Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 94

Survey Results: We’re Meeting Your Needs

We recently asked you to fill out a survey to track the progress of our 2013 Strategic Plan goals. A big thank you to all of you who took a few minutes to let us know how we are doing. We are pleased to report that we received over 90% positive ratings on each of our goals: making sure you find what you are looking for; helping your child develop the skills they need to be ready to learn to read, write and listen; and satisfaction with our Internet services.

Everyone who filled out the survey was entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card to Schuler Books & Music. Congratulations to the lucky winner, Jean from Sand Lake!

 

Job Seekers / Biz Owners: How Has KDL Helped You?

Has KDL’s LinkedIn Bootcamp helped you network your way to a new career? Are you using our free access to computers and Wi-Fi to aid in your job search or manage your family’s finances? Do you own a business and rely on the library to meet with clients? How have you leaned on KDL in tough times?

Share your story by clicking here by 9:00 AM on Friday, November 22 and you could win a $25 gift card to Schuler Books & Music. Those who enter could also have their stories shared here.

 

 

 

Rock & Roll Fans, Listen Before You Vote

Instead of just listening, music fans currently have a chance to be heard themselves. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recently announced its list of Nominees for 2014 and is asking the public to vote for up to 5 of the nominees. KDL is a good source to explore the music of this year’s nominees! Here are just a few examples:

Linda Ronstadt, who recently opened up about having Parkinson’s Disease as well as publishing her memoir Simple Dreams, has been nominated.

LL Cool J has also been nominated. He has stayed active since his first release in 1985, putting out Authentic just this year.

Nirvana has been nominated in their first year of eligibility, 25 years after their first release. However, it was Nevermind that really opened the way for them and other indie artists.

And don’t forget about Freegal and the chance to download tracks, such as the classic “Rumble” from nominee Link Wray. It was this guitar instrumental that inspired many guitar greats who followed.

So explore, listen and enjoy the music before you vote!

 

 

Local Indie Spotlight: Recoil Volume 1

Fans of The Onion will enjoy this satirical collection of fake newspaper articles. Recoil is based in West Michigan; the entertainment magazine has been published monthly since 2001. It is full of imaginative and witty articles, ranging from worldwide headlines, editorial, sports, health, music, science and business. Just looking at some of the titles of the articles will give you a good feel for the book, such as “Report: 78 percent of angry teens too lazy to run away from home,” or “Man strains back applying back pain cream.” Not only does it have “news” articles, it also has spoof guides such as airplane etiquette, or the recoil guide to writing a screenplay. It also includes horoscopes, self-help sections and advice columns. This is well worth a browse and will most likely bring a smile to your face and probably even a chuckle or two.

Recoil: News Satire You Can Trust, Volume 1 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.

Enter Now & Win Big: Winner Announced

*** Update: Thank you to everyone who participated in our Connect with Happiness contest! The phrase “Connect with Happiness” was featured 21 times in the Fall Kaleidoscope. Congratulations to Mindy, the winner of the $50 gift card!

 

Just a friendly reminder that our Connect with Happiness Contest ends on November 1. You don’t want to miss out on this great opportunity to win a $50 gift certificate to Schuler Books & Music! Pick up a copy of our Fall Kaleidoscope at your local branch or read it online. Check out page 4 for the contest details. Basically, we are sending you on a simple word search with a really awesome prize!

Happy searching!

 

Free Computer & Technology Classes

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

Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
Gadgets: B.Y.O. eReader & Tablet Users Group

(pre-registration not required)
Gadgets: B.Y.O. iPad Users Group

(pre-registration not required)
Gadgets: Gadget Petting Zoo
Internet: Getting Started on Craigslist
Internet: Pinterest Basics
Speak to a Geek (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):

December classes: Registration begins Monday, November 4 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, November 11 for non-KDL cardholders)
January classes: Registration begins Monday, December 2 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, December 9 for non-KDL cardholders)
February classes: Registration begins Monday, January 6 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, January 13 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

Updated hoopla App

Have you had a chance to try out our new hoopla streaming video service yet? Hoopla allows KDL cardholders to stream 4 movies or television shows per month FREE! Their database currently contains over 10,000 videos, with more added all the time. They’ve also been making changes to their mobile app for iOS and Android, recently releasing a new version 2.0. “My Titles” has now been separated into separate lists for “Borrowed” and “Favorites,” and a new menu has been added to the left side of the screen. Watch the demo video below for more information, and check out hoopla today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M6C7rUWncg

NaNoWriMo 2013

No, that title isn’t just a bunch of gibberish — it’s “National Novel Writing Month,” held in November every year. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing your own novel, what better time to start than now?

Your goal: Write a 50,000-word novel by midnight, November 30. Sound impossible? Don’t worry — NaNoWriMo is all about enthusiasm and perseverance, not high quality writing. Just let go, lower your expectations, and let the words flow.

Sound interesting? Check out the official NaNoWriMo site for more information or to sign up.

Need some help to get started? There’s a Grand Rapids area forum so you can find other writers and NaNoWriMo events near you. Or check out the Writers’ Group that meets at our Cascade Township branch.

And if you say “no way!” to writing 50,000-word novel in just 1 month, why not start with a 3000-word (or less) short story instead? Our Write Michigan Short Story contest deadline is November 30, and you could win a cash prize and be published!

(Hey teens — NaNoWriMo also has a Young Writers Program just for you!)

 Happy writing!

KDL Top Ten – 11/1/2013

This week’s Top Ten features 10 of the most popular Movies at KDL.  See what everyone else is watching — click on the link to the Top Ten List!  And if you’re looking for more ways to enjoy movies from your library, give hoopla a try.  Sign up and download or stream a digital video today!

 

Happy Halloween from KDL!

A number of our staff enjoyed dressing up in costume in honor of Halloween today — enjoy this collection of photos that was originally shared on our Facebook page: