Our public computer stations are temporarily down. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will alert you when they are once again available.

Thank you

Update: As of Monday, August 2, all computers should be functioning normally again. Thanks for your patience.

We are half way through our Tunes for Tots series, presented by the KDL Fund. Many families have already enjoyed these entertaining and lively concerts. Take a quick peek of Jeff Kagan’s performace at our Wyoming branch.

There’s still time to get in on all the fun! There are seven more shows taking place next week. 

Frank Leto
Wednesday, August 4, 10:30 AM at the Wyoming Branch
Wednesday, August 4, 2:00 PM at the Walker Branch
Thursday, August 5, 2:00 PM at the Byron Township Branch 
     (Event held at the Byron Township Hall, 8085 Byron Center Ave.)
Thursday, August 5, 6:30 PM at the Plainfield Township Branch

Jim Gill
Thursday, August 5, 7:00 PM at the Grandville Branch
Friday, August 6, 10:30 AM at the Cascade Township Branch
Friday, August 6, 2:00 PM at the East Grand Rapids Branch 
     (Event held at John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Dr.)

The concerts, for families with children ages 6 and under, are made possible through donations to the KDL Fund.

How do you find a good book to read? The folks at the Lifehacker website recently asked their readers to share their favorite book recommendation services. Here’s their top five:

1. Shelfari
2. LibraryThing
3. Amazon
4. GoodReads
5. GetGlue

Notice anything missing? I may be biased, but I think a good librarian, like our awesome KDL staff, can be a great source for finding that perfect book for your next reading adventure. So stop by your local branch and ask for a recommendation, or fill out our Personalized Reading List request form and our expert library staff members will email you a list of titles they think you will enjoy based on your responses.

Where do you find great books? Have you tried the services listed above, or do you prefer to ask friends, family, or your friendly librarian for suggestions?

Happy reading!

With the Lakeland Library Cooperative’s recent holds policy change now in effect, it seems there is still a bit of confusion regarding the designation of a “home library” for the retrieval of holds. To once again clarify this designation:

• All holds MUST be picked up at your home library location.
• For Lakeland Cooperative member library cardholders, your home library is automatically assigned based on where you live and pay property taxes. For many Lakeland members, the home library is typically the library from which their card was issued.
• Kent District Library cardholders can designate any of KDL’s 18 branch locations as their home library, regardless of where they live. Please stop by a KDL branch or call 616-784-2007 in order to do this.
• To determine whether or not you are in the KDL service area, please see this map.

Thank you! 

Since Barnes & Noble’s nook eReader is compatible with KDL’s OverDrive eBooks and is now cheaper, I’ve been considering purchasing one. I haven’t committed yet, though, and now BN is offering an app for Android-based smartphones and devices. I own a Motorola Droid and just downloaded the app and a sample eBook. I am quite enchanted by the electronic page turning and am finding the text easy to read. I will never be stuck without a book again! Sounds like nook apps for the iPhone and iPad are in the works. Bonus–featured BN classics, such as Emma and Sense and Sensibility, are free to download right now.

The Gaines Township Common Reader Book Club meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, August 18 at 1:00 p.m., will now be meeting on Wednesday, August 25 at 1:00 p.m. The book to be discussed will still be Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Please contact 616-784-2007 if you have any questions.

The Michigan Library Association (MLA) recently announced that Hate List by Jennifer Brown was chosen as the 2010 recipient of the Thumbs Up! Award. The Thumbs Up! Award began in 1986 as a way to recognize the excellence in, and to celebrate the uniqueness of, Teen Literature. The Thumbs Up! Committee consists of Young Adult and Teen Librarians all over Michigan who meet several times a year to find a winner. The committee also named 4 honor books for 2010, which include: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, Fat Cat by Robin Brande, Swim the Fly by Don Calame, and The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey. Visit your local library branch to check out these titles!

The Thumbs Up! Award has also included a Teen vote since 2001. Check your local library branch next spring for a ballot to vote for your favorite books of 2011!

Due to poor weather conditions, the Pet Show program scheduled for the Caledonia Branch this afternoon has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The event has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 12, at 2:00 pm. 

See our event calendar for other great events happening today at KDL.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Creative Cooking with Hillary Kraley program scheduled for the Grandville Branch this afternoon has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. See our event calendar for other great events happening today at KDL.

Congratulations to the winners of our National Audiobook Month giveaway! Three lucky winners received a Playaway Audiobook. Diana won Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, Michele won Relentless by Dean Koontz, and Alex won book four in the 39 Clues series by Jude Watson.

There were 107 respondents to our National Audiobook Month blog post. Winners were selected by random.org.

Thanks to all the respondents for sharing their favorite audiobook titles. If you need a recommendation for a great audiobook, check out the complete list of responses.