KDL Weblog » News http://blog.kdl.org The blog of the Kent District Library, with 18 branch locations serving Kent County, Michigan Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:20:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 en Friends of the Walker Library Recruitment http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1658 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1658#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:16:40 +0000 Morgan http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1658 The Friends of the Walker Library are looking for new volunteers. The group hosts book sales, manages book donations, and takes care of the book sale room called “Buy the Book” inside the library. The group raises funds to sponsor programs and events and purchase items for the library that promote early literacy and foster a love of reading.

Their next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 27 at 11 am and will be held at the Walker Library.

If you are interested in joining this group, please contact:

Branch Manager Chris Lohman
Phone: 647-3979 Email: clohman@kdl.org


]]> http://blog.kdl.org/?feed=rss2&p=1658 September’s Hot Titles http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1603 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1603#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:00:33 +0000 Katie http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1603 At KDL, we are committed to providing the popular materials that you want to read, listen to, or view.  Look what’s new this month:

Check one out today. Enjoy!

]]> http://blog.kdl.org/?feed=rss2&p=1603 It’s Library Card Sign-Up Month http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1656 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1656#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:00:15 +0000 Sheri http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1656 smartestcard_engblue.jpg

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month — a time when libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. We at KDL want to get as many people as possible signed up for a KDL card so they can take advantage of all the fantastic services and resources the library has to offer.

The observance of Library Card Sign-Up Month was launched in 1987 to meet the challenge of then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett who said, “Let’s have a national campaign . . . every child should obtain a library card — and use it.” Since then, thousands of public and school libraries join each fall in a national effort to ensure every child does just that.

Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for a Kent District Library card today!

]]> http://blog.kdl.org/?feed=rss2&p=1656 Novel Experience Tickets On Sale Now! http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1631 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1631#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:36:07 +0000 Katie http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1631

Enjoy a delightful evening with David Baldacci, best-selling author and literacy advocate, as he speaks on the topic “Why Read?” Our second annual A Novel Experience event will take place at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, September 28 at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. Tickets are only $15 and can be purchased online, at any KDL branch location or any Grand Rapids Schuler Books and Music location. Proceeds benefit KDL’s literacy programs for young children.

A book signing will take place after the program. David Baldacci’s books will be for sale.

We are also hosting an Author Reception at 5:30 pm at Watermark Country Club. Tickets are $60, which includes admission to the general event. They can be purchased online or at a KDL branch.

 Buy your tickets today!

]]> http://blog.kdl.org/?feed=rss2&p=1631 Books & Authors Online http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1626 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1626#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:42:29 +0000 Sheri http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1626 Looking for a good book but not sure where to start? Try KDL’s new Books & Authors online resource. This database helps answer the classic question, “What do I read next?” with book suggestions from experts, titles, biographies, and more.

Try the Who? What? When? Where? tool to browse by character, subject, location, and time period and get a visual representation of your matching books. Or use the Read-A-Like Wizard to receive a list of books similar to one that you’ve enjoyed in the past. You can even save reading lists in your own personal Reading Room.

This resource is free to KDL cardholders. Check it out today to find that next great read!

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]]> http://blog.kdl.org/?feed=rss2&p=1626 Kentwood Branch Open House http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1642 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1642#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:27:44 +0000 Katie http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1642 Our new Kentwood branch is open! A Community Open House was held on Monday, which included a ribbon-cutting, refreshments, live music, activities for children, and much more. Over 2,300 people attended the event. A big thank you to everyone for coming and to those who helped make the open house such a success!

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If you haven’t been to the beautiful new Kentwood branch, stop by soon. The library is located at 4950 Breton SE.

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]]> http://blog.kdl.org/?feed=rss2&p=1642 Place a Hold on Your Favorite Video Game http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1636 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1636#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:45:06 +0000 Katie http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1636 Kent District Library has a variety of video games in its collection. Until recently, these were available only as Express copies, meaning you had to visit your local branch and were limited to checking out only what was on shelf at that particular time. Good news! Kent District Library patrons can now place holds on some of our most popular Wii and Xbox games, and have them delivered to their local KDL branch for pick-up when available.

Some of the titles available to reserve are:supersmashbros.jpg
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Lego Star Wars
Dora Saves the Snow Princess
Lego Rockband
Blur

Check out our complete list of titles available for holds (which will continue to grow), and reserve your copy today! You must have a KDL card in order to place holds.

Enjoy!

]]> http://blog.kdl.org/?feed=rss2&p=1636 Fall 2010 KDL Kaleidoscope http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1628 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1628#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:00:32 +0000 Sheri http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1628 The Fall 2010 issue of the KDL Kaleidoscope is now available at your local branch library. Or check it out online. You’ll find all you need to know about fall programs and get some great information on library resources and staff recommendations.

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

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]]> http://blog.kdl.org/?feed=rss2&p=1628 Summer Reading Club Success http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1617 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1617#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:57:08 +0000 edehaan http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1617 With KDL’s Summer Reading Club now over, it’s a great time to reflect on the amazing accomplishments of this year’s participants.  Over 20,600 children and teens read their way through the summer months in order to accomplish their reading goals. During that time, new worlds were explored and new discoveries were made through the power of books and reading. In addition to that, young minds were kept active and sharp by engaging in the process of reading. Studies have consistently shown that children who do not read during the summer typically score lower on tests at the end of summer than they did at the beginning.

In addition to these benefits, did you also know that:

• Summer programs that involve some form of parental involvement produce larger, positive effects than programs without this component?

• Summer reading setback is one of the important factors contributing to the reading achievement gap between rich and poor children?

So, although Summer Reading Club is certainly a great way to have fun and win prizes, the benefits go far beyond that. We’re also proud to highlight that, as published by the Public Library Association, successful summer reading clubs are defined as those that reach more than 8% of the total school-age child population, and the Kent District Library reached 18% this year!

KDL would like to thank and congratulate all of this year’s Summer Reading Club participants and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

We’d love to hear about your favorite Summer Reading Club book or activity. And if you’re a parent, let us know how your child may have benefitted from their participation. Please leave your feedback in the comments section below. Thanks!

]]> http://blog.kdl.org/?feed=rss2&p=1617 Public Computer Issues http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1629 http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1629#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:45:36 +0000 Sheri http://blog.kdl.org/?p=1629 The public computers in our branches are currently experiencing slow response times and other issues. We are working to get these problems resolved as soon as possible.

 We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience.

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