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!

Note: As of April 8, this conference is at capacity for registration and we will be unable to accommodate walk-ins.

It’s the summer of 2005, and Mardi Jo Link’s dream of living the simple life has unraveled into debt, heartbreak and perpetually ragged cuticles. Still, when she and her husband call it quits, leaving her more broke than ever, Mardi makes a seemingly impossible resolution: to hang on to her northern Michigan farm and keep writing for a living. Her forthcoming memoir, “Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm,” (due to be published in the summer) details her often humorous story of motherhood and survival.

Mardi will share what she learned on out-of-the-box ways to make money as a writer during a presentation at this year’s Celebrate the Mitten writers conference. The free half-day event features local publishing insiders and published authors who will lead sessions on how to market your book, how to put together a book trailer and traditional vs. self-publishing. A full agenda is below.

All genres and skill levels are welcome. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited — last year’s event drew nearly 100 attendees, so… seriously, register now! Everyone who does will be entered for the chance to win one-on-one mentoring with Michigan publishing professionals. You do not have to have a completed (or even started) book to attend.

To register, click here, ask at your local branch or call 616-784-2007.

Saturday, April 20, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM – Cascade Township branch

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Cascade Library, Arbutus Press, and StoryLook Design.

Susan Bays, publisher, Arbutus Press; Jon Bradley, children’s book author; John Forsberg, military science fiction author; Ryan Hipp, children’s books author and illustrator; D.E. Johnson, fiction author; Mardi Link, true crime author & memoirist; Sue Merrell, mystery/thriller author and memoirist; Lisa Orchard, young adult fiction author; Kris Nelson, creative director/principal, StoryLook Design; John Warnock, short story author, humorist and novelist

Agenda:

8:30 AM — Sign in and choose breakout sessions

9:00 AM — Intro and panel and Q&A with all participants present: So You’ve written the book… Now what? Is there a master list of tasks that need to be completed? A certain order to do things? What must every published or soon-to-be published author do?

9:50–10:00 AM — Break

10:00–10:50 AM — Breakout  Sessions I:

1. Go Commando or No? Which is for You: Try to Find a Traditional Publisher, or Go the Self-Publishing Route? pros and cons of both (Lisa Orchard, Jon Warnock, Susan Bays of Arbutus Press, Ryan Hipp)
2. Funding the Writer’s Life (Mardi Link)

10:50–11:00 AM — Break

11:00–11:50 AM — Breakout Sessions II:

1. It’s Perfect Just As It Is, Thank You Very Much: Cover art, copyediting and more… why they can make or break your book’s success  (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design; Susan Bays, Arbutus Press)
2. “A Brilliant Debut!” Ways to promote/market  your book, and  tales of marketing fails and successes (John Forsberg — book trailers, Lisa Orchard, D.E. Johnson, Ryan Hipp)

11:50–12:50 PM — Lunch — not provided

12:50–1:40 PM — Breakout Sessions III

1. The ABC’s of Children’s Books How are they different from/ the same as any other published book? Do’s and Don’ts, The Three Most Important Things (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design;  Jon Bradley)
2. Live and In-Person: Elements of a successful book reading/appearance — is there more to it than reading out loud? (Ryan Hipp, Sue Merrell)

1:45–2:30 PM — Drawing for Prizes and Networking Time: presenters/attendees mix, mingle, share and sell  books

Drawing “prizes”:

Susan Bays, Arbutus Press: personal consult TBD

Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design: personal consult TBD

Ryan Hipp, personal consult/topic of winner’s choice

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.

In February, KDL put out a call to staff and patrons at all our branches to donate travel-sized hygiene products to be distributed to the nearly 2,900 kids in the Kent Intermediate School District who are experiencing homelessness.

And boy, did you answer that call. Yesterday we delivered two van loads – 54 boxes and bags — of items to a very grateful KISD.

As a result of your generosity, more than 5,000 items were collected.  An additional 130 pre-made hygiene kits as well as  sidewalk chalk, coloring books and Play-Doh were purchased with funds employees donated during an employee in-service in January.

Casey Gordon, special populations consultant at KISD, said he was amazed by the donation. “We have had so many requests for hygiene items and kits lately that this will solve an immediate need for our homeless students,” he said. “The extra items will be so appreciated — not only will the hygiene kits go directly to students who need them, but the coloring books, sidewalk chalk and Play-Doh will be amazing gifts for our students – so many of them don’t have toys or activities that they can take with them and this will be perfect.”

You did a good thing, KDL peeps. A good good thing.

Another KDL Gives Back opportunity is coming up in April: All branches will be collecting juice box donations for Kids Food Basket.

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.

Tom Rademacher, author and Grand Rapids Press columnist, will be speaking at the Plainfield Township branch on Tuesday, April 16 at 12:30 PM. The cost for this event is $6.50 and will include a catered lunch. Prepayment is required by Monday, April 8. This event is sponsored by the Plainfield Friends of the Library. Registration is required; call 784-2007 for information on how to register. The Plainfield Township branch is located at 2650 5-Mile Rd. NE. Please join us for this fun and informative event!

NOTE: As of April 8, registration for this event is at capacity, though you may still register to be put on a waiting list. We will be unable to accommodate walk-ins.

Last year, nearly 100 people attended our inaugural Celebrate the Mitten Author Showcase, and we heard it over and over: please do this next year!

Consider it done. Registration is open for this year’s event, a free half-day writers conference featuring local publishing insiders and published authors who will lead sessions on how to market your book, out-of-the-box ways to make money as a writer and traditional vs. self-publishing, among other topics.

All genres and skill levels are welcome. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited — last year’s event drew nearly 100 attendees, so… seriously: register now! Everyone who does will be entered for the chance to win one-on-one mentoring with publishing pros in attendance. You do not need to have completed (or even started!) a book to attend.

To register, click here, ask at a branch or call 616-784-2007.

Saturday, April 20, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM – Cascade Township branch

Agenda:

8:30 AM — Sign in and choose breakout sessions

9:00 AM — Intro and panel and Q&A with all participants present: So You’ve written the book… Now what? Is there a master list of tasks that need to be completed? A certain order to do things? What must every published or soon-to-be published author do?

9:50–10:00 AM — Break

10:00–10:50 AM — Breakout  Sessions I:

1. Go Commando or No? Which is for You: Try to Find a Traditional Publisher, or Go the Self-Publishing Route? pros and cons of both (Lisa Orchard, Jon Warnock, Susan Bays of Arbutus Press, Ryan Hipp)
2. Funding the Writer’s Life (Mardi Link)

10:50–11:00 AM — Break

11:00–11:50 AM — Breakout Sessions II:

1. It’s Perfect Just As It Is, Thank You Very Much: Cover art, copyediting and more… why they can make or break your book’s success  (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design; Susan Bays, Arbutus Press, Sue Merrell)
2. “A Brilliant Debut!” Ways to promote/market  your book, and  tales of marketing fails and successes (John Forsberg — book trailers, Lisa Orchard, D.E. Johnson, Ryan Hipp)

11:50–12:50 PM — Lunch — not provided

12:50–1:40 PM — Breakout Sessions III

1. The ABC’s of Children’s Books How are they different from/ the same as any other published book? Do’s and Don’ts, The Three Most Important Things (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design;  Jon Bradley)
2. Live and In-Person: Elements of a successful book reading/appearance — is there more to it than reading out loud? (Ryan Hipp, Sue Merrell)

1:45–2:30 PM — Drawing for Prizes and Networking Time: presenters/attendees mix, mingle, share and sell  books

Drawing “prizes”:

Susan Bays, Arbutus Press: personal consult TBD

Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design: personal consult TBD

Ryan Hipp, personal consult/topic of winner’s choice

Presenters:

Susan Bays, publisher, Arbutus Press
Jon Bradley, children’s book author
John Forsberg, military science fiction author
Ryan Hipp, children’s books author and illustrator
D.E. Johnson, fiction author
Mardi Link, true crime author & memoirist
Sue Merrell, memoirist and mystery/thriller author
Lisa Orchard, young adult fiction author
Kris Nelson, creative director/principal, StoryLook Design
John Warnock, short story author, humorist and novelist

Award-winning author and diver Valerie van Heest will present “Lost on the Lady Elgin” at 6:30 PM on Monday, March 18 at the Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch.

Van Heest will share the  fascinating story of the Lake Michigan sinking of the Lady Elgin in 1860. Get a deeper look at the state’s maritime heritage! Sponsored by the Friends of the Sand Lake Library.

Place a hold on books and videos by Valerie here.