Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 48

KDL Top Ten — Football

Snap up books on all your favorite football teams and players in our SPORTS FOOTBALL collection. To get you started, here’s a highlight reel showcasing 10 of the most checked-out titles in this section:

Thankful for You Days!

The KDL Happiness Project has been such a success that we want to celebrate with those who make us most happy—you! Help us celebrate with treats, fun, entertainment and surprises at each of our 18 branches.

Thursday, September 4, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Englehardt (Lowell) Branch

Thursday, September 4, 1:00 – 5:00 PM, Alto Branch

Saturday, September 27, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Caledonia Township Branch

Saturday, October 11, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Spencer Township Branch

Saturday, October 11, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Alpine Township Branch

Saturday, October 18, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Gaines Township Branch

Sunday, October 19, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Cascade Township Branch

Tuesday, October 21, 4:00 – 8:00 PM, Wyoming Branch

Thursday, October 23, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Walker Branch

Saturday, October 25, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Krause Memorial (Rockford) Branch

Saturday, October 25, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, East Grand Rapids Branch

Saturday, October 25, 1:00 – 4:00 PM, Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Saturday, November 15, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Tyrone Township Branch

Wednesday, November 19, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Comstock Park Branch

Friday, November 21, 3:00 – 4:00 PM, Grandville Branch

Saturday, November 22, 10:30 – 11:30 AM, Plainfield Township Branch

Saturday, November 22, 10:30 – 11:30 AM, Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch

Saturday, November 29, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Byron Township Branch

 

Holiday Closing — Labor Day

The Kent District Library will be closed Monday, September 1 for Labor Day. We will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, September 2. For additional 2014 holiday closing information, please view our holiday closings page.

We appreciate your patronage and wish you a Happy Labor Day!

 

Civic Theatre Pass Giveaway: NOW

Starting NOW until they are gone: KDL cardholders may pick up two free vouchers per person at our Gaines Township and Krause Memorial (Rockford) Branches for the dress rehearsal of The Boatwright on Thursday, September 11, at 7:30 PM at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (30 N. Division Ave.) All dress rehearsals are general seating and vouchers must be redeemed for an admission ticket on dress night only. Vouchers do not guarantee a seat, as dress rehearsals include open admission sales. So arrive early; doors to the theatre open at 5:30 PM. All questions go to www.grct.org.

By Bo Wilson. Original Play and World Debut. Grieving his wife, a retired man begins to build a boat to sail the seas in search of peace and quiet. Plans are put on hold when an unexpected friendship is formed with his neighbor’s son. A story of life, loss, dreams and friendship. AACT New Playfest Winner, first time on Civic Theatre stage.

 

 

 

 

Sun, Moon & Stars… Stellar Teen Fiction

These intergalactic teen titles are sure to be stellar reads!

 

Earth Girl by Janet Edwards (Earth Girl series)

Abandoned on Earth because of her inability to survive on other planets, Jarra crafts a fake background for herself to join a class of norms who are excavating the dangerous ruins of the old cities.

 

 

Alienated by Melissa Landers (Alienated series)

High school senior Cara Sweeney gets more than she bargained for when she agrees to participate in Earth’s first intergalactic high school exchange program.

 

 

Starglass by Pheobe North (Starglass series)

Terra has lived on a city within a spaceship that left Earth five hundred years ago seeking refuge, but as they finally approach the chosen planet, she is drawn into a secret rebellion that could change the fate of her people.

 

 

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (For Darkness Shows the Stars series)

Elliot North fights to save her family’s land and her own heart in this post-apocalyptic reimaging of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

 

 

Across the Universe by Beth Revis (Across the Universe series)

Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet three hundred years in the future, but her frozen slumber abruptly ends when someone on board the ship tries to murder her.

 

 

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner (Starbound series)

Two star-crossed lovers must fight for survival when they crash land on a seemingly uninhabited planet.

 

 

Gravity by Melissa West (The Taking series)

Ari Alexander, a daughter of the military elite, begins falling for arrogant Jackson Locke, an alien spy, and she must decide whether to keep her father’s military secrets or divulge them to Jackson to prevent a war.

 

 

 

Upcoming Seed Library Programs

Seed Harvest for KDL Seed Bank at Earthkeeper Farm

We will be harvesting organic parsley seed for the KDL seed bank at Earthkeeper Farm (12062 Fruit Ridge Ave. in Kent City), weather permitting. Seed can not be harvested when wet, so if there is inclement weather the harvest will be the following Wednesday at the same place and time. Please call 616-403-0526 or check Earthkeeper Farm’s Facebook page if there is a chance of rain. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring a pair of clippers or kitchen shears and some brown paper grocery bags, if you have them. Participants are welcome to take some seeds home for their own gardens!

Wednesday, September 3, 6:30 PM, Earthkeeper Farm (12062 Fruit Ridge Ave. in Kent City)

Harvesting and Saving Garden Seeds

Learn the tricks to successfully collecting and saving vegetable and flower seeds. Use the seeds to start your garden next year, share with your neighbors and contribute to KDL’s Seed Library. For adults. Registration is not required.

Thursday, September 25, 6:30 PM, East Grand Rapids Branch

Wednesday, October 1, 6:30 PM, Plainfield Township Branch

Herbal Holiday Gifts

Learn a variety of ways to use herbs and essential oils to make gifts for every occasion! We start by discussing (and sharing!) some tasty foods that can be packaged as gifts such as peppermint shortbreads and pesto popcorn seasoning. Then it’s on to ideas for using essential oils to make bath sachets, oils, bath salts and more. Recipes will be included. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. For adults.

Monday, September 22, 6:30 PM, Sand Lake / Nelson Township Branch

Wednesday, October 1, 6:30 PM, Alpine Township Branch

Thursday, October 2, 6:30 PM, Gaines Township Branch

Tuesday, October 14, 6:30 PM, Alto Branch

Thursday, October 16, 6:30 PM, Tyrone Township (Kent City) Branch

Wednesday, November 5, 6:30 PM, Plainfield Township Branch

Thursday, November 6, 6:30 PM, Byron Township Branch

Tuesday, November 11, 6:30 PM, East Grand Rapids Branch

Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 PM, Englehardt (Lowell) Branch

Monday, November 17, 6:30 PM, Grandville Branch

Tuesday, November 18, 6:30 PM, Wyoming Branch

Thursday, November 20, 6:30 PM, Spencer Township Branch

 

Krause Memorial Branch Closed

Due to a power outage, the Krause Memorial Branch in Rockford will be closed for the rest of the day (Monday, August 25). We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to re-open for normal hours tomorrow.

 

Early Lit Bits: Learning with Crafts — Corny Crafting

Corny Crafting

It’s August and local sweet corn is in season. Most children love eating corn on the cob and even enjoy helping to shuck ears of corn before dinner is prepared. Pulling off layers of husk and picking bits of corn silk off the cobs is great exercise for little fingers and hands. And speaking of corn, here is a wonderful sensory craft that you can make with cornstarch and shaving cream. Mom bloggers everywhere give glowing reviews of this dough’s silky texture. Playing with play dough is another great way to exercise hands and build fine motor skills. (Note: This sensory activity is messy and best done in the kitchen or outside.) Be sure to warn young children that this dough is not edible.

Materials

Cornstarch (2) 16 oz. boxes
Shaving Cream (one full can)

Directions

Dump two boxes of corn starch into a plastic container.
Add an entire container of white foam shaving cream.
Let children mix the corn starch while an adult adds the shaving cream and be prepared with molds if desired.

To Use

Children can help mix the cornstarch with the shaving cream until a foamy dough forms. Have fun molding the dough with small plastic containers, bowls, or food storage containers.

Other Ideas

Buy a bag of dried corn and fill a large plastic bowl with the corn. Provide children with scoops, measuring spoons, and spoons to use while playing with the corn.

–Anjie G. at KDL’s Walker Branch

 

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.

Teen Film Workshops: Register Today

Click program titles to get details and to register, or call 616-784-2007. Space is limited. For grades 6-12.

Lighting & Sound: Filmmaking Tips & Tricks

Is tinny sound plaguing your movie? Are shadows overrunning your story? Then this two-hour interactive workshop is for you! Learn helpful tips and tricks to improve the lighting and sound of your no-budget or low-budget film. Take your film to the next level by discovering everyday household items you can use to enhance the quality of your film’s lighting and sound. Information about free or low-cost community filmmaking resources will also be provided.

Saturday, September 13, 2014, 1:00 PM — Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Story! Adventures in Writing and Drawing Storyboards

During this two-hour workshop, learn the pre-production process that film and animation use to create awesome stories. We will take your creative thoughts, add structure and create simple drawings that will help you describe your ideas when you execute them as short films. No artistic experience needed, but it is helpful. This workshop is also a helpful introduction to KDL’s Teen Filmmaking Workshop (see below).

Saturday, October 11, 2014, 1:00 PM — Wyoming Branch

Teen Filmmaking Workshop

Do you have a passion for film? Not sure where or how to start? This fun-filled, full-day workshop will take you from camera-wielding novice to having a completely edited short film under your belt. In partnership with the Community Media Center, all filming and editing equipment will be provided for the day. Teens are encouraged to bring a story idea, storyboard, and/or a screenplay. This workshop is designed for, but not restricted to, teens who wish to create a film to submit to the Kent County Teen Film Festival. Lunch will be provided.

Saturday, October 18, 2014, 10:00 AM — East Grand Rapids Branch

KDL Top Ten — Cooking for Kids

This week’s Top Ten plays show-and-tell with 10 of the most popular cookbooks in our COOKING KIDS collection! Grab one of these and share tasty food and the fun of cooking with your little ones today. And tell us, what are your children’s favorite foods to help with?