Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 134

Get Pizza Discounts With Your KDL Card!

… and coffee, and gardening stuff, and dinner out with the fam, and hockey tix …

Look for this image at the following vendors and show your KDL card to connect with special discounts. Visit these local businesses and let them know you appreciate all the perks of having a KDL library card!

Clique Coffee Bar , 1600 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, 10% off all orders
Creekside Garden Center , 4015 Fruit Ridge Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, 10% off all merchandise (not in conjunction with other discounts)
Grand Rapids Griffins , Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, $7 off the price of a Lower Level Faceoff ticket for all Sunday and Wednesday home games
PJ’s Pizza , 3836 52nd St. SE, Kentwood, 10% off all orders
Quaker Steak & Lube , 515 28th St., Kentwood, 15% off all orders

Pokémon Fan? Join the Club!

If you know all about Squirtle, Charmander and Pikachu, this program is for you! Join the Pokémon Club, for ages 6 and older.  Bring your Pokémon cards to trade or battle with friends. Learner decks will be available for new players. We hope to see you there!

Schedule:

Wednesdays, March 13, April 10 and May 8, 6:30 PM – Grandville branch 

Thursdays, March 21, April 18 and May 16, 3:30 PM – Tyrone Township branch

 

Macmillan Mystery eBooks Now Available!

Good news for eBook fans — a collection of titles from Macmillan Publishers are now available from the library for the first time! Macmillan has previously chosen not to sell eBooks to libraries, but they are now testing a ”pilot program” featuring selected mystery and crime titles.

KDL has purchased over 200 Macmillan eBook titles, including:

A Crimson Warning by Tasha Alexander
Burn by Nevada Barr
Introducing Agatha Raisin by M. C. Beaton
Blue Heaven by C.J. Box
Heartsick by Chelsea Cain

Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo

A Burial at Sea by Charles Finch
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton

In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming

A Taint in the Blood by Dana Stabenow

The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer

Visit http://ebooks.kdl.org and download one today!

 

Receive Library Alerts Via Text

You can now receive library text alerts on your mobile phone via the new SMS Alerts Service. Once you sign up, you will receive a text message when:

You have a hold item ready for pickup
You have materials that are due soon
You have materials that are overdue

To opt in to this service, follow these simple instructions:

Go to https://sam.llcoop.org/patroninfo and log in to your account.
Click on the Opt In/Out for SMS Messages link.
Enter your Mobile Phone Number
Check the box to “Opt In” to text alerts.
Review the Terms and Conditions and Submit the form.

This is a free service, but standard carrier message charges apply. Also, please note that each cell phone number may only be used once (different family members cannot use the same phone number for multiple library card numbers). Additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions, can be found here. Don’t hesitate to talk to a KDL staff member if you need some help!

 

Red Carpet Event — and You’re Invited!

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 PM, when winners of the inaugural Write Michigan short story contest will gather at the Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library St. NE) for an awards ceremony and the kickoff sale of the collection of their work, published by Schuler Books & Music’s Chapbook Press.

Like a literary Ryan Seacrest, Saugatuck-based author Wade Rouse will speak at the event. Wade is a humorist and memoirist whose work has been featured multiple times on NBC’s Today Show as well as on Chelsea Lately on E!, People.com, Salon.com, Forbes.com, Publisher’s Weekly and Michigan Radio, where Wade is a regular contributor.

Wade is the author of five books, including his current memoir, the IndieBound bestseller, It’s All Relative: Two Families, Three Dogs, 34 Holidays and 50 Boxes of Wine.

Nearly 600 Michigan writers entered Write Michigan, and after a volunteer crew of some 80 preliminary judges whittled those entries to a list of top 10 finalists, you voted for your favorites.

Click here to see a complete list of winners!

From the Director: KDL Leading the Way

Libraries are known for being forward thinking when it comes to constantly improving equal access to everything we offer.

KDL has taken the lead many times, from our nationally recognized What’s Next database used by libraries and library fans across the country, to our early literacy initiatives that serve as a model for many other library systems to our Local Indie collection designed specifically to promote self-published work.

Once again, we want to be at the leading edge. KDL and nine other U.S. library systems, including the New York Public Library, are partnering to apply for a grant to embark on a two-year project called “Library Simplified.”

It’s an effort to explore how libraries can better use new technology, including and especially eBooks, to build new audiences by reducing the barriers to use. We’re also going to examine why people don’t use the library, and look at how we might alter our policies so they will. And we intend to investigate the often confusing steps needed to download materials to various devices, and brainstorm ways to make it easier.

I’ll share more details later this year should the grant be awarded. I know my fingers are crossed.

Lance Werner, KDL Director

 

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 April classes:

Computer Basics: Mousing and More
Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
Digital Photos: Creating Digital Photo Slideshows
Digital Photos: Online Photo Sharing, Saving and Ordering
Gadgets: Get Appy with Your iPad

(pre-registration not required)
Internet: Blogs, Wikis, Social Networking & More
Internet: Create Your Own Website or Blog
Internet: Email Basics
Internet: Facebook Basics
Internet: Internet Basics & More
Job Seekers: Job & Career Accelerator
Microsoft Excel Basics I & II
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):

April classes: Registration begins Monday, March 4 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, March 11 for non-KDL cardholders)
May classes: Registration begins Monday, April 1 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, April 8 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

Ultimate Beyblade Battle

Test your skills and have fun competing in KDL’s first-ever Ultimate Beyblade Battle!

Bring your own Beyblades and arenas, or train and compete using the library’s equipment. This is for children ages 6 and older and is a Guys Read-approved event.

Schedule :

Saturday, March 16, 1:30 PM – Sand Lake/ Nelson Township branch

Tuesday, April 2, 1:00 PM – Englehardt branch

Wednesday, April 3, 2:00 PM – Cascade Township branch

Thursday, April 4, 1:00 PM – Walker branch

Thursday, April 4, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch

Saturday, April 6, 2:00 PM – Wyoming branch

Saturday, May 11, 11:00 AM – Tyrone Township branch

 

Spring 2013 KDL Kaleidoscope

The Spring 2013 issue of the KDL Kaleidoscope program guide is now available at your local branch library. Or check it out online. You’ll find all you need to know about spring programs and get some great information on library resources and staff recommendations.

It’s sure to be an exciting spring at KDL, and you don’t want to miss a thing. Check out the KDL Kaleidoscope today!

 

We Want YOUR Books!

If your bookshelves are overflowing, let us take some off your hands. Please consider donating your gently-used books to our upcoming Book Bash, which includes a GIANT Book Sale. Your books are sure to find a great new home at this exciting event that supports library programming!

Book donations are being accepted during the month of March at KDL branches, Lake Michigan Credit Union locations, Celebration! Cinema locations, East Hills Athletic Club and Orchard Hills Athletic Club. Check out this map for more information including addresses.

Donate some books now, and you can restock your bookshelves at the Book Bash (April 27–28)! Thank you for your generosity.