What's Happening at the Grand Rapids Area Library
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 perspectives.
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.
Bring an Apron to display
If you have a favorite apron, or one with a great story attached to it, bring the apron and the story to the library and we'll start our own mini-display. Don't forget this can include carpenter's blacksmith's or other aprons traditionally worn by men. Attach your name and the accompanying story.
January 31 is the last day of the children's winter reading program Slide into a good book
Bring in your completed reading log this week and pick out a free book to keep! Finishers are also eligible for a Baby Steps Coupon.
Community Read
In conjunction with the Apron Chronicles exhibit, the area libraries have chosen "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid" by Bill Bryson, for "Iron Range Reads" Thanks to the generous contribution of the Grand Rapids Area Library Foundation, we have multiple copies available for check out at the Library. This hilarious memoir of growing up in the 50's is fun to read, but also a great discussion starter for talking about the differences between growing up in the 50's and 60's and growing up later.
We have plenty of books, books on CD and Large Print Books to check out. Pull together a group of friends to discuss this one!
Book Groups
Book groups are invited to let us know if you are open to new members. We often receive inquiries from people wanting to know about book groups open to new members. Leave contact information, meeting times and any other pertinent information at the reference desk.
February is Love Your Library Month!
February is Library Lovers' Month all over the country. Library Lovers' Month is a month-long celebration of public, school and private libraries of all types. This is a time for everyone to recognize the important role libraries play in the cultural and economic success of local communities and the nation as a whole.
Encouraging Democracy
Tuesday, Feb 3 at 5:15 Local E-Democracy meeting
The E- democracy project provides a way for people to discuss local issues online using email. It encourages civil and thoughtful discussion about what is happening at the local level. Everyone welcome to attend!
More information about E-Democracy is at http://www.e-democracy.org/
More information about the Northern Community Internet Project is at http://www.northerncommunityinternet.org/
February 5, 6:30 pm Tom Hanson on "Global Challenges for President Obama"
NOTE: this is taking place in the Blandin Foundation Auditorium
Kick off for the "Great Decisions 2009" discussion series
Tom Hanson is a former Foreign Service Officer and regular speaker with the Minnesota International Center
The Great Decisions series is a great opportunity to discuss global issues with your friends and neighbors.
Teen Events
Feb 20, 3:30 Teen Book Club Maximum Ride: Angel Experiment by James Patterson
Feb 28, 2:30-5:30 Claymation Stop-Motion workshop
Coming up later in February
Feb 12, 7 pm James Heitala on Solar and Wind Generated Power for the Small User
Monday, Feb. 16 Closed in Observance of Presidents' Day
Feb 18, 12:00 Energy and the Global Economy
First in the Great Decisions Discussion series
(brown bag lunch and learn)
Feb 19, 7 pm Ellen Baker, author of Keeping the House on creating stories based on objects
ECFE Book Times Mondays 9:30 & 10:30
Storytimes for Preschoolers and their caregivers with games or crafts afterwards.
More info on all of these programs is available at the Library's Web Site: http://www.grandrapids.lib.org/
