May 2019
LEGO Block Party
Kids ages 6 and up can explore engineering, art, math, and other core concepts using LEGOs and other building blocks. Each month will feature a building challenge to teach critical thinking, problem solving, decision making and more. This is a self-guided, drop-in event.
Find out more »The Grand Rapids Youth Poetry Showcase
The Grand Rapids Youth Poetry Showcase will feature 10 of the most talented, vibrant, and rising stars in the Grand Rapids poetry community. Hosted by the Grand Rapids Poet Laureate Marcel “Fable” Price and members of The Diatribe, this poetry event will empower young people to share their stories, raise awareness of social issues, and be active members in their community.
Find out more »June 2019
Blast Off Into Summer Reading
We’re bringing you the stars this summer! Join us at our Summer Reading kick-off event for planetarium shows, face painting, space crafts, and snacks. Practice your moon walking skills in the indoor bounce house. Get signed up for the 2019 Summer Reading Challenge too!
Find out more »Genealogy Open House
The Grand Rapids area is full of genealogy groups, resources and classes. Join the Western Michigan Genealogical Society for an open house to explore, learn and get connected. Volunteers will be on hand to talk about special topics such as DNA research, African American genealogy, and writing your family story. You can learn how to research your ancestor’s house and get a tour of the archives at the library. Learn about volunteer projects with WMGS and other ways you can…
Find out more »Baby Time
Parents and caregivers are invited to introduce their babies, birth through 18-months, to music, movement, and language in these 30-minute classes designed just for their specific developmental stages. Babies will enjoy hearing a story and learning songs and rhymes. Playtime after enhances the development of social skills. Free and open to the public.
Find out more »Be a Boss: Build an App and Make Bank
Join Junior Achievement and learn how to ‘Be a Boss,’ a JA Company Program®. In this 8- week camp, solve a problem in the community by launching your own start-up business app. Unleash your creative entrepreneurial and start building career skills for a high school job, vocational job, or college resume. This camp is for middle and high school students, with coed sessions available as well as sessions for girls only. Register at www.grpl.org/register. Snacks will be provided. This program…
Find out more »Pajama Time
Get cozy in your pajamas, grab your favorite stuffed animal or blanket, and come to the library for a special bedtime event. Listen to stories, sing lullabies, and get those wiggles out before bed. Great for working parents!
Find out more »Be a Boss: Build an App and Make Bank
Join Junior Achievement and learn how to ‘Be a Boss,’ a JA Company Program®. In this 8- week camp, solve a problem in the community by launching your own start-up business app. Unleash your creative entrepreneurial and start building career skills for a high school job, vocational job, or college resume. This camp is for middle and high school students, with coed sessions available as well as sessions for girls only. Register at www.grpl.org/register. Snacks will be provided. This program…
Find out more »Be a Boss: Build an App and Make Bank
Join Junior Achievement and learn how to ‘Be a Boss,’ a JA Company Program®. In this 8- week camp, solve a problem in the community by launching your own start-up business app. Unleash your creative entrepreneurial and start building career skills for a high school job, vocational job, or college resume. This camp is for middle and high school students, with coed sessions available as well as sessions for girls only. Register at www.grpl.org/register. Snacks will be provided. This program…
Find out more »Baby Time
Parents and caregivers are invited to introduce their babies, birth through 18-months, to music, movement, and language in these 30-minute classes designed just for their specific developmental stages. Babies will enjoy hearing a story and learning songs and rhymes. Playtime after enhances the development of social skills. Free and open to the public.
Find out more »Summer Storytimes for Families
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their children 18-months to 5 years old to this 45-minute class featuring hands-on, literacy rich activities such as stories, songs, fingerplays, and hands-on fun. Classes end with a fun and creative art activity.
Find out more »Summer Storytimes for Families
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their children 18-months to 5 years old to this 45-minute class featuring hands-on, literacy rich activities such as stories, songs, fingerplays, and hands-on fun. Classes end with a fun and creative art activity.
Find out more »Summer Storytimes for Families
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their children 18-months to 5 years old to this 45-minute class featuring hands-on, literacy rich activities such as stories, songs, fingerplays, and hands-on fun. Classes end with a fun and creative art activity.
Find out more »Summer Storytimes for Families
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their children 18-months to 5 years old to this 45-minute class featuring hands-on, literacy rich activities such as stories, songs, fingerplays, and hands-on fun. Classes end with a fun and creative art activity.
Find out more »Food in Space
Would you like a snack on Saturn? Got the munchies on Mars? No one delivers pizza on Pluto! Eating in space presents unique challenges for astronauts. Come to this fun and educational exploration to find out how astronauts eat among the stars.
Find out more »Food in Space
Would you like a snack on Saturn? Got the munchies on Mars? No one delivers pizza on Pluto! Eating in space presents unique challenges for astronauts. Come to this fun and educational exploration to find out how astronauts eat among the stars.
Find out more »Food in Space
Would you like a snack on Saturn? Got the munchies on Mars? No one delivers pizza on Pluto! Eating in space presents unique challenges for astronauts. Come to this fun and educational exploration to find out how astronauts eat among the stars.
Find out more »Food in Space
Would you like a snack on Saturn? Got the munchies on Mars? No one delivers pizza on Pluto! Eating in space presents unique challenges for astronauts. Come to this fun and educational exploration to find out how astronauts eat among the stars.
Find out more »Food in Space
Would you like a snack on Saturn? Got the munchies on Mars? No one delivers pizza on Pluto! Eating in space presents unique challenges for astronauts. Come to this fun and educational exploration to find out how astronauts eat among the stars.
Find out more »Adult Beginner Ballet
Grand Rapids Ballet School’s adult ballet classes are an excellent way to keep both your mind and body fit, flexible and happy. Taught by previous professional dancer Attila Mosolygo, you will learn basic ballet technique, stretching, and conditioning. It’s a lot of fun too! All levels of experience and ability are welcome.
Find out more »Exotic Zoo
Something wild is coming to the library! Experience exotic and familiar creatures up close and learn about their natural habitats, diet and more!
Find out more »Exotic Zoo
Something wild is coming to the library! Experience exotic and familiar creatures up close and learn about their natural habitats, diet and more!
Find out more »Exotic Zoo
Something wild is coming to the library! Experience exotic and familiar creatures up close and learn about their natural habitats, diet and more!
Find out more »Exotic Zoo
Something wild is coming to the library! Experience exotic and familiar creatures up close and learn about their natural habitats, diet and more!
Find out more »Exotic Zoo
Something wild is coming to the library! Experience exotic and familiar creatures up close and learn about their natural habitats, diet and more!
Find out more »The Art of Book Folding
Book folding is a fun and rewarding art form that allows you to create unique works of art from used books. Learn how to fold a book sculpture of your very own. Use a pattern to mark pages of a book and then fold it into a three dimensional book sculpture. Space is limited. For teens ages 11-18.
Find out more »Broadway Karaoke at the Last Chance Saloon
Calling all wanna-be Broadway babies and crooners! Join us for a fun night of karaoke including some of your favorite show tunes. Performers who sing a song from a Broadway musical will be entered to win tickets to Circle Theatre’s 21st Century Broadway concert. Hosted by Jen’s Jamz, this event is 21 and older. Food and drinks available for purchase.
Find out more »Changing the Narrative
Join us for a conversation with creatives who are changing the way Black and Brown stories are told and who tells them. This panel discussion, co-hosted by AIGA West Michigan, will be an honest conversation about he successes and struggles of being in a creative industry in Grand Rapids.
Find out more »Reginald Pettibone’s Native American Dance and Cultural Program
HoChunk Nation powwow dancer Reg Pettibone will teach us about our nation’s Native past. He and his wife, Marca, will share Native American culture through dance, song, stories, and more!
Find out more »Reginald Pettibone’s Native American Dance and Cultural Program
HoChunk Nation powwow dancer Reg Pettibone will teach us about our nation’s Native past. He and his wife, Marca, will share Native American culture through dance, song, stories, and more!
Find out more »GR Reads: The Movies – Flash Gordon
Although NASA scientists are claiming the unexpected eclipse and strange hot hail are nothing to worry about, Dr. Hans Zarkov knows better. He takes football star Flash Gordon and travel agent Dale Arden with him into space to rectify things. They land on planet Mongo, where the despot Ming the Merciless is attacking Earth out of pure boredom. With the help of a race of Hawkmen, Flash and the gang struggle to save their home planet. Tickets are $3 with…
Find out more »Reginald Pettibone’s Native American Dance and Cultural Program
HoChunk Nation powwow dancer Reg Pettibone will teach us about our nation’s Native past. He and his wife, Marca, will share Native American culture through dance, song, stories, and more!
Find out more »Reginald Pettibone’s Native American Dance and Cultural Program
HoChunk Nation powwow dancer Reg Pettibone will teach us about our nation’s Native past. He and his wife, Marca, will share Native American culture through dance, song, stories, and more!
Find out more »Reginald Pettibone’s Native American Dance and Cultural Program
HoChunk Nation powwow dancer Reg Pettibone will teach us about our nation’s Native past. He and his wife, Marca, will share Native American culture through dance, song, stories, and more!
Find out more »A Day in the Life of a Zoo Veterinarian
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the zoo? Get the inside scoop from Dr. Ryan Colburn, head veterinarian for the John Ball Zoo. Hear about interesting cases and stories and even get the opportunity to see some of the equipment that the veterinarian team uses every day as they strive to provide excellent medical care for all zoo residents . . .furry, feathered and scaled. Some zoo animals will also make an appearance. The program…
Find out more »July 2019
Comedy Magic with Cameron Zvara
Join us for tons of fun with hilarious magician and entertainer Cameron Zvara! Cameron’s show is full of magic, comedy, juggling, music, and audience participation.
Find out more »Comedy Magic with Cameron Zvara
Join us for tons of fun with hilarious magician and entertainer Cameron Zvara! Cameron’s show is full of magic, comedy, juggling, music, and audience participation.
Find out more »Comedy Magic with Cameron Zvara
Join us for tons of fun with hilarious magician and entertainer Cameron Zvara! Cameron’s show is full of magic, comedy, juggling, music, and audience participation.
Find out more »Comedy Magic with Cameron Zvara
Join us for tons of fun with hilarious magician and entertainer Cameron Zvara! Cameron’s show is full of magic, comedy, juggling, music, and audience participation.
Find out more »Make Space for Honeybees
Explore the universe of honeybees and learn the three types of bees in a hive, how bees produce honey, and how it gets harvested. You will also learn about pollination and the importance of honeybees to our food supply. You will also taste honey from a hive, make a hand rolled beeswax candle to take home, and view live honeybees in the safe, controlled environment of an observation hive. For ages 11 -18.
Find out more »Comic Geek Out
Celebrate the comic books you love, and geek out about films, TV shows, and science fiction/fantasy books. Events include: Meet New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Brown. His books include graphic memoirs for adults, all-ages humorous parodies, Star Wars adventures including the popular Jedi Academy series, and the Lucy and Andy Neanderthal graphic novel series. Zine making workshop for ages 11 and up. Discover zines, an easy and accessible way to share ideas, comics, stories and more. Learn tips for…
Find out more »Adult Beginner Ballet
Grand Rapids Ballet School’s adult ballet classes are an excellent way to keep both your mind and body fit, flexible and happy. Taught by previous professional dancer Attila Mosolygo, you will learn basic ballet technique, stretching, and conditioning. It’s a lot of fun too! All levels of experience and ability are welcome.
Find out more »ScribbleMonster
Be a part of the crew when ScribbleMonster break out the laser lights and electric guitar in a play-along rock concert powered by the sun! They’ll use music to activate learning with participation and creativity.
Find out more »ScribbleMonster
Be a part of the crew when ScribbleMonster break out the laser lights and electric guitar in a play-along rock concert powered by the sun! They’ll use music to activate learning with participation and creativity.
Find out more »GR Reads: The Movies – West Side Story
West Side Story sets the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of two street gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, in New York of the 1950s. A young woman who is sister the to Sharks leader has her first taste of love with the former head of the Jets. Tickets are $3 with a valid GRPL library card. Use code GRPL2019 to purchase tickets online.
Find out more »ScribbleMonster
Be a part of the crew when ScribbleMonster break out the laser lights and electric guitar in a play-along rock concert powered by the sun! They’ll use music to activate learning with participation and creativity.
Find out more »ScribbleMonster
Be a part of the crew when ScribbleMonster break out the laser lights and electric guitar in a play-along rock concert powered by the sun! They’ll use music to activate learning with participation and creativity.
Find out more »ScribbleMonster
Be a part of the crew when ScribbleMonster break out the laser lights and electric guitar in a play-along rock concert powered by the sun! They’ll use music to activate learning with participation and creativity.
Find out more »Fly Me to the Moon
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Apollo mission to land on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Educators from the Air Zoo will share how gravity keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth and what it takes to escape Earth’s gravity. Experience the creation of Moon craters and the challenges involved in landing safely on its varied surface. Learn about current and future missions to other moons and planets in our solar system.
Find out more »GR Reads Photowalk
Grab your camera for a walking photography lesson with local professional photographer Dianne Carroll Burdick. Learn tips and tricks for shooting in an urban setting and discover interesting vantage points and framing techniques. All skill levels welcome. Wear comfortable shoes and don’t forget your camera! Rain date July 29. Meet on the front steps of the Main Library.
Find out more »Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Tour
Curator Don Hollaway will led a tour of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and discuss the life of First Lady Betty Ford using museum exhibits and artifacts. The first 25 GRPL cardholders will get in free when they present their GRPL library card. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is free in the lot on the west side of the museum.
Find out more »Modern Pop Art Experience and Collage Workshop
Michael Albert has been creating art since his college days at NYU. His art has evolved from pen & ink doodles, to wax oil drawings, to the cubist mosaic cereal box collages he has become known for. Michael will share his art and expertise in this hands-on events where you will make your own collage. All materials will be provided. Free and open to the public.
Find out more »Final Approach at the Public Museum
A joint program with our Summer Reading Challenge for kids, join us at the Grand Rapids Public Museum to celebrate summer and space. Show your GRPL library card and get free admission to the museum. Kids will get a free ride on the carousel and limited planetarium tickets will be available. Stop by the library stations for snacks and space crafts. Free parking in the Museum ramp with a Kent County id.
Find out more »Amazing UFO Cases
Every year, the Mutual UFO Network, the world’s largest civilian UFO research organization, compiles the best cases it receives. Join State Director Bill Konkolesky as he shares stunning recent accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena. Learn about accounts of amazing maneuvers that startled people and animals, engaging with military aircraft, and much more.
Find out more »