April 2014 Calendar of Events • 784-2007
Visit www.kdl.org for more programs and information.
This calendar contains program highlights. Most KDL branches offer additional programs including Book Discussions, Storytimes and a variety of computer classes. Please visit www.kdl.org for more information.
For Children and Families
Create a Gift: Kids’ Crafting
Kids, create a springtime gift for Mom, Dad or for another loved one’s special day. Add a card you made yourself and even wrap your gift! For all ages.
Saturday, April 5, 2:00 PM – Gaines Township Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 1:30 PM – Alto Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 1:30 PM – Cascade Township Branch
Saturday, April 19, 10:00 AM – Krause Memorial Branch
Superheroes Away!
Shining a spotlight on all things super! Come dressed as your favorite caped crusader and get ready to have fun playing games and writing your own comic book. For all ages.
Monday, April 7, 2:00 PM – Grandville Branch
Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – East Grand Rapids Branch
Eco-Friendly Garden Projects
Craft earth-friendly spring garden projects using upcycled household containers and supplies from nature’s bounty. For all ages.
Monday, April 7, 6:30 PM – Byron Township Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 1:00 PM – Englehardt Branch
Thursday, April 10, 1:30 PM – Alto Branch
Saturday, April 26, 10:30 AM – Alpine Township Branch
Saturday, April 26, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Spring Brings Very Hungry Caterpillars!
Enjoy stories and crafts featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other familiar characters from the works of Eric Carle. For ages 6 and younger.
Monday, April 7, 7:00 PM – Walker Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 10:00 AM – Cascade Township Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 PM – Wyoming Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 10:00 AM – Cascade Township Branch
Thursday, April 10, 10:00 AM – Walker Branch
Tuesday, April 22, 10:00 AM – Alpine Township Branch
Wednesday, April 23, 10:00 AM – Tyrone Township Branch
Tuesday, April 29, 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Wednesday, April 30, 10:00 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
There’s a Mouse in the House
What could be more exciting than a mouse in your house? Celebrate all things “mousy” with stories, crafts, rhymes, fingerplays and puppets. For ages 6 and younger.
Tuesday, April 8, 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM – Grandville Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 1:00 PM – Byron Township Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Monday, April 21, 10:00 AM – Plainfield Township Branch
Rainbow Loom Creativity
Bring your Rainbow Loom and some friends to socialize and create. Rainbow Loom jewelry is fun, unique and great to give as gifts. The library will provide bands in a variety of colors. Don’t forget your loom! For ages 6 and older.
Tuesday, April 8, 1:00 PM – Englehardt Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 1:30 PM – Cascade Township Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 2:00 PM – Byron Township Branch
Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – Comstock Park Branch
Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township Branch
Tom Plunkard: Beyond Magic – Show and Workshop
Prepare to be astounded! Stick around after the show for a short workshop on how to perform some of his tricks. For all ages.
Wednesday, April 9, 10:00 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 12:30 PM – Wyoming Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 3:00 PM – Comstock Park Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 6:30 PM – Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch
Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – Byron Township Branch
Thursday, April 10, 6:30 PM – Plainfield Township Branch
Discover and Create Board Games
Explore a variety of simple international board games and get inspired to create your own. For ages 6 and older.
Thursday, April 10, 3:00 PM – Cascade Township Branch
Saturday, April 12, 10:30 AM – Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch
Mario Kart Tournament for Kids
Many will enter, but only one will be crowned champion! Join us for a Wii gaming tournament for school-age kids featuring Mario Kart, prizes and more. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. For grades K-5.
Saturday, April 12, 12:00 PM – Cascade Township Branch
For Adults
Early Childhood Essentials: A Little More Math
Learn what children are now expected to know before entering kindergarten. Please bring a paper grocery bag for a “make-and-take” math activity. Session offers one hour of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Thursday, April 3, 6:30 PM – Plainfield Township Branch
Family Stories and Secrets
Personal historian Deb Moore will speak about the importance of preserving your family stories — good and bad — and offer tips on writing your own life stories or family history.
Monday, April 14, 6:30 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Meet the Author: Mardi Jo Link
Mardi Jo will speak about her book, Bootstrapper, as part of “Our Community Reads.” Books will be available for purchase. Sponsored by the Friends of the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library.
Wednesday, April 16, 6:30 PM – Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch
Navigating Kent County’s Mental Health System
Recent tragic news events have brought national attention to the need to know how to navigate the mental health system, which can be difficult. Learn what services are available for mental health both at Pine Rest and within Kent County, discover what insurance companies typically pay for and how to seek emergency mental health care.
Thursday, April 17, 6:00 PM – Gaines Township Branch
Early Childhood Essentials: Let’s Go Outside!
Learn the benefits of and tips for taking children outside from Kathie Hoffmann of Kent Regional 4C. Session offers one hour of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Thursday, April 17, 6:30 PM – Byron Township Branch
Early Childhood Essentials: Kindergarten Readiness
Kindergarten is just around the corner! Learn what you can do to support your little one as their exciting journey draws near. Session offers one and a half hours of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Saturday, April 19, 10:00 AM – Cascade Township Branch
Game On!
Join the West Michigan Tabletop Gamers the third Saturday of each month to play some fun-filled board games. Assorted “gateway” games will be on hand, along with someone to teach them. For teens and adults. Gaming. Guys Read Approved.
Saturday, April 19, 12:30 PM – Grandville Branch
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.
Saturday, April 19, 1:00 PM – East Grand Rapids Branch
Monday, April 28, 6:30 PM – Byron Township Branch
Create Paper Flowers
Turn old books and papers into colorful paper flowers! Learn how with hands-on instruction and take your creations home with you. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited.
Saturday, April 19, 2:00 PM – Wyoming Branch
Invasive Species in Your Neighborhood
What is the impact of alien plants in Kent County? Local naturalists will help you learn how to identify and eradicate invasive plant species.
Tuesday, April 22, 6:30 PM – Grandville Branch
Book Bash Giant Warehouse Book Sale
KDL’s third annual Book Bash Giant Warehouse Book Sale features more than 20,000 gently-used books and other items that will be available for just 50 cents to $1 each. Sunday is Bag Day — $5 buys as many items as you can fit in a bag. All proceeds support Summer Reading @ KDL and other branch programs. Held at the KDL Service Center, 814 West River Center Dr. NE in Comstock Park. (NOTE: Spcial teacher time from 3:00 – 5:00 PM). For all ages.
Friday, April 25, 5:00 – 8:00 PM – KDL Service Center
Saturday, April 26, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – KDL Service Center
Sunday, April 27, 1:00 – 4:00 PM – KDL Service Center
Early Childhood Essentials: Teaching Science with Toys
Help children learn science on their own with fun activities for school readiness. Use storybooks, toys and other simple items to teach science concepts. Session offers 1.5 hours of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Saturday, April 26, 10:00 AM – East Grand Rapids Branch
Meet the Author: Gail Marie Snow
Gail will speak about her recently published book “Remarkable Ramona Park,” sharing details of the history of the park located on Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. Book is part of “Our Community Reads.” Books will be available for purchase. Sponsored by the Friends of the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library.
Saturday, April 26, 1:30 PM – Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch
Early Childhood Essentials: Developing Phonological Awareness
Explore ways to integrate speech sound play activities throughout the day at home, in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Session offers one hour of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Monday, April 28, 6:30 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
