Grand Rapids Public Library

Inspiration can come at odd moments in your life. Like when Philippe Petit was sitting in his dentist offices waiting room and he saw an article about two twin buildings being built in New York City. He decided then and there that, somehow, he was going to cross from one tower to the other by [...]

Last night was the Henna program at the Seymour branch library. I don’t think i’ve had as much fun as I did during this program! Not many people are familiar with Henna, which is sort of like getting a tattoo that lasts for 2 weeks. It has roots in India, and is practiced all around [...]

Lady Godiva was married to the kind of man who people avoided making eye contact with in the street. He was an Earl (the Earl of Mercia, exactly) and his recent taxation law was too strict, according to the people of his land. Godiva had a heart of mercy, and she would often plead with [...]

There are certain moments in history that may not seemed to have changed lives, but they did. In 1945, an average ten year old boy received on his birthday not a gun, like he had hoped, but an acoustic guitar. In 1937, a plane flew over a small peaceful city and killed 400 people as [...]

Who said trains can’t runaway from home? Today, in 2001, a train broke free from its enslavement at the hands of man at a train yard in Toledo, Ohio and drove for 2 hours before getting caught. The train operator was “nearby” (as he claimed) when the train started moving along the track, out of [...]

The time has finally come! Bookfest is drawing near! On June two, Teens are invited to an afternoon of comics, poetry slams, and music! at 12:15 Romeo Ray will perform “Some Unspoken Words” a blissful collection of poetry aimed to touch the mind, heart, and spirit. Born Ray Valentino Yentzer on February 14, 1984, in [...]

Today is Nick Hornby’s birthday! What? You don’t know Nick Hornby? You know Nick Hornby. You really do. Have you seen the movie An Education? Have you read the book High Fidelity (or seen the movie)? He really has been quite a successful writer. I’m kinda jealous, actually. He’s written many books, including About A [...]

Are you excited for the Hunger Games Lock-In at the library on March 16?  As of right now, all 24 tribute spots are filled for the lock-in. Even GRPL employees are lining up to help volunteer for the event! Are you one of the lucky one’s who signed up early to participate? If so, be [...]

For all you creative people out there, Sass Fest is the place to be on Saturday.  Anyone’s who’s ever been interested in Self-Publishing, Zines, Screen printing, Photography, Sewing, or DIY arts in general, this is the place to expand your creative outlets. Have you ever thought about making your Christmas gifts as opposed to buying [...]

I’ve always wanted to be one of those people who had a super creative Halloween costume every year. I would plan it out, months in advance, only to lose steam a couple of days later. This year, it was different. I watched the movie Blade Runner and was determined to be Pris for Halloween. I [...]