Library Challange: use vs funding

Open House

Smart Play Spot

By the Minnesota Children’s Museum

Grand Rapids Area Library

Wednesday August 22nd 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Please spread the word to parents, grandparents, teachers,  day care providers and everyone who loves to encourage young children to learn, that the Smart Play Spot is open!

Come to learn about and experience the interactive features that inspire a love of reading through play:



Explore the bait shop, listen for animal sounds and go fishing for letters to make words.


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Play with puppets or curl up and read inside  the Peter Pan tree.




Bring Vegetables from the garden to the Farmers' Market

                                                            

Smart Play Spot was installed  by the Minnesota Children's Museum with funding from the Blandin Foundation, the Northland Foundation, the Grand Rapids Library Foundation and the Friends of the Grand Rapids Area Library

Around the world in 30 instruments at the Library

Four Shillings Short


Friday, August 10 at 11:30 a.m.

KAXE Rotary Tent (if inclement weather, the Library Community Room)

This is an opportunity for young and old to experience traditional folk music from around the world. A husband and wife duo introduces 30 different instruments, talking about the history of each and demonstrating the music it makes. These talented instrumentalists and vocalists play music from the British Isles to Medieval and Renaissance Europe, to the Americas and India capturing unique and unusual sounds of many time periods and cultures.

Civil War Discussion Part 2 at the Library

Making Sense of the Civil War ~ Part 2: Choosing Sides
Jon Maturi facilitates the discussion

Thursday August 9 @ 7:00 p.m.

The second in a 5-part series of book discussions about America's Civil War explores perspectives of those who had to decide where justice, honor duty and loyalty lay and which sides of the issues they would support, defend or oppose.
Selected readings from a collection of writings and articles entitled, "America's War," edited by Edward Ayers provides context for the discussion.
 Books, reading guides and an outline of the series are available on a special display in the library.

August Indie Films at the Reif

Films each Tuesday at 7:30 pm


August 7: Before Your Eyes (2009, Turkey, Kurdish, Turkish, 102 minutes)

Ten-year old Gulistan and her younger brother Firat live happily with their parents in Diyarbakir, the heart of Turkish Kurdistan. Tragedy strikes when their mother and father are shot down by paramilitary gunmen before their eyes. Traumatised and orphaned, Gulistan, Firat and their infant sister are placed in the care of their young, politically-active aunt Yekbun who soon disappears without a trace. As days turn into weeks, the money that their aunt left them runs out. Eventually, the children have to fend for themselves on the streets, where one day, Gulistan is shocked to come across the murderer of her parents

August 14: If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle (2010, Romanian, 94 minutes)

Silviu, a young man who has spent years in a youth penitentiary, is granted release. Before he can leave, his mother returns to Romania to bring his little brother to Italy with her, despite Silviu's objections. He meets a young woman, Ana, who is working on a research project in the prison, and becomes interested in her. In his desperation Silviu resorts to violence, and Ana becomes his hostage

August 21: The Piano in a Factory (2010, China - Mandarin, 119 minutes)

Steelworker Chen has a passion for music and plays the accordion in a local band with a close group of friends. When his estranged wife returns one day after years of absence, she demands a divorce and sole custody of their daughter. Chen is at a loss. He doesn't mind divorcing a woman who has become a stranger, but he can't bear to part with his daughter. Chen has worked hard to give her a respectable life and has taught her his love of music. When asked if she'd rather stay with her father or go with her mother, the girl gives a practical, devastating answer: she'll go with whomever can provide her with a piano. Chen cannot afford such a luxury item, but the piano becomes his last hope to save what little is left of his family. With the help of his loyal friends and the support of his lover - the singer in his band - Chen concocts several plans to fulfill his daughter's wish

Library Used Book Sale at Central Sq. Mall in Grand Rapids

 

Friday August 3 - Sunday August 5

 

Annual Used Book (and CD, DVD, Puzzle and Game)Sale!

 

Central Square Mall     201 NW 4th St.  Grand Rapids

 

Hours:

•  Friday 8:30-8:00,
• Saturday 9:00 - 6:00,
• Sunday 11:00 - 4:00 Bag Sale All Day Sunday

Come early for best selection!

 

All proceeds are used for Library materials and programs. Thank you for your support!

 

 

 

Library Program: Nuts and Bolts of Book Collecting

Steve Anderson, Owner, Ross & Haines Old Books

Thursday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m.

Whether you are a book collector or wondering about the value of what books on your shelf, this program describes what books are collectible and why. A book collector and appraiser explains how to identify valuable items and those that are not. He will describe current issues and problems in the book business and the impact of the internet on book printing, publishing and purchasing. Bring your questions and a book or two you are wondering about the value of.

Wonder Weavers Storytellers at the Grand Rapids Library

Tuesday, July 31 2:00 pm
Oh My! Hold on to your hats, because the Wonder Weavers are returning to Grand Rapids! Storytellers extraordinare, the Wonder Weavers will transport you to the worlds inside your imagination. Don't miss this program! Appropriate for all ages.

Family Movie Night at the Grand Rapids Library

Thursday, July 26  at 6 pm

Join us for another in our Family Movie Night series! This month we will present "Big Miracle" on the big screen in the community room. Bring dinner or a snack and join us.
The movie was inspired by the true story of the amazing rescue of grey whales trapped by rapidly forming ice near the arctic circle.

Teen Short Film Contest

Congrats to Noah O. and Marie N. for winning the teen short film contest at the library. Marie's film is titled "Angel Don't Care" and Noah's is "Love in Many Different Ways". Films will be shown at the Reif Center during Zombie Prom and on Tuesday July 31 before the Indies film at 7:30 pm.

Independant Films at the Reif Center

       Tuesday July 24 7:30 pm
Little Sparrows (2010, Australia - English, 88 minutes) In the midst of an Australian summer, we meet three sisters. Nina is widowed with two young children. Anna is an aspiring actress unhappily married to a filmmaker. Christine is a med student who is yet to fully come to terms with her sexuality. When their mother Susan's breast cancer returns, the family is faced with choices and the reality of their last Christmas together. Simple and sincere, Little Sparrows celebrates life and the unconditional love of a mother. http://www.reifcenter.org/   

          Tuesday July 31, 7:30 pm
A Screaming Man (2010, Chad - French, Arabic, 92 minutes) Present-day Chad. Adam, sixty something, a former swimming champion, is pool attendant at a smart N'Djamena hotel. When the hotel gets taken over by new Chinese owners, he is forced to give up his job to his son Abdel. Terribly resentful, he feels socially humiliated. The country is in the throes of a civil war. Rebel forces are attacking the government. The authorities demand that the population contribute to the "war effort", giving money or volunteers old enough to fight off the assailants. The District Chief constantly harasses Adam for his contribution. But Adam is penniless; he only has his son...

DVDs will be available for checkout at the Grand Rapids Library after the films are shown

Donate Books, CDs, DVDs for the Library's Annual Sale

Still taking donations!
Donations Accepted through July 31 at the Library or the Village Bookstore

Annual Used Book (and CD, DVD, Puzzle and Game)Sale!


Central Square Mall 201 NW 4th St.

       Hours: Friday  August 3 8:30-8:00,

                  Saturday August 4  9:00 - 6:00,

                  Sunday August 5  11:00 - 4:00 Bag Sale All Day Sunday

Fun with the Mad Scientist at the Grand Rapids Library

Tuesday July 24 1:00 pm
Join our very own mad scientist, Lori Kangas-Olson,and explore an afternoon of science fun! Wear old clothes, because who knows what the Mad Scientist has up her sleeve?
Please pre-register for this event by calling the Grand Rapids Children's Library. 327-8823
Everybody is welcome, children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult.

Itasca County Lake Challange presentation at the Library

Thursday, July 19 at 7 pm.
Dr. Mary Blickenderfer will present a variety of ways to keep Itasca County lakes and rivers clean and wildlife abundant. Water enthusiasts of all ages hear about programs and activities to engage kids through adults in being good stewards of our fresh water resources

Writing Workshops @ your library

• Creating a Character out of THIN AIR~ Writing workshop for teens


• Rebecca Fjelland Davis, Author of young adult books

Wednesday, July 18 @ 1:00 p.m.  Grand Rapids Area Library

Rebecca Fjelland Davis, Author of young adult books Starting a story? What's most important? What happens to WHOM? WHO is most important in any story? Learn to come up with a character sturdy enough to survive being in a story and to create a character out of nothing.

• Prairie-Dogging Your Way to a Story

~ Writing workshop for adults

Rebecca Fjelland Davis

Wednesday, July 18 @ 7:00 p.m.  Grand Rapids Area Library

Sometimes it's easy to get started writing a story, but not so easy to finish. Other times it's just hard to get ideas for writing, period. Get help and ideas to turn ordinary real-life non-adventures into extraordinary adventures in a story. Learn to use ideas from real life and mold them into fictional elements for novels.

Magician! @ your library

Magician Star Michaelina


Tuesday July 17, 2012 10:00 am  Grand Rapids Area Library

Don't misss this! A magician is coming to the library! Minnesota magician Star Michaelina has been presenting her comedy magic for 20 years. Her eye-popping magic, exhilaratingenergy and unique props make her one of the country's top family entertainers!

Sam Miltich & Friends @ your Library

• A Little Summer Jazz with Sam Miltich & Friends
KAXE/Rotary tent (next to the Grand Rapids Area Library)


Thursday, July 12 @ 11:30 a.m.

Back by popular demand, Sam Miltich and Friends play a fun afternoon, outdoor concert for all ages. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on by the KAXE Rotary tent. Watch the river roll by as you day dream to the rhythm of jazz. In case of bad weather, the program will be held in the library. Bring the entire family.
Ice cream provided by Cub Foods! Thank you!

Civl War Discussion @ your Library

Making Sense of the Civil War ~ Part I: Imagining War


Jon Maturi, discussion leader

Thursday July 12 @ 7:00 p.m  Grand Rapids Area Library

The first of a 5-part discussion series on the Civil War begins with a look at how fiction has imagined the war as captured in America's War anthology. Copies of three different books are available for check-out at the library to provide participants a shared context for the programs in this series.
March by Geraldine Brooks,
Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam by James McPherson,
America's War: Talking About the Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150th Anniversaries edited by Edward L. Ayers.

Indies on Tuesdays continue at the Reif

Independant Films  7:30   Tuesdays at the Reif Center
During July the following award-winning independant films will be shown:

July 10  Protektor (2009, Czech Republic - Czech, German, 100 minutes)
A Czech journalist joins a Prague radio station that broadcasts Nazi propaganda in order to protect his Jewish wife. However, as the Nazi rule over Czechoslovakia calls for more and more collaboration, his relationship with his wife spirals downward. http://www.reifcenter.org/

July 17     Vasermil (2007, Isreal - Hebrew, Amharic, Swahili, Russian, 93 Minutes)
The film is named after the local football stadium located in the town of Be'er Sheva in southern Israel. Vasermil tells the story of three teenagers who live in the same tough neighborhood, growing up in an unforgiving environment, pinning their hopes on football as a way out. Shlomi lives with his widowed mother, little sister, and step-father and works as a pizza delivery boy. Adiel, of Ethiopian descent, has to look after his young brother and sick mother. Dima, a new immigrant from Russia, has a father who is unemployed and a mother who works as a cleaning lady. The three teens are recruited by the coach of the local football team to take part in the Be'er Sheva open youth championship, held, traditionally on Independence Day at the Vasermil stadium . Learning to work together as a team is the key to success in the tournament and success in the tournament means getting noticed by the scouts of the local football empire - Hapoel Be'er Sheva... July 24     Little Sparrows (2010, Australia - English, 88 minutes)
 In the midst of an Australian summer, we meet three sisters. Nina is widowed with two young children. Anna is an aspiring actress unhappily married to a filmmaker. Christine is a med student who is yet to fully come to terms with her sexuality. When their mother Susan's breast cancer returns, the family is faced with choices and the reality of their last Christmas together. Simple and sincere, Little Sparrows celebrates life and the unconditional love of a mother

July 31  A Screaming Man (2010, Chad - French, Arabic, 92 minutes)
Present-day Chad. Adam, sixty something, a former swimming champion, is pool attendant at a smart N'Djamena hotel. When the hotel gets taken over by new Chinese owners, he is forced to give up his job to his son Abdel. Terribly resentful, he feels socially humiliated. The country is in the throes of a civil war. Rebel forces are attacking the government. The authorities demand that the population contribute to the "war effort", giving money or volunteers old enough to fight off the assailants. The District Chief constantly harasses Adam for his contribution. But Adam is penniless; he only has his son

Check the Reif Center Web Site for more detailed descriptions
http://www.reifcenter.org/   

New Interpretive Signs along Mississippi River

The Riverfront taskforce developed 3 signs for the walkway on the south side of the Mississippi River between the 7th Ave bridge and the Pokegama bridge. 

 Funding for the signs was contributed by the Grand Rapids Rotary and the Blandin Foundation. 

 The signs include information about the plants and animals along the river on one side of the sign, and about the history of this stretch of the river on the other side. 

The signs are located:

1. Near the sidewalk on Pokegama  between the bridge and the Blandin Foundation
2. Along the River Front trail at the East end of the Library
3. Along the River Front trail near the 7th Ave Bridge.