Holida

Just a reminder, all branches of the Chippewa River District Library will be closing as of 6pm on Wednesday November 26th and will remain closed the 27th and 28th for the holiday. Library services will resume on Saturday the 29th.

CRDL Teen Night: Video Game Open Play

Put it on your calendar. Tuesday, December 9th we're opening the CRDL Annex Meeting Room for another CRDL Teen Night. This time there's no tournament, no specific game, we're just going to turn on the video game systems for a couple hours and go to town. We've got a couple Wii's, an X-Box, and a couple Nintendo Game Cubes that we'll have hooked up and ready. There's no registration for this one, just a free-for-all for the teens.

Just remember that CRDL Teen Nights are for teens in grades 7-12.

Bring your friends and we'll see you there.

Bats on the Brain

I just checked with the Organization for Bat Conservation and they're all set to present "Bats of the World" on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Library. The presentation starts at 2pm, it's free and open to the public, but seating space is limited (you might want to get there a little early). And incase you were wondering, yes they will be bringing live bats with them.

We hope to see you Saturday

CRDL Teen Pizza Taste Off - and the winner is..?

This past Tuesday, teens from throughout our community sacrificed their time and put their taste buds on the line to determine who, in their opinion, makes the best pizza. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a pizza wheel. They nibbled, pondered, savored, made notes, and nibbled again. Some nodded, confirming their previous impression; others shook their heads as preconceived beliefs were changed. And in the end one pizza restaurant emerged victorious.

Yea, you’re right, I don’t think it was that torturous for a group of teens to eat a bunch of free pizza and vote for what they thought was the best. All in all it was a fun evening, a chance for teens to gather in a safe and structured environment, a chance for them to grow socially and emotionally…just don’t tell them that. They still think it was all about the pizza.

Once all the tables were wiped down, and the empty boxes were thrown away (according to the county website, they don’t accept pizza boxes for recycling), we had our winners. Before we tell you who the teens picked, I want to say that all the pizza contributions were mouth-watering, and the results were very close. But the teens cast their votes and the award for Best Crust went to Papa John’s. Domino’s took home the award for best sauce. The Award for Best Cheese went to Papa John’s. And the coveted Best Overall Taste award went to…here’s where the drum roll goes)…Papa John’s. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the pizza restaurants that took the time and put their pizza on the line to help provide teens in our community an opportunity for social, emotional, cognitive, and cultural growth. While every pizza restaurant we could find was invited, only a handful stepped up to the challenge; Domino’s, Papa John’s, Hungry Howie’s, the Pixie, the Bird Bar & Grill, Marrita’s, and Cottage Inn, your support is greatly appreciated. The next time pizza’s your choice for the evening (or any other time), I urge you to consider supporting those who have stepped up to support our community.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could have free pizza every day? Unfortunately we can’t, but your Chippewa River District Library has a lot of other fun and free events on the calendar. This Saturday the 22nd the Organization for Bat Conservation is presenting Bats of the World at Veterans Memorial Library at 2pm, and yes they’re bringing live bats with them. The teens probable already have the Super Smash Brothers Brawl tournament on Nov. 25th and the Mario Kart tournament on Dec. 16th on their calendars. Jack Westbrook will present Isabella County 1859-2009 A Pictorial History on Thursday December 4th at 6pm at Veterans Memorial Library. Jazz and More at the Library returns on Sunday December 14th with a free performance by David Schock and Bernie Meltsner. Jazz and More at the Library is made possible by the Friends of the Library, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and Art Reach of Mid Michigan. Then on Thursday December 18th you can jump, jive, and wail with the Boogie Woogie Babies at 6:30pm at Veterans Memorial Library.

For a complete list of events and activities happening throughout your Chippewa River District Library system click http://www.crdl.org/

Tomorrow teens from around Central Michigan will put their taste buds on the line to determine who makes the best pizza. CRDL Teen Night: Pizza Taste Off will start at 6pm in the Chippewa River District Library Annex Meeting Room at Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant.

CRDL Teen Night: Pizza Taste Off is open to teens in grades 7-12 and is free, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Register at the Veterans Memorial Library Children’s Desk, or call 989.773.3242 ext. 13.

Tomorrow night Dominoes, Papa Johns, Hungry Howie's, the Pixie, the Bird Bar & Grill, Marrita's, and Cottage Inn Pizza will all put their pizza to the test.

Tomorrow night teens in grades 7-12 will vote on crust, sauce, cheese, and overall flavor. They will then award honors to those they’ve chosen as the best in each category. Check http://www.crdl.org/ on the 19th for a complete list of participants and winners.

CRDL Holiday Closing - November 2008

All branches of the Chippewa River District Library system will close at 6pm on Wednesday
November 26th and remain closed on Thursday November 27th and Friday November 28th 2008 so that our patrons and employees may spend the holidays with friends and family. Library services will resume on Saturday November 29th.

Click for individual branch locations and hours

CRDL Lapsit Storytime on November 26th

CRDL Lapsit Storytime is designed for children from birth to 24 months of age. Exposure to the rhythms of language and music can help introduce very young children to books and reading. Traditional rhymes, basic finger plays, bounces, and activity songs, as well as circle activities that utilize both large and small motor skills are incorporated in the Lapsit program. In addition, caregivers work with their children to help build the bond between them.
Early literacy is what children know about reading before they can actually read and write. Research shows that children get ready to read years before they start school. Developing important skills now will help children become great readers.

Six pre-reading skills children can start learning from birth are:

Narrative skills – Being able to describe things and events and tell stories
Print motivation – Being interested in and enjoying books
Vocabulary – Knowing the names of things
Phonological awareness – Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words
Letter knowledge – Knowing letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds and recognizing letters everywhere
Print awareness - Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page

During CRDL Lapsit Storytime, we pick one or two of the “six pre-reading skills” and put together a series of stories, music and activities designed to develop those particular skills. While we can’t focus on all six skills at once, we make it a priority to spotlight at least one or two of the skills at each CRDL Lapsit Storytime and then give parents ideas of how to work on developing those skills at home.

CRDL Lapsit Storytime is free, open to the public, and happens the last Wednesday of each month. For more information about CRDL Lapsit Storytime, or more information about events and activities happening at your CRDL call 989.773.3242 or click http://www.crdl.org/.

Super Smash Brothers Brawl Tournament

With Wii controllers in hand, teens from around Central Michigan will battle it out to see who will be our Super Smash Brothers Brawl Tournament.

WHEN: Tuesday November 25th 6pm-8pm
WHERE: At Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant
WHO: For teen in grades 7-12
WHAT: Space is limited, pre-registration is required. Call 989.773.3242 ext 13.

Are you registered yet? Why not? Register at the Children's Desk at Veterans Memorial Library or call 989.773.3242 ext 13. before the tournament is full.

Upcoming Events at your CRDL

CRDL Storytime

Monday & Thursday, 10:15am at Veterans Memorial Library

Wednesday, 11am at Faith Johnston Memorial Library

CRDL Music and Movement

Wednesday, 10:15 at Veterans Memorial Library

Read more about CRDL Music and Movement and Lapsit Storytime in the Morning Sun

Family Photo Tree: CRDL Adult Crafts

Wednesday, 4pm at Veterans Memorial Library

CRDL After School Programs CRDL After School Lounge   Open 2:30pm-5pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in the CRDL Annex Meeting Room CRDL After School Homework Help   Available Wednesday and Thursday 3pm-6pm at Veterans Memorial Library CRDL Create, Make, & Take   Thursday, 4pm at Faith Johnston Memorial Library   After school crafts for the kids to create, make, and take home

In the CRDL Computer Training Center   Basic Word Processing - Monday, 6:30pm in the CRDL Computer Training Center   Build a Web Page - Thursday, 6:30pm in the CRDL Computer Training Center   Spreadsheets: Charts & Formulas - Friday, 11am in the CRDL Computer Training Center Classes in the CRDL Computer Training Center are free but space is limited, pre-registration is required.  Call 989.773.3242 ext 33 to register.

Thursday Events at your CRDL

CRDL Storytime happens today at 10:15am at Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant. CRDL Storytime is designed for pre-school age children.

The CRDL After School Lounge is open from 2:30pm-5pm in the CRDL Annex Meeting Room. Yesterday we set up the projector and everybody picked a movie.

CRDL After School Homework Help is avalable today from 3pm-6pm at Veterans Memorial Library. Homework help is avaiable from volunteer CMU students enrolled in the College of Education and Human Services.

CRDL Create, Make, and Take after School Crafts starts today at 4pm at Faith Johnston Memorial Library in Rosebush.

Response to the Craft of Dollmaking program with CMU's Museum of Cultural and Natural History has been so overwhelming we've decided to open up a second sessions. The first session starts tonight at 6pm in the CRDL Library Annex Meeting Room. Session 2 will start at 7:30pm and go until 9pm

As always, you can get the full schedule of events and activities happening at your Chippewa River District Library online at http://www.youseemore.com/chippewa/calendar.asp.

CRDL Health Notes "Healthy Food for the Holidays"

Cookies, cakes, pies, candy....you can't get thru the holidays without them, but we're going to show you how to put together fun and healthy holiday foods.

On Thursday November 20th Vivian Pifher from the MSU Extension Office will show us that healthy foods and the holidays do mix. See what foods can be created while still making the holidays delicious.

CRDL Health Notes is a free fun family program, starts at 5pm, and will be held at Faith Johnston Memorial Library in Rosebush.

CRDL Mad Science "Owls From the Inside Out"

The response to our CRDL Mad Science program series has been outstanding. Watching the kids faces as they experiment with cow eyeballs, slime, even water really reminds us of why we do what we do. Our upcoming program is no exception.

On Wednesday November 19th we're teaming up again with the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum to present "Owls from the Inside Out". Kids in grades 3-6 will get up close as an avian expert uses live owls to show us the characteristics that help owls adapt to a predatory way of life. We'll dissect owl pellets to investigate the diet of a barn owl, learn about food chains and the role of avian predators in an ecosystem and gain an introduction to skeletal anatomy and prey identification.

CRDL Mad Science "Owls from the Inside Out" starts at 4:15pm on Wednesday the 19th in the CRDL Community Rooms at Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant. The program is free and is designed for children in grades 3-6. Space is limited, therefore, pre-registration is required. Register at the Veterans Memorial Library Children's Desk or call 989.773.3242 ext 13.

CRDL Mad Science "Owls from the Inside Out" is a distance learning program offered by the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum in which we use videoconferencing technology to share science demonstrations and activities with children, engaging them in an active, hands-on experience.

CRDL Mad Science "Owls from the Inside Out" is made possible by a grant from the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

Today's Readers are Tomorrow's Leaders

Early childhood literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can read and write. Research shows that our kids actually get ready to read years before they start school, and you’ll never guess where they learn it….yep, right at home. Every time you read to your young child, you teach and reinforce six pre-reading skills: Print Motivation (being interested and enjoying books), Narrative Skills (being able to describe things and events and tell stories), Vocabulary (knowing the names of things), Phonological Awareness (being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words), Letter Knowledge (knowing letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds and recognizing letters everywhere), and Print Awareness (noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page). So when they ask for an extra story or two at bedtime go ahead, you’re not only making them smarter, you’re getting them ready to become tomorrow’s leaders. Didn’t know you were imparting so much knowledge into your little ones just by reading Goodnight Moon did you?

Have your kids ever spent time singing, clapping, and dancing? What child hasn’t? Next time join them, they’re actually making themselves smarter. Children are born with the ability to respond to music and sound. That means that before they can talk, they connect with sound. Singing, clapping, and dancing alters the anatomy of the brain. Early musical experiences intensify the development of interconnections between brain cells (neuronal synapses). Essentially, early musical experiences enhance a child’s ability to think, learn, reason and create. But for music to have a profound effect on the brain, your child must actively participate in the musical activities. They need to feel, make, hear, and memorize sounds and patterns; basically they need to sing, clap, and dance.

Having said that, have you ever attended CRDL Lapsit Storytime or CRDL Music & Movement at your library? CRDL Lapsit Storytime is a time for you and your little one to bond over books, rhymes, and music. For the first part of the program, we explore different ways to share books with your child, play with nursery rhymes, and move to some music. After that, parents get a chance to chat with other parents as they all play with their children with library provided age-appropriate toys. During CRDL Lapsit Storytime, we pick one or two of the six pre-reading skills and put together a series of stories, music and activities designed to develop those particular skills. While we can’t focus on all six skills at once, we make it a priority to spotlight at least one or two of the skills at each CRDL Lapsit Storytime and give parents ideas of how to work on developing those skills at home.

CRDL Music & Movement gives you a chance to sing and dance with your child! Wave some ribbons, play with scarves, tap some rhythm sticks, and shake some shaker eggs. Let your inner child come out and play as you help your child develop interconnections between brain cells and develop their ability to learn.

Lifelong learning starts from the moment we first open our eyes. Are you giving your children the opportunity to become tomorrow’s leaders?

CRDL Teen Night: Gaming, Gabbing, and Good Food

On Tuesday November 18th 2008, the Faith Johnston Memorial Library branch of your Chippewa River District Library System will host CRDL Teen Night: Gaming, Gabbing, and Good Food starting at 6:30pm. CRDL Teen Night: Gaming, Gabbing, and Good Food is open to teens in grades 7-12 and is a free event.

CRDL Teen Night: Gaming, Gabbing, and Good Food gives teen a chance to gather, play video and non-video games, enjoy some teen approved snacks, and build relationships with other teens in our area.

For a complete list of events and activities happening at your Chippewa River District Library call 989.773.3242 or click http://www.crdl.org/.

CRDL Teen Night: Pizza Taste Off

On Tuesday November 18th 2008, teens from around Central Michigan will put their taste buds on the line to determine who makes the best pizza. CRDL Teen Night: Pizza Taste Off will start at 6pm in the Chippewa River District Library Annex Meeting Room at Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant. CRDL Teen Night: Pizza Taste Off is open to teens in grades 7-12 and is free, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Register at the Veterans Memorial Library Children’s Desk, or call 989.773.3242 ext. 13.

Pizza restaurants throughout Central Michigan were invited to participate. To date, the Pixie in Mt. Pleasant, Papa John’s in Mt. Pleasant, Cottage Inn Pizza in Mt. Pleasant, Hungry Howies in Mt. Pleasant, and Marrita’s in Shepherd have stepped up to the challenge with more to follow.

The night of the CRDL Teen Night: Pizza Taste Off, teens in grades 7-12 will vote on crust, sauce, cheese, and overall flavor. They will then award honors to those they’ve chosen as the best in each category. Check http://www.crdl.org/ on the 19th for a complete list of participants and winners.

Freedom, Slavery and the Roots of American Music

On Monday November 17th, 2008 the Chippewa River District Library will present Freedom, Slavery and the Roots of American Music starting at 2pm in the Chippewa River District Library Annex Meeting Room at Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant. Freedom, Slavery and the Roots of American Music is a free program and is open to the public.

During the program, Ray Kamalay will trace the development of early American music from its links to slavery up to the early jazz age. Mr. Kamalay will discuss freedom, ancient and modern slavery, liberty, spirituals, blues, minstrel shows, ragtime and jazz. Being a longtime professional musician, Mr. Kamalay will include performances of the various genres.

Ray Kamalay is a Detroit native, with a degree in philosophy from the University of Detroit. He has made a living as a musician since 1974 and has performed at such prestigious venues as, Edinburgh, Interlochen and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. In 1998, his work with Howard Armstrong, a National Heritage Fellow, was nominated for the W. C. Handy Award.

CRDL Veterans Day Closing

All branches of the Chippewa River District Library system will be closed on Tuesday November 11th, 2008 in observance of Veterans Day and will use this day for staff in-service training.

November and December are certainly busy holiday months and much is done and said about Thanksgiving and Christmas but not much attention is given to Veterans Day. This holiday is especially meaningful to the Chippewa River District Library as our main branch building is named Veterans Memorial Library. It has been our library’s tradition to close the all branches of the Chippewa River District Library system once a year for a staff in-service on or near Veterans Day. This year the library will be closed on Tuesday, November 11. We take closing the library very seriously and try to utilize this day to the utmost. Staff training is very important as we strive to bring you the best service possible.

The significance of Veterans Day is that a cease fire went into effect for World War I on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. And so this began our tradition of thanking and honoring all those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime, with Armistice Day on November 11, 1919. Then on June 1, 1954 President Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From 1971 to 1978 Veterans Day was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October but due to public demand the holiday was returned to November 11.