All branches of the Kent District Library will close at 5:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve (Thursday, December 31), and will remain closed on New Year’s Day (Friday, January 1). We will resume normal operating hours on Saturday, January 2. For additional 2010 holiday closing information, please view our holiday closings.
Ruff Readers is a unique read-aloud program that pairs kids ages six and up with trained therapy dogs and handlers who love to hear a good story. It’s a great way to practice reading in a comfortable environment
KDL has partnered with West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. since 2002 to present Ruff Readers at KDL branches. Registration is required at all Ruff Readers sessions. Call 616-784-2007 to register for a 15-minute session.
Ruff Readers is available at several KDL branches, including Plainfield Township, Gaines Township, and Grandville.
The Pajama Storytime scheduled for tonight, Monday, December 28 at 7:00 p.m. has been canceled due to staff illness. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Grandville branch of KDL is participating in Grandville Reads, a community-wide program for all ages, running from January through March 2010. The Greater Grandville Community will share in the reading of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Pick up a Grandville Reads brochure at the Grandville branch library for details.
Grandville Reads activities include:
Make a Difference with Just Pennies Drop your donations in any of the penny jars throughout town or at Macatawa Bank of Grandville by March 31, 2010.
Meet the Illustrator Susan Roth, illustrator of Listen to the Wind, will speak at the Grandville branch of the Kent District Library on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Reading Around Town Photo Contest Submit a photo of someone reading around town and our community will choose the winner! Guidelines and entry forms are available at the Grandville branch or online. Photos are due February 16.
Greg Mortenson Visits GVSU Mr. Mortenson will speak at Grand Valley State University on Tuesday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Our Town Reads: Watch Me Read, Too Grandville preschoolers, get ready to read with this fun early literacy game that kicks off in area preschools in January.
Let’s Talk About It: Three Cups of Tea Adult Book Discussion at the Grandville branch on Thursday, March 18, 6:30 p.m.
Big Kids Book Club for kids 6 and up at the Grandville branch, Wednesday, March 31, 6:30 p.m.
Some software – such as Microsoft Word or Photoshop – can cost a lot of money. However, there are a lot of free programs (“freeware”) available for download.
The site I like to use is Download.com. It is a component of CNET.com, the computer news and information site. Download.com is known for being “Spyware Free,” which is quite a feat in the downloading world.
Towards the bottom of the site, the different categories of programs can be found, such as “Word Processing” or “CD burners.” You can also search by keyword for a certain type of software, and read helpful user reviews. Personally, I have downloaded a free program for an on-screen drum machine, and programs to make DVD photo slide shows.
Did you get a new ”smartphone” for Christmas? Our OverDrive downloadable audiobook service recently announced the release of an audiobook app for Android devices, such as the new Motorola Droid phone. After downloading the app, users will be able to download MP3 audiobooks directly to their device from the eAudiobook website.
OverDrive has previously released a similar product for phones using Windows Mobile, and they are hard at work on apps for the very popular iPhone and BlackBerry devices.
• Download OverDrive Media Console for Android or Windows Mobile
• Browse OverDrive’s collection of MP3 audiobooks
The Kent District Library will be closed for the Christmas holidays on Thursday and Friday, December 24–25, 2009. We will resume normal operating hours on Saturday, December 26. For additional 2009 holiday closing information, please view our holiday closings page.
Do you have a library story you’d like to share? A special childhood memory from your favorite branch? How about something more recent? We would love to hear about your experience at the library, so let us know and we just might share it!
Tell us your story!
Kent County Library, circa 1960
Can’t get enough of the adventures of Greg and Rowley? Are you afraid of “The Cheese”? Then you’ll want to come for a time of wimpy fun based on the hilarious Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. For ages 6 and up.
Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch – Saturday, December 19, 10:30 a.m.
Cascade Township Branch – Monday, December 21, 3:00 p.m.
Krause Memorial Branch – Monday, January 11, 3:00 p.m.
* Byron Township Branch – Saturday, January 16, 11:00 a.m.
* Walker Branch – Saturday, January 16, 2:00 p.m.
Kentwood Branch – Saturday, January 23, 2:00 p.m.
* Plainfield Township Branch – Friday, February 12, 2:00 p.m.
* Englehardt Branch – Tuesday, February 16, 6:30 p.m.
Tyrone Township Branch – Thursday, February 18, 6:00 p.m
Alto Branch – Saturday, February 20, 10:30 a.m.
Alpine Township Branch – Wednesday, February 24, 6:00 p.m.
* Caledonia Township Branch – Wednesday, February 24, 6:30 p.m.
Wyoming Branch – Saturday, February 27, 2:00 p.m.
Gaines Township Branch – Monday, March 1, 6:30 p.m.
* Branches indicated with a star prefer that you register in advance for this program. Please call 616-784-2007, or visit our online calendar of events to register.
Have you been drooling over the nook eReader recently announced by Barnes & Noble? Well, here’s one more reason to add the device to your Christmas list: OverDrive, one of KDL’s eBook services, has recently announced that the nook is compatible with both Adobe EPUB and PDF eBooks downloaded from the library. Both eBook formats can be easily transferred to the device using free Adobe Digital Editions software.
Can’t wait 6 weeks for the out-of-stock nook? (Barnes & Noble is estimating a current ship date of February 1.) OverDrive eBooks from the library can also be read on Sony Reader devices, which come in a variety of colors and styles (don’t worry — they aren’t all pink 
).
Wondering about the Amazon Kindle? Unfortunately, due to its proprietary file format, the Kindle is not compatible with library eBooks.
Don’t have an eReader device? Don’t worry – eBooks can be read right on your computer as long as you download the free Adobe Digital Editions software.
Check out KDL’s collection of eBooks today at http://ebooks.mlcnet.org
