Book Bash is just around the corner! Make plans to visit the KDL Service Center (814 West River Center Dr. NE in Comstock Park) on Saturday, April 27 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM or Sunday, April 28 between 1:00 and 4:00 PM.

Not only can you shop a giant warehouse book sale, but you can also enjoy free events for the whole family including face painting, Zumba classes, a children’s book swap, a local authors book fair and more! Proceeds will support library programs including Summer Reading @ KDL.

Find out more at www.kdlbookbash.org.

April is National Poetry Month, and a quick and fun way to celebrate is to create book spine poetry.  These can be created from books you have around the house or library books! Just put together some titles and see what happens.

If you would like to see other examples, do a quick Google search. Or take a picture of your poem and upload to a site of your choice.  Just let us know in the comments so we can take a peek!

We’re looking for a few good teens to volunteer their time to help with our summer reading program. Enthusiasm and energy are a must. Fun times guaranteed! Registration is required via a paper application. Applications available after May 1. Visit your local branch for details.

Orientations will be held:
Saturdays, May 11 and June 8, 1:30 PM – Sand Lake/ Nelson Township branch
Wednesdays, May 15 and June 12, 6:00 PM – East Grand Rapids branch
Monday, May 20, 4:00 PM – Krause Memorial branch
Monday, May 20, 5:30 PM – Walker branch
Tuesday, May 21, 4:00 PM – Byron Township branch
Tuesdays, May 21 and June 4, 4:00 PM – Wyoming branch
Wednesday, May 22, 4:00 PM – Gaines Township branch
Thursday, May 23, 4:00 PM – Caledonia Township branch
Thursday, May 23, 4:00 PM – Comstock Park branch
Thursday, May 23, 4:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch
Thursday, May 23, 5:00 PM – Cascade Township branch
Tuesday, May 28, 5:30 PM – Walker branch
Tuesday, May 28, 7:00 PM – Plainfield Township branch
Thursday, May 30, 4:00 PM – Alto branch
Saturday, June 1, 10:00 AM – Spencer Township branch
Saturday, June 1, 11:00 AM – Alpine Township branch
Saturday, June 1, 11:00 AM– Englehardt branch

E.L. Konigsburg, author of two Newbery Medal books, died Friday at age 83. Her first Newbery Medal book from 1968 is From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a beloved children’s book. That same year, her book Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth was a Newbery Honor book. Having a medal and honor book the same year placed Konigsburg in a special category.

She received her second Newbery Medal in 1997 for The View from Saturday. Again, this made her one of the few authors to have multiple medals. Over the course of her career, she wrote 16 children’s books and illustrated three picture books.

The flood waters came close, but the Englehardt branch in Lowell remained dry this weekend! Staff will be working hard today to put all the furniture and materials back in place, and the branch will reopen at 4:00 today (Monday, April 22).

Thank you to everyone for your patience and well wishes as we dealt with this unprecedented situation.

Are you in the mood for a happily ever after sort of story?  Browse our Fairy Tales Retold for Teens booklist to find your next happily ever after ending.

Due to the threat of flooding, KDL’s Englehardt branch in Lowell will be CLOSED on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20. During this time, Englehardt’s book drop will not be accessible. Items may be returned to the Alto, Cascade Township or any other KDL branch.

Friday morning’s Rhyme Time Music and Movement program at 10:30 AM is CANCELED. However, the History of Barbie with Afternoon Tea program on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 PM will PROCEED as it is to be held at the Lowell Township Hall (2910 Alden Nash SE).

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

UPDATE (Friday, April 19): The Englehardt branch is still dry thus far. All items on low shelves have been moved as a precaution. All current HOLDS for Englehardt patrons will be available for pickup at the Alto branch during the Emergency Closing period. (Alto is closed on Fridays, but will be open from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM on Saturday.)

Following a theme of flowers, the Victorian era and happiness, might I suggest a few activities:

Read: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and the nonfiction companion A Victorian Flower Dictionary by Mandy Kirby to learn all about the hidden meaning of flowers.

Watch: Cranford or The Young Victoria to get yourself in the Victorian era mindset.

Listen: Try classical music from the following Romantic composers to fully immerse yourself in the Victorian era: Johannes Brahms, Claude Debussy, or Franz Schubert

Do: Attend the Lily of the Valley is for Happiness program and learn the Victorian language of flowers.  Wendy Batchelder from “Lost Arts” will appear in full Victorian costume to talk about the meaning of flowers while you make a simple tussie mussie to give to someone who makes you happy!  Pre-registration is required.  (For teens and adults)

April is National Poetry Month, and that means KDL is hosting its 10th annual Word Wise teen poetry contest.

Through April 30, teens are invited to submit their original poems online or at their local KDL branch.  Winners will be announced mid-May, and each of the ten winners will receive a $50 gift card to Schuler Books & Music.  The winning poems will be published on the KDL website.  Take some time to check out our teen page for a complete list of rules and an online entry form.

We look forward to reading some great poems.  Happy writing!

If you have a band, this is where you can start your journey!

The Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch is looking for a few good teen bands to perform at the third annual…

What: Summer Reading kickoff event and rock & roll extravaganza

When: Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 4:00 – 7:00 PM

Where: Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch amphitheater

Click here to access the online application form