Warm up to a good book with the Kent District Library’s Let it Snow Reading Club for Adults, sponsored by the KDL Alliance of Friends.

This year’s program will run from December 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010.

The more you read, the more great prizes you can win!

Sign up at your local KDL branch starting December 1 and get your Let It Snow bingo card. Play while you read and enter to win exciting prizes like a gift card to Schuler Books & Music or Meijer.

If you get two bingos, you’ll receive a Let it Snow ice scraper to get you through the long winter! All completed bingo cards will be entered in the final drawing on Wednesday, March 31 for a $50 gift card to the Gilmore Group restaurants.

Earlier this week, Kristin Meyer, of the Wyoming branch, visited the set of WZZM’s Take Five to share some simple crafts you can do with little ones to develop early literacy skills.

Check out the video of Kristin’s appearance:

You can also read the accompanying article and check out our Play-Grow-Read resources.

It’s time for another round of our popular KDL Wii Tournament series, and this time we decided to go back to everyone’s favorite tournament game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl.  If you like to brawl please join us on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 12:00-4:00pm at the Plainfield Twp. Branch (2650 5 Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525).

In an effort to answer a few questions before they are asked, here are a few details of the game play:

• It will be single player, with most battles consisting of 4 players.
• The battles will be 3-minute timed battles.
• There will be a few prelim battles before the top 28 participants are placed in the tournament bracket.
• Wiimotes and nunchucks will be provided, but if you wish to use a classic remote or Gamecube controller you may bring one with you.
• Some but not all of the characters and levels have been unlocked on the systems, but if any are unlocked throughout the tournament game play they may be used.
• Items will be set to random throughout the event.
• There will of course be prizes for the winner and runner-up as well as refreshments for all.

Let’s Brawl!

The Gaines Township branch of KDL is hosting a Book Club Mixer on Saturday, November 14 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Private book clubs are welcome to join us and learn about some great titles for book groups from KDL librarians and other groups.

Bring your own suggestions and learn from each other!

KDL held another online patron survey contest in October. As promised, we have selected a winner to receive a Playaway audiobook.

Of 66 respondents, random.org selected number 17 as the winner.

Congratulations to Johanna Martin who frequents the Cascade Twp. branch

Look for more ways to win great prizes from KDL soon!

As part of the A Novel Experience event last week, Paws with a Cause brought several Assistance Dogs to greet guests in the lobby. They also accepted dog-friendly donations from the Marley & Me fans. Earlier this week we received a letter from Paws with a Cause thanking everyone for the generous donations:

“The amount of donations received from attendees was truly impressive! The kindness of these donors allows us to further our vision: To encourage independence for people with disabilities by sustaining and strengthening our position as the nation’s leading provider of quality Assistance Dogs.”

Thank you to everyone who came to A Novel Experience, and a special thanks to those who were able to support Paws with a Cause.

Earlier this week, Trish Reid, of the East Grand Rapids branch, visited the set of WZZM’s Take Five to share tips on how to get babies and toddlers excited about reading.

Check out the video of Trish’s appearance:

You can also read the accompanying article and check out our Play-Grow-Read resources.

Interested in genealogy?

Geni is a web-based application with a simple interface that allows you to build your family tree and invite others to contribute. Relatives who are added to your tree can sign up for an account and add more family members. The basic tools are free, although you have the option of paying for a pro plan with advanced features. Geni keeps your information private so only the people in your family can log in and see your tree.

Geni was highlighted on Time magazine’s list of the 50 Best Websites of 2008 and on PC magazine’s list of the Best Free Software of 2009.

If you’d like to dig a little deeper into your ancestry, check out these genealogy resources offered by KDL:

• Reference Databases for Genealogy
• Recommended Genealogy Websites
• Genealogy & Local History Resource Guide

Last week, Michelle Minerd of the the East Grand Rapids branch, visited the set of WZZM’s Take Five to talk about reading activities for young children, from babies to preschoolers.

Check out Michelle’s tips:

For more great ideas, read the WZZM article and check out KDL’s helpful Play-Grow-Read information.

On Thursday evening (October 29), John Grogan, author of Marley & Me, visited the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center for the first annual A Novel Experience event hosted by KDL.

Grogan spoke to an audience of approximately 900 fans, telling tales of his famous dog Marley.

After his talk, Grogan stayed for two hours signing books. The auditorium lobby was full of people waiting to meet the author.

A Novel Experience was a fundraising event through the KDL Fund to support the library’s literacy programs for young children. Thank you to everyone who came out to hear John Grogan and support the library! And a big thank you to our sponsors.