Library Carpet project continuing

 Scraping and grinding the floor

No checkout here

Picture books snaking down the aisle

The movers were in on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday moving everything down the the west half of the library.  The "carpet guys" started ripping out carpet on Thursday morning and the guys with the grinding machines starting prepping the floor on Thursday afternoon. 

Library Carpet: west half is done!

The carpet layers just finished laying carpet in the west half of the Grand Rapids Library.

It needs to sit for a few days before the heavy stacks are moved back onto it.  The movers will come back on Monday to move everything from the east end to the west end, then the ripping and grinding will begin again!

Progress on Library Floor

Carpet is being laid this week on the first half of the floor at the Grand Rapids Library, after the concrete was resurfaced.  The movers will be back next week to move everything to the completed half, and the process will begin again on the second half.  We should be moving back in during the last week of April. 

      In the meantime, we are open for limited hours with limited services Monday - Friday from 12:30 - 5:30, and Saturday 10 - 2. 

We  have computers available, a small collection of children's and adult's materials for check out and newspapers and magazines.  You can pick up material requested in advance.  Thanks for your patience!.

Above Left: Resurfacing Floor

Right: Carpet and glue ready to go on the clean floor   

Right:  the first carpet tiles go down.

Grand Rapids Library Begins Re-carpet project

Movers came on Monday morning to begin moving furniture and stacks in preparation for re-carpeting the

main library.  They brought jacks to use for moving the stacks.

Arrowhead Library Catalog Restored

After being down all of Wednesday and Thursday, the Arrowhead Library catalog is back up!  You can now search for books, renew your books, and download audiobooks and ebooks.  You can also request books.  Thanks for your patience!
Don't forget: the Grand Rapids Library will be open limited hours beginning March 21.
M-F 12:30-5:30, Sat 10-2
Computers will be available, and books can be requested in advance.

Author Visit: Kao Kalia Yang- The Late Homecomer

Author visit

Ms Yang will talk about her story on Thursday, March 17 at 7 pm at the Library. Born in Thailand’s Ban Vinai Refugeee Camp in 1980, Kao Kalia Yang immigrated to St. Paul with her family in 1987. A graduate of Carleton College and Columbia University, Yang, together with her sister, is the founder of Words Wanted, an agency dedicated to helping immigrants with writing, translating and business services. “The Latehomecomer” is her first book. For more information about the author, check her web site: http://www.kaokaliayang.com/

Rapids Reads
The Late Homecomer by Kao Kalia Yang, is the book chosen for Rapids Reads – a community-wide reading effort. It won the Minnesota Book Award for creative non-fiction in 2009. It is the story of one family’s journey from war-torn Laos, into and out of refugee camps in Thailand, and eventually to Minnesota.

Read a Copy
Many book clubs in town have already discussed the book or are planning to do so soon. Multiple copies are available at the Library for check-out. Pick up a copy to discuss with your book club or to read just for yourself.

Winter Reading Programs

Teen Winter Reading 2011 is here!


It runs until-February 28. Teens (age 12-18) can read books or graphic novels and keep track of pages read each day. Log sheets can be picked up in the library or online at www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us/teens.htm After reading 700 pages, bring in the log sheet and pick a free book. Once 1500 pages have been read, stop back in with the log sheet and pick up a Target gift card. On Monday, January 24 from 1pm-3pm celebrate no school by playing a Wii game at the library.

Children’s Winter Reading Program
Pick up reading log
Come to the Children's desk and sign up for the Winter Reading Program! You'll receive a book log, a coupon for a free Applebee's kids’ meal, bookmark, and activity booklet. Then, just keep track of the time you read.When you have filled your sheet, return it to the Children's desk (by February 12th) and you can choose a new, free book to keep! Watch for special winter reading events coming up in January and February, including a special snow program on January 24.

Science Fun @ your Library

Science explosion at RJEMS

Friday January 21 is an early release day for District 318 but there is a fantastic event planned for the Middle School beginning at 1:00 pm. Science explosion! will feature natural sciences, lego robotics, physical sciences and lots of interactive opportunities. There will be demonstrations, displays, exhibits, hands on activities, and fun things to do, watch and explore. This is a Children First! event organized by staff of Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital any many volunteers

Science Books

The Children’s Library offers dozens of great titles for science experiments and everyday science fun! Stop by before the science explosion, or afterwards to explore more science

. Science Wizardry for Kids by Margaret Kenda and Phyllis S. Williams contains a multitude of science experiments which help teach principles of physics, meteorology, chemistry, astronomy, geology and more. Large print and great pictures encourage a lot of exploratory fun! Check out this book and many more in the “Science Experiment” Dewey number 507.8!

You can also find information about specific areas of science. Light, Sound & Electricity by Kirsteen Rogers is a great example of such a book. This book also includes internet sites you may want to visit to learn more!

Don’t miss the “Cool Science” series! Titles in this series include Cool Spy Supplies, Cool Sensory Suspense, Cool Odor Decoders, Cool Gravity Activities, Cool Dry Ice Devices, and Cool Distance Assistant. Lots of fun science projects for a lotta fun (and a little learning!)

Into robotics? Try the Robots and Robotics series. Titles include: Film and Fiction Robots, High-Risk Robots, How Robots Work, Robots at Work and Play, Scientific and Medical Robots, and Space Robots.

These and so many more are waiting for you at your library…check it out! Sign up for the Winter Reading Program while you are here and track those science books on your reading log!

Science Learning Resources

A great resource to use for science projects, science homework or just to learn more is the Science Reference Center, a database accessible from the Library, at home, or anywhere with a computer and internet connection. The database has many articles from periodicals, reference books, and many pictures. Additional Science resources can be found in Kids Infobits, the Virtual Reference Library, and the Infotrac databases. These databases are accessible from the Library's web site www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us under the "Online Resources" button, or by going to the Electronic Library for Minnesota page at www.elm4you.org.
Movie Night

Bring dinner or a snack or just yourself and join the fun at the monthly free family movie night beginning at 6 pm on Thursday, January 20. January’s film is “Nanny McPhee Returns”

Holiday book sale

Holiday Book Sale at the Library!

Stop in all day to shop for books, puzzles, gift baskets etc for kids, teens and adults.  In the Lobby and in the Friends of the Library Book Store

Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless

Kayaking

The leaves have started to change color and it's a perfect time to get out and enjoy nature either on foot or on the water. Speaking of water, we are excited to welcome Mary Shideler, the Kayak Lady, to the library. Mary's book, which came out a few weeks ago, is titled "The Kayak Lady: one woman, one kayak, and 1007 lakes." She'll be talking about her experiences paddling all 1,007 lakes in Itasca County.
The library has Mary's book but we have other books about kayaking, too. "Birthplace of the Winds: adventuring in Alaska's islands of fire and ice" by John Bowermaster is a trip around the Aleutian Islands. "Ka-Ka-Ska-Ska" by local paddler Jim Lewis chronicles his trip in a kayak from the Mississippi Headwaters to the Gulf. If you're looking for a how-to book, try "Kayak Companion: expert guidance for enjoying paddling in all types of water from one of America's top kayakers" by Joe Glickman. Stop in and we'll help you find the books.

Stieg Larsson read alikes

Have you read the Millennium Trilogy books by Stieg Larsson and want to read more that are similar? There are a whole slew of authors from the cold north that you may find intriguing. In alphabetical order by last name here are the authors: Ake Edwardson, Kjell Eriksson,
Karin Fossum, Peter Hoeg, Arnaldur Indridason, Mari Jungstedt, Camilla Lackberg, Asa Larsson, Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbo, Hakan Nesser, Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Maj Sjowall. Titles by the authors can be found in our library and other libraries in the Arrowhead System.

Indies on Tuesdays return!

Indies on Tuesdays 7:30 pm beginning June 15
They’re back! Each Tuesday night at 7:30 for the rest of the summer, an award winning independent film will be shown at the Reif Center. The films are from all over the world, and most have won multiple awards at International film festivals. All have subtitles in English. The film series is cosponsored by the Library and the Reif Center, and underwritten by the Boundary Waters Blues Fest. Check the Reif’s web site at www.reifcenter.org for a description of the films. This week’s film is “Welcome” from France. Next week’s film on June 22nd is “Sommers Town” from the UK

We the People

The library wrote a grant and received 17 classic hardcover books as part of the "We the People" Bookshelf from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The books relate to the theme "A More Perfect Union." As we celebrate the 150th annivarsary of the Civil War, the NEH hopes to promote reflection among young people with this theme. Stop in to check out some of the books!

Cinder-Freckle-Frog-Faced-Ella

Frog (courtesy of Schiffelly Puppets) gave a command performance to over 100 people on June 7.

Poetry & Music

April is National Poetry month, and we are doing a special event this week to celebrate.

Brothers Barton and Ross Sutter will be presenting an entertaining evening of poetry and music.
Barton Sutter was the First Poet Laureate of Duluth in 2006, and is a writer and instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. His books of poetry include: “The Book of Names: New and Selected Poems,” “Farewell to the Starlight in Whiskey,” and “Cold Comfort: Life at the Top of the Map” He also has a collection of stories entitled: “My Father’s War: Stories of Midwestern Men”
Ross Sutter is a musician who sings songs of Sweden, Ireland, England, Scotland and Germany. His instruments include: guitar, button accordion, concertina, dulcimer, and Irish goat-skinned drum. He has recorded several CDs of traditional music. Hear samples of his music at www.rosssutter.net

Create a Hot Chocolate Winter Book

Saturday, January 23 1:00 - 3:30 in the Library Community Room
Cozy up and read a book together on a cold winter day. Creativity Tank artists will guide families in creating a hot chocolate mug shaped accordion book to share your memories.
Call the Children's Library at 218-327-8823 to pre-register.
Children 0-12 very welcome with an adult. Teens welcome on your own!

New Carpet in Library workroom

It's all finished, except for the lingering smell of new carpet in the building after carpet was installed in the work room, the study room, and Teen Universe. Mike Russell and his crew from Russell Carpet did a great job of removing the old carpet and installing the new.

Thanks for your patience during the time we were open for only limited services!

Saturday at the Library

December 19th
Dad and Me Story Time @ 10:30 am

Mom's Day out

An opportunity for Mom (or Dad) to go shopping, take a nap, or do something else fun: A Girl Scout troop is volunteering to provide supervision and activities for children age 3-10 on Saturday December 19th from 10-2:00

Space is limited. Pre-registration required. Call the Children?s Department at 327-8823 to register. We still have some openings, so call to reserve a spot!

Saturday is the last day to pick up holiday reading/viewing/listening material.
We will be open only limited hours on Monday-Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon and only for picking up reserved items and using the computers.
Check the web site for details.

Book Sale! Clear the Shelves

The Bookstore shelves, that is! On December 10 and 11 The Friends of the Library are having a booksale to clear out the bookstore and all the accumulated donations so we can use the bookstore as a temporary workstation when we re-carpet the workroom.
Come for great bargains on books, and other miscellaneous items.
Thursday December 10 9-6
Friday, December 11 9-3

Let's Dance!

Terrance Smith will lead a folk dance session for all ages on Tuesday December 8 from 3:30 -4:30.
Fun for everyone!
Bring a friend, learn a dance and have fun.
A founding member of the Tamarack Dance Association, Terrance teaches and leads dances for all ages.

Thanksgiving schedule at the Library

We will close at 5 pm on Wednesday, November 25 and be closed on Thursday, November 26 for Thanksgiving.
We will be open on Friday and Saturday November 27 and 28.
Family Story time on Saturday, November 28.
Stop by and pick up some reading, listening or viewing material or just hang out and relax for awhile!

Don't forget Judy Garshelis' Otter Spotter program on December 1st!

This week at the Grand Rapids Library

Monday, November 16, 3:30. Kid's Art Workshop with the Creativity Tank
Create Paper Collage similar to Lois Ehlert's colorful books:

This is another fun art workshop for kids in grades K-4. Pre-registration
is required. Call 327-8823

Tuesday, November 17 3:30-4:30 Teen Book Talk

Fever, 1793, by Laurie Halse Anderson

Stop at the Reference Desk to pick up a copy of the book.

Wednesday November 18th 12:00 -1:30 pm Great Decisions Discussion Series The Arctic Opportunities, Governance and Environmental Impacts

Briefing books available at the Library to check out or read in the Library.

More background info on the Foreign Policy Association Website

November 19th Tellabration 4th Annual Celebration of Storytelling

Morning events for kids at the Library

10 am - Community room: Stories for Kids

10 am - Story Circle: Stories for Preschoolers

Evening at the Forest History Center

7 pm - Tall Tales, Folk Tales and Your Tales, Storyteller Anne
Dunn plus Story Swap for everyone!

Book Times on Mondays at 9:30 and 10:30

Have a fun time with books, rhymes and songs, plus a snack and a craft.

Saturday, Story Times @ 10:30 am This week: Dad & Me story time

Special invitation to Dads, granddads, uncles, and best buddies

Let's Talk Turkey!

November 3rd 7 pm Let’s Talk Turkey,
Steve Arbour and Dennis Brown will share cooking secrets of preparing turkey and trimmings. See how to cook turkey upside down and carve it with ease. Taste testing allowed!

Men's reading group featured on MinnPost

See what reporter Sarah Williams has to say on MinnPost about the Grand Rapids Men's Reading Group after her visit with them this summer. They meet monthly at the Library and are open to new members.

Ghost stories @ GRAL

Author Michael Norman spoke to a capacity audience about his book: The Nearly Departed: Minnesota Ghost Stories and Legends featuring a collection of firsthand accounts from across the state.

Davies Theater packed for visiting author

Adam Shepard, author of Scratch Beginnings: Me $25, and the Search for the American Dream spoke to a standing room only crowd at Itasca Community College. The book is the author's story of starting truly from scratch in Charleston, South Carolina, with $25 and the clothes on his back. Shepard talked about his book, answered questions from the audience, and participated in a panel discussion with participants from Circles of Support regarding the challenges of living on low-wage work in Itasca County.

Happy birthday

Happy birthday to Grand Rapids Area Library volunteer Joanne Dashel!

Fine Free Fridays

Fridays in September 4, 11, 18, 25



All check-ins are exempt from fines.



You can request up to $10 removed from your fine balance.



Fines = late returned books, NOT lost books or collection charges.

Library Catalog Basics

Learn how to access the library and regional catalog, explore basic and advanced search options, and manage your library account via computer.

Pick from four sessions in September:

8th 7-8 P.M.

9th 10-11 A.M.

29th 7-8 P.M.

30th 10-11 A.M.

Please sign up in advance at the Reference Desk

Grand Rapids Area Library's Latest Superstar

Mister Cody - also known as pal of mine - is the most recent addition to GRAL's all-star roster of volunteers. Cody has been working with Darla and Tracy in the Children's Library shelving books and other library materials. A special thank you to Cody for all his hard work during a busy summer which included a record number of summer reading program participants.

Cake Decorating @ GRAL!

A special thanks to Michelle and Curtis Johnson for putting on a sweet program!

Teen Summer Reading Grand Prize Winner!

Congratulations to Sondra S. - winner of a PSP. Her name was drawn from over 125 entries. Thank you to the the Friends of the Library for the funds to purchase the grand prize.

Pictures of the MUSIC FOR KIDS concert with Hans Mayer

Gigantic Used Book Sale for GRAL

July 31- August 2

Tall Timber Days

Central Square Mall

Book Donations Wanted

Drop off new & used books at the Library before July 29, 2009. (Please, no books that smell like the attic, basement or garage! No mold or mildew!)

Volunteers Needed

Preparations are under way for this year's Tall Timber Days used book sale. Dedicated volunteers have been hard at work sorting and organizing books for sale. Volunteers are needed to help with set up, sales or clean-up. Contact Bonnie Henriksen at 327-8828.

Shop the sale

Bring your friends! Find great reading at bargain prices!

Summer Reading Program Update

Children's Library staff report that over 500 kids are participating in the Be Creative at Your Library Summer reading program. In fact, so many kids have enrolled that Darla and Tracy are posting sign-up stars on both sides of the Starry Night bulletin board!

Book Review Blog

Hi, this is Tandy and I use to work at the Grand Rapids Area Library. I'm now a "new" mom and I'm enjoying ever minute with my baby girl who is growing up way to fast! I wanted to share my blog that I recently set up for book reviews. You'll probably find me reviewing a movie and/or music artist as well.

Click the Book End to read the first book review.

More Books for iPods!

The number of downloadable books in our catalog available for iPods just increased significantly. For all of you who have iPods and really like to listen to books, you now have a great selection! There are well over 2500 titles in the collection.
Go to the Grand Rapids lLibrary’s website at www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us and look for the button: Online Resources on the left side of the page, then click on Audio Books You can read the instructions, search for books, download the required software, download the book and you are on your way! The audio book catalog includes icons showing whether it can be played on a PC, Mac, iPod, iPhone or burned to CD.

Summer Reading Program: Book Camp

Summer Adult Reading Program

BINGO - just for fun Summer reading for adults!

Please stop by the reference desk and pick-up a Summer reading BINGO card. Score a BINGO by reading five books from the various genres listed. When your BINGO card is complete, come to the reference desk and claim your prize!

Name the dragon contest

Help us name the newest addition to our Young Adult section and win fabulous prizes! It's easy - just stop by the Teen Universe and fill out an entry form. The winner will be announced June 29th. The grand prize is a gift certificate for Brewed Awakenings Gelato!

"Be Creative At Your Library" Masks!

Reading Kits

We have 4 reading kits available for checkout. A kit consists of 5 copies of a book. Titles that we have purchased so far: "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak, "Here, There Be Dragons" by James A. Owen, and "The Darkangel" by Meredith Pierce, and "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz. Most of the titles are considered Young Adult, but "The Book Thief" has been popular with adult reading groups. Stop in and ask about the reading kits! Thank you Library Foundation for the funds to purchase the kits.

CCC Camps

Stop in the library to see the large 8-panel display about Civilian Conservation Corps camps in Minnesota. You'll learn where the camps were located, what projects "the boys" worked on, and even see a sample food menu! If the display leaves you hungry for more about the CCC, come to a program on Thursday May 21. Bill Jamerson presents a multimedia presentation that includes story telling, reading excerpts from his novel and playing original songs with his guitar. A short video presentation will take place in the library at 6:00pm with the rest of the program in the KAXE Rotary Tent starting at 6:30pm.

Photos from China show at the Library

Mary Shideler will repeat her slide show of photos from China on Thursday April 30 at 7:00 pm. Mary travelled around the country and brought back many photos of the ancient and the modern aspects of this fascinating country. A list of books and other materials in the Library about China is on our website at: http://www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us/reading.htm

Another fun event this week is the storytime for kids and dads at 10:30 on Saturday morning, May 2nd. Come for a story on Saturday morning!

Library Events this week

It's National Poetry Month!

Tuesday April 21 12:00-1:30
Celebrate the life and honor the spirit of Bill Holm, Minnesota poet and essayist. Readings and discussion of his work and life.
Copies of several of his works are available for check out, including Coming Home Crazy, and Boxelder Bug Variations
Tuesday 5:30 Poetry reading at Brewed Awakenings Coffee House
Join ICC students and contributors to Spring Thaw in reading poetry. Bring your own poetry to read, or just come to listen and celebrate the art of the poem.

Thursday, April 23 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Afghanistan and Pakistan is the topic of this month's Great Decisions discussion. A short video with background information will be shown, and participants will form small groups to discuss issues. Several copies of the background reading guides are available for check out or reading in the library.

Friday, April 24th 9:00-11:00 am
Blogging for Community Leadership. Griff Wigley, former online editor for Utne Reader, will lead a workshop about "Leadership Blogging" for community members interested in learning how to use blogs to promote their organizations, businesses and ideas to a larger audience.
Wigley, based in Northfield Minnesota, is a seminar leader and a weblog coach, helping business, non-profit, government and civic leaders learn the art of strategic leadership blogging and podcasting. He co-founded Northfield Citizens Online and the Northfield.org community portal (1995-2006), and launched their citizen journalism/civic blogosphere project in 2004. For more information about Griff: http://wigleyandassociates.com/about/ The training is open to anyone.
Cosponsored by Northern Community Internet and the Grand Rapids Area Non-Profit Network.
Call KAXE at 326-1234 to register

Dads and Kids Storytime

Dads, grandads, uncles, and best buddies are invited to bring their little ones to the Library for a Saturday morning storytime on March 28 at 10:30. Stories, rhymes and songs will be followed by a snack and a craft. Come and join the fun!

Shmoop

Check out www.shmoop.com - a new educational website for high school students interested in learning more about literature, poetry, and US history. Presented in a web 2.0 format -incorporating video, audio, and photographs - shmoop offers in-depth content created by graduate students. Both students and teachers will benefit from shmoop's clearly cited sources and breadth of detail.

Teen Book Club

Teens: Join us on Friday, April 17th 3:30-4:30pm as we discuss "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz. Pick up a copy of the book at the Reference Desk.

Aprons, Aprons, Aprons!

Emm's Aprons will be the theme of a style show and display of aprons on Thursday March 26 at 1:00. Elizabeth MacLeod will narrate a show of part of her collection of 200 aprons.

Come and learn about:

• Apron history and stories aprons tell about American history
• Different kinds and styles of aprons and when they were worn and for what reasons
• How aprons were, and are, constructed
• Aprons from other parts of the world

A display of apron memorabilia, sewing techniques, anecdotes and apron facts will open at 12:30 and be followed by a style show at 1:00 pm featuring nearly 100 aprons. Local women will model aprons for the show.

This week at the Grand Rapids Library:

Thursday, March 19 at 12:00 Global Food Policy Discussion
Global prices for food staples have risen dramatically, resulting in protests and unrest around the world. What factors are driving prices up, and can they be tamed? What will the political fallout be for governments that fail to act, and what role can global institutions play?
This week is the second in the “Great Decisions” series of discussions of global issues. Copies of the background briefing book for this series are available for checkout at the library, and one copy is available at the reference desk for use in the library.

Friday, March 20th at 3:30 Teen book Club
There is no book selection for this month. Just come and talk about a book you’ve read recently

Friday, March 20, 7:30 pm - Another Evening of Stargazing: The Vernal Equinox!
Where: At Itasca Community College Engineering Center
What: Explore the spring night sky with Aaron Wenger
Who: Ages 9 to adult
How to register: Call the Children's desk at 218-327-8823
Participants will look at planet movement, the solar system and constellations. Bring your binoculars or even a telescope. There is no fee for this event, but preregistration is required.

This week at the Grand Rapids Library

Thursday, February 5, 6:30 pm "Foreign Policy Challenges Faced by President Obama" at the Blandin Foundation
Tom Hanson, former Foreign Service Officer and a volunteer consultant with Minnesota International Center's Great Decisions program, will talk about the upcoming foreign policy issue.
This event kicks off the Great Decisions Discussion Series beginning February 18 with "Energy and the Global Economy" at noon at the Grand Rapids Library

Saturday, February 7, 10:00 am "Ready, Set, Goal" workshop by Karen Christenson
In the Library Community Room
This 3-hour workshop is designed for women who wish to uncover their life dreams. It will help to answer the question: "How do I see myself and my life's purpose?"
Preregister at http://www.getlearning.com/ or call 327-5730. $8.00 charge