Teens, are you looking for a great event to kick off your summer? Wanna brag to your friends how you just showed up somewhere to dance? Need a fun way to earn community service hours? Look no further! The library will hold rehearsals in May and June for teens to participate in a community dance party event. Join Brandi Angelosanto from Artistic Grace for two nights of fun a week (at either location) to learn simple steps for our first flash mob. No dancing experience or skill required. Grab some friends and let’s make it a party!

Image from: http://www.gzstuff.com/group/i-love-dance

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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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Wouldn’t you want your prom pictures taken over again? Without the feather bangs? Maybe minus the weird kid that you went to the dance with because you felt bad for them. Maybe your eyes were closed? You still might have had to wear your headgear. It could be you were ashamed of your acne? Or maybe you’re anticipating prom—maybe you’re not sure if you will even go?! NEVER FEAR. You can experience that magical moment ALL over again OR for the very first time! Hanging in the library’s bow  is a wonderful backdrop of a miniature landscape of Paris.  We hope to see you smiling while getting your picture taken soon! If you take a cool one—make sure to send it to us so we can keep it in our library prom memories! Like this one:

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Tris Prior from Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzann Collins

Dr. Temperance Brennan from Kathy Reich’s series of the same name

Tess Monaghan from Laura Lippman’s series of the same name

Rachel Morgan from Kim Harrison’s Hollows series

Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (think about all she accomplished!)

Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (who else could handle Mr. Darcy like Elizabeth?)

Hazel Lancaster from John Green’s The Fault in our Stars

Who are some of your favorite strong female characters?

The post I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. – Anne Frank. appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

Adventure Time Pros:

• The plot is crazy and creative with social informed issues being portrayed.

• This show was an Emmy Nomination.

• The conflict of emotion is presented with underlying tones in such a sweet sparkly manner.

Adventure Time Cons:

• I usually have no idea what is going on.

• Adventure is weird. If you don’t like “weird” this show is not for you!

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Pros:

• You feel like a smarter person after watching sparkling ponies prance around. Seriously! The show is definitely aimed at a higher intellectual audience.

• The wife of the creator of PowerPuff Girls is running this show.

• It shows the well thought out with plots, mythologies, and is NO way corny!

• The visual animation is endearing and very….well done!

 My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Cons:

• Why is the name so long? When you tell people that you watch this show….they give you a weird look until you have to explain to them “let me finish” it’s the “NEW FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC My Little Pony”

• It makes one miss the PowerPuff Girls!

We have the LOTS of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic DVD’s available! We also have a seasons of Adventure Time here in our catalog?

What do you Think?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

images: fanpop.com & glogster.com

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Do you love to record videos on our smartphone? Have you ever thought you could be behind the camera calling the shots? Want some more views on your Facebook page or  Youtube channel? Than the Teen Director series is perfect for you! Here you will go behind the scenes on tips and tricks of creating a short video feature. Join us on Wednesday, April 3 from 3-5 at the Grand Rapids Public Library Main branch for a crash course on Film 101. Snacks and Ride to Read passes will be provided for all teens who attend the program. We are proud to offer this film series in collaboration with the KDL teen film series: iMovie Graphics from beginning to end! For the whole month of April every Wednesday will highlight different ways to add flairs and impress your friends with your video techniques. Here are the film classes available in April:

Wednesday, April 3 is Film 101

Wednesday, April 10 is Special Effects

Wednesday,April 17 is Animation

Wednesday, April 24 is Editing

If you’re thinking about going into communications, broadcasting, or simply want to see if you have a passion for videos than don’t miss this workshop!  Registration is needed for each event due to a limited number of computers available! Please register today and get ready for lights, camera and ACTION!

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Glee Pros:

•             Who wouldn’t want a musical of their high school experience?
•             They sing or take old pop hits and make them into new sensations!
•             Cast Diversity
•             Jane. Lynch. is. comic. genius.

Glee Cons:

•             Some of the choreography can be ridiculous
•             The music doesn’t always “naturally” fit in the show
•             People who might not like musicals will probably not watch it…
•             A lot of characters/story lines get lost within the Glee community

Smash Pros:

•         It’s more dramatic in plot of trying to achieve Broadway dreams
•         Original Songs
•         Clever Storytelling & Characterization
•         People might watch even if they are not “into musicals”

Smash Cons:

•         Again a LOT of characters
•         Songs are sometimes thrown in with for no reason

We have the seasons and musical recordings of Glee in our catalog? What do you Think?

images from: images4.fanpop.com & commonconsent.com

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Out on March 19th!

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

 When seventeen-year-old orphaned shapechanger Tessa Gray is kidnapped by the villainous Mortmain in his final bid for power, the London Institute rallies to save her, but are beset by danger and betrayal at every turn. Third book in the Infernal Devices series

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

“While Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous Wilds, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland.” Third in the Delirium Trilogy.

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Fifteen-year-old Vanessa follows her sister Margaret to an elite Manhattan ballet school, not only gaining admission but also earning the lead in a production of the Firebird, while trying to uncover why and how Margaret and other lead dancers have disappeared.

Revel by Maurissa Guibord

Looking for her grandmother, seventeen-year-old Delia goes to an isolated island in Maine and discovers a frightening and supernatural world where ancient Greek symbols adorn the buildings and secret ceremonies take place on the beach at night

The post New Teen Titles for March appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

The first week of March and we’re off to battle with which show is potentially better? Let’s compare:

Pros of Game of Thrones:

• Excellent Book to TV Adaptation

• Rich, Lush Characterization: Jon Snow, Anya Snow, Tyrion & Jamie Lannister

• Gorgeous Cinematography

Cons of Game of Thrones:

• Heart Anxiety —Which House will win?!

• Has raised the fantasy bar—what will people watch afterwards?

• No one is safe! No. One.

Pros of The Walking Dead:

• Excellent Book to TV Adaptation

• Rich, Lush Characterization: Rick & Carl Grimes, Michonne, Morgan

• Gorgeous Cinematography

Cons of the The Walking Dead:

• No one is safe! No. One.

• Heart Palpitations Due to who will survive?

• Zombies = Great Drama TV

Not only are the respective books amazing—but the dramatic interpretations are spot on! Future seasons may determine if the shows will continue in lasting popularity…but right now—nothing compares! Nothing. All of these wonderful shows are available as books on our catalog in a variety of formats. We do have the The Walking Dead  and  Game of Thrones seasons available, too.

What do you think?

Images from: fanpop.com/

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3. Exciting Library Atmosphere (There will be no QUIET THIS DAY, I GUARANTEE!)
2. FOOD & MUSIC (because what’s the fun of having one without the other)
1. I WILL BE THERE!!!! The Official TSU GRPL Teen Booth will be there!

Sooooo—Come stop by our booth after you’ve had your fill of music and food. GRPL Teens will have a SUPER COOL Booth at Taste of Soul Sunday. The booth will be loaded with fun….fun…FUN! If you don’t believe me (then stop by the booth ’cause we might just have some super cool stuff to giveaway…) That’s definitely not a bribe….or is it?! Anyway, I hope to see you all stop by and
(That doesn’t sound creepy at all)

image: http://cheezburger.com/5696427008

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