Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 73

Pirates and Star Wars Teen Booklists

What could be more fun to read about than Pirates and Star Wars?  (Unless maybe you combine the two!)  To help you get ready for Talk Like a Pirate Day in September, check out the great Pirates for Teens Booklist, which includes Hurricane Dancers by Margarita Engle and Fish by Gregory Mone.

And don’t forget the ever popular Star Wars Day in May along with KDL’s If You Like Star Wars Booklist.  This booklist includes books from all ages but features graphic novels for Teens and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia.

        

 

 

Create Rainbow Loom Jewelry

Children ages six and older are invited to the library to make necklaces, bracelets, rings and more. We are hosting Rainbow Loom Creativity at several branches this spring. We will provide bands in an assortment of colors. You just need to bring your loom and some friends! Rainbow Loom jewelry is fun, unique and great to give as gifts… no wonder it is so popular!

Schedule:

Saturday, March 8, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Tuesday, April 8, 1:00 PM – Englehardt Branch

Tuesday, April 8, 1:30 PM – Cascade Township Branch

Wednesday, April 9, 2:00 PM – Byron Township Branch

Wednesday, April 9, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township Branch

Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – Comstock Park Branch

Click here for branch locations.

 

Oscar Winners

Check out 86th Academy Awards winners at KDL.

12 Years a Slave took Best Picture, and gave Lupita Nyong’o Best Supporting Actress. Place a hold on the DVD or the book on which it was based, available in print or eBook.

Dallas Buyers Club scored for Matthew McConaughey as Best Actor and Jared Leto as Best Supporting Actor.

Blue Jasmine brought Cate Blanchett the Best Actress Oscar.

Best Director went to Alfonso Cuarón for Gravity.

Best Animated Feature and Best Original song both went to Frozen. Check out the DVD and the soundtrack at KDL.

See all the complete list of Oscar winners here!

 

(For those who watched the show or heard about it later, my John Travoltafied name is Peter Speerce. To get yours, go to Slate’s )

Review Brandon Mull’s New Book and Win a T-Shirt!

If you like Brandon Mull’s , you’ll love his new book, Sky Raiders, the first in his Five Kingdoms series.

It is the story of 6th-grader Cole, who just wants to have fun with his friends (and his crush, Jenna) on Halloween. But when a haunted house turns out to be a portal to something much more sinister, Cole finds himself in a magical world called The Outskirts, surrounded by some pretty bad dudes.  This awesome new book doesn’t come out until March 11, but you can place your hold on the print or audio version now!

Submit a review of the book on our Guys Read page, and we’ll put your name in a drawing for a baseball t-shirt with the book logo on it.  Are you ready to answer the call of the Five Kingdoms?

 

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 April classes:

Computer Basics: Mousing and More
Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
Computer Basics: Windows 8 — Using It and Loving It!

(B.Y.O. Laptop)
Digital Photos: Online Photo Editing Fun
Digital Photos: Online Photo Sharing, Saving and Ordering
Gadgets: BYO eReader & Tablet Users Group

(pre-registration not required)
Internet: Email Basics
Internet: Email Workshop
Internet: Facebook Basics
Internet: Getting Started on Craigslist
Internet: Google — More Than Just a Search Engine
Internet: Online Resources for Book Lovers
Internet: Online Security
Internet: Pinterest Basics
Internet: The Lowell Ledger Online — Explore Your Local History
Internet: Wikipedia Editors Meet-Up
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)
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):

April classes: Registration begins Monday, March 3 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, March 10 for non-KDL cardholders)
May classes: Registration begins Monday, April 7 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, April 14 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

Free Computer Classes and 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 April classes:

Computer Basics: Mousing and More
Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
Computer Basics: Windows 8 — Using It and Loving It!

(B.Y.O. Laptop)
Digital Photos: Online Photo Editing Fun
Digital Photos: Online Photo Sharing, Saving and Ordering
Gadgets: BYO eReader & Tablet Users Group

(pre-registration not required)
Internet: Email Basics
Internet: Email Workshop
Internet: Facebook Basics
Internet: Getting Started on Craigslist
Internet: Google — More Than Just a Search Engine
Internet: Online Resources for Book Lovers
Internet: Online Security
Internet: Pinterest Basics
Internet: The Lowell Ledger Online — Explore Your Local History
Internet: Wikipedia Editors Meet-Up
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)
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):

April classes: Registration begins Monday, March 3 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, March 10 for non-KDL cardholders)
May classes: Registration begins Monday, April 7 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, April 14 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

Spring Gardening Programs

In honor of our new Seed Library, we are hosting a variety of garden-themed programs this spring. Please click on the program title for more information, including dates, times and locations.

Eco-Friendly Garden Projects

Craft earth-friendly spring garden projects using upcycled household containers and supplies from nature’s bounty. For families.

Plant Exchange

Bring a plant, take a plant to freshen your garden and help out your neighbors. For all ages.

Gardening from Soil to Bloom

Love of gardening is a seed that, once sown, never dies. Jeanne Hawkins of The Secret Ingredient will teach gardening fundamentals, including the basics of soil, plants, planting, weeds and how to tell good bugs from bad. For adults.

Invasive Species in Your Neighborhood

What is the impact of alien plants? Naturalists from the Stewardship Network will explain how to identify and eradicate invasive plant species that are affecting West Michigan. For adults.

Rivers and Rain Barrels

How do your daily activities affect the water quality of area rivers? The West Michigan Environmental Action Council will discuss what all of us can do to protect our treasured resources. Participants can also construct rain barrels for $30, which can be paid in cash or by check. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. For adults.

Two Giggly, Wiggly Programs for Kiddos

At various branches. Click the titles to see where and when:

There’s a Mouse in the House – stories, crafts, rhymes, fingerplays and puppets.

Spring Brings Very Hungry Caterpillars – stories and crafts based on the beloved Eric Carle books.

 

Early Lit Bits: App Review — Sago Mini Sound Box

The app Sago Mini Sound Box is a fun way for kids to interact with music and sounds. It is easy to use, entertaining fun that helps kids to develop sound recognition and manual dexterity. When opened, the app lets you select one of nine boxes as your “set of sounds,” like piano, car horns, farm animals, etc. With each tap on the screen you create a new sound dot that you can drag and bounce around to change size, color and sound. Try tilting your device and using multiple touches for different interactions. As you play, ask your child about the sounds they hear and the colors and patterns they see. This app is available from the Apple and Amazon app stores for $2.99.

–Julie R. at KDL’s Caledonia 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.

Create a Limerick for LaughFest

“A challenge in honor of LaughFest.

Clever verse that is also a good jest.

Get a line as a primer.

Then be a good rhymer.

Care to try?  By all means, be our guest.”

Everyone is welcome to stop by a participating branch during the month of March and submit a limerick. Entries will be displayed in the branch.

Participating Branches: Alpine Township, Byron Township, Caledonia Township, Cascade Township, Grandville, Englehardt, Kentwood (Richard L. Root) and Sand Lake/Nelson Township