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« May 2008 | Main | July 2008 »
Over 3500 kids and teens have registered for the Summer Reading Program at the Grand Rapids Public Libraries so far. You'll see their names on a bee or a butterfly at all our locations. Stop in today to sign up.
We have weekly programs, too, with magicians, puppeteers, and more!
MORE is a cool program for entrepreneurs at the University of Michigan. Designed to encourage entrepreneurship in southeast Michigan, the program began in November 2007 with a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
MORE applicants are awarded grants of up to $5,000 based on the quality of an invention and a solid business plan. Participants also receive coaching, seminars and networking opportunities with successful business owners. Grants have thus far been awarded for enhancements to common items like a clock, a drug patch, a surgical tool, and a bolt.
Feeling creative and encouraged by this? Well what are you waiting for? Click here to search for similar grants for your organization -- or you can sign up for GRPL's grant search basics classes coming this fall. Click here to find out if your idea has been invented, and here to find out about applying for a patent.
In this era of green living there's a way to dispose of just about everything we no longer have any use for. You can even donate gently used shoes of any type or style to the Heart and Sole project at Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. The program passes donated shoes along to those who needs them, or ensures that they are properly recycled. You can get detailed information at the web site here.
Other organizations that accept shoes for a good cause include Soles 4 Souls, which distributes shoes to people affected by natural disasters domestically and internationally. They've donated shoes to victims of Hurricane Katrina and the Asian tsunami, as well as homeless shelters, hospitals, and abuse shelters.
If you have any Crock clogs you'd like to get rid of, donate them to Soles United, who will recycle them into a new pair of shoes. Another company on the recycle bandwagon is Nike, which collects sneakers and recycles them into new basketball courts and other sports surfaces.
The library subscribes to hundreds of newspapers from around the country -- which certainly makes for interesting reading. Last week I was looking through the "want ads" in a daily newspaper of another city and came across what I think is an interesting job description. I've listed the functions of the position below. (The company and product names have been removed.)
Essential Job Functions:
Yes, this is the actual ad, and the position is with a company which employees more than 300,000 people. Cheese retail: theatrical, entertaining, interactive, and educational. Who knew?
Our new Small Business Resource Center is thriving. During May approximately 118 patrons used this valuable community service -- and the user count continues to grow. If you've not visited the business center, but you have an idea for a business, come down to the Main Library and take a look around the center. If you'd like assistance just ask at the Reference desk. Best of all, these resources are totally free.
If you're somewhat experienced and are ready to take your business to the next level, why not consider a business mentor? A mentor may be the voice of experience you need to ramp up your bottom line. Check out these resources.
MicroMentor.org is an online nonprofit organization that allows you to search for established, experienced business owners who are willing to help budding entrepreneurs.
IdeaCrossing.org provides mentor/mentee match making services, as well as assist entrepreneurs in finding new venture capital.
IMantri.com (some services are free) is an online social network for mentors and mentees in multiple disciplines. Subject areas include, long-range planning, project management, corporate social skills, and time management.
Go Big Network.com (fee required) is an online marketplace which helps entrepreneurs find funding resources.
And don't miss these new business titles recently added to our collection:
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Kids and teens are flying into the library to Catch the Reading Bug!
This week, come to see Jeff Wawrzaszek perform It's Magic, his high-energy performance of unforgettable magic and laugh-out-loud, family friendly fun. Library programs are always free and the library is air-conditioned. For performance dates and times click here.
Smiles and laughter guaranteed!
I recently read an article about a recent study from the University of Virginia which suggests that flowers are loosing their scent because of air pollution. Airborne chemicals have altered flowers' scent molecules, thereby destroying their natural aromas. Can you imagine our world filled with beautiful, yet
According to the University of Virginia study, during the 19th century, pollinating insects could detect a plant by its scent from up to 4,000 feet away, today that number has decreased to 700 feet. If what this study suggests is happening on a large scale, not only would future generations be deprived of natural flower and plant fragrances, but our crops and other plants would also be impacted.
There's already concern about the loss of millions of bees due to Colony Collapse Disorder, what will happen if the remaining bees cannot pollinate our crops and plants?
School is almost out and summer is almost here. That means the library's summer reading program is about to begin. For those of you entering grades seven through 12, you can join the summer reading program at any GRPL library. Sign-up begins June 9. It's that simple!
This year's prizes include a USB/MP3 player, a gaming chair, a lava lamp, or cool gift cards. And all you have to do to qualify is read four books, fill out a raffle ticket, turn in the ticket, and read some more. The more you read, the more chances you have to win.
Check out our calendar for the "So Long To Summer" party in August, too!
Wondering what your neighbors are reading? Here are the top ten titles on hold for GRPL patrons as of June 1st:
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