Blog & News

They say April showers bring May flowers, and so far April is fulfilling her end of the bargain!  But if the much-needed rain keeps coming, we have some great indoor activities planned for you here at the library (and even if it doesn’t keep raining, we love to see you here!).  If you’ve stopped by the library recently, you may have noticed part of the Tri-Cities Historical Museum’s Ice Age Imperials exhibit.  There is a display of fossils and other interesting objects by the Local History Room. In Youth Services, kids of all ages have been enjoying a dig pit where they can pretend to be paleontologists and uncover Ice Age fossils.

We’ll also be hosting our first lecture for the exhibit on April 25 at 7pm: The Search for Ancient Caribou Hunters beneath Lake Huron. University of Michigan professor John O’Shea will talk about some of the first people who lived in the Great Lakes Region. A list of all the lectures hosted by both Spring Lake District Library and Loutit District Library can be found here.

Another history program this month is Sojourners and the Single Girl on April 10 at 7pm.  Marjorie Viveen of Questers International will be at the library to talk about the lives of Grand River fur traders in the 1830s.  The next day, April 11, Hospice of Michigan is sponsoring Handling Grief and Loss at 7pm.  Meant for anyone adjusting to the death of a loved one, this program will provide an opportunity to share one’s feelings and gain a greater understand of positive ways to cope.  Please pre-register for this program by contacting Dan or Desiree in Grief Support Services at 231.773.5394 ext. 8382.

April 14-20 is National Library Week, and we’re celebrating with a variety of programs.  Starting on Monday April 15 at 7pm, award-winning photographer Judge Ed Post will give an illustrated talk on how to take beautiful pictures of birds and flowers.  This lecture is a must for anyone wanting to learn how to take better pictures of nature!

From 12pm Tuesday April 16 through 2pm on Thursday April 18, the library in association with Comprenew will be hosting an Electronics Recycling Event.  People are encouraged to bring in their old office and household electronics along with computer equipment and accessories for recycling.  Recycling electronic waste helps prevent toxins from leaching into our soil and groundwater.    The library will receive $.02 per pound for everything brought in for recycling.

On Wednesday April 17 at 7pm, we’re excited to host Roosevelt Diggs in a special midweek Music by the Fireplace event.  They’ll be playing family friendly selections from their new album American Folklore.

Earth Day will be celebrated at the library on Monday April 22 at 7pm with a program on Climate Changes and Rising Sea Levels.  Kevin B Strychar, Ph.D. will come to talk about myths and bad science as well as the facts surrounding climate change.  The next Tuesday, we’ll take a look at water conservation and the benefits of rain barrels at 7pm.  Experts from the Ottawa Conservation District will talk about how we can do a better job conserving water and even give away 2 free rain barrels in a drawing!

As usual, we have a slate of computer programs scheduled throughout April.  Our upcoming classes are found on our computer class page. They include classes on scanning photos and sharing digital photos along with classes on downloading eBooks and iPad basics.  For all computer classes, we ask you that pre-register to make sure a spot is available.

We also have a variety of Youth Services programs coming up from our regularly scheduled Storytimes to Teen’Scape to a special Stuffed Animal Sleepover!  Our Kids’ Event Calendar shows just the childrens’ events every month if that’s what you focus on.

Spring Break might be over, but April is still full of excitement here at the library.  From Ice Age Imperials lectures to kids’ programs to National Library Week, we have a lot going on here – and we can’t wait to see you!