Download - Portage District Library February Events Calendar

Februarylibrary events & classes

www.portagelibrary.info

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portage district library300 library lane portage, mi 49002269.329.4544www.portagelibrary.info

PAGE 2Early Literacy Programs

PAGE 3February 1-9 Library Programs




PAGE 7Library Catalog Upgrade

PAGE 8What’s Coming in March

library hoursMonday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

library boardBetty Lee OngleyLibrary Board Chair

Alisha SiebersLibrary Board Vice Chair

Michele BehrLibrary Board Trustee

Stephanie BrownLibrary Board Trustee

Annee DunnLibrary Board Trustee

Martha PachecoLibrary Board Trustee & Liaison to the Friends of PDL

Joe YantisLibrary Board Trustee

what’s insidethis month’s newsletter

MOTHER GOOSE STORYTIMETuesday, February 7, 14, 21, 289:30 AM and 10:30 AMINFANT/TODDLERThis special time is designed for childrenfrom birth to 23 months. Delight andstimulate your baby’s senses with books,rhymes, and music. A developmentallyappropriate playtime will follow.No registration required.

TIME FOR TWOSWednesday, February 1, 8, 15, 229:30 AMPRESCHOOLInteract with your 2 year old to nurturea love of books. We will learn letters,sounds, new words and self expressionthrough books, fingerplays and creativemovement.No registration required.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIMEMonday, February 6, 13, 20, 27Thursday, February 9, 16, 2310:30 AMPRESCHOOLPreschool age children will enjoy storiestogether and build language skills whilelistening to stories and expressing them-selves creatively. They will be letters,new words, and learning new skills toprepare them for a life time of reading.No registration required.

EVENING STORYTIMEWednesday, February 8 • 6:30 PMPRESCHOOLWe have a wonderful 30 minutes of stories, movement and creativity prepared for parents to enjoy with theirlittle ones. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

SATURDAY STORIESSaturday, February 18 • 10:00 AMPRESCHOOLShare your love of books and learning.Come on in and listen to books, stories,rhymes and creative movement withyour children. No registration required.

It is The Portage District Library’s procedure tocancel youth programs if the Portage PublicSchools are closed due to of weather relatedconditions.

early literacyprograms

portage district library | february 2012 3

programs & eventsfebruary 1-9

MICHIGAN ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 2012 REGION 5 STUDENT ART EXHIBITFebruary 7th – February 26thEach year, art teachers who are members of the Michigan Art Education Association may submit fiveworks of art for the annual Region 5 student exhibit.Region 5 includes Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Van Buren,and Kalamazoo counties. This exhibit includes this student artwork that is juried by their respective levels:elementary, middle, or high school.

ART RECEPTION FOR THE 2012 REGION 5 STUDENT ART EXHIBITSunday, February 12th • 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

SOLO EXHIBITThrough February 24thVJ Kline & Frances Ballay-WagnerAcrylic, watercolor, oil painting & pastels

PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUBThursday, February 2nd • 10:00 AMAge Group: ADULTSDrop-in computer question and answer session.No registration required.

COMBAT VETERANS’ WRITING GROUPTuesday, February 7th • 6:30PMThis series of writing workshops for veterans focuseson short narratives about serving in the military duringwartime. No writing experience is necessary. This series is led by Margaret von Steinen, writer and communications officer for WMU’s Haenicke Institutefor Global Education the first and third Tuesday nightsand runs through March 20th. For more information,please e-mail Margaret at [email protected] registration required.

MEET THE CHEF: TRADITIONALBREADS FOR SAINT PATRICK’S DAYThursday, February 9th 2:00 PM & repeated 5:00 PMAge Group: ADULTSCome and experience the charm of Victorian Bakery withchef Maria Brennan and learn how to prepare traditionalwheat and fruit soda bread just in time for St. Patrick’sDay. The breads can be sampled at the end of the demoalong with some homemade jam and tea. We will alsovisit Confections with Conviction, home of delicious andunique chocolates, which is right next-door. Register by calling 329-4542 Ext. 600. There is a $5.00 fee at the door. Location: Victorian Bakery 116 W Crosstown Pkwyon the corner of Crosstown Pkwy and Burdick St.Co-sponsored with Fair Food Matters. REGISTRATION REQUIRED

LEGO BLOCK PARTYThursday, February 9th • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PMAge Group: ALL AGES

LEGOS are awesome! Not only arethey great for strategic thinking, plan-ning ahead, fine motor skills, imagina-tion, architectural art, and problemsolving; they are fun. Your childrenwill love being social with otherLEGO creators of all ability levels. No registration required.

CPR- HEARTSAVER AED COURSE-AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATIONCOURSEThursday, February 9th • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMAge Group: ADULTSThe Heartsaver AED course includes infant, child andadult conscious to unconscious choking, CPR for infant,child and adults, AED training and skills practice.Course includes a 2 year certification card. $35 per person. All payments are due by Tuesday, February 7that the Youth Information Desk. Registration by calling329-4542 Ext. 603.REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED



PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUBThursday, February 9th • 10:00 AMAge Group: ADULTSDrop-in computer question and answer session.No registration required.

LEGOS! LEGOS! LEGOS!Friday, February 10th • 10:00 AMAge Group: ALL AGESCome on in and express your creativity. LEGOS ofvarious sizes will be provided for all ability levels.No registration required.

CPR-BABYSITTING BASICS COURSE-AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATIONCOURSESaturday, February 11th • 9:30 AM- 12:30 PMAge Group: 10 years and up

The Babysitting Basics Course includes infant and child First Aid andCPR, babysitting do’s and don’ts,safety and skills practice. This courseis geared for middle school and highschool kids. Books and certificationcards are supplied. $25 per person.

All payments are due by Thursday, February 9th at theYouth Information Desk. Registration by calling 329-4542 Ext. 603REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED

INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR ASTRONOMY: BINOCULARS BASICSSaturday, February 11th • 1:00 PM Age Group: ADULTS & TEENSEvery amateur astronomer, novice or advanced, shouldown at least one good pair of binoculars. They makean ideal first “telescope” because of their wide field ofview, ease of use, portability, versatility, and low cost.Several types of binoculars are available, but whichones are best for astronomy? You’ll be amazed at whatyou can see! No registration required.

READ ALL ABOUT IT: A DISCUSSIONOF THE GREAT MICHIGAN READ,ARC OF JUSTICE BY KEVIN BOYLESunday, February 12th • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PMAge Group: ADULTS

This interactive discussion will featurea panel focused on the Great Michigan Read selection: Arc of Justice; A Saga of Race, Civil Rightsand Murder in the Jazz Age by KevinBoyle. The panel will explore the storyof the novel and the historical eventsthat surround it and examine relatedlocal events. An open discussion will

follow. We are especially inviting book groups to discuss and share their top picks of the year. Co-spon-sored by West Michigan Black Heritage Society. No registration required.

TEEN CRAFTERNOON�Wednesday, February 15th • 3:30 PM�Age Group: TEENS��Join Quyen for an afternoon of crafting! We will bemaking duct tape purses and wallets. Bring your ownfabric and duct tape if you have specific color preferences or choose from our supplies. Check outthe teen room display for samples.�REGISTRATION REQUIRED


X-MEN OF THE WILDThursday, February 16th • 6:30 PMAge Group: ALL AGES

It doesn’t get much better than seeing a realcreature up-close and personal. The KalamazooNature Center is excited to introduce you to livebirds of prey like falcons, hawks, and owls!

Explore the super powers of these birds andlearn how they survive in the wild. No registration required.

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portage district library | february 2012 5


MY PLACE IN HISTORY: A MEMOIR WRITING WORKSHOP BY DONNA ODOMThursday, February 16th • 6:30 PM - 8:00 PMAge Group: ADULTSIn this workshop participants are given an introductionto memoir writing and how to develop writingprompts, and guidelines for creating a short memoirthat tells the story of a major historical event that tookplace during the individual’s lifetime. Donna Odom isthe executive director of the Southwest Michigan BlackHeritage Society, former interpretations coordinator atKalamazoo Valley Museum, a board member of theKalamazoo County Historical Society. She presents atconferences, offers workshops on oral history andmemoir writing and assists individuals and organizations research and write their histories. Thisprogram is free. REGISTRATION REQUIRED

ABC ACTIVITY TIMEFriday, February 17th • 10:00 AMAge Group: PRESCHOOLDrop-in playtime including sensory activities, fine andgross motor skills, pocket charts, manipulatives andmore. This is a time for your child to practice skills thatwill help them get ready to read! Open to preschoolerswith their favorite adult. The focus is for parents to participate in the learning process with their child whilemaking it fun!No registration required.

COMBAT VETERANS’ WRITING GROUPTuesday, February 21st • 6:30 PMAge Group: ADULTSThis series of writing workshops for veterans focuseson short narratives about serving in the military duringwar time. No writing experience is necessary. This series is led by Margaret von Steinen, writer and communications officer for WMU’s Haenicke Institutefor Global Education and runs the first and third Tues-day nights through March 20th. For more information,please e-mail Margaret at [email protected] registration required.

OPEN FOR DISCUSSION: DROP-INBOOK DISCUSSIONWarmth of Other Suns by Isabel WilkersonTuesday, February 21st10:30 AM & repeated 7:00 PMAge Group: ADULTS

The title of this book is borrowed fromthe celebrated black writer RichardWright, who fled Jim Crow Mississippiin the 1920s to feel the warmth ofthose other suns. It is based on morethan a thousand interviews. It followsthe exodus of Southern blacks fromWorld War I through the Depression,World War II, the Civil Rights

movement and riots of the 1960’s, into the 1970’s. Thebook follows the journey of three Southern blacks,each representing a different decade of the Great Migration as well as a different destination: Chicago,New York, Los Angeles and Oakland, the patterns determined by the train routes available to those boldenough to leave. Although this book is filled with statistics and history, it reads as three novellas tied together by the individuals who braved the trip northfor a better life and those with unbreakable bonds tofamily ties who chose to stay behind. No registration required.

TEEN ADVISORY GROUP�Tuesday, February 21st� • 6:45 PM�Age Group: TEENSThe Teen Advisory Group is open to 8th-12th graders.This group plans library events, selects books for the collection, and plans displays for the teen room. Join us!No registration required.



READ WITH SULLEYWednesday, February 22nd4:40 PM – 6:00 PMAge Group: ELEMENTARYPractice your reading toa patient and attentivenew friend. Your child

can read out loud with Sulley, a registered therapydog, who loves children and does not shy away fromhugs. His handler is a Portage teacher and they bothpromise your child a “paw-sitive” experience. Sign upfor a 20 minute reading time TODAY! To registerplease call the Youth Information Desk at 329-4542Ext. 603. REGISTRATION REQUIRED


ABC ACTIVITY TIMEFriday, February 24th • 10:00 AMAge Group: PRESCHOOLDrop in playtime including sensory activities, fine andgross motor skills, pocket charts, manipulatives andmore. This is a time for your child to practice skills thatwill help them get ready to read! Open to preschool-ers with their favorite adult. The focus is for parentsto participate in the learning process with their childwhile making it fun!No registration required.

FICTION WRITING WORKSHOP WITH JANET HELLERSaturday, February 25th • 9:30 AM - 12:00 PMAge Group: ADULTSThis fiction-writing workshop is designed for buddingwriters. Participants are encouraged to e-mail Janet a

story in advance or bring a story that they have writtenon the day of the workshop. Janet Heller has taughtEnglish and Women Studies courses at Western Michigan University. She is the founding mother of Primavera, a literary magazine. Dr. Heller has publishedpoetry, fiction, essays, literary criticism, and an award-winning children’s book called How the Moon RegainedHer Shape. This workshop is limited to 20 participants.For questions regarding the workshop, please [email protected] This program is free. REGISTRATION REQUIRED

INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR ASTRONOMY: TELESCOPE TUTORIALSaturday, February 25th • 1:00 PMAge Group: ADULTS & TEENS

Sooner or later, every amateurastronomer faces the decision

of purchasing a first telescope.There are literally hundreds of choicestoday! What’s the difference between

a refractor and reflector? Which telescope is the right one foryou? To make this daunting task

easier, we’ll compare several of the top telescopes available today and tell you which ones toavoid. We’ll also look at the countless array of accessories available for your telescope. If you alreadyhave a telescope but need help then bring it along.Register by calling 329-4542 Ext. 600.REGISTRATION REQUIRED

TWEEN LEAP YEAR FUNWednesday, February 29th • 6:30 PMAge Group: TWEENS (3RD-5TH GRADE)It’s Leap Day, so we’ll fit 4 years of fun in one night!Design your own frog cupcakes, fold a paper frog, tryour jump bucket or sticky tongue challenges, andmore! Register by calling 329-4542 Ext. 603.REGISTRATION REQUIRED

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What changes should you expect?Your search experience will be more Google-likeGreat user experience – more patron friendlyFresh new look and designEliminates dead-end searches providing “Did you mean” suggestionsExtract the absolute BEST results with a user-friendly search functionEasier-to-read graphics

What will stay the SAMEThere is no cost to the LibraryThis is an upgrade to our existing system, required for the maintenance of the softwareThe tentative date for the upgrade is the beginning of MarchThe advanced search option will remainYour account information, including current holds and interlibrary loan, will remain the same

IT’S COMING! NEW & IMPROVED!

An UPGRADE to the Library CatalogIn this digital age, information is easy to come by. QUALITY information, however ranked according to true

relevance and accessible via a single streamlined location, is a little harder to find. LOOK no more!

YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE IT!

what’s coming in march!2012 Reading Together EventMARCH 1STU.S. Latino Literature & Culture

Cats Art ExhibitMARCH 2NDViews of felines through the eyes of painters, photographers, sculptors and quilters

Solo Gallery: Jabeth WheelerMARCH 2NDWatercolor & Fiber art

Middle School Drop-InMARCH 8THBring your friends and join us for activities, crafts, fun and snacks

Sundays Live: Hired HandsMARCH 11THCome listen to the eclectic blend of blues, folk and rock

How to Invest in a Complex and Agenda-Driven WorldMARCH 13TH

Fundamentals of Starting a BusinessMARCH 21STWorkshop on writing a business plan

Meet the Chefs: Taste of Mexican HospitalityMARCH 28THStep into the culture of Mexico through food

Download - Portage District Library February Events Calendar

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