Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 82
January 16, 2014
Love eBooks? Help Us Improve Our Service
Do you download eBooks and eAudiobooks from KDL? Why? Why not? We want to hear from you!
KDL is one of 10 library systems in the U.S. trying to improve our cardholders’ access to eBooks and eAudiobooks. Our ultimate plan: to eliminate barriers to digital collections so this huge happy family of library-loving peeps continues to grow.
Your participation in this brief survey will help us understand how we can do better.
(*Note: We are aware that there are errors in the Library Simplified Survey. This survey was not generated by KDL. We do hope that you complete the survey, as we anticipate the resulting data will be of value in improving our ability to provide access to digital media).
Love eBooks? Please Help Us Improve Our Service
Do you download eBooks and eAudiobooks from KDL? Why? Why not? We want to hear from you!
KDL is one of 10 library systems in the U.S. trying to improve our cardholders’ access to eBooks and eAudiobooks. Our ultimate plan: to eliminate barriers to digital collections so this huge happy family of library-loving peeps continues to grow.
Your participation in this brief survey will help us understand how we can do better.
(*Note: We are aware that there are errors in the Library Simplified Survey. This survey was not generated by KDL. We do hope that you complete the survey, as we anticipate the resulting data will be of value in improving our ability to provide access to digital media).
January 15, 2014
Golden Globe Winners for 2014
The Golden Globe Awards were announced earlier this week and, since they come before the Oscars, can sometimes give a clue to what the latter might be awarding (though of course the voting is coming from a different group of people). Kent District Library does its best to put new movies on order so you can place holds before they are released, and a number of the award winners are currently available to hold. The historical “Twelve Years a Slave” won best picture in the drama category. Cate Blanchett, starring in Woody Allen’s latest comedy-drama “Blue Jasmine” won best actress for a drama, while Matthew McConaughey won the male award for the same category for “Dallas Buyers Club.” “American Hustle” was awarded best picture in the comedy/musical category. For best director overall, Alfonso Cuaron won for “Gravity,” starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, while “Breaking Bad” was awarded best television series. For a complete listing of the winners — and what films they were competing against – go here.
KDL Closed Monday, January 20
All Kent District Library branches will be closed on Monday, January 20 for an All Staff professional development day. While we regret any temporary inconvenience this may cause, KDL’s commitment to staff training is one of the reasons we are able to provide you with such great service. Please pardon our absence, and we’ll all be back on Tuesday, January 21!
January 14, 2014
Two for Tuesday – Classics
2 Classics: Original and Modern
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Fiery passion, shocking secrets, and a compelling, vulnerable heroine in peril have made Jane Eyre an enduring favorite. When Jane becomes governess at gloomy Thornfield Hall, she falls deeply in love with the brooding, tormented Edward Rochester — and he with her. But soon Jane realizes that the house holds terrifying mysteries. What is Rochester hiding from Jane? Will their smoldering relationship survive — or will Jane be left heartbroken and exiled?
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
A modern take on Jane Eyre that takes place in 1960s Scotland. Orphaned Gemma is left at the mercy of an aunt and cousins who don’t want her. She hopes for a better life at a boarding school, but when the school closes, she takes a job as a nanny, leading her to Blackbird Hall and the intriguing Mr. Sinclair. On the verge of finally finding love and family, Gemma runs from the revelations of Mr. Sinclair’s past. As Gemma makes her way back to her Icelandic origins, she begins to discover where she’s from and where she wants to go. Though less Gothic than the original, The Flight of Gemma Hardy is absolutely captivating.
Video Book Chats on Goodreads
Kent District Librarians are video-chatting their favorite reads on our group page on Goodreads. If you are using Goodreads, we’d love to have you join our group, and join our discussions, challenges and polls about books!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtBtCS3oj3c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_M3Oj1mYp8
January 12, 2014
Early Lit Bits: Music Minute
This holiday season, don’t let all the leftovers go to waste — the paper leftovers, that is. Empty boxes and paper tubes can be used to make a variety of musical instruments that will provide hours of entertainment for your child.
Wrap waxed paper around one end of a paper tube, secure with tape or a rubber band; poke a small hole in the center of the paper and you have an instant kazoo.
Rubber bands stretched around the opening of an empty tissue box become a great guitar.
Plastic cookie tubs and metal popcorn tins make excellent drums. Check out Be Quiet, Mike! for inspiration, then try using different kitchen utensils as drumsticks to get different sounds.
Metal popcorn tins are also a great for singing into! Kids will have lots of fun playing with the echoing sounds.
Encourage your little one to hum or strum their favorite holiday tune on their homemade instruments. Or, try out one of these rockin’ rhythm children’s CDs to play along with:
Rhythms on Parade by Hap Palmer
Rockin’ Red or Groovy Green by Eric Litwin
–Sara M., 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.
January 11, 2014
Librarians Save Lives (Literally)
Everyone who works for KDL – more than 300 people — recently underwent hours of training in basic first aid, CPR and how to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) machine. Just after completing the training, Tammy Schneider, a collection development librarian at our Service Center in Comstock Park, used it to save her 8-year-old son’s life when he started choking during a meal.
The value KDL has already realized from this life-and-death training has earned an award from the nonprofit Employers for Better Health, in memory of Linda A. Anderson, a West Michigan woman who passed away in 2004 after suffering a heart atrial fibrillation at work where there wasn’t access to an AED device.
AED devices are being installed in all 18 KDL branch buildings and the Service Center. We have them, and we know how to use them!
January 10, 2014
New Zinio Magazines Available
Our Zinio digital magazine service now has even more of your favorite titles! We’ve added subscriptions to the following new magazines that you can download and enjoy for FREE on your computer or mobile device:
Backpacker
The Beer Connoisseur Magazine
Bicycling
Country Gardens
Diabetic Living
Digital Photo Pro
Discover
Do It Yourself
Gluten-Free Living
Guideposts
Guitar Player
House Beautiful
Horse & Rider
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
Natural Health
OK! Magazine
Outdoor Life
Poets & Writers Magazine
Prevention
Publishers Weekly
Traditional Home
Utne Reader
VegNews Magazine
Woodworker’s Journal
The Writer
Yoga Journal
Click here to view a complete list of all titles offered through Zinio.
Happy Downloading!
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