Grand Rapids Learning Exchange

All events are free of charge.

Also, see the Community Calendar for listing of things to see and do in the GR Metro area.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs DVD Release Party
Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 5:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Families can come and watch the blockbuster film “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” on the big screen. Bring your pillow and favorite studded animal and enjoy the movie. Free and open to the public.

History Detectives: Following Clues to Michigan’s Past
Saturday, January 16, 2010, 1:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Historic preservationist Rebecca Smith-Hoffman and education historian Laurie Catherine Perkins will join GRPL staff member Jennifer Morrison in teaching participants how to discover more about Michigan’s history. Topics will include “The Peck Building: Searching for the Story of a Landmark,” “Adventure, Romance and Mystery: Cookbooks at Mid-Twentieth Century,” and “Talking Tombstones: Exploring the Mysteries of Oakhill Cemetery.” Registration is required. Visit www.grpl.org/register or call 988-5400 to sign up. Free and open to the public.

Teen Advisory Group
Saturday, January 16, 2010, 2:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
These monthly meetings gives teens the opportunity to give input on developing GRPL library programs and services. Teens will get volunteer hours for participating and free food at the meetings.

GRPL Anime Club
Monday, January 18, 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’s screening will be “Evangelion 1.01 You Are (Not) Alone.” For ages 11-18.

Teen Book Discussion Group
Tuesday, January 19, 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 “Life as We Know It” by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Free and open to the public.

Game Design Workshop
Saturday, January 23, 2010, 1:30 pm
Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE
Students will have the opportunity to discover the fundamentals of game design from ‘what makes a game fun’ to the discovery of game art. Taught by Ferris State university students and staff from their Digital Animation and Game Design Programs, students will explore 3d modeling, digital imaging, and 3d game engine applications. Students are expected to have a solid familiarity with a Windows PC computer environment. For ages 13-18. Limited to 10 students. Registration is required – sign up at www.grpl.org/register.

Global Warming: Changing Course
Wednesdays, January 6 through February 3 at 7:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Sharon Rydzewski, a member of the Northwest Earth Institute, will facilitate a five-week course for people interested in global warming and personal change. The program will explore the history and science of global warming, personal values and habits as they relate to climate change and personal actions to curb the effects of global warming. Participants are encouraged to read the book “Global Warming: Changing Course” before attending the sessions.

Branch Out and Enjoy the Fun!

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, January 7
4:00 pm Ottawa Hills Branch – 1150 Giddings SE
4:00 pm West Side Branch – 713 Bridge NW

Thursday, January 14
5:00 pm Madison Square Branch – 1201 Madison SE

Saturday, January 16
2:30 pm Van Belkum Branch – 1563 Plainfield NE

Winter Storytimes
January 11 – March 6, 2010
Let the little ones join in with stories, songs and play activities while the older kids pick out their weekly books.

Tuesdays
11:00 am – Babytime (ages 0-18 months)
Main Library – 111 Library St NE

1:30 pm Storytime (ages 3 and up)
West Leonard Branch – 1017 Leonard NW

Wednesdays
10:30 am Storytime (ages 3 and up)
Madison Square Branch – 1201 Madison SE

10:30 am Babytime (ages 0-18 months)
Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE

10:30 am Babytime (ages 0-18 months)
Yankee Clipper Branch – 2025 Leonard NE

11:00 am Storytime (ages 3 and up)
West Side Branch – 713 Bridge NW

11:00 am Toddlertime (ages 18 months – 3 years)
Main Library – 111 Library St NE

11:00 am Babytime (ages 0-18 months)
West Leonard Branch – 1017 Leonard NW

6:45 pm Storytime (ages 3 and up)
Ottawa Hills Branch – 1150 Giddings SE

Thursdays
10:30 am Storytime (ages 3 and up)
Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE

10:30 am Storytime (ages 3 and up)
Yankee Clipper Branch – 2025 Leonard NE

Fridays
10:30 am Storytime (ages 3 and up)
Van Belkum Branch – 1563 Plainfield NE

Saturdays
11:00 am Family Storytimes
Main Library – 111 Library St NE

A Whale of a Tall Tale Writing Contest
January 1 – February 28, 2010
All Library Locations
Kids – want to tell a “whopper” of a story? Write a story about an ordinary event in your life, or a fictional event, and then stretch that story into a “whopper” of a tall tale. Three winners will receive a $10 gift card to Pooh’s Corner Bookstore and will be featured on the GRPL website. To enter, submit your original story at www.grpl.org/kids. Limited to kids ages 5-12. Limit one story per author. Entries should be no longer than 500 words.

Special Exhibit – Creating a Legacy: The Women of Grand Rapids
January 11 – August 31, 2010
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
This exhibit challenges that myth that women had little impact on public life in the city. This exhibit is not intended to showcase the most influential or outstanding women in Grand Rapids history, rather these individuals represent many time periods and areas of endeavor in which women have helped give our community its distinctive way of life. Meet Dr. Pearl Kendrik and Grace Eldering who created headlines across the nation when they developed the vaccine against whooping cough. Read about Elizabeth Eaglesfield, the first women to practice law in Grand Rapids. (She later obtained a captain’s license and ran a Great Lakes shipping company with her son!) Consider the accomplishments of Evangeline Lamberts, the first woman elected to the Grand Rapids City Commission in 1961. These and many others created a living legacy for the City of Grand Rapids.