Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 131

It’s All Free! Don’t Miss Out!

Free books. Free movies. Free video games. Free eBooks and eAudiobooks. Free music (including downloads). Free programs. Free research databases. Free magazines (including downloads). The list could go on and on!

All this, plus a chance to win a slew of amazing prizes… sign up for a library card today! Our Find Your Happiness library card campaign runs until the end of March, so there is still time to get in on the fun! Those of you reading this probably already have a library card, so make sure to spread the word to your family and friends. They will thank you, I’m sure!

Just in case you’re wondering, the prizes for the campaign include an overnight stay at the JW Marriott, a three-month family membership at the YMCA, movie passes and free popcorn at Celebration! Cinema, gift cards for Schuler Books & Music, Meijer and Family Fare, a free birthday party at the Kentwood Fun Spot and so much more!

Kent District Library really is Your Place for Happiness!

 

Teen Mario Kart Tournament

Hey Teens:

Looking for something fun to do over spring break? Then come to the Mario Kart teen video game tournament! It’s on Saturday, April 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Cascade Township branch.

Get your gaming skills ready and join us for some intense Mario Kart action! Many will enter, only the best will be crowned champions. This tournament features great prizes and snacks.  Plus former Cascade favorite Kip will be there to host it, so don’t miss out.  Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. For teens grades 6-12. Click here to register now. Or register in your local branch or by calling us at 616-784-2007.

 

KDL Top Ten – 3/22/2013

Looking for something local to do this spring break? Explore Michigan with travel books from KDL. From the scenic Grand River in our own backyard, to wild destinations for family adventure, have fun discovering everything Michigan has to offer! 

Click on the link to this week’s Top Ten List to view 10 of the most popular Michigan Travel titles at KDL!

Do you have a favorite nearby destination for family fun?  Please share your ideas below!

KDL Gives Back: Hygiene Items Score!!

In February, KDL put out a call to staff and patrons at all our branches to donate travel-sized hygiene products to be distributed to the nearly 2,900 kids in the Kent Intermediate School District who are experiencing homelessness.

And boy, did you answer that call. Yesterday we delivered two van loads – 54 boxes and bags — of items to a very grateful KISD.

As a result of your generosity, more than 5,000 items were collected.  An additional 130 pre-made hygiene kits as well as  sidewalk chalk, coloring books and Play-Doh were purchased with funds employees donated during an employee in-service in January.

Casey Gordon, special populations consultant at KISD, said he was amazed by the donation. “We have had so many requests for hygiene items and kits lately that this will solve an immediate need for our homeless students,” he said. “The extra items will be so appreciated — not only will the hygiene kits go directly to students who need them, but the coloring books, sidewalk chalk and Play-Doh will be amazing gifts for our students – so many of them don’t have toys or activities that they can take with them and this will be perfect.”

You did a good thing, KDL peeps. A good good thing.

Another KDL Gives Back opportunity is coming up in April: All branches will be collecting juice box donations for Kids Food Basket.

 

Alex Award Winners Booklist

The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. The winning titles are selected from the previous year’s publishing. The Alex Awards were first given annually beginning in 1998 and became an official ALA award in 2002.

Wondering who the current winners are?  Check out our Alex Award Winners booklist, find your next interesting read.

              

 

 

Win Tickets to See David Sedaris LIVE!

Love David Sedaris? Know anyone who does?

Here’s your chance to win a pair of tickets to see Sedaris, best-selling author and National Public Radio humorist, in person at 7:00 PM on Sunday, April 14 at the DeVos Performance Hall downtown.

All you have to do is sign up for KDL’s monthly eNewsletter and leave a comment on this blog post telling us what you love most about the library. Enter by March 31. Already receive our eNewsletter? Great! Just leave your comment below! And so it will be done. You will be entered.

* Tickets courtesy SMG/Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place & DeVos Performance Hall

 

Sing the Cold Away

 As the cold and flu season lingers on, it might be worthwhile to just start singing!

A study that began in 2009 concluded that singing can create a positive effect on people’s health. The study found that singing can improve lung capacity, improve mood, reduce stress, influence the immune system and create a positive perception in socializing. With that in mind, it might be worthwhile to look at KDL’s Freegal database – where you can download three titles a week – and begin singing along with your favorite artists. You can also watch right notes with you!

 

 

KDL Featured on eightWest

Check out this great segment from WOOD TV’s eightWest! Anjie Gleisner, youth librarian at the Walker branch, shares some of the exciting programs taking place at the library, including our Find Your Happiness Library Card Campaign. Enjoy!

Read and Plant a Seed

 

eBook Users – Share Your Opinion & Win an iPad!

Those of you who download eBooks and eAudiobooks from KDL have probably noticed that our eBook website recently underwent a makeover as OverDrive upgraded it to their new “Next Generation experience.”

Now that you’ve had a chance to use the site for a while, OverDrive wants to know what you think. Share your thoughts by taking their survey, and they will reward one lucky winner with an iPad!

The survey runs through April 30, and the data will be used to enhance library services in the future.

Good luck!

 

Plan Your “Staycation” at KDL!

With spring break coming up, you may be wondering what to do that week.  Some people will go on vacation, while others will be planning a “staycation!”  Why not include Kent District Library in your plans?  The library has a great collection of books, DVDs, music, audiobooks, magazines, and much more!  Have an eReader? Check out our online collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks.  Did you know that we also have magazines and music available?  Spend some time exploring!

Not only does KDL have lots of items available to check out, but we also have lots of fun activities happening during the week of spring break!  Stop at the library and build yourself a new house at one of our Family Building Bricks Parties!  Go to the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch and see a movie, or enjoy everything Star Wars at the East Grand Rapids branch.  If magic is more your style, the Sand Lake/Nelson Township branch will have Stormy the Magician poof in for a visit!  Some teens will enjoy Minecraft building or Mario Kart racing, while others may want to enter our poetry competition. School-age kids have their own Wii gaming party, as well as Beyblade Battles and a Science in the Stacks program.  Preschoolers can join in the fun with a Garden-themed Storytime, and all ages will enjoy our Drop-in crafts.  

For more information, including dates, times and branches, please check out our Spring Kaleidoscope, found here or stop by one of our 18 branches for a paper copy.