“Why would it matter?” you ask.  Well, if mp3 files are saved as podcasts instead of music in ITunes,  you receive special navigation controls, including bookmarking (or remembering a playback position), jumping back 30 seconds, and varying the speed.  Cool huh?

Thanks to the January 2010 of Mac/Life magazine… here’s the instructions:

“Find the mp3 file(s) in your ITunes Music list, click it to select it, and then press Command-I to see the Get Info window. Click the Options tab and look for a dropdown menu labeled Media Kind–it’ll currently read Music. Now just change it to Podcast, and click the OK button.

That’s all there is to it.

Poof, that track instantly vanishes from your Music list and appears in your Podcasts list. The artist name will be used for the podcast name, and the track’s name becomes the episode title.

Now just sync it to your iPod touch or IPhone.”

The East Grand Rapids branch of Kent District Library subscribes to Mac/Life magazine as of February 2010.

• Find out more about the What a Wonderful World program.

• Visit our NoveList database today.

Don’t miss out on your chance to meet Dora the Explorer!

Storytime with Dora will take place at the Cascade Branch at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 23, and at the East Grand Rapids Branch at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 24. Children ages 3-6 will go on an adventure with Dora that includes stories, crafts, and activities.

Dora is currently on tour with Storytime Live!, the first-ever live family theatrical tour featuring characters from four of the current top-rated preschool shows on television today: Dora the Explorer, The Backyardigans, The Wonder Pets! and Ni Hao, Kai-lan.  Preschoolers and their parents can see their favorite Nick Jr. characters come to life in one action-packed on-stage adventure hosted by Nick Jr.’s Moose A. Moose and Zee.  Storytime Live! is coming to Grand Rapids with shows at DeVos Performance Hall at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 1, and 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 2.

Save $5 on the $28 tickets during the pre-sale, which ends March 26 at 10 PM.  Purchase tickets on ticketmaster.com with promo code: KDL.  

Celebrate our favorite underwear-clad hero, CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS! Have an extra-crunchy good time with games and creative activities. This program is for children ages 6 and up.  For more information, please call 784-2007.

Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey is a series of American children’s books about two fourth graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, and the aptly-named superhero they accidentally create by hypnotizing their principal, Mr. Benny Krupp. The book series won a Disney Adventures Kids Choice Award in 2007.

SCHEDULE

* Tyrone Township Branch – Thursday, March 11 at 6:00 PM

Krause Memorial Branch – Monday, March 15 at 4:00 PM

Alpine Township Branch – Wednesday, March 24 at 6:00 PM

Sand Lake Branch / Nelson Township Branch – Saturday, March 27 at 10:30 AM

* Cascade Township Branch – Monday, April 5 at 2:00 PM

Gaines Township Branch – Monday, April 5 at 2:00 PM

Kentwood Branch – Tuesday, April 6 at 2:00 PM

Englehardt Branch – Tuesday, April 6 at 3:00 PM

Spencer Township Branch – Tuesday, April 6 at 4:00 PM

Grandville Branch – Wednesday, April 7 at 1:00 PM

* Caledonia Township Branch – Wednesday, April 7 at 3:00 PM

* Plainfield Township Branch – Thursday, April 8 at 2:00 PM

Byron Township Branch – Thursday, April 8 at 6:30 PM

Comstock Park Branch – Thursday, April 15 at 4:00 PM

Alto Branch – Saturday, May 1 at 10:30 AM

* Registration is required.

Not sure what to read next? Do you love books by a certain author, and would like to find similar reads? We can help! KDL has launched a Personalized Reading List service, an exciting program that helps you find just the right book. You will fill out a short form and answer questions about your reading preferences. Expert library staff members will email you a list of titles they think you will enjoy based on your responses.

Finding a good book has never been so easy! Try this free service out today.

Louis Armstrong’s famous song will come to life at KDL’s What a Wonderful World program. Children, ages 6 and under, are invited to come enjoy crafts, activities and fun designed around the beautifully illustrated book by Ashley Bryan.

Google made a great addition to their popular Maps function just in time for spring, bike maps!  Wired.com has a wonderful article about the new feature but it is very easy to use.  There is a drop-down menu by the “get directions” area which allows you to change from “by car” to “bicycling” (or walking and public transit). It even gives you a time estimation.  So get out there and enjoy the weather by exploring routes in your area!

If you have already used this feature, let others know what you think in the comments.

Introducing the KDL Program Minute!

Each week, this blog will contain a short video clip of a KDL staff member hightlighting upcoming programs and special services. Enjoy!

• Find out more about the Captain Underpants program.

• Connect with KDL on your favorite social networking site:

• View a schedule of Children’s Storytime programs, or all upcoming events.

Each month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. Listen to Patrice Vrona, Manager of KDL’s Grandville Branch, discuss the Grandville Reads! program.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download WGVU3-4-10.mp3

(photo courtesy of Shelley Irwin)

Voting is currently underway for the Reading Around Town Photo Contest that took place as part of the Grandville Reads! initiative. Patrons were asked to submit a picture of someone reading around town, and now the community is asked to vote for their favorite.

The top five photographs, shown below, are on display at the Grandville Branch. Stop by and put a penny (or several) in the jar beside your favorite picture. One penny equals one vote! Proceeds will benefit Pennies for Peace.

 Votes will be accepted through the end of March. Happy voting!

“This Book is a Quack Up!” by Stephanie Schultz

Photographed at Heritage Park

“Braille and Bulldogs” by Alex Welscott

Photographed at Grandville Middle School Gym

“Giant Children” by Jason Glerum

Photographed at Cummings Elementary School

“Peaceful Reading” by Tailor Little

Photographed at Wedgwood Park

“Do You Like Green Eggs and Ham?” by the Cheydleur Family

Photographed at Rainbow Grill