdays, March 13, April 10 and May 8, 6:30 PM – Grandville branch 
Thursdays, March 21, April 18 and May 16, 3:30 PM – Tyrone Township branch

*** Please note: The Pokémon Club scheduled at the Tyrone Township branch on May 16 has been cancelled.

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