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!