Community Organizations Contribute Literacy Station to Library

  

Thanks to donations from The Grand Rapids Area Library Foundation, the Friends of the Grand Rapids Area Library, The Grand Rapids Centennial Rotary Club and the Kiwanis Daybreakers  Club of Grand Rapids, children can now use a Literacy Station to play while they learn at the Grand Rapids Area Library.

The literacy station looks different from the other game computers in the library, with brightly colored graphics on a touch screen, a multi-colored keyboard and a child-sized mouse.  The station is loaded with dozens of games chosen for both their educational outcomes and their “fun” factor.  Math, Reading, Science, Drawing, music and history programs are available, as well as popular favorites such as Oregon Trail and Dora’s World Adventure.  All instructional content is aligned to national education standards and has received top ratings in professional journals.

One of the primary goals of the Library is to support parents in preparing their preschoolers for learning success, and to help primary students develop a love of reading and learning.   The literacy station provides one more opportunity for kids to practice learning skills while having fun.

Pictured are Kathy McCarty, Grand Rapids Area Library Foundation, Bill Litchke, Kiwanis Daybreakers Club, Carol Steel and Pat Fideldy of the Friends of the Grand Rapids Library, and Donna Hartung, Grand Rapids Are Library Foundation.

Museum Passes now available at Arrowhead Libraries

Museum passes available again beginning Monday, December 19


They’re back! Passes are now available at the Grand Rapids Library for a variety of popular attractions throughout the region. The process has changed based on experience from the first year. You will be able to check out passes good through Feb 28 and good at all of the participating museums.

Participating Locations:
Duluth Depot,
Great Lakes Aquarium,
 Forest History Center,
Judy Garland & Children’s Museum,
 MN Discovery Center,
Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site,
Dorothy Molter Museum,
North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum,
Ely-Winton Historical Society,
Carlton County Historical Society,
Palkie Grist Mill
Cook County Historical Society
 Some of these are seasonal, so they will not be open in winter.
Due to limited quantities, we must restrict it to 4 passes per family per quarter.
In February we will receive passes that are good March –May.

Program suggestions requested by Arrowhead Library System

The Arrowhead Library System has received a grant from the Minnesota Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. This grant will be used to provide art, arts education and arts access, and preserve Minnesota's history and cultural heritage for your region this fall, winter and spring.


We would like to know what type of events and programs you would like in your community! Please click on the link and take this short survey to provide your recommendations. The survey is only eight questions and takes less than five minutes to complete.

Your feedback will help to bring the programs you desire to your community. Thank you!
LINK:    http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PXVFFYN

Last year this grant funded the museum and event passes, photography and art workshops, authors, musicians, poets and other performers at libraries around the region. 

Mn orchestra string quartet visits the library

about 70 people stopped by to listen while the string quartet played on Wednesday afternoon.
Thanks to the Friends of the Library for the cider and truffles!
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Roof

Living roof installed by Nelson Roofing.
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Make a Book!

How 2 B Books Tuesday, October 4, 3:30-4:45 pm


Do you know "How 2"? How do you eat spaghetti Put bait on your hook? Fly to the moon? With Creativity Tank artists, we'll look to classic children's author Munro Leaf, and his illustrations for inspiration. You will create a pullout pocket book to draw and write your own "How To" instructions for any number of fun and fantastical things we know how to do!

Open to all ages. Children 0-6 must be accompanied by adult.

This is a FREE Children First! Event.

Registration required. Please register online www.getlearning.org Select ChildrenFirst! or call ISD 318 Comm. Ed 327-5730 or the Children's Library 327-8823.

School bus #41 arrives at the library at 3:30 p.m.

Kindle Books now available @ your (virtual) library

 Ebooks available through the Arrowhead Library System are now compatible with Kindle readers or Kindle apps.  There are nearly 2000 ebooks available that can be read on Sony, Nook and some other readers, and are now available for Kindles. 
Go to the Overdrive Website for the Arrowhead Library System here:
http://arrowhead.lib.overdrive.com 
On the left side, click on any category under "ebook" to browse different fiction and nonfiction titles.  You can also search for a particular title or author. 
When you find a title, choose the Kindle option for format.  It will allow you to check out the book, if it is available.  Once it is checked out, the book will be sent to Amazon.com where you can sync your Kindle and download it.   If the title is already checked out, you can request it!
Have fun reading!

Riverfront Energy Center: Painting Done!

The interior of the building has been painted white.  The trim is green to match the trim on the Library.  The grass has been re-seeded.  Now we are waiting for the equipment!

Family Pizza and Movie Night at the Grand Rapids Library

Thursday, August 25
At 5:30 we will all join together to celebrate a great summer of reading with pizzas donated by Papa Murphy's! Then, at 6:00, we will begin our movie. This month we are exploring new galaxies with the blockbuster "Mars Needs Moms." Don't miss dinner and a show!

Walls Completed on Riverfront Energy Center

The exterior walls and the roof are now complete and work should begin on the interior.

Bricks on the outside of the energy building! August 2nd

This is west of the Grand Rapids Library.

Energy Building Wednesday july 20 and Monday July 25

They finished putting the walls up on Monday!

Work continues on the Riverfront Energy Project

Excavating for the building

Digging Trenches for the pipes into the library.

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Sam Miltich and Friends at the Library

Sam Miltich and Friends play a great concert with lots of interesting music tidbits for an appreciative crowd in front of the KAXE/Rotary tent.  The preschoolers were dancing, and the seniors were tapping their toes!

Titambe west african dance ensemble

A crowd of about 100 people learned about drums this morning at the Library, and about dancing!

Beginning construction on energy building at Library

 

The digging began on June 24 in preparation for construction of a small building to house heat transfer equipment which will extract heat from the waste water discharged from the paper mill and use the heat in the Library's heating system.  The work is expected to be completed by November 1.

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Finches like libraries too!

Two finches stopped by the Grand Rapids Area Library today and rested on the window sill while watching the activity inside. Perhaps they wanted to sign up for the summer reading program.  We have programs for all ages, including:

 Novel Destinations

Our adult summer reading program. Pick up a book bingo card and expand your reading horizons! Read something you would not otherwise read. If you are in a book group and would like a Library staff person to do a short talk on free downloadable ebooks and audiobooks available from the library, let us know!

You are Here

Our teen summer reading program  Read a book, complete a review and enter a drawing each week for fun prizes! Our 2nd Annual Teen Photo Contest begins this week also. Teens can submit photos until July 23rd. Stop at the reference desk for a submission form.

One World Many Stories

Kids (ages 0-14) can sign up for our summer reading program, pick up a reading log, and keep track of their reading. Bring back the completed log and get a free book to keep! Children under age 5 completing the summer reading program are eligible for Baby Steps Coupons.

Everyone is welcome to sign up!

Free tickets @ your Library

The Grand Rapids Area Library just received some last minute tickets to area attractions.

These  tickets must be used by June 13:

Judy Garland/Children’s Museum
Minnesota Discovery Center
Great Lakes Aquarium
Historic Union Depot (Duluth)
Split rock Lighthouse
Lake County Historical Society (Two Harbors)

Bring in your Arrowhead Library System card to pick up the tickets.  The supply is limited, so hurry in! As long as you're stopping by, pick up a calendar of events and activities for the summer!

These passes have been funded with money from the sales tax which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.  The Legislature did not pass a bill to distribute these funds, so funding for future programs is in limbo.

Use your tickets!

If you picked up a ticket at the Library to visit a local museum, historical society or other attraction in the region, use it this weekend!  Most tickets expire May 30.  Check the back of the ticket for an expiration date. 

Note: The museum pass program has been funded through the Arts and Cultural Legacy funding. (remember the small addition to the sales tax?)   A bill reauthorizing  funding for Arts, Environment and Clean Water was not passed by the Legislature before they adjourned, so funding is in limbo for now.

Inheritance Cycle

Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr...Inheritance. The final book in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini will be released on November 8, 2011!

Grand Rapids Library - Carpet update april 12

The east half is nearly finished!  The carpet needs to sit for a few days before the heavy stacks are moved over it.  The movers will be back on Monday  and Tuesday to move everything into place.

Library carpet progress: east half ready for carpet

The guys with the big grinding machines finished Friday night.  The carpet will be put down next week!

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”