Grand Rapids Rotary provides Early Literacy Station to GR Library

The Early Literacy Station is a touch screen computer that allows children to access 50 educational programs organized under seven categories: music/art, reading, social studies/geography, writing/computer skills, math, science and reference. Familiar characters such as word bird and Dora the Explorer make frequent appearances.

Funding for the ELS was provided by the Grand Rapids Rotary club. Throughout its 77 year history in Grand Rapids, the Rotary club has funded numerous scholarships, Leadership Camps, and a myriad of community based projects.

”This project will have an impact on children coming into the library, and will foster a love of reading and learning. We felt it would be beneficial to children and help them develop the skills needed for further educational success,” said Mike Arezzo, Grand Rapids Rotary Club President

 Children can select which activity they want to work on, or parents can help to select programs for their children by choosing a category and an appropriate age bracket. The Early Literacy Stations are also great for special needs children because they have a variety of activities at different levels.

The library has been focusing on promoting early literacy skills by providing preschool story times for children and their care-givers. Children can also sign up for the Library’s summer reading program and attend a variety of events this summer, including storytellers, music, magic shows and movies.
   

Teen Short Film Contest

It's the 1st annual Teen Short Film Contest in collaboration with ICTV and The Reif Center! Teens are invited to make short films (up to 8 minutes in length) in two categories: "Open" and "Zombies Own the Night".  Winning films will be shown at The Reif Center, on ICTV and uploaded to YouTube. Entries due by Saturday July 14 at the library. Click this link to get contest guidelines and submission forms.

Ellen Sandbeck Program Cancelled

Ellen Sandbeck will not be able to speak this evening due to a personal emergency.
We hope to reschedule her for later this summer. 

Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

In addition to Ellens "Green Barbarians" book, we have other books on non-toxic cleaning, natural formulas, simplifying your life, and conserving energy.  Check out the display!

Author Ellen Sandbeck at Grand Rapids Area Library

Wednesday, May 16     7 pm.  Ellen Sandbeck on Living Simply
Author Ellen Sandbeck promotes a return to a simpler way of life—a life with more joy and fewer household products. Her book, "Green Barbarians" demonstrates that by mustering a bit of courage and relying less on many modern conveniences, we can live happier, safer, more ecologically and economically responsible lives.
Check out her web site and blog at http://ellensandbeck.com/
We also have a display of books at the Library about living simply, reducing consumption, and conserving energy.

Mixi Makesi Musica program at the Grand Rapids Library

Monday May 14, 10:30 am    Mixi, Makesi, Musica  with Richie Johnson
 Come, Mix and Make Music with Richie Johnson at your library! Johnson, a self-described  “singer-songwriter/comedian/historian/magician,” will teach children the art of storytelling through songwriting, create musical instruments from junk items in the recycling bin, and make new songs with audience assistance. Participants should bring a good imagination and love having fun! This program is sure to charm audiences ages 1-100. 

Phography for Everyone at the Grand Rapids Library

Saturday, May 12 10:30-12:00
Join John Gregor of Coldsnap Photography for an inspiring presentation of his photographs and ideas, tips and techniques that will help you become a better photographer. This two-part program will focus on nature photography and taking photos of people. It is geared toward teens and adults.
This program is funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Thursday Concert at Grand Rapids Library

7 pm  Thursday, May 3 Happy Days are here Again
        Enjoy the Spirited songs of the 1930s, 40s and 50s with acclaimed jazz vocalist Rhonda Laurie and her band. Join Laurie on a journey though the music of the Greatest Generation. “Sentimental Journey,” “Dream a Little Dream” and “My Favorite Things” are just a few songs that will inspire audiences to smile and sing along during this 90-minute show.
        The band will be playing in the Libary so audience members can enjoy a view of the river at sunset while listening!

 This program is presented by the Minnesota Regional Public Libraries in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society. Programs are made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund created through the passage of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment by the vote of Minnesotans in November 2008.

Music Around the World with the DSSO Woodwind Quartet

Wednesday,  April 25    1:00 pm
Join us for another of the Duluth Symphony Orchestra's "Music to You" programs! Appropriate for all ages, spend an hour learning about, and listening to, a woodwind quartet
Feel free to bring a lunch, relax, and enjoy the music!

Poetry Workshop at Grand Rapids Library April 10

On Tuesday, april 10 at 1:00 pm, join poets Sheila Packa and Michelle Mathees as they take young poets on a writing adventure! With guided writing exercises, older children will explore the role of roots and landscape in identity. This program is best suited for poets ages 10 and up, but younger siblings are welcome with a parent.
Please call the Children's Desk at (218) 327-8823 to register. Space is limited.
Poet Sheila Packa has a blog entry about the poetry of place at: http://sheilapacka.blogspot.com/2012/03/poetry-of-place.html

Teens are also invited to take part in a poetry scavenger hunt in the Library.  Stop by Teen Universe between April 10 and April 30 and pick up the list of  items to find.

Itasca County Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs)

During Kevin Proescholdt's Importance of Wilderness program several mentions were made of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Scientific and Natural Areas. But what is an SNA and how can we located them?

Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs): The MN DNR SNA program preserves natural features and rare resources of exceptional scientific and educational value. Timber harvesting is not allowed in SNAs. SNAs located in Itasca County include: Ladies Tresses Swamp, Lost "40", Wawina Peatland, Wabu Woods, South Piece, Botany Bog and Chisholm Point. For more information and directions check out the MN DNR Scientific & Natural Area page:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/index.html

Harry Potter downloads

All seven Harry Potter books are available for download via Overdrive at the Arrowhead Library System at http://arrowhead.lib.overdrive.com. All seven are available in MP3, Kindle, and EPUB formats.

The Importance of Wilderness

Thursday, March 29th - 7 P.M.

Kevin Proescholdt - author of "Troubled Waters: the fight for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness" - explores the importance of wilderness in Minnesota and beyond. Mr. Proescholdt has worked with Into the Wild author Jon Krakauer on environmental and wilderness issues. He is Spokesman for the Izaak Walton League and a national speaker on wilderness issues.

Rebate for Riverfront Energy Project - Grand Rapids Herald-Review story

Rebate for Riverfront Energy Project - Grand Rapids Herald-Review: Business: At the start of last Monday’s Grand Rapids City Council meeting, Jeff Larson from Minnesota Energy Resources presented a facsimile of a check …
read the story!

Into the Wild Film Screening

Join the Kick-Off to Rapids Reads by watching the film version of Into the Wild
 "After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life."  (IMDB)

Screenplay by Sean Penn, Directed by Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch

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!
Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless

Roof

Living roof installed by Nelson Roofing.
Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless

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.