Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 130

Free Computer & Technology Classes

Whether you’re a computer novice or looking to update your skills, KDL’s free computer classes can help you learn something new! Registration opens today for our May classes:

Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
Internet: Create Your Own Website or Blog
Internet: Email Basics
Internet: Facebook Basics
Internet: Getting Started on Craigslist
Internet: Internet Basics & More
Internet: Online Genealogy Research I & II
Internet: Online Resources for Book Lovers
Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Developing Your Personal Brand

(pre-registration not required)
Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Résumés, Online Profiles, Cover Letters & More

(pre-registration not required)
Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: LinkedIn Bookcamp

(pre-registration not required if you bring your own laptop)
Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Networking (pre-registration not required)
Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Behavioral Interviewing (pre-registration not required)
Microsoft Excel Basics I, II & III
Microsoft PowerPoint Basics
Microsoft Word Basics I, II & III
Speak to a Geek (pre-registration not required)

For class descriptions and schedule, please see our brochure or search our events calendar.

Unless otherwise noted, pre-registration is required and will begin the month before the scheduled classes on the first Monday of each month for KDL cardholders and the second Monday for non-KDL cardholders (if space is still available):

May classes: Registration begins Monday, April 1 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, April 8 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

World War I Nonfiction Booklist

On March 18, 1915, British and French forces launched an unlucky naval attack on the in the Dardanelles, the thin waterway in northwestern Turkey that separates Europe from Asia. The waterway was heavily mined, and even though the British swept the area before launching the attack they still lost three ships. Two more were severely damaged.

I have a strong personal interest in WWI because my great grandfather fought in the British , and he lost two older brothers within a week of one another in the .  The First World War always felt like a rushed subject in school, so I never had much interest in it until I found my family’s connection to it through genealogical research. To further my knowledge and learn more about it I used the WW1 nonfiction booklist to highlight some of the books available at KDL that deal with WWI and all the different battles that occurred.

Holiday Closing — Easter Sunday

All Kent District Library branches will be closed Sunday, March 31 for Easter. We will resume normal operating hours on Monday, April 1. For additional 2013 holiday closing information, please view our holiday closings page.

We appreciate your patronage and wish you a Happy Easter!

 

 

 

KDL Top Ten – 3/29/2013

Can’t get enough basketball? Get an assist from KDL! We’ve got documentary films, training materials and books on all your favorite buzzer-beaters. To view 10 of the most popular Basketball Nonfiction titles at KDL, click on the link to the KDL Top Ten List!

 

Spring Break Fun!

Staying in town for spring break? We can help keep your kids happy, busy and entertained… and we may even sneak in a little education (but they will never know)! Between Family Building Brick Parties, Garden Fun Storytimes, Minecrafting, Chess, Bayblade Battles, Science in the Stacks and much more, there won’t be any time for boredom. Click here for a complete list of our programs taking place March 29 – April 7.

And if you are heading to the sunny south for break, make sure to stop in your local branch and stock up on some great vacation reads. Pick up some audiobooks to make a long car ride more bearable.

Wishing everyone a safe and fun spring vacation!

 

Early Lit Bits: Music Minute

Looking for some new music that will get your kids moving, singing and laughing? Check out musician and author Jim Gill. His background as a child development specialist with a special emphasis on the study of play has made his music a combination of silly, fun and enriching. His music encourages participation through movement and singing with interactive instruction that has helped make him a favorite of teachers, librarians and parents alike. Check our catalog to borrow one of his albums today.

 

 

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.

 

Can You Build It?

Join in at your local library for the opportunity to build the best of your imagination!  It will be a time to build creativity, family time and bonding in many of your local libraries during the Family Building Bricks Party. To enjoy the event you might want to read up on building ideas by using several of these titles, or better yet, follow a YouTube demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS_RZgFwDDM

And for those who enjoyed hearing the line from the classic baseball film, “Build it, and they will come,” Field of Dreams would be a good warm-up for baseball’s opening day! As fans eagerly approach the nostalgia of baseball games throughout cool spring days and lazy days of summer, a few titles to bring on the game could always be enjoyed. Furthermore, the history of the game could be followed quite easily by browsing the variety of media available.

So, if building with bricks, imagination or sports is your favorite pastime, join us at your KDL library to take a swing!

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KDL Board Member Says Good-Bye

Trustee Charles Fry recently retired from the KDL Board after over 6 years of service. Board chair Charles Myers presented him with a plaque of appreciation during the March 21 meeting at the Comstock Park branch.

Thanks for your service to KDL, Trustee Fry!

From Broke to Badass in Northern Michigan

It’s the summer of 2005, and Mardi Jo Link’s dream of living the simple life has unraveled into debt, heartbreak and perpetually ragged cuticles. Still, when she and her husband call it quits, leaving her more broke than ever, Mardi makes a seemingly impossible resolution: to hang on to her northern Michigan farm and keep writing for a living. Her forthcoming memoir, “Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm,” details her often humorous story of motherhood and survival.

Mardi will share what she learned on out-of-the-box ways to make money as a writer during a presentation at this year’s Celebrate the Mitten writers conference. The free half-day event features local publishing insiders and published authors who will lead sessions on how to market your book, how to put together a book trailer and traditional vs. self-publishing. A full agenda is below.

All genres and skill levels are welcome. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited — last year’s event drew nearly 100 attendees, so… seriously, register now! Everyone who does will be entered for the chance to win one-on-one mentoring with Michigan publishing professionals. You do not have to have a completed (or even started) book to attend.

To register, click here, ask at your local branch or call 616-784-2007.

Saturday, April 20, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM – Cascade Township branch

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Cascade Library, Arbutus Press, StoryLook Design and Forever Young Publishers.

Agenda:

8:30 AM Sign in and choose breakout sessions

9:00 AM Intro and panel and Q&A with all participants present: So You’ve written the book … Now what? Is there a master list of tasks that need to be completed? A certain order to do things? What must every published or soon-to-be published author do?

9:50-10:00 AM – break

10:00-10:45 AM Breakout  Sessions I:

Commando or no? Which is for you: Traditional Publisher, or Go the Self-Publishing Route? pros and cons of both (Lisa Orchard, Jon Warnock, Susan Bays of Arbutus Press, Ryan Hipp)
Funding The Writer’s Life (Mardi Link) Some innovative, maybe even surprising ways this true crime novel and memoir author has made her living writing.

10:45-11:00 AM break

11-11:45 AM Breakout Sessions II

It’s Perfect Just As It Is, Thank You Very Much : Cover art, copyediting and more… why they can make or break your book’s success  (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design; Cheri Hallwood; Susan Bays, Arbutus Press)
“A brilliant debut!” Ways to promote/market  your book, and  tales of marketing fails and successes

(John Forsberg -book trailers, Lisa Orchard, D.E. Johnson, Ryan Hipp)

11:45-12:45 PM lunch

12:45-1:30 PM Breakout Sessions III

The ABC’s of Children’s Books How are they different from/ the same as any other published book? Do’s and Don’ts, The Three Most Important Things (Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design;  Jon Bradley)
Live and In-Person : Elements of a successful book reading/appearance – is there more to it than reading out loud? (Cheri Hallwood, Ryan Hipp)

1:45-2:30 PM drawing for attendees and network time –  mix, mingle, share and sell their books with one another and to the public

 

Drawing “prizes”:

Susan Bays, Arbutus Press: personal consult TBD

Kris Nelson, StoryLook Design: personal consult TBD

Cheri Hallwood, Forever Young Publishers, TBD

Ryan Hipp, personal consult/topic of winner’s choice

 

Early Lit Bits: Tech Tips

Kent District Library has a great selection of picture books for you to browse at your local branch, but sometimes it’s nice to have some recommendations. Check out the PLAY-GROW-READ! section of the KDL website (found under the “Parents & Kids” tab).

Reader’s advisory lists for our pint-sized patrons can be found under the heading “Books for Early Literacy.” There are a variety of lists found here, from “Funny Stories” to “Numbers & Counting” to “Books for Bedtime.” There’s also a list that focuses on each of the Early Literacy Practices. Conveniently, the books on the these lists link directly to our catalog. You can immediately see where they are on the shelf and place a hold to have a title sent to your home library.

 

 

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.