Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 49

Borrow an iPad!

Interested in trying out some of our digital offerings before buying your own tablet or eReader? Not sure how much you would use a tablet if you owned one? We can help you answer those questions with our Circulating iPad program.

KDL cardholders can check out an iPad, bring it home and use it for a full three weeks. You can personalize it with apps, photos, music, etc. Don’t forget to download a few books, music, magazines or movies with your library card from our digital collection. When you’re done, return the iPad and we will make sure it gets fully wiped and reset before lending it to the next person in line.

This service is branch-specific and is currently available at the Comstock Park and Krause Memorial (Rockford) Branches. It will be launching next Monday (August 25) at the Englehardt (Lowell) Branch as well, with more branches being added next year. Call or stop in the branch today for more information or to sign up!

 

End of Summer Adult Booklists

 

Taking a final vacation before Summer wraps up and need something to read? We got you covered! Check out links to some of the latest booklists available through Kent District Library:

Be Your Best Self
Hot Beach Reads
Soccer
Spicy Romance

 

 

 

The Library Isn’t Open! What Do I Do?

Have you ever wished you had a good book or magazine to read, a movie to watch or music to listen to, but the library is closed? Great news: KDL’s electronic library is open 24/7!

Here’s what you can get when the library’s doors are locked:

eBooks and eAudiobooks: KDL has over 20,000 eBook titles and over 7,000 eAudiobook titles in formats that work with Kindles, Nooks, tablets and other digital devices. Most books can even be read directly from your computer. The eBook library is here, and directions can be found here.

Movies: KDL offers free feature movies for all ages, documentaries, exercise videos, foreign films and TV shows on Hoopla. All are available for checkout to watch on your home computer, or on the Hoopla app on your tablet or smartphone. More information can be found here, or watch this helpful video.

Music: Did you know that you can download and keep three free songs every week by using Freegal? All kinds of music is available, from rock & country to classical & folk. All you need is your KDL library card! Directions can be found here.

Magazines: Read current and past issues of popular magazines on your tablet, smartphone or computer with Zinio. Follow the directions to register, then download as many magazines as you want. Directions can be found here.

Have fun exploring these wonderful resources available with your Kent District Library card. Stop in at a KDL branch (while we’re open) for help and directions, or submit a help request here. You can also call during library hours.

 

Fall 2014 KDL Kaleidoscope

The Fall 2014 issue of the KDL Kaleidoscope program guide is now available online, and printed copies will be available soon at your local branch library. You’ll find all you need to know about fall programs and get some great information on library resources and staff recommendations.

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

 

MelCat Unavailable Tuesday, August 19

MeLCat, the service that allows KDL cardholders to request items from libraries around the state, will be unavailable for several hours starting at 1:00 PM tomorrow (Tuesday, August 19) to perform a software upgrade. Placing requests and renewing MeLCat items will not be possible during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

Author Billie Letts Dies At Age 76

, author of the Oprah Winfrey-picked “Where The Heart Is“, died August 3rd at the age of 76. Ms. Letts didn’t start writing until she was in her 50′s after teaching English for two decades. Her first book went on to be a bestseller and was made into a movie, partially thanks to Oprah’s endorsement.

Billie Letts‘ later works included “The Honk and Holler Opening Soon” in 1998, “Shoot the Moon” in 2004 and “Made in the U.S.A.” in 2008.

Author Billie Letts Died At The Age of 76

, author of the Oprah picked “Where The Heart Is“, died August 3rd at the age of 76.  Ms. Letts didn’t start writing until she was in her 50′s after teaching English for two decades.  Her first book went on to be a best seller and was made into a movie, partially thanks to Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement.

Billie Letts later works included “The Honk and Holler Opening Soon” in 1998 and “Shoot the Moon” in 2004 and “Made in the U.S.A.” in 2008.

KDL Top Ten — Romance

Running out of beach reads? Re-stock with some romance! Here are ten of the most popular romance titles at KDL for the past month.

 

KDL Top Ten – Romance

Running out of beach reads? Re-stock with some romance! Here are ten of the most popular romance titles at KDL for the past month.

 

Local Indie Spotlight: Hans Giplaye

An interesting and sad tale is told by this Grand Rapids nurse as he remembers his life in Liberia in the 1990s. In the Shadow of Death: Growing up During the Liberian Civil War, Hans Giplaye tells of the horrors he witnessed at the hands of the rebels, such as civilians massacred because they are from a different tribe. He was 9 when the civil war began; when it was over he was 16. Hans and his siblings manage to survive thanks to his uncle, whose own family is killed. His uncle leads them all over Liberia searching for peace and safety but often the tranquility does not last long as the rebels or government forces advance and inflict horrific pain and suffering. Hans’s parents manage to escape to the U.S. early in the conflict but due to strict  immigration policies and lack of a stable government in Hans is not able to reunite with his family for many years. This book gives an interesting first-hand account of the Liberian civil war and tells a bit about the history of Liberia.

Hans Giplaye’s book is part of the Local Indie @ KDL collection, housed at the Cascade Township and Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branches. It was created to give independent authors, filmmakers and musicians the opportunity to be added to our shelves and to be featured by staff in order to increase viewers, readers and listeners.

Click here to browse our Local Indie @ KDL collection.