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

The post Dance…at our Flash Mob!!!!! appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

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!

The post Got a Kid Who Digs Construction? appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

Happy Star Wars Day!Come to the main library and check out our collection of Star Wars books, movies, and music on display. We have the originals, we have the dreaded prequels, we have cartoons, we have comics.  There may also be an R2D2 coming out of our new book shelves so keep an eye out, he’ll be there all month long.

The post Happy Star Wars Day! appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

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:

The post Take A Picture…It’s Prom Time! appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

Verdi’s opera tells the tale of Parisian courtesan Violetta who lives a life of grandeur, filled with parties and high society thrills. That is until she falls for Alfredo and leaves the city for a quiet romance in the countryside. Alas, heartbreak lurks on the horizon for Violetta and Alfredo in this tragic Verdi classic.

Grand Rapids Public Library cardholders can check out a pair of tickets to see this powerful show as a part of GRPL’s Check It Out: Circulating Membership Program.

Have you ever used the Check It Out program to experience the art and culture in Grand Rapids? We’d love to hear your story!

The post Check It Out: Opera Grand Rapids Tickets appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

The Grand Rapids Public Library is conducting a short survey about the new technology in the library. We want to know what you think about the new check out stations, how material is checked in, and more.

Please give us 5 minutes of your time to take our survey. Thanks for helping us make the library great!

The post Technology in the Library: Tell Us What You Think appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

Image from screenrant.com

On Saturday, March 30th the TARDIS will be reappearing on our screens with the Doctor and his newest companion in Doctor Who.  The Doctor will be discovering the secrets of his newest companion Clara Oswin Oswald while traversing time and space.  Let’s not forget this is the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, so some old friends and faces might be popping up in the coming episodes.

image from screenrant.com

On Sunday, March 31st winter is coming once more.  Game of Thrones returns for an epic third season featuring wights, wildlings, and wars.  A huge lover of the book series I know what’s going to happen, but my lips are sealed. Just brace yourselves.

The ad men of Madison Ave return to AMC on Sunday, April 7th with scotch in hand. According to reports the sixth season of Mad Men is going to have a wedding, two deaths, and Hawaii. Things should get interesting between pitches as the characters traverse the latter half of the sixties.

The post Of Ad Execs, Time Travel, and Dragons 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

The post March Madness TV: Adventure Time vs. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

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!

The post Calling All Teen Directors! appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.

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

The post March Madness TVland: Glee vs. Smash appeared first on Grand Rapids Public Library.