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

Icicles

This Week at the Library

Wednesday, January 28th 7 pm Men’s Book Group meeting
Aaron Brown, author of “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” will be the guest of the Men’s Book Group at the library. Feel free to join them in a discussion of Aaron’s book.

Thursday, January 29, at 1:00 Mary Shideler: Travels in China
Mary will be talking and showing slides about her recent trip to China and Hong Kong. Mary was fascinated by the juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern side by side, and will share her observations of this unique country and its culture.

Friday, January 30, at 12:30 EllyAnne Geisel, curator of The Apron Chronicles
Geisel, curator of this traveling exhibit opening Feb 1 at Iron World, will talk about the process of the collecting 200 vintage aprons and the stories that go with them. Along with photographer Kristina Loggia, Geisel put together an exhibit that recalls a woman who’d worn an apron and what she represented to a family; an event when an apron was worn; recipes; values and traditions from gentler, less complicated times; the bond between parent and child; and modern perspective.
For more events connected to the exhibit see Iron World’s Web Site at www.ironworld.com/events/apron/ or pick up a flyer at the library.

Try it! It's Easy to check out your books!

Volunteers Katie and Georgia (age 8) demonstrate how to use the new Express Check Out machine at the library.