Tag Archives: KDL Wyoming Branch

KDL to end overdue fines at all branches on June 1

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As of June 1, overdue fines will be a thing of the past at all of the Kent District Library branches. (WKTV)

Katie Zuidema
Kent District Libray

Fines for overdue items will become a thing of the past for Kent District Library patrons beginning June 1. This change removes a barrier for people who cannot afford their fines and wish to use the library.

The elimination of late fines is expected to spark an increase in circulation of library materials and encourage inactive patrons to return to the library.

“Each year, hundreds of patrons stop using library services entirely because they are deterred by late fines,” explains Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, Director of Programming, Outreach and Collection Services for KDL. “There’s a ‘shame’ element to late fines that does more harm than good. Eliminating the shame and late fines will make library resources more accessible and create a more encouraging experience for more people.”

Years ago, revenue from late fines was fairly significant, but the advent of automatic renewals for checked-out materials has reduced it significantly. Currently, revenue from late fines is almost completely offset by the cost of administrating and collecting the fines.

“The time that staff typically devotes to managing late fines will now be spent on library services, which is a better service and value for tax payers,” said Boisvenue-Fox.

Last year, KDL eliminated late fines for patrons who are active military or veterans. Around the same time, KDL leadership considered eliminating late fines for students. Upon discussing the idea with front-line staff in the branches, it was decided that becoming a fine-free library system for all patrons would be simpler and provide a greater benefit for everyone involved. The proposal was presented to the Board of Trustees at the March 21 meeting and was unanimously approved.

Other libraries around the country, such as the Salt Lake City Public Library, have eliminated late fines and shared positive results.

As of June 1, all unpaid fines for overdue materials will be forgiven. Card-holders who were prohibited from checking out materials due to unpaid late fines will once again be able to check out materials. Patrons will continue to receive notifications of due dates and past-due items. Items that are more than 35 days past due will be considered ‘lost’ and charged to the patron. The library will also continue to charge patrons for damaged items.


The elimination of late fines coincides with the kick off of KDL’s Summer Reading program, which fosters reading and event participation for all ages.

Wyoming ‘reimagines’ itself as it begins master plan process

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The City of Wyoming is starting the process for a new master place, called Wyoming [re]Imagined.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

There is an undercurrent of excitement building in the City of Wyoming as new developments get underway within the city.

With that in mind, the city has announced that it has formerly launched a new master plan process, called Wyoming [re]Imagined.

“The City of Wyoming is growing and changing at an accelerated rate, and it’s important that we take the time to develop an updated plan,” said City Planner Nicole Hofert. “Wyoming [re]Imagined will provide the city with a new land use plan, updated housing studies, goals for economic development, and a framework to guide strategic investments over the next 20 years.”

And the city is going to start this process next week with a community workshop set for Thursday, May 2, at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The workshop will be from 6 – 8 p.m. 

The first public workshop on the new master plan will be at the KDL Wyoming Branch on May 2 starting at 6 p.m.

Residents, visitors, business owners, and anyone with an interest in the City of Wyoming may attend the workshop. At the event, participants will learn about the process as well as provide insight on local concerns that the master plan should address. According to Assistant City Manager Megan Sall, community leaders believe that resident feedback is critical as they identify important issues, opportunities and projects for the future. 

The city’s current master plan is about 13 years old and was revised about seven years ago in 2012. Since the revision, the city has implemented the first phase of its 28 West project, which included the redevelopment of the Wyoming Village Mall, now called 28 West Place. This project also has brought in a new apartment development.

City leaders and the council approved a new form-based code for the Division Avenue and 28th Street corridors. There also has been several housing developments underway, including the Granger Group’s The Reserve, which broke ground last fall and development continues at The Metro Health Village.

Sall said the city does have some green space. A vision for the city’s future growth and development will help in planning how that green space is used, she said.

“My fellow council members and I are proud to serve this community, and we are excited for what the future holds,” Mayor Jack Poll said. “The master plan will provide a platform to integrate plans from across the City and region, and it will unite us under a common vision and set of goals. It is my sincere hope that all Wyoming residents will lend their voices to this important work.”

The Wyoming City Council contracted with planning firm House Lavigne Associates who will carry out the work on the master plan with city staff.

In addition to the community workshop on May 2, the public engagement process includes the following:

·       Two additional community workshops

·       Pop-up meetings at locations across Wyoming

·       Student/youth workshops

·       Focus groups

·       Interactive website

·       Surveys, including innovative digital mapping tools


For more information visit www.wyomingreimagined.com.

A group of Wyoming students are planning to paint the city purple

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A sneak peek of some of the pieces that are part of the Paint the Town Purple event. The gala is set for Thursday, April 18. (Wyoming High School)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Starting today, area residents and business owners have the opportunity to check out artwork created by some of the talented and creative students of Wyoming High School.

The Wyoming High School National Art Honor Society is hosting its first Paint the Town Purple, which includes an exhibition of juried student work through Thursday at the KDL Wyoming branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW.

A Wyoming High School student sits next to one of the paintings in the Paint the Town Purple. (Wyoming High School)

The program began with students submitting work in February that was then curated by a jury. Selected work was professionally framed and available for viewing at the Art Gallery of the KDL Wyoming Branch. 

Wyoming High School teacher Robyn Gransow-Highley said the National Art Honor Society, which has the goal of creating opportunities to share their love of art with the school, district, and surrounding community, is looking to make the Paint the Town Purple event an an annual one. 

“We are really excited and working hard to make this dream a reality for our community,” Gransow-Highley said.

Paint the Town Purple culminates in a grand celebration event at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the library, in the meeting room next to the Art Gallery. The event will feature entertainment by Wyoming High School musicians, light hor d’oeuvres, and the opportunity to meet the students who created the work. Business owners and representatives wishing to partner in this program can do so by pre-purchasing an event ticket, which affords them the opportunity to showcase one of the pieces on display for a year at their business. Art pieces will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the order of sign-in at the event.

Tickets are $100 with proceeds being used to sustain the Paint the Town Purple program and the National Art Honor Society. For more information about the Paint the Town Purple, to purchase a ticket ,or to make a donation, click here. 

Author/refugee Samdra Uwiringiyimana visits the KDL Wyoming Branch

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Sandra Uwiringiyimana, author of How Dare the Sun Rise, will be visiting the Wyoming Branch of Kent District Library at 6:30 pm on Monday, March 26. Uwiringiyimana will tell the story of her survival, of finding her place in a new country, of her hope for the future and how she found a way to give voice to her people. A book sale and signing will follow.

 

“After reading Sandra’s heart-wrenching tale of survival, loss, family, love and ultimately hope, we are reminded of all the beautiful things that make our lives full – family, friends, freedom,  safety, home, and the peace of mind this country brings,” said Abby D’Addario, youth librarian at the Wyoming Branch. “Refugees are our neighbors, and an intrinsic part of our lives. And refugees are people with real stories that need to be heard.”

 

Uwiringiyimana was just ten years old when she found herself with a gun pointed at her head. She had watched as rebels gunned down her mother and six-year-old sister in a refugee camp. Remarkably, the rebel didn’t pull the trigger and Sandra escaped. Thus began a new life for her and her surviving family members. With no home and no money, they struggled to stay alive. Eventually, through a United Nations refugee program, they moved to America, only to face yet another ethnic disconnect. Uwiringiyimana may have crossed an ocean, but there was now a much wider divide she had to overcome.

 

How Dare the Sun Rise, a profoundly moving memoir, is the remarkable and inspiring true story of a girl from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who tells the tale of how she survived a massacre, immigrated to America and overcame her trauma through art and activism.

 

This author visit is a part of the Grandville-Wyoming Community Reads 2018 program, which focuses on the challenges for refugees around the world who are seeking safety and a better life. A schedule of upcoming activities, which are open to the public and free, can be found athttp://kdl.org/communityreads/.

 

Community Reads sponsors include Grandville Education Foundation, Friends of the Grandville Library, Grandville Public Schools, Tegna Foundation, Wyoming Community Foundation, Wyoming Public Schools, Godwin Heights Public Schools and Mars Hill Bible Church.

Intersection of 56th and Ivanrest scheduled to get traffic signal

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A 56th Street reconstruction project includes adding a traffic signal to the intersection of 56th Street and Ivanrest Avenue.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Within a year, the intersection of 56th Street and Ivanrest Avenue will have a traffic light.

 

At its regular Monday night meeting, the Wyoming City Council moved forward on improvements for 56th Avenue – which includes the new traffic signal – by formally accepting the agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the reconstruction project.

 

The project, which is scheduled to start in July of 2018, will include the widening of 56th Street for the addition of a third lane along with sidewalk on the south side and the widening of the bike path on the north side, said Wyoming Public Works Director Bill Dooley during the Monday night council meeting.

 

“Probably the most key to the people out there right now is that we are going to signalize the intersection at 56th and Ivanrest and that was called for in that report for that development over there at Wilson and 56th Street as well,” Dooley said. The intersection is currently a four-way stop. The development Dooley is referring to is the PUD project the Granger Group has been developing and which has met with much opposition from residents. The Wyomig City Council has table that project to November

 

“We wanted to start this year [on 56th Street] but it took longer to get the right-a-ways for the project which have been acquired now,” Dooley said. “We normally would start first thing next spring but Maple Hill Golf Course has a big 40-year celebration and they asked us if we could wait until that is complete which will take place in June. So we will be starting right around the first of July.”

 

The construction costs are estimated at about $2.4 million which includes the city’s portion of $630,500. Dooley note that the cost does not include the city’s engineering and other expenses, which will bring the total project to about $3 million. The city will pay for its portion of construction costs out of its Capital Improvement Fund.

 

Because there are federal monies involved in the project, MDOT will handling the biding process, Dooley said, adding that the project will be put out for bid this fall.

 

Library Sidewalk

 

The Wyoming City Council also accepted a bid for the construction of a concrete sidewalk and lighting to replace an existing dirt path that residents have been taking to get to the KDL Wyoming Branch campus at 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The project was awarded to Weick Bros., Inc, for $44,209.25, which was higher than the planned budget for the project as safety lighting was added to it.

 

Currently residents east of the library from the Herman Avenue area have been using a dirt trail to reach the facility. With increase use of the trail, it was determined to improve the pathway and safety of residents with concrete and additional lighting, according to Mayor Jack Poll.

 

The Wyoming City Council meets the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The meetings are broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26 and rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

Authors of teen book about racial tension set to visit KDL Wyoming branch

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Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds will be discussing their book “All American Boys” at KDL Wyoming Branch Monday, March 27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

On Monday, March 27, the co-authors of one of the nation’s most powerful novels on racial tensions for teens will be visiting the KDL Wyoming Branch wrapping up the Community Reads program.

 

“All American Boys,” written by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, is the selected man title for this year’s Community Reads program. The story centers around two teenagers – one black and one white – classmates, who are forced to grabble with the repercussions of a violent act that leaves their school and their community bitterly divided by racial tension. Unique to the book is that Reynolds writes from the perspective of that young black boy, while Kiely writes from the white boy who witnessed the assault.

 

The story line should sound familiar as Reynolds has stated the book is based off similar events that have taken place in such communities as Ferguson, Mo. The goal was to create discussion, especially among students, about those issues playing out in the headlines.

 

“I realize that these conversations were totally divorcing themselves from young people,” Reynolds has said in previous interviews. “We want to create a tool for young people to enter into that conversation in a healthy and safe way.”

 

The book was chosen by the staff of the KDL Wyoming and Grandville branches – the two libraries partnered together for this year’s Community Read – because of its accessibility to students and that it makes a great discussion book because of the timelessness of the themes and the way the story is told from two different viewpoints, according to KDL Wyoming Branch Manager Lori Holland.

 

“When selecting titles we have a planning committee made up of library staff who meet to review titles,” Holland said. “This year we had both Grandville and Wyoming staff looking at and discussing various titles and authors that we have read and loved in the past year or two.  We are looking for titles that engage a variety of readers in order to promote literacy. The book must have compelling characters and themes and foster discussion around issues that are important in our communities.”

 

Another factor in the selection process is that the authors should be compelling speakers and able to engage their audience. ” One of our staff members had seen Jason Reynolds speak and had been blown away by his presentation,” Holland said. In fact, Reynolds’ “Ghost” was the middle school selection for the Community Reads program and the picture book “Friendshape” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld was selected as a companion title.

 

Because students in Wyoming, Grandville and Godwin high schools are participating in the program, the selected book is then presented to school staff for review and feedback. “They loved the title and were enthusiastic supporters,” she said.

 

“All American Boys” has earned numerous awards including the 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor.

 

Monday’s program is for adults and teens in grades 6 – 12. For more information, visit www.kdl.org.