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!

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!

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!

Join us as we begin a new chapter at the Kentwood branch, located at 4950 Breton SE, Kentwood. Note: Regular branch hours will begin on Tuesday the 24th.

Hope to see you there!

While we are closed…

Returns:
• Materials checked out at the Kentwood branch that become due while we are closed will be due back on our first day at the new building, August 24.
• Returns will not be accepted at the old library after 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 7.
• Returns will be accepted at the new library starting Monday, August 23.
• KDL items may be returned to any KDL branch during the two weeks that we are closed. 

Holds:
• If you receive a hold notice, please pick up your hold before we close on Saturday, August 7.
• We will keep holds set to expire between August 9 and August 23 at our new location until Tuesday, August 31.

 Here is just a small glimpse of the Frank Leto performance at the Wyoming Branch. Enjoy!

• The ABC’s of Literacy: Preparing Our Children for Lifelong Learning by Cynthia Dollins
• Child Care Today: Getting It Right for Everyone by Penelope Leach
• Confident Baby Care: What You Need to Know for the First Year from America’s Most Trusted Nanny by Jo Frost
• Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right: The Food Solution That Lets Kids Be Kids by Joanna Dolgoff 

The Great Start Collaborative provides a venue for a diverse group of service providers, educators, parents, child advocates, and private funding organizations to talk openly, build trust, and work together toward a shared vision for children. 

A big thank you to the Great Start Collaborative for their gift!

There’s still time to get in on all the fun! There are seven more shows taking place next week. 

Frank Leto
Wednesday, August 4, 10:30 AM at the Wyoming Branch
Wednesday, August 4, 2:00 PM at the Walker Branch
Thursday, August 5, 2:00 PM at the Byron Township Branch 
     (Event held at the Byron Township Hall, 8085 Byron Center Ave.)
Thursday, August 5, 6:30 PM at the Plainfield Township Branch

Jim Gill
Thursday, August 5, 7:00 PM at the Grandville Branch
Friday, August 6, 10:30 AM at the Cascade Township Branch
Friday, August 6, 2:00 PM at the East Grand Rapids Branch 
     (Event held at John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Dr.)

The concerts, for families with children ages 6 and under, are made possible through donations to the KDL Fund.

The event has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 12, at 2:00 pm. 

See our event calendar for other great events happening today at KDL.