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ILlibrary events & classes

early literacyprograms

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

PAGE 2Early Literacy Programs

PAGE 3April 1-10 Library Programs

PAGE 4April 11-16 Library Programs

PAGE 5April 17-20 Library Programs

PAGE 6April 21-30 Library Programs

PAGE 8What’s Coming in May!

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 STORYTIMEThursday, April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th9:30 AM & 10:30 AM Age Group: INFANT/TODDLEREnjoy this rewarding time interacting with your child while listening to stories, doing fingerplays, and participating in creative movement. An interactive playtime follows. Developmentally appropriate for infants through 23 months. No registration required.

TWOS STORYTIMEMondays, April 1st 8th 15th, 22nd10:00 AM Age Group: TWOSTwo year olds enjoy interactive stories, songs, and creative movement that encourage their emerging language skills. Families with children two years old and their younger siblings are welcome.No registration required

PRESCHOOL STORYTIMETuesdays, April 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd10:00 AM Age Group: PRESCHOOLThree to five year old children will build language skills while listening to stories, learning rhymes, moving to music, and learning the mystery letter of the week. No registration required.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIMEWednesday, April 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th10:00 AM Age Group: PRESCHOOLThree to Five year old children will build language skills while listening to stories, learning rhymes, moving to music, and learning the mystery letter of the week. No registration required.

programs & events

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April 1-10

GEEK DISCUSSION GROUP: Sword and SorceryMonday, April 1st6:00 PMAge Group: ADULTS & TEENSCome to the library at 6 PM on the first Monday of every month and talk about the science fiction or fantasy genre of that evening. Bring a book to use as an example, or just have a book, movie, or even game in mind to talk about. This year long series of infor-mal discussions, moderated by library staff, will lead you to new reading experiences as you learn about hot subgenres. Share your own reading interests, and learn about other peoples.No registration required.  CRITCHLOW ALLIGATOR SANCTUARY- SPRING BREAKWednesday, April 3rd 1:00 PM Age Group: ALL AGESLive Reptiles! Live Reptiles! Live Reptiles! The Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary will be teaching you about these amazing creatures in their own unique and fun way! No registration required.

PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUB

Thursday, April 4th10:00 AMAge Group: ADULTSDrop-in computer question and

answer session.No registration

required.

MAGIC! MAGIC! - SPRING BREAK FUNThursday, April 4th 6:30 PM Age Group: ALL AGESAbracadabra! Hocus Pocus! Alakazam! Bibbidi-Bob-bidy-Boo! Come in out of the cold and join us for a family fun magic show! No registration required.

EVENING FAMILY STORYTIME: STORIES TO KNOW AND GROWMonday, April 8th 6:00 PM Age Group: TWO’S, PRESCHOOLEnjoy an evening with stories, songs, rhymes and movement activities while building language and literacy skills. A theme related craft will follow. All children will receive a book to take home. Sponsored by a Target Early Literacy Grant.REGISTRATION REQUIRED

COMBAT VETERANS’ WRITING GROUPTuesday, April 9th

6:30 PMAge Group: ADULTSThis series of writing workshops for veterans focuses on short narratives about serving in the military during war times. No

writing experience is necessary. This series is led by Margaret von Steinen, writer and communications

officer for WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education and runs the sec-ond and fourth Tuesday nights through

April 23rd. For more information, please e-mail Margaret at mvonsteinen@chartermi.net.No registration required.

WHO’S YOUR FARMER? Wednesday, April 10th6:30 PM – 8:00 PMAge Group: ADULTSCome join us to learn why eating closer to home and supporting local farmers and farmers’ markets is healthy for our economy, our community and you! Meet a panel of SW Michigan farmers and growers, and learn about places to shop for fresh, local produce, meats and dairy products. Chris Broadbent, Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market Manager, will moderate our panel. Co-sponsored by: The People’s Food Co-op and Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA)REGISTRATION REQUIRED

BIRDS: A MULTI-MEDIA EXHIBIT April 5th – June 7th

SOLO GALLERY: PETER OPPENHUIS, PHOTOGRAPHYApril 5th – June 7th

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PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUBThursday, April 11th10:00 AMAge Group: ADULTSDrop-in computer question and answer session.No registration required.

READ WITH SULLEY AND GABBIEThursday, April 11th 5:00 PM Age Group: ELEMENTARY (K-5TH GRADE)Your child will have a “paw-sitive” experience reading to Sulley and Gabbie - our library reading dogs! Simply, sign-up your child and have them bring a book of their choice to share with our K-9 friends during their scheduled time. Available dates are: April 11th,

17th, 24th, and 30th from 5:00-6:00. To register please call the Youth Information Desk @ 329-4542 ext. 603. Sign up for a 20-minute reading time TODAY!REGISTRATION REQUIRED

INTERNATIONAL MYSTERY BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION The Raphael Affair by Iain Pears (Art History Mysteries #1 in the series)Thursday, April 11th7:00 PMAge Group: ADULTSThrills and excitement enter this first novel when a British art dealer discovers a Raphael portrait. After an astounding auction, the painting finds its way to a national museum in Rome, where its acquisition solidifies the director’s reputation. Taddeo Bottando and his favorite assistant Flavia, both of the national art theft squad, become suspicious when a vagrant art student’s story of fraud and the jottings of a famous forger come to their attention. Clever research, museum politics, and foreign setting add to the story’s interest, especially for those who enjoy art and art history. (Booklist)No registration required.

TEEN CRAFT - POLYMER CLAYThursday, April 11th7:00 PMAge Group: ADULTSParticipants will use polymer clay to make their own mini sculptures or charms. The program will begin with a few tips and tricks to working with clay followed by a slideshow of sample pieces for inspiration. Materials and a small range of tools provided. From animals to food to fantasy creatures, their imagination is the limit!REGISTRATION REQUIRED

ABC ACTIVITY TIMEFriday, April 12th 10:00 AM Age Group: TWO’S, PRESCHOOLDrop in playtime including sensory activities, fine and gross motor skills, pocket charts, manipulatives and more. This is a time for your child to practice skills that will help them get ready to read! Open to preschoolers with their favorite adult. The focus is for parents to participate in the learning process with their child while having fun!No registration required.

CLASSIC FILM: Laurel & Hardy’s Way Out WestSaturday, April 13th2:00 PMAge Group: ADULTSWould you send Laurel & Hardy off to the wilds of the Old West to deliver an important inheritance document to a young lady they’ve never seen? Probably not. But that is the hinge upon which this whole wonderfully goofy movie swings. One of Laurel & Hardy’s best. We will also show “The Music Box”, Laurel & Hardy’s only Academy Award winning short in which they try to deliver a piano up a long flight of stairs, “Helpmates” another short and a cartoon in which Laurel and Hardy appear. Co-sponsored by: The Kalamazoo Classic Film SocietyNo registration required.

OPEN FOR DISCUSSION: A DROP-IN BOOK DISCUSSIONRise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America’s Most Perilous Year by David DrehleTuesday, April 16th10:30 AMAge Group: ADULTSThe year 1863 is often described as the decisive of the Civil War, given the Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Von Drehle, editor at large at Time, asserts that 1862 was the transformative year that led directly to the ultimate Union triumph. It commenced with Union fortunes appearing bleak. In the political realm, Lincoln was struggling to master the strong egos in his cabinet. As the year advanced, von Drehle illustrates Lincoln’s transformation into a great political and war leader. This is an excellently researched chronicle of the year that helped change the direction of the war. Excerpted from a review by Jay Freeman. (Booklist) No registration required.

programs & eventsApril 11-16

READ WITH SULLEY AND GABBIEThursday, April 17th 5:00 PM Age Group: ELEMENTARY (K-5TH GRADE)Your child will have a “paw-sitive” experience reading to Sulley and Gabbie -our library reading dogs! Simply, sign-up your child and have

them bring a book of their choice to share with our K-9 friends during their scheduled time. Available dates are: April 11th, 17th, 24th, and 30th from 5:00-6:00. To register please call the Youth Information Desk @ 329-4542 ext. 603. Sign up for a 20-minute reading time TODAY!REGISTRATION REQUIRED

RETIREMENT WITH PURPOSE: WHAT’S THE PLANWednesday, April 17th6:30 PMAge Group: ADULTSThis panel was developed for people planning for retirement, newly retired or lost in retirement. It is designed to help participants create a healthy and meaningful lifestyle which builds on strengths and passions. The panel consists of Rhonda Messinger, certified career, business, life and leadership coach; Heather Ratliff, The Wellness RN, a registered nurse and health coach; Lee Kirk, Director of Community Relations at the Kalamazoo Promise Federal Credit Union and Trudy Riker, Senior Center & Community Volunteer. Jill Hess, Deputy Director of Recreation Programs and Senior Citizens Services for the City of Portage, will moderate the panel. Co-sponsored by: The Portage Senior CenterNo registration required.

PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUBThursday, April 18th10:00 AMAge Group: ADULTSDrop-in computer question and answer session.No registration required.

EASY SELF PUBLISHING ON A SHOESTRINGThursday, April 18th2:00 PMAge Group: ADULTSServices like Amazon, Smashwords, and Lulu are making it very easy to publish your own works, fic-tion or non-fiction. You can do this as a business,

or for non-profit reasons such as making a family genealogy available. In this workshop, you will learn about the three main e-publishing platforms. Also touched on are:• Basics of formatting your work.• Common steps in uploading your work to be sold or

downloaded for free.• Some places to outsource services for a fee, such as

cover design and editing.• Print on Demand Services like Createspace.No registration required.

GRAPHIC NOVEL FUN (3RD-5TH GRADE)Thursday, April 18th 6:30 PM Age Group: TWEENS (3RD-5TH GRADE)Do you like Big Nate? Dear Dumb Diary? Wimpy Kid? Come try trivia contests, drawing games, and other fun activities perfect for anyone who likes their books with a drawing or two! No registration required.

KALAMAZOO MACINTOSH USER GROUP (KMUG) Saturday, April 20th9:00 AMAge Group: ADULTSThis drop in group meets the third Saturday of each month. Anyone may attend. The meetings begin with a presentation of a software program, computer or accessory by an experienced club member. The meeting continues with a “Help Session”. Experienced Mac users share their in-depth knowledge answering questions about any aspect of the Mac. Beginners on Mac computers are welcome. No registration required.

SPRING FEVER!- D3 (DANCE, DRAMA, DRAWING)Saturday, April 20th 2:30 PM-4:00 PM Age Group: PRESCHOOL, ELEMENTARY (K-5TH GRADE)Explore the miracles of spring through the arts of dance, drama and drawing. Move like a butterfly, pretend to be a caterpillar and so much more! Your child will participate in 3 thirty minute sessions of interactive fun! Parents of preschoolers are encouraged to stay with their child. Sign up today!REGISTRATION REQUIRED

programs & eventsApril 17-20

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SUNDAYS LIVESunday, April 21st2:00-3:30 PMAge Group: ALL AGESCome listen to lilting tunes to celebrate spring with The Troubadours, a recorder ensemble. No registration required.

COMBAT VETERANS’ WRITING GROUPTuesday, April 23rd6:30 PMAge Group: ADULTSThis series of writing workshops for veterans focuses on short narratives about serving in the military during war times. No writing experience is neces-sary. This series is led by Margaret von Steinen, writer and communications officer for WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education and runs the second and fourth Tuesday nights running through April 23rd. For more informa-tion, please e-mail Margaret at mvonsteinen@chartermi.net.No registration required.

LOREEN NIEWENHUIS: A 1000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALKTuesday, April 23rd 7:00PMAge Group: ADULTSIn 2009, scientist, adventurer and author Loreen Niewenhuis walked the perimeter of Lake Michigan and wrote the bestselling book, A 1000-Mile Walk on the Beach. In 2012, she took another long journey, covering 1000 miles of shoreline touching all five Great Lakes. In this presentation, she will discuss her newest book : A 1000-Mile Great Lakes Walk which explores the geology, hydrology, natural history and ecology of all five Great Lakes. Books will be for sale by Kazoo Books and a book signing will follow the presentation. No registration required.

READ WITH SULLEY AND GABBIEThursday, April 24th 5:00 PM Age Group: ELEMENTARY (K-5TH GRADE)Your child will have a “paw-sitive” experience reading to Sulley and Gabbie - our library reading dogs! Simply, sign-up your child and have them bring a book of their choice to share with our K-9 friends during their scheduled time. Available dates are: April 11th,

17th, 24th, and 30th from 5:00-6:00. To register please call the Youth Information Desk @ 329-4542 ext. 603. Sign up for a 20-minute reading time TODAY!REGISTRATION REQUIRED

STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR FAMILIESWednesday, April 24th 6:30 PM Age Group: AdultsAre financial burdens, marital difficulties or children causing you stress? Is your child dealing with stress? Please join us for an informative program on identifying, coping, and reducing stress. Jeff Chicoski of Child and Family Psychological Services, P. C. will address common stressors for adults as well as stress-ors specific to children. No matter the cause, this presentation will give you tools to deal with stress and/or help your child. Presenter: Jeff Chicoski, LMSW Child & Family Psychological Services, P.C.Sponsored by the Friends of the Portage District LibraryREGISTRATION REQUIRED

PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUBThursday, April 25th10:00 AMAge Group: ADULTSDrop-in computer question and answer session.No registration required.

TEEN ADVISORY GROUPThursday, April 25th6:30 PMAge Group: ADULTSSee what’s happening in our Teen Advisory Group! We plan kid’s events, set up scavenger hunts, and do other things that benefit the library. All work with this group can be applied to your school-required volunteer hours.No registration required.

READ WITH SULLEY AND GABBIEThursday, April 30th 5:00 PM Age Group: ELEMENTARY (K-5TH GRADE)Your child will have a “paw-sitive” experience reading to Sulley and Gabbie - our library reading dogs! Simply, sign-up your child and have them bring a book of their choice to share with our K-9 friends during their scheduled time. Available dates are: April 11th,

17th, 24th, and 30th from 5:00-6:00. To register please call the Youth Information Desk @ 329-4542 ext. 603. Sign up for a 20-minute reading time TODAY!REGISTRATION REQUIRED

programs & eventsApril 21-30 What’s Coming in May!

WHAT SOME ARE READINGMay 2nd

Booktalking Soiree

GEEK DISCUSSION GROUPMay 6th

Talk about Science Fiction or Fantasy Genre of the evening

SBTDC-Fiscal FitnessMay 15th

HOLIDAY CLOSINGMay 26th

All Day

What’s Coming in May!