KDL Weblog

Holiday Closing — Memorial Day

Sheri — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:36:45 +0000

All Kent District Library branches will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, May 28.
All KDL branches will be closed on Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Sunday hours will resume on Sunday, September 8.
For additional 2013 holiday closing information, please view our holiday closings page.

We appreciate your patronage and wish you a Happy Memorial Day!

KDL Top Ten – 5/24/2013

Ali — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:32 +0000

In honor of Memorial Day, this week’s Top Ten list features ten of the most popular Military-related books at KDL. To view these titles, click on the link to your KDL Top Ten List.

We Didn’t Forget About the Adults!

Katie — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Sure, a good portion of our programs are for families, kids and teens, but we didn’t want you grown-ups to miss out on all the library fun! We have an exciting line-up of programs for adults taking place at our branches this summer. These programs will help you learn a new skill, plan a vacation or even determine if someone is trying to deceive you! Click on each event title for dates, times, locations and the event description. Don’t let the kids have all the fun!

A Great Beach Book for Teens

Beth — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Reading a Sarah Dessen book is like taking a long stroll with a close friend. Her characters seem like the girl living next door; someone you know from school. Her newest book, set to be released at the beginning of June, will feel very familiar to her readers. The Moon and More is set in the beach town of Colby, just like Along for the Ride.

Emaline has the perfect boyfriend and a comfortable life working for her grandmother’s real estate firm in a small beach town. But the unexpected arrival of a demanding film director, and the cute assistant, change Emaline’s outlook. Will she be content attending the local college or should she reach farther? Her mostly absent father is pushing her to attend an Ivy League school, but how can she leave the familiar world of Colby?

This is a great book to take to the beach this summer!

Local Indie Spotlight: Dani Meier

Rachel — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Real Dads: Men Embracing Nonviolence is a moving collection of photos that were taken by amateurs and professionals around Michigan for a 2010 Father’s Day contest. The pictures celebrate dads of many backgrounds who each signed a pledge to be a loving, strong and nonviolent role model. The photos are interspersed with stories of fathers stepping up at critical moments in their lives.

Meier’s book is part of the Local Indie @ KDL collection, housed at the Cascade Township and Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branches. It was created to give independent authors, filmmakers and musicians the opportunity to be added to our shelves and to be featured by staff in order to increase viewers, readers and listeners.

Click here to browse our Local Indie @ KDL collection

Read It Before You See It

Julie — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

If you are looking for your next vacation read, you might want to try some of the current and new books being brought to life on the screen. From classics to science fiction to historical, there is a variety coming to theaters (and TV!) that you can read before you see:

The Great Gatsby (out now) – a splashy new version of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic
World War Z (out June 21) – a horror novel by Max Brooks
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (out August 7) – second in the Rick Riordan series
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (out August 23) – an adaptation of the popular teen series by Cassandra Clare
Call the Midwife (a TV series on PBS in season 2) – based on the memoir by Jennifer Worth

New Teen Booklists

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:30:53 +0000

Hey teens! Are you looking for a little adventure? Check out our Adventure booklist, get a jump on your summer adventure.

If You Like Beautiful Creatures booklist provides great suggestions for readers who love the Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

If you can’t wait for that awesome summer movie, look no further! Read the book before you watch the movie in our Books into Movies booklist.

Sand Lake Branch Closed – No Power

Heidi — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:26:29 +0000

The Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch closed at 5:00 PM today due to a power outage. The branch is expected to resume regular hours tomorrow. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Booklists! We’ve Got Booklists!

Jan — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Are you ever at a loss for something good to read? Let KDL help you find something great!

First, when you visit a KDL branch, you’ll find ever-changing book displays throughout the building. You’ll also find printed booklists on many topics and for all age levels that you’re welcome to take. Summer Reading @ KDL booklists will be available starting June 1.

Second, did you know that you can look online to find these same booklists, as well as many more? You can even reserve books, music, & movies directly from the online lists.

And third, try KDL Personalized Picks! KDL cardholders can receive personal suggestion lists created by KDL librarians. Fill out this form with your request, and you’ll hear back soon by email.

KDL wants to help you find something great to read, view, or listen to. We hope these suggestions help you to find just the right thing. (And don’t forget that we have thousands of eBooks and eAudio Books available at ebooks.kdl.org!)

Early Lit Bits: Music Minute

Ali — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:00:25 +0000

Music is a great way to get the wiggles out! It’s great seeing kids get excited about dancing to their favorite songs. Music and movement help young brains build connections, but music can also help kids learn to stop moving!

STOP can be a hard word to teach excited little ones, and all too often it’s a word they really don’t want to hear. Self-regulating is the ability to make your body listen to your brain, and to the requests of those around you. Using Freeze songs is a great way to practice stopping and starting on cue. It can also become a fun way to get young children to pay attention to important words, like “Stop,” “Wait” or “Freeze,” when they become a little too revved up during movement activities, or just day-to-day events.

Some great songs to use include:

“I Can Dance” by Ronno
“Can’t Wait to Celebrate” by Jim Gill
“Bop & Stop” by Merry Music Maker
“Freeze” or “Stop & Go” by Greg & Steve

Any song can be used to play freeze games, though. Fast moving classical songs, or even rock & roll, can be paused for great freeze-song fun!

This article originally appeared in 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.