Calendar of Events
March 7, 2013
One Book, One City for Kids
One Book, One City for Kids is an annual reading program that encourages all 4th graders in the city to read and discuss the same book. The program also strives to encourage a lifelong love of reading among students, to inspire readers to bring story ideas and themes to life through discussion, and to build collaborative ties between public libraries, school libraries, and area schools. This year the entire city will be reading Special Delivery! by Sue Stauffacher. In this book, ten-year-old Keisha and her family’s animal rescue center face more challenges involving a baby crow in a mailbox and a skunk found in the nearby community garden.
Pre-Reading Classes for Toddlers
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their energetic toddlers, ages 18 months to 3 years, to 30-minute classes featuring hands-on, literacy-rich activities including stories, songs with fingerplays and other action, and sign language. Toddlers will develop pre-reading skills as they make connections between words and movement and have fun with related crafts and socialize during playtime.
Pre-Reading Classes for Kids
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their preschool children, ages 3 to 5, to 45-minute classes featuring literacy-rich activities such as interactive storytelling using puppets, dramatic play, and hands-on fun. Related songs, fingerplays, and activities are interspersed between books. Classes end with a fun and creative art activity.
Ruff Readers
West Michigan Therapy Dogs and their handlers provide an encouraging and non-judgmental environment for children to develop confidence in reading. The program is for independent readers of any age and is recommended for children who need to develop confidence in reading aloud or for English as a second language learners. Children are encouraged to come every week at the same time for four weeks. Registration is required. Sign up for one time: 7:00 pm, 7:15 pm, 7:30, or 7:45.
Teen Improv Night
Teens are invited to be a part of the show when an improv comedy troupe performs at the library! Laugh at their ridiculous antics, or join them on stage as they lampoon their way through hilarious scenes, using their wit and your suggestions. Audience participation is encouraged. For teen ages 11-18.
Reading the Great Lakes
Come explore the Lakes with us! We’ll read a range of titles including mystery, history, fiction, and nonfiction all taking place in the Great Lakes region—from Chicago to Cleveland. This book club will be led by our smart librarians and will take place the first Thursday of every month. Additional copies of the book are available to be checked out on Level 4 of the Main Library. March’s selection is The Plan of Chicago by Carl Smith.
This library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents.