KDL Blog ‘News’ Category

Time for a Contest! Tell Us Your Story

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

BranchesHey library lovers: we want to know how KDL has helped you or your family save money this year. Everyone who shares their story by May 22 by filling out this form will be entered for the chance to win a $25 gift card from Schuler Books & Music. Also, everyone who enters might find their stories shared on our website here.

You love-bomb us, we love-bomb you right back.

aaaaaaaand go!

P.S. – Comments left on this blog post will not be considered for the contest; please fill out the form by clicking here.

 


Posted by:


KDL Walks to Fight Breast Cancer

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

On Saturday, May 4, a team of KDL staff, friends and family participated in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in downtown Grand Rapids.

Breast Cancer Walk

The KDL team raised over $1,500 to help fight breast cancer!

Thanks to everyone who supported our team!

 


Posted by:


Your HAPPY Baby!

Monday, May 6th, 2013

We provide FREE activities that promote early literacy while putting a smile on your face.

Early Lit Bits

Subscribe to 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.

Find playgrowreadgreat early literacy activities and information on our Play-Grow-Read! website.  After all, books are for babies too!

Join one of our Babytime groups, which will delight and stimulate your baby with songs, a story and playtime. Get to know other families and help your baby develop listening and language skills.

Get out of the house and head to KDLville, early-literacy play spaces in each KDL branch.

Your Happy Pregnancy is a three-part series led by chiropractor Dr. Jessica Avery Karns. And pick up a library card for the little one while you’re there — it’s one of the best things you can do for your new baby.

Prepping Your Body to Make a Superbaby  pregnant

Congratulations, You’re Pregnant!  Let’s Make This a Great Experience!

The Bundle of Joy is Here: What to do for Baby and for Momma

ProudPromoteHappiness

 


Posted by:


Board Books to Go

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Our popular Book Club in a Bag program has a new little sibling – Board Books to Go! Parents, teachers, daycare and childcare providers will enjoy this new way to share books with children. Board Books to Go allows patrons to check out a bag full of board books — 20 copies to be exact. The bag can be checked out for three weeks and the books can be used to share a choral reading experience with young children. Currently, the Board Books to Go program is being piloted at the East Grand Rapids branch. Program funding has been provided by Great Start to Quality Kent Resource Center and the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library.

Five titles are currently available:

Board Books

Stop in today to check out a Board Books to Go bag!

 


Posted by:


Free Computer & Technology Classes

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Computer Class BrochureWhether 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 June classes:

  • Computer Basics: Mousing and More
  • Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
  • Digging into Your Past: Online Genealogy Research
    (Bring Your Own Laptop) (pre-registration not required)
  • Gadgets: B.Y.O. eReader & Tablet Users Group
    (pre-registration not required)
  • Internet: Email Basics
  • Internet: Getting Started on Craigslist
  • Internet: Internet Basics & More
  • Internet: Wikipedia, the Encyclopedia for Everyone!
  • Microsoft Excel Basics I, II & III
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Basics
  • Microsoft Word Basics I & II
  • Senior Wireless Workshop (pre-registration not required)
  • 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):

  • June classes: Registration begins Monday, May 6 for KDL cardholders
    (Monday, May 13 for non-KDL cardholders)
  • July classes: Registration begins Monday, June 3 for KDL cardholders
    (Monday, June 10 for non-KDL cardholders)
  • August classes: Registration begins Monday, July 1 for KDL cardholders
    (Monday, July 8 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.


Posted by:


KDL on WGVU Radio

Sunday, May 5th, 2013

Lance at WGVUEach month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. This month, listen to KDL Director Lance Werner talk about the library’s selection as a Finalist for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce EPIC Award for Excellence in Business.

The EPIC Awards (Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative) recognize those who support the community, demonstrate growth, are innovative and have worked with others as mentors and collaborators. Award recipients will be revealed on May 15.

Enjoy!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download WGVU5-2-13.mp3

(photo courtesy of Shelley Irwin)

 


Posted by:


From the Director: An EPIC Library

Saturday, May 4th, 2013

Lance WernerExciting news: KDL has been named a finalist for the Excellence in Business EPIC award from the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. The EPIC Awards (Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative) recognize those who support community, demonstrate growth, show innovation and have worked as mentors and collaborators. Award recipients will be announced on Wednesday, May 15.

We’re thrilled just to be nominated. Why? We’re committed to making every effort to operate like a well-run business and get the greatest return on investment for our taxpayers. That the Chamber recognizes our efforts is a huge vote of confidence.

We work every day to make our collection and programming valuable and relevant to your lives, have been and will continue to be dedicated to being a vital partner in the community, and – awards or not –will continue to play a significant role in lifting Kent County by making this a better place to live.

Lance Werner, KDL director

 


Posted by:


KDL Top Ten – 5/3/2013

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Do you have a favorite mystery author or series?  Please share your picks with us below!  And if you want to be a star super sleuth, click on the Top Ten List to find out what the most popular Adult Mystery titles are at KDL this month.

Adult Mystery Top Ten 5-3-2013


Posted by:


Summer 2013 KDL Kaleidoscope

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

Are you already making plans for summer? Don’t forget about all the FREE programs available at the library! The Summer 2013 issue of the KDL Kaleidoscope program guide is now available online. You’ll find all you need to know about summer events and get some great information on library resources and staff recommendations. (Printed guides will also be available in the branches by mid-May.)

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

KDL Kaleidoscope


Posted by:


Energy Usage Monitors Available for Checkout

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

consumersenergylogoAll 18 Kent District Library branches now offer energy usage monitors available for checkout. The monitors show the energy consumption of household appliances, which can help you cut your electric bill, either by spurring decreased use, unplugging of “vampire” appliances that use energy even when they are turned off and, for example, replacing appliances or their components with energy-efficient models or parts (such as light bulbs).

Lowell Light & Power logo

The monitors were made available in February to patrons of KDL’s Englehardt branch through a partnership with Lowell Light & Power.

Consumers Energy has provided monitors for the other 17 branches in KDL’s service area.

“Libraries are a perfect connector of information and education,” said Michelle Boisvenue­‐Fox, KDL assistant director. “These kinds of partnerships are crucial to strong communities.”

Stop in at a branch today and check one out or place a hold by searching for “Kill A Watt EZ Meter” in the online catalog.

 

 


Posted by: