July 2019
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 »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 »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 »Open Lab – Bilingual Computer Help
Need help with your computer, tablet or smartphone? We’re here for you. Stop by during our drop-in computer help sessions and out bilingual staff can answer your questions.
Find out more »Kids’ Food Basket and You
There is nothing fun about childhood hunger but making our community a better place can feel great! Find out how you can get started by helping Kids' Food Basket. Learn about food insecurity, the importance of fresh and healthy food, and what Kids' Food Basket does. Families will then walk to the new facility to get a tour of the farm. Afterwards, kids will get the chance to decorate bags that will be used to pack suppers.
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 »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 »Intro to Coding Workshop
Looking to trasition to a career in tech or curious about tech careers? This free workshop, taught by the Grand Circus community, is designed for those curious about coding but have little or no coding experience. This workshop will provide you with basic programming technology and give you the opportunity to practice basic programming ideas. This workshop is provided in collaboration with the City of Grand Rapids SmartZone and the Grand Rapids Public Library. Registration is required. Sign up at…
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 »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 »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 »August 2019
GR Reads Pop Up Market
Inspired by Ayoola’s fashion sense in the GR Reads’ selection My Sister, the Serial Killer, the library is hosting a pop up market. Come shop and support small local businesses that offer clothing, organic bath and beauty products, delicious food, and more. Full list of vendors at www.grpl.org/grreads.
Find out more »Greek Cooking with Greek to Go
Opa! Fresh, local fruits and veggies abound in West Michigan during the summer months. Why not try a new, fun take on all our local produce? Join Esther Koukios, owner of Greek to Go, to learn to make tourlou. Tourlou is a vegetable medley that can showcase the bright flavors of your garden with a Grecian touch. You will also learn to make tzatziki, a tasty cucumber yogurt dip that goes far beyond a gyro sandwich. You’ll end your time…
Find out more »Let’s Play
Let’s Play is a four-week program for children 0-5 and their parents or caregivers and focuses on child-driven play. Children will explore different types of play. Each week an early childhood specialist will be available to answer questions parents may have about their child’s development. Families are encouraged to attend all four sessions.
Find out more »Let’s Play
Let’s Play is a four-week program for children 0-5 and their parents or caregivers and focuses on child-driven play. Children will explore different types of play. Each week an early childhood specialist will be available to answer questions parents may have about their child’s development. Families are encouraged to attend all four sessions.
Find out more »GR Reads: The Movies – Annihilation
After her husband returns physically changed from a secret mission, a biologist decides to join a dangerous expedition into a zone where the laws of nature have been turned around. Tickets are $3 with a valid GRPL library card. Use code GRPL2019 to purchase tickets online.
Find out more »An Evening at the Calvin Observatory
Professor Larry Molnar will present a tour of the August evening sky, highlighting Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon. He will also discuss NASA’s Mars exploration and discuss Scott Kelly’s book Endurance. Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity to observe the night sky with Calvin’s 16-inch telescope in the rooftop dome and with a portable telescope on the college lawn. Meet in the Science Building Room 110.
Find out more »Let’s Play
Let’s Play is a four-week program for children 0-5 and their parents or caregivers and focuses on child-driven play. Children will explore different types of play. Each week an early childhood specialist will be available to answer questions parents may have about their child’s development. Families are encouraged to attend all four sessions.
Find out more »Let’s Play
Let’s Play is a four-week program for children 0-5 and their parents or caregivers and focuses on child-driven play. Children will explore different types of play. Each week an early childhood specialist will be available to answer questions parents may have about their child’s development. Families are encouraged to attend all four sessions.
Find out more »Kombucha 101
Kom-bu-cha: A fizzy, fermented tea that is rich in probiotics. Geoff Lamden, co-creator of Sacred Springs, will present the history of kombucha, the possible health benefits, and how to brew kombucha. The first ten people to sign in at the program will receive a complimentary kombucha culture. The culture is not required to participate in the program, but it can be purchased at the event.
Find out more »Summer Foraging in the Midwest
Join herbalist, forager, and author Lisa Rose on a wild journey to learn about local plants that can be used for food and herbal medicine. Come away with tips on how to locate the wild edibles of summer and learn the safe harvesting rules of urban foraging. Proper identification, harvesting ethics, traditional uses and recipes will be discussed. Meet on the front steps of the Main Library.
Find out more »Genealogy Lock-In
Come to the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections Department for a free after-hours program just for genealogists. Learn how to use the library databases, newspaper microfilm and other resources, and take advantage of free copying and printing during the event. Bring your family history questions or problems—volunteers from the Western Michigan Genealogical Society will be on hand to assist. Network with other genealogists—you never know what you might find. Registration required: www.grpl.org/register or call 616-988-5400.
Find out more »Books and Butchers
Do you know the difference between spare ribs and baby back ribs? Even wonder where pork chops come from or what is the difference between bacon and pork belly? The butchers from E.A. Brady’s will offer a unique demonstration of the process of butchering a half hog. As they work, they will share their experiences and knowledge about preparing, cooking, and serving quality meat products that are sourced in West Michigan. They will also discuss running a socially conscious small…
Find out more »Shopping for Food: A Short History
The GR Reads pick Grocery is an in-depth look at a shared American experience—shopping for food. The way we buy groceries has a colorful past and a future filled with change. Local grocer Hank Meijer looks at the evolving supermarket landscape through the over-lapping perspectives of Ruhlman’s book and his own experience.
Find out more »A Community Conversation on Facing the Opioid Epidemic
Recently declared a national public health emergency, opioid-related deaths kill more people in Michigan than car accidents or firearms. Local responses range from providing police with tools that counteract overdoses to opening safe injection sites. Join the library, along with Dirt City Sanctuary, the Kent County Opioid Task Force, and The Red Project for an important community conversation. Learn how the opioid epidemic has taken shape locally and how we can work to tackle the growing epidemic in our community.
Find out more »September 2019
Baby & Me Storytimes
Bring your baby, 0-18 months, and bounce along to fun stories, songs, and rhymes. Baby & Me is a 15-minute storytime followed by a relaxed playtime where you and baby will meet new friends.
Find out more »Baby & Me Storytimes
Bring your baby, 0-18 months, and bounce along to fun stories, songs, and rhymes. Baby & Me is a 15-minute storytime followed by a relaxed playtime where you and baby will meet new friends.
Find out more »Bilingual Pajama Time
Join us for an evening bilingual storytime filled with fun stories, movement, and music activities. The 30-minute English and Spanish storytime followed by a hands-on activity and playtime. Wear your pajamas and get those wiggles out before bed! For families with children 5 and under.
Find out more »Toddler Time
Bring your toddlers, ages 18 months to 3 years, to share fun stories, songs, and rhymes and learn together! Toddler Time is a 25-minute long storytime followed by a hands-on activity and playtime designed to help your child's brain grow.
Find out more »Pajama Time!
Come explore learning through fun stories, movement, and music activities during this evening storytime. Pajama Time is a 30-minute storytime followed by a hands-on activity and playtime. Wear your pajamas and get those wiggles out before bed! For families with children 5 and under.
Find out more »STEAM Ahead Storytime
Children ages 3-5 can discover the world around them through science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Join us for a 20-minute storytime followed by 25-minutes of hands-on activities.
Find out more »Toddler Time
Bring your toddlers, ages 18 months to 3 years, to share fun stories, songs, and rhymes and learn together! Toddler Time is a 25-minute long storytime followed by a hands-on activity and playtime designed to help your child's brain grow.
Find out more »Baby & Me Storytimes
Bring your baby, 0-18 months, and bounce along to fun stories, songs, and rhymes. Baby & Me is a 15-minute storytime followed by a relaxed playtime where you and baby will meet new friends.
Find out more »Toddler Time
Bring your toddlers, ages 18 months to 3 years, to share fun stories, songs, and rhymes and learn together! Toddler Time is a 25-minute long storytime followed by a hands-on activity and playtime designed to help your child's brain grow.
Find out more »STEAM Ahead Storytime
Children ages 3-5 can discover the world around them through science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Join us for a 20-minute storytime followed by 25-minutes of hands-on activities.
Find out more »Baby & Me Storytimes
Bring your baby, 0-18 months, and bounce along to fun stories, songs, and rhymes. Baby & Me is a 15-minute storytime followed by a relaxed playtime where you and baby will meet new friends.
Find out more »Toddler Time
Bring your toddlers, ages 18 months to 3 years, to share fun stories, songs, and rhymes and learn together! Toddler Time is a 25-minute long storytime followed by a hands-on activity and playtime designed to help your child's brain grow.
Find out more »STEAM Ahead Storytime
Children ages 3-5 can discover the world around them through science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Join us for a 20-minute storytime followed by 25-minutes of hands-on activities.
Find out more »Pajama Time!
Come explore learning through fun stories, movement, and music activities during this evening storytime. Pajama Time is a 30-minute storytime followed by a hands-on activity and playtime. Wear your pajamas and get those wiggles out before bed! For families with children 5 and under.
Find out more »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 »Social Justice Begins with Me: A Book Club for Kids
Children ages 4-11 can explore social justice topics that impact their daily lives through children's literature. GVSU, GRPL and community volunteers a will read children's books on that month's social justice topic (e.g. celebrating diversity, gender, equity, disability). After the book readings, we discuss the month's social justice topic in small groups and enjoy a snack and themed craft activity. This program is a partnership between the Grand Rapids Public Library and the School of Social Work at Grand Valley…
Find out more »