This is the culminating stop on the historic Made in Michigan Writers Bus Tour.

Saturday, May 18, 2013
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Grand Rapids Public Museum – Meijer Theater and Lobby
272 Pearl St NW
Grand Rapids MI

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Spring into volunteering! Are you interested in becoming an active volunteer? Come to the downtown Grand Rapids Public Library on Friday, May 17, anytime from 10:00 am until Noon to learn where to contribute your talents and interests to benefit others, your community, and yourself.

Senior Leadership Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Public Library are partnering on this open house volunteer fair which will bring together 25 different community organizations featuring information on available community resources and meaningful volunteer opportunities. Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to register either online through GRCC Workforce Training by clicking on Older Learner Center or by phone at 616-234-3400.

Come and explore the possibilities!

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In this program, Hodges will trace the evolution of the train station and the styles architects employed to both tame and exalt rail transportation.  Touching on news accounts, literature and film, Hodges will also consider the central role the depot once played as the nation’s principal crossroads – a much-used, much-loved public space that has no real analog in American life today.

The 2013 Michigan Notable Books program and tour are made possible thanks to generous support of the the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Humanities Council, Meijer, and the Michigan Center for the Book. Media sponsors are City Pulse, WKAR Public Broadcasting from East Lansing, Mittenlit.com, Gennara Photography, Kolt Communications, Inc., and Queue Advertising.

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I know I do. My 4 year-old Sam can’t get enough of construction trucks and takes every opportunity to discuss the type of trucks he sees, what those trucks do, and what kind of construction trucks he will drive when he grows up to be a “construction worker-chef-teacher-superhero.” Oh, and he plans on being “the boss of everyone.”

Good news for Sam and everyone who digs construction–the library has partnered with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and six area cities for our first Construction Truck Petting Zoo. On Saturday, June 1 from 10 am – 2 pm, kids (and grown-ups) will get to see all the different construction trucks up close and learn about what each one does.  There will be hands-on activities and snacks. You can even check out the new construction exhibit at the Children’s Museum.

The Construction Truck Petting Zoo is a great time to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at the library.  Each kid who accepts the challenge will get a jaunty construction hard hat plus a summer of fun and excitement. It is OK  if your child’s entire challenge record will be filled with books about trucks. Trust me, I asked.

None of this would be possible without the support of the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation and our friends at the Kent County Road Commission, and the cities of Grand Rapids, Walker, Kentwood, Wyoming, Grandville, and East Grand Rapids! Thanks for inspiring my son and all the kids that dig construction and reading. You guys rock!

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A, B, C, D. What are all those parts? What is the right Medicare coverage for you? Working through the Medicare maze often seems complicated. What do you get with each of the Medicare parts and how do you choose? Join Karen Rozelle, the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) Regional Coordinator, for a Medicare overview that addresses these topics. Join us at the Main Grand Rapids Public Library on Tuesday, May 7, beginning at 6:30 pm to learn about the various assistance programs and how to fight against Medicare fraud.  Registration is appreciated.

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After you’re done with the Market, don’t forget to check out the other programs going on in other parts of the library.  At 1:30 bring and old t-shirt and transform it into a beautiful pillow in the T-shirt Up-cycling pillow craft  program.  At 2:30 come to Moving by Bicycle: How a Community Bike Program can Keep you on a Bike, to learn more about the benefits of traveling by bicycle and how community bike programs can help.

Before you go, check out the book display in the atrium to find a book or two on green and sustainable living!

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For the first time ever, the Grand Rapids Public Library is presenting a Cinco de Mayo program on May 5, 2013 in the Ryerson Auditorium at the Main branch. This family-friendly event will feature Mexican folkloric dancing by Grupo Tarasco – A Dance Company of the Cook Arts Center, a bilingual presentation on the history and significance of the date, fabulous food from El Granjero Mexican Grill, and crafts for children.

Schedule of events:
2:00 pm – dance performance
2:30 pm – learn about the holiday
3:00 pm – dance performance
All day – enjoy refreshments and crafts for the kids

The library offers many resources, including books, music, and videos for learning about the significance of Cinco de Mayo.

We do hope you’ll join us for a festive and educational celebration.

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On Saturday, April 27, drop by the Green Market and Info Expo, and stop by one of 23 tables featuring local green and recycled art artists, earth friendly organizations WMEAC and Veg West Michigan, and Grand Rapids foodies Aura of the food blog Dinner with Aura, and Sheri from Nourish Organic Market. After you’re done with the Market, don’t forget to check out the other programs going on in other parts of the library.

For more information about Earth Week, click here. We hope to see you next week!

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courtesy of Terry Johnson

The Grand River has been making news lately due to the efforts of several local people and area organizations working towards restoring the original rapids (where else do you think the city’s name came from?).    Before we go forward on projects like this, it’s important to know a little bit about the past.

On Wednesday April 24, Tim Gleisner, head of the Grand Rapids History & Special Collections Department of the Grand Rapids Public Library, will be discussing the history of the rapids in the Grand River. In this talk Tim will discuss what the rapids were originally like when Europeans first arrived. From there he will explore what happened to the rapids. What did they originally look like? Why were they altered in the first place? When were the rapids removed? Where did the rock go that formed the rapids?

Several events will occur later this month during Earth Week.  Join us throughout the week of April 22-29 to experience a number of different events that focus on our local community and our interaction with the environment.

History of the Rapids — Wednesday, April 24 | 7:00 pm | Main Library | Level 4 | Vander Veen Center for the Book

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