The Atrium

One of my favorite foods is sushi. I love it! Of course when I openly declare my love for this mini delicacy some of my friends scrunch up their faces and say "yuk, raw fish." I've told them that there are many kinds of sushi, and not all of them contain raw fish, but that little fact seems to get lost enroute to their brains. They're pre-conditioned to think of sushi as simply raw fish.

Some sushi is made with all vegetarian ingredients and other varieties include smoked or cooked fish, so there are other choices for anyone who can't abide eating raw fish. A popular favorite is the California Roll, which usually includes a combination of rice, nori (dried seaweed), cucumber, sesame seeds, avocado, and cooked crabmeat. It comes with side servings of soy sauce, wasabi (Japanese horseradish), and pickled ginger.

Regardless of the ingredients, sushi makes a great plate presentation and it's delicious, healthy food. However, no matter what I tell my friends they remain unconvinced (sigh). I suppose it's their loss, cause that means there's more sushi for me (LOL with an evil grin).

Go on, eat some sushi!

Posted by Angela at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

One of the many summer programs planned to support Get a Clue @ Your Library was recently held at several GRPL branch locations. Program attendees pledged to read many books this summer by signing up for the summer reading program. Registrants received free magnifying glass pens to support the mystery-themed reading campaign.

The program featured comedian and juggler Josh Casey, who performed a variety of unusual stunts and encouraged audiance participation. Casey revealed that he learned to juggle from books he checked out of the library. Kids got involved in the act with some help from Casey. Lucky participants were able to live out their rock-and-roll dreams. Casey amazed the audiences and he made them giggle too.

Josh Casey instructs audiences to wave their fingers in front of their eyes in order to watch him juggle an infinite amount of objects.

Kids at Seymour Branch demonstrate their new skills.

A participant gives assistance.

Posted by Martin at 03:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's all about the love. That's what the romance novel celebrates -- "love expressed through a central monogamous love story and a happy or optimistic ending," says librarian Amy C.

Sometimes still referred to as "bodice rippers" -- a phrase decades out of date -- the romance genre can be misunderstood. Modern romances aren't a retelling of the Cinderella fairytale. Today's romances feature modern heroines who are strong, feminine, sassy and intelligent. They're also in touch with their sexuality. These women -- working class or wealthy -- are not afraid to go after what they want. They choose their own adventures, and when trouble comes they know how to rescue themselves and still get their men.

And who's writing these gutsy stories? Well you may be surprised. Popular romance author Stephanie Laurens is a biochemist who once headed a major cancer research group in Australia. Eloisa James is a Yale educated, Shakespearean professor who teaches at Fordham University. Other romance author careers include military officers, attorneys, and doctors.

If you've been reluctant to give romantic fiction a try, or if you're already a romance fan and want to read something different, here are a few suggestions:

Posted by Angela at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Do you like to play games? Do you like all things Harry Potter? Well, an upcoming library event could be the program for you!

The Seymour and Yankee Clipper branch libraries will be hosting the Harry Potter (HP) version of the popular Scene It! on Saturday, July 21st. The DVD-based game will test your knowledge about the world's most famous wizards-in-training. Participants will enjoy movie clips, puzzlers, and questions based on HP trivia.

And in case you haven't heard, this is the day the latest HP book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be available to check out; if you're lucky enough to get a copy that day. So if you like playing games, feel confident about your HP knowledge, and would like to cool off, join us for this fun program!

Registration is required and snacks will be provided. Interpreters for the hearing impaired are available upon request.

Event Times
Seymour: Saturday, July 21 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Call 988-5413 to register for this location.
Yankee Clipper: Saturday, July 21 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Call 988-5415 to register for this location.

Posted by Mary at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We've been getting some interesting additions to our non-fiction section. Some that I noticed are:

Stewardess: Come Fly With Me!

by Elissa Stein

Relive the glamorous lifestyle of the stewardess in its full Technicolor sexism! Full of vintage photographs, training materials, in-flight brochures and by-gone advertisements that'll surely satisfy anyone's kitschy aesthetic.

You can find this book in the New book section at 387.742 Sr34s

Offshore: The Dark Side of the Global Economy

by William Brittain-Catlin

Corporate investigator and BBC producer Brittain-Catlin delves into the availability, culture and consequences offshore business transactions. With such heavy-hitters such as Wal-Mart, BP and the now dubious Enron using places like the Cayman Islands or Bahamas as their financial transaction centers to elude taxes and federal disclosure regulations, this book is a provocative source for those wanting to learn what the business world has already mastered.

You can find this book in the New books section at 330.972921 B77o

Posted by Matt at 01:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It is with a heart full of gratitude that I thank the citizens of Grand Rapids for making their voices heard about the importance of funding libraries well.

Through all of your efforts, we were able to release frozen state funding and libraries will receive the rest of their state aid for the year. I am thrilled that legislators have been paying attention. I am certain that you understand that we cannot let up in the coming budget year. We will do everything we can to keep services at a high level for our patrons for as long as possible.

Thank you again for your efforts on behalf of your public library.

-Marcia Warner
Library Director

Posted by Marcia at 03:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Grand Rapids Public Library has its very own Flickr page now.

We've got a large selection of photos based on the architecture around the building. We'll be adding photos all the time so keep an eye on the page! If you have a Flickr account, add us as your contact! We want to see what everyone else in Grand Rapids is putting up on their Flickr pages!

You can get to our page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/grpl/.

Posted by Kolene at 03:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

For students who need to earn service hours for school, have you ever thought about volunteering at the library?

Volunteering your service during the summer is a great way to beat the heat for a few indoor hours! There are plenty of things to do, and we'd love to have you help out. Some GRPL branches use teen volunteers to help register younger children for the summer reading program. And if you enjoy watching adults act a bit crazy, we can always use help during our weekly summer programs.

To get more information about how you can get involved as a library volunteer, ask a librarian.

Posted by Mary at 09:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have you ever noticed that when a book is adapted for film it's hardly ever as good as the original story? If you plan to see a movie based on a book, I think it's best to read the book first. You be the judge. Here's a list of books that have been scripted for the big screen for release this summer.

Posted by Angela at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here are some new additions to the library!

iPod Fully Loaded: If You've Got it, You Can Pod It by Andy Ihnatko

This is not your basic how to use an iPod book. It explains in easy to understand language how to put everything but the kitchen sink on it. You can learn how to put old LPs, radio programs, television shows, movies, spreadsheets, presentations, and PC rescue files on an iPod.

Building the Perfect PC by Robert Bruce Thompson & Barbara Fritchman Thompson

This book has everything you need to know to build or upgrade your own PC, regardless of your technical experience.

Maran Illustrated Windows Vista: Guided Tour by Ruth Maran

A full color, illustrated guide to everything you want to know about Windows Vista.

It's Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living by Crissy Trask

While most of us support the environmental movement and its goals, few people go beyond recycling on garbage day. Are you looking to reduce your wasteful ways but stuck for ideas? Simple steps such as buying cloth tote bags to take to the grocery store, buying locally-grown produce (less gas used in product transportation) and using cloth instead of paper napkins are all featured in this neat little book (printed on recycled paper of course) and is chock-full of other tips and lifestyle modifications that will surely make your 'Mother' proud.

Posted by Martin at 02:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of my favorite hobbies is knitting. I enjoy the entire process, from selecting a lovely pattern and pretty yarn, to transforming fiber blobs into something recognizable -- and hopefully wearable. I mostly knit hats, socks, scarves, and shawls but occasionally a sweater will strike my fancy.

For years the knitter was profiled as someone over 50 and female, so if a person didn't fit that description but enjoyed knitting, she probably wouldn't knit in public. However, during the past several years knitting has evolved into an artistic craft for all ages and sexes. There are hundreds of knitting blogs, a resurgence of knitting supply stores, and knitting clubs where people can learn to knit. Knitting is uber cool and fun!

I believe the revitalization of the craft is mostly due to the abundance of natural fibers that yarn can be spun from. In addition to the traditional silk, cotton, and wool there's corn, tofu, alpaca, hemp and many others. And yarn comes in every color on the spectrum. All you need is a big imagination.

In celebration of the knitting craft, June 9 is World Wide Knit in Public Day. Knitters around the world from Australia to the United States unite to, well, knit in public. Goodbye old stereotype!

Posted by Angela at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Llyan and Tyger just celebrated their 11th birthdays with a Moroccan Fantasia. Not invited? Well, being cats, they are a bit selective in whom they invite . . .

Still, over 40 of Grand Rapid's finest feline friends gathered recently to wish them well and to consume such delicacies as stuffed dates, sweet potato supper, figs, and mint tea. Spotted among the crowd were noted children's book illustrator Ryan Hipp, local congressman Vern Ehlers, and a plethora of GRPL library staff.

Moroccan attire was de rigeur. For food and dress inspiration, guests consulted GRPL's Moroccan cookbook and travel sections.

And Llyan and Tyger? They spent the evening lounging on their Berber rug, after all the guests had left.

Posted by Martin at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

One of my favorite bands, The Mighty Narwhale, played at Festival this Friday. I'm pretty distraught that I had to miss them play. Instead, I was here at the library working diligently. Luckily, I'll be able to see them and another favorite musician of mine, Jes Kramer, play a benefit concert at the DAAC for the DAAC on June 10. It looks like the Sleep Tils, Mister Squid, and Cloud Cluster will also be playing. Speaking, well, typing of the DAAC, I'm planning on attending a show there this Wednesday night. It will be the first time I see O Grandeur play, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Here at GRPL, we were lucky enough to get a grant from the Ryerson Foundation to start a local music collection. At this point we don't have any CD's for the bands mentioned above, as most have yet to release CD's. Still, there are many gems to be found. My favorite find in the collection is the Icicles, and I've seen them play twice since then. Local favorites, La Famiglia, are also a part of our collection. If you are browsing cd's and you notice a small, bright green sticker on the cover, that means you are looking at a part of our local music collection. To see what local music cd's we have, click here.

Posted by Marianne at 05:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

My favorite movie of 2006, Pan's Labyrinth, is out on DVD! This film is a grown up fairy tale of sorts. Along with the escapism of the more fantastical portions of the movie is the very grounding terror of violence and oppression. Set in fascist Spain in 1944, this is the story of a young girl, Ofelia. Ofelia's father is dead, and she and her unwell pregnant mother are sent to live with her sadistic stepfather, a captain of the Spanish Army.

One night, Ofelia meets a faun in the center of the labyrinth near her new home. The faun spins her a extraordinary tale. He tells her that she is actually a princess and that her true father, a king, is awaiting her return. The catch is that she has to accomplish three tasks to prove that she is, indeed, the princess. If she fails, she is destined to be a mere mortal.

I'm not going to pretend that this film isn't violent. It is. For me, the horror is worth it. The film took me on a journey I was helpless to resist. The cinematography is amazing, and the sounds are great. From the creaking of the Faun's walk, to the fluttering of the fairies, my ears were delighted. If you have the opportunity to watch this with surround sound, take it.

Oh, and for you art history nerds out there, my friend pointed out the similarity between Goya's gory painting, Saturn Devouring his Son, and the very terrifying scene with the Pale Man. Also, be sure to check out some of Guillermo Del Toro's other films, including the excellent The Devil's Backbone.

Posted by Marianne at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Cicadas are so neat! The noise they make is incredible. I associate their sound with 1950s suburban Dearborn, when kids were outside every minute in the summer, and you'd hear this noise that sounded kind of like a chainsaw or lawnmower or something in the distance. That noise and summer are intrinsically connected in my mind, but when I was a kid I had no idea of the monstrous looking insect that was creating the din.

Where has "Brood 13" been the last 17 years? Underground, living off tree roots apparently. The Library of Congress has compiled an extensive Cicada site with lots of information about these insects. GRPL also has general insect books which feature Cicadas.

Summer is a great time to read about these popular members of our planet. It's just hard to think of a more interesting subject than insects.

Posted by Lisa at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Warm weather appears to be here to stay for a while. Yah! It's beach/summer cabin/park time. But before you kick back to lounge in the sun, take a trip to your local GRPL and stock up on some great summer reads. Here are a few suggestions:

Some of these titles were recently added to the collection, so if you reserve a copy now you'll be ahead of the crowd that's sure to want to read them. And you can also check other new titles here.

Now all you need is a travel bag stuffed with your favorite snacks, lots of bottled water, and sun screen!

Posted by Angela at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)