Judy Chicago and Contemporary Art
Thursday, April 1, 2010, 7:30 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Suzanne Eberle, Professor of Art History at Kendall College of Art and Design will introduce participants to the fascinating art of Judy Chicago, whose monumental work “The Dinner Party” remains one of the most important examples of early contemporary art. In addition to exploring the subjects and processes of Chicago’s work, you will also see how her ideas reflect late 20th century art practices such as historical referencing, collaborative production and feminist theory. Free and open to the public.
An Evening with Judy Chicago
Monday, April 5, 2010, 7:00 pm
Celebration Cinema North
Artist Judy Chicago will discuss her long career and show highlights of her work from different projects, series and periods, culminating in a discussion about her most recent work in glass. Sponsored by the West Michigan Women’s Studies Council. Free and open to the public.
Junior History Detectives
Thursday, April 8, 2010, 1:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Kids ages 9-12 can help solve some of history’s mysteries. First, Gina Bivens with the Public Museum will present “Look, Listen, Touch, Smell: Using Your Senses to become a History Detective.” Then Kevin Finney, Director of the Great Lakes Lifeways Institute will discuss “Bark Houses and Cattail Mats: Adventures in Building Native American Shelters.” Both are hands on experiences. Registration is required for this free event. Sign up at www.grpl.org/register or call 988-5400.
Teen Advisory Group
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 2:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
These monthly meetings gives teens the opportunity to give input on developing library programs and services. Teens will get volunteer hours for participating and free food at the meetings.
Family Flix: The Tale of Despereaux
Sunday, April 11, 2010, 2:30 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Families can come and watch the blockbuster film “The Tale of Despereaux” on the big screen. Bring your pillow and favorite stuffed animal and enjoy the movie. Pop and popcorn provided. Free and open to the public.
New Poetry from Three Local Poets: Patricia Clarke, Linda Nemec Foster and Robert Vander Molen
Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 7:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Three local poets share their recent work in an evening just for poetry lovers. Free and open to the public.
Google Essentials
Wednesday, April 14, 2010, 2:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Designed for those who already have a working knowledge of computers and the Internet, students will be introduced to some of the tools and applications offered by Google. Attention will be given to gmail, google calendars, google docs, google maps and more! Free and open to the public.
Farmers and Artist Market
Saturday, April 17, 2010, 10:00 am
West Leonard Branch – 1017 Leonard NW (in parking lot)
Kick off our Earth Week celebration by visiting our market. Over 20 local farmers and artists will transform the parking lot into a bustling market. Farmers will be selling a variety of local and often free-range and chemical-free goods like maple syrup, honey, cheese, potatoes, greenhouse greens, and meat. Local artists will be selling handmade items like pottery, clothes, jewelry, soap, purses, crafts and more. Free and open to the public.
Earth Week Movies
Saturday, April 17, 2010, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Join us for two critically acclaimed films that explore various aspects of our environment. At 11:00 am, “Food, Inc.” and at 1:00 pm “The Cove.” Free and open to the public.
Introduction to Slide Presentations
Saturday, April 17, 2010, 2:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Designed for those who already have a working knowledge of computers, students in this class will learn how to create slide show presentations that can be used for business or personal use. Students will learn how to create slide shows in programs like PowerPoint complete with text, graphics, pictures and animation. Free and open to the public.
Bike Safety and Basic Repair
Monday, April 19, 2010, 6:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Daniel Koert, creator of the Wednesday Evening Rides and owner of the Commute Bike Shop, will demonstrate how to be safe while riding our bikes around Grand Rapids and how to save money by doing our own basic bike repair. Free and open to the public.
Teen Book Discussion Group
Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 4:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Teens ages 11-18 can come and discuss books they love. Come prepared to talk about the selected book and pick up a copy of next month’s book to read. This month we will be discussion “The Tomorrow Code” by Brian Falkner. Free and open to the public.
Scientists are the New Rockstars
Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 7:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
What happens when creative tinkering goes collective? Scott Beibin has his eye on today’s garage scientists, and the rise of maker culture within the DIY movement. As it gets easier and cheaper to prototype new things, a new generation of tinkerers and experimenters are creating new things that are beneficial to all – as art, design, sustainable technologies. Hear more about Scott’s experiments in ars technica (the art of technology) during this live multimedia spectacle exploring the fuzzy and quirky lines between hard science, social science, and metaphysics with hands-on examples of environmentally sustainable art and technologies. Free and open to the public.
Pandora’s Locks: How the St. Lawrence Seaway and Ocean Freighters Ruined the Great Lakes
Thursday, April 22, 2010, 7:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Michigan Notable Books author Jeff Alexander will discuss his theory of how opening the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959 and allowing ocean freighters into the Great Lakes, accidentally unleashed an environmental disaster that will cause more damage than the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The Seaway was built to link Great Lakes shipping ports to ports around the world. The intent was to increase international commerce in the region. The Seaway did achieve that but there would be a high price to pay. Alexander will explain how foreign species that ocean freighters carry into the lakes in ballast water tanks are wreaking havoc on the Great Lakes, how this could have been prevented and why it wasn’t. Free and open to the public.
Green Clean
Saturday, April 24, 2010, 2:30 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Are you interested in making the switch to green cleaning in your home but are overwhelmed by the prices and variety of products out there? Do you wonder if green cleaning actually works? Green Earth Cleaning owners Becky VanDyke and Cassandra Hagedorn will demonstrate how easy, economical, and effective it is to make and use your own green cleaning products. Free and open to the public.
GRPL Anime Club
Monday, April 26, 2010, 6:30 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
The GRPL Anime Club will be showing one Japanese Animation, or “anime” film each time we meet, along with enjoying refreshments. This month we will be screening Ponyo by Miyazaki. For ages 11-18.
Trendy T-shirt Makeovers
Times and locations vary
Teens in grades 6-12 can make an old t-shirt into a fabulous new design. Free and open to the public.
Saturday, April 3
2:00 pm Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Monday, April 5
5:30 pm Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE
Tuesday, April 6
5:30 pm Yankee Clipper Branch – 2025 Leonard NE
Saturday, April 10
2:00 pm West Leonard Branch 0 1017 Leonard NW
Spring Break Fun with Geodes
Times and locations vary
Do you know what geodes are and how they are formed? Great Lakes Geoscience will answer the mysteries of geodes and give you many opportunities to explore what is inside. For kids ages 12 and under. Free and open to the public.
Tuesday, April 6
10:30 am Main Library – 111 Library St NE
2:00 pm West Side Branch – 713 Bridge NW
Wednesday, April 7
10:30 am Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE
2:00 pm Van Belkum Branch – 1563 Plainfield NE
Thursday, April 8
10:30 am West Leonard Branch – 1017 Leonard NW
3:00 pm Yankee Clipper Branch – 2025 Leonard NE
Friday, April 9
10:30 am Ottawa Hills Branch – 1150 Giddings SE
3:00 pm Madison Square Branch – 1201 Madison SE
Teen Cuisine
Times and locations vary
Author and chef Kathleen Hanna will help teens ages 13-18 create tasty, healthy meals and snacks. This program is limited to 9 teens per location. Registration is required at www.grpl.org/register.
Saturday, April 17
11:30 am West Leonard Branch – 1017 Leonard NW
3:00 pm Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE
Recycled Journals
Times and locations vary
This workshop will turn old books into treasure. Join local crafter Gerald “Butch” Cash as he helps you transform an old beat up book into a useful notebook, journal, or sketchbook. Bring a book of your own, or choose from one of ours. Free and open to the public.
Monday, April 19
4:00 pm Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE
Saturday, April 24
12:30 pm Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Rain Barrel Construction Party
Times and locations vary
The West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC), will have everything you need to assemble your very own rain barrel. Rain barrels collect stormwater that is not soak into the ground. When stormwater runs through our community, it becomes dirty and polluted. It washed animal waste, garbage, fertilizers, chemicals, gas and oil from cars into our storm sewers. This pollution then flows into our streams, rivers and lakes. The rain barrels are free to Grand Rapids residents only. Registration is required – sign up at www.grpl.org/register.
Tuesday, April 20
6:30 pm Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Saturday, April 24
1:00 pm Yankee Clipper Branch – 2025 Leonard NE
Container Gardening
Times and locations vary
Container gardening makes gardening possible for anyone who has access to a bit of sunshine. Members of the Heartside Gardeners will help you create a container garden—great for those without yards! Participants will leave with a bucket of Snap Peas or Potato seedlings. Free and open to the public.
Wednesday, April 21
4:00 pm Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE
Saturday, April 24
10:30 am Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Branch Out and Enjoy the Fun!
Times and locations vary
A drop in event for families with children ages 5-12, each month select GRPL branches will have a variety of activities and surprises, including book-based celebrations and crafts, Wii gaming, and visits from community organizations.
Thursday, April 1
4:00 pm Ottawa Hills Branch – 1150 Giddings SE
5:00 pm West Side Branch – 713 Bridge NW
Thursday, April 8
5:00 pm Madison Square Branch – 1201 Madison SE
Book and Media Swap
April 17-24, 2010
All library locations
Kids and teens can come to any GRPL location to swap books, DVDs, video games, and CDs. Bring what you don’t want or need and take something new home.
All library events are free and open to the public.
his mailing consists of our renewal packets for our annual subscribers. It is the most important mailing of the year, representing over a million dollars in revenue for Symphony operations. Know that your time is so incredibly appreciated!
Even if you can’t volunteer, you still won’t want to miss all the fun.