Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 68

Game of Thrones Is Back!

Game of Thrones started back up on TV — are you watching it?  If you are a fan, we have many materials to help get your Thrones fix.

We have the Song of Ice and Fire series, the book series the TV show is based on.  If you are behind in the TV show or want a refresher on what happened last season, we also have HBO’s Game of Thrones available for checkout.

         

While you are waiting for the next book in the Song of Ice and Fire series, we have some good options that we think you’ll like.  Try  by Jennifer Nielsen, His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novak or by Patrick Rothfuss.

         

We also have some great titles to supplement the Game of Thrones universe.  If you like to cook, check out A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Companion Cookbook to Game of Thrones. For the Tyrion Lannister fans, you’ve got to check out The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister. Inside HBO’s Game of Thrones would be a great companion for anyone watching the TV show.

         

 

Share Your Story and Win

Have you taken computer classes offered at KDL? Have those classes helped you improve your tech savvy, polish your job skills, create a film or enriched your life, your outlook, your very being in some other way? Tell us how and you could win a $25 Schuler Books & Music gift card and see your story on our Branches Patron Stories page.

To enter, fill out the form here by Thursday, April 17. Contest open to children, teens and adults.

 

 

Free Computer Classes & Job Seeker Workshops

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

Computer Basics: Mousing and More
Computer Basics: Windows 8 — Using It and Loving It!

(B.Y.O. Laptop)
Gadgets: BYO eReader & Tablet Users Group

(pre-registration not required)
Internet: Email Basics
Internet: Facebook Basics
Internet: Internet Basics & More
Internet: Online Genealogy Research I & II
Internet: Online Security (B.Y.O. Laptop)
Internet: Pinterest Basics
Microsoft Excel Basics I & II
Microsoft Excel: Data Analysis
Microsoft Office Workshop
Microsoft PowerPoint Basics
Microsoft Word Basics I, II & III
Speak to a Geek (pre-registration not required)
Career Transitions Workshop: Developing Your Personal Brand (pre-registration not required)
Career Transitions Workshop: Communicating Your Brand (pre-registration not required)
Career Transitions Workshop: Networking (pre-registration not required)
Career Transitions Workshop: LinkedIn Bookcamp (pre-registration not required if you bring your own laptop)
Career Transitions Workshop: Behavioral Interviewing (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 7 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, April 14 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

Early Lit Bits: Music Minute

Does music make you smarter? According to many researchers, it does!  Children involved in music groups reap many benefits. Music helps children identify emotion and it can stimulate creativity. Experiences with musical instruments can improve motor and reasoning skills.

Rhyme Time at KDL is a great way for children to experience music. Kids and caregivers move and groove together with action rhymes, songs, games and hands-on musical activities. Rhyme Time is a great opportunity to learn new songs, explore music games and activities, and get hands on experience with basic musical instruments.

– Sara M. at KDL’s Sand Lake/Nelson Township 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.

 

Online Courses for Aspiring Authors

Did you miss KDL’s annual writers conference last weekend? Still looking to learn about author-ly stuff? Check this out:

Learn4Life features over 300 instructor-led online courses focused on professional development, technology skills and personal enrichment. New sessions start every month, and each 6-week course offers well-crafted lessons, expert online instruction and interaction with fellow students in a lively discussion area.

These types of classes can cost hundreds of dollars to take from a for-profit company, but they are available for free with your KDL card. Here are just some of the wide range of courses available:

Creating WordPress Websites
Beginner’s Guide to Getting Published
Publish and Sell Your E-Books
Write and Publish Your Nonfiction Book
Advanced Fiction Writing
Writing for Children

Two lessons are released each week during the 6-week class session, and each lesson is estimated to take 2 hours to complete. A certificate of completion is available at the end of each course, which may be accepted as proof of continuing education by some workplaces or institutions. There is no penalty for not finishing a course, and there are no limits on how many you can sign up to take. See all offerings . The next sessions begin April 16.

Watch a guided tour video or try it out yourself – just select the Reference Resources tab > Research Databases > the Online Learning category > Learn4Life.

 

KDL on WGVU Radio — Giant Warehouse Book Sale

Each month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. This month, listen to Byron Township Branch Manager Cheryl Garrison talk about our upcoming Book Bash Giant Warehouse Book Sale.

Friday, April 25, 5:00 – 8:00 PM

(Special time for teachers only from 3:00 – 5:00 PM)

Saturday, April 26, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Sunday, April 27, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Held at the KDL Service Center, 814 West River Center Dr. NE in Comstock Park.

Enjoy!

Download WGVU4-3-14.mp3

(photo courtesy of Shelley Irwin)

 

KDL Top Ten — Most Popular Items

Check out what everyone else is reading and watching! Click on the link to the Top Ten list to find the hottest items at KDL right now:

And if you’re away from home this spring break, stop by our eBooks & Downloads page to discover all the fantastic books, movies, magazines and music KDL’s digital collection has to offer!

 

Sneaky Good Binge Watch

Spring Break is finally here, hooray!  Typically Spring Break can be spent outside frolicking and enjoying the nice spring weather.  Unfortunately, as we all are aware, we live in Michigan and that might not be an option this year thanks to Mother Nature.  Which means it is perfect time to stay indoors, put your feet up, relax, and binge watch something from your friendly KDL branch.  You could catch-up on shows that have run their course like Breaking Bad or The Sopranos.  Or if you want to be in the loop for shows that are nearing their finale, Mad Men or Californication would be excellent choices.  But if you want something sneaky good that didn’t get much hype, I would highly recommend Top of the Lake.

Top of the Lake is a show filmed and set in beautiful New Zealand and follows a detective who is investigating the disappearance of a 12-year-old girl.  The detective is played by Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss (who was nominated for an Emmy) and gives a truly outstanding performance as a very strong female lead in an environment dominated by male testosterone.  The series explores many themes throughout and takes great care to develop each character within their own experience.  The series is very unexpected and thankfully stays far away from the cliches of police procedurals found too often on TV.  Top of the Lake is a great show you will be sad ends after only six superb episodes.

 

Don’t Miss Your Holds — Freeze them!

Hooray!  It’s almost Spring Break!  But are you worried that leaving town will result in missing that book or movie you’ve been waiting for?  Head into vacation worry-free by freezing your holds before you leave and unfreezing them when you return.

To Freeze Your Holds:

Log into your library account.
Look for the Freeze column to the right of the titles you have on hold. Check this box for all the titles you want to freeze. (Note that you can’t freeze a hold that is already in transit or ready for pickup.)






Click the Update List button at the bottom of the screen
When you return from vacation, just log into your account, un-check the box in the Freeze column, then click Update List again to “un-freeze” your holds.

Have a great trip!

 

Three Programs Kids Will Love

Check out these upcoming programs for families at various KDL branches:

Create a Gift Kids’ Crafting: Make a springtime gift for Mom, Dad or another loved one. Add a homemade card and try your hand at gift wrapping.

Superheroes Away: Come dressed as your favorite caped crusader and have fun playing games and creating your own comic book.

Tom Plunkard: Beyond Magic — Show and Workshop: Prepare to be amazed, then get tips right from Tom on doing your own amazing tricks.