June 2012

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In This Issue
Director's Letter
Get Ready for Summer Reading!
Summer Programs at KDL
Online Booklists
Branches: Stories Rooted in the KDL Community
Photo of the Month: Whitecaps
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KDL Locations


Alpine Township

Alto

Byron Township

Caledonia Township 

Cascade Township

Comstock Park

East Grand Rapids

Englehardt (Lowell) 

Gaines Township

Grandville

Kentwood

Krause Memorial (Rockford)

Plainfield Township

Sand Lake/Nelson Township

Spencer Township

Tyrone Township

Walker

Wyoming & LBPH

Map of all KDL branches

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KDL Kaleidoscope
 

 

Pick up a copy of KDL's signature seasonal event & news publication at your local KDL branch.

 

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Free Downloads @ KDL

 Nook

eBooks, eAudiobooks and music -- download them today at KDL.org.

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Featured Online Resource

 

   

 

Information on the people, customs, lifestyles and societies in countries throughout the world!

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What's Happening
@ KDL

 

Check our

online event calendar 

for a complete list of events and activities for all ages. Search by branch, age group and more.

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Connect with KDL
 
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From the Director:
Cool Indoor Play When It's Too Hot Outside
  
Greetings!   

 

Getting kids outside during summer is a priority for families, and KDL has designed this year's Summer Reading program with exactly that in mind. A new, online badge component allows participants to earn virtual badges for completing local experiences such as nature, travel, animal lovers and sports. It's a great opportunity to get outdoors, do new things and set new goals.

 

If this past winter and spring are any indication, it's going to be a hot summer. With that in mind, KDL has the perfect suggestion when it's too hot to play outside: KDLville early literacy play spaces, now at all 18 of our branches. These donation-funded "purposeful play" areas offer rotating activities including dress-up, art tables, a puppet stage, market stand and more, where learning and creativity are the focus. They'll be having so much fun they won't realize they're sharpening their literacy skills.

 

And if you own or work for a company that is considering a community outreach project aimed at kids, how about sponsoring construction of an Imagination Station in a KDLville play space?

 

Imagination Stations let children age 6 and younger play at being budding restauranteurs, construction experts, accounting pros and more, all designed to foster their imaginations through dramatic play. The stations are outfitted with the sponsoring company's logo.

 

For information about how to donate toward a KDLville space or an Imagination Station, call 616-784-2007. Happy summer!

 

Lance Werner, Director

Kent District Library

 

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   Dream Big: Read
Summer Reading @ KDL
  
 
Fill your summer days and nights with great reads and big dreams, and sign up now at any branch for Summer Reading @ KDL. With programs for infants, children, teens and adults, the whole family can get in on the fun. Reading books and winning prizes... it's a dream come true!

Summer Reading @ KDL runs through August 31 and contains a fun new online badge component, where participants are challenged to learn not only through reading, but also through seeing, doing and going. It's a great way for kids to keep their minds sharp and active during those long summer months away from school, and a great way to get the entire family outside and moving!

 

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Hot Summer,
Cool KDL Programs
Have we got a summer of fun-filled programs for everyone: from pets and wild animals in the library to live music, magic and our own summer carnivals at several branches from June to August.

 

To search for events and programs at any or all 18 KDL branches, go to our homepage, click on "events" and search by date, event type or age group. You can also view and search our complete events calendar by clicking here.

 

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May We Suggest...  

  

Not sure what to read next? We would love to help you find the perfect summer read! Our Recommended Reading Lists would be a great place to start. Get great book recommendations by genre, topic, read-alikes and more -- selected by KDL librarians! With separate booklists for adults, teens and kids, everyone can find books that are just right for them.
  

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Branches stories logoBranches:
Stories Rooted in the KDL Community

 

As a busy Grand Rapids Community College student who sometimes holds down two jobs in addition to her studies, Jessica Thelen never seemed to have enough time to spend with her younger sisters, Jackie, 17; and Olivia, 7.

               
 
She was especially concerned about Olivia.

 

 

"I'm going to be going to a four-year school next year, so I really want to spend as much time as I can with her," Jessica explains.

 

Last year, she decided to take action. Once a week, she sets aside time to visit either the Caledonia or Alto KDL branch with her youngest sister.

 

Read Jessica's story here.

 

 

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Photo of the Month
 
  
  
Summer Reading Home Run!
Catching a Whitecaps game this season?
These guys can hit, catch and run,
and when it comes to reading, they really hit it out of the park!

 

KDL Staff Picks: Let us help you find something good to read!  
 

   

Check out our online Staff Picks booklist.
 

 

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