Friday, May 29, 2009

Friday at your CRDL


The TRACES BUS-eum "Held in the Heartland" will be parked outside of Veterans Memorial Library today (Friday) from 10am-1pm. Admission is FREE.


It's hard to believe that Monday is June 1st and that school is almost out. But what's really exciting is the fact that we're only a week away from the start of your CRDL Summer Reading Program. Registration starts Monday June 8th!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Express Yourself @ Your Library


This year's CRDL Summer Reading Program is all about being creative and expressing yourself through the arts, so this summer we're giving teens from around central Michigan a chance to express themselves musically. The first ever CRDL Summer Reading Program Battle of the Bands is on the calendar for Saturday June 27th at the Veterans Memorial Library branch of the Chippewa River District Library system. We are proud to have Today's Best Music 95.3 CFX, B’s Music, and the Isabella County Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking join us in giving teens an avenue to showcase their musical talents in a safe environment.


Join us on Saturday June 27th as we give teens from throughout central Michigan a chance to get out of their parents basements and garages and perform in front of an audience in a safe and encouraging environment. Registration forms for the first ever CRDL Summer Reading Program Battle of the Bands can be picked up at B’s Music, any CRDL branch library, or online at crdl.org.


The Battle of the Bands isn’t the only way teens will be able to express themselves during this year’s CRDL Summer Reading Program. Teens can register for the CRDL Summer Reading Program starting Monday June 8th at any CRDL branch or online at crdl.org. Accumulate points by reading and checking off items from your SRP To-Do list”. Points add up to prizes, and yes we’re throwing in chocolate again this year. After prize number 6 we’ll toss your name in the hat for a chance to win an Ipod Shuffle generously provided by the Isabella County Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking.


One way to accumulate points is by attending CRDL Summer Reading Program events and activities. On Tuesday June 16th at 6pm Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant will host an ice cream social and paperback book exchange. If ice cream’s not your thing, Faith Johnston Memorial Library will have a CRDL Teen Gaming Night at 6:30pm on the 16th.


Tuesday June 23rd Veterans Memorial Library will welcome Henna Tattoo artist Anshu Varma at 6pm. Don’t worry Mom, there are no needles and no they’re not permanent.


Michigan resident and graphic novel artist Jane Irwin will return to Veterans Memorial Library on Tuesday July 7th at 6pm. At CRDL Pizza and Pages we’ll be discussing Inkheart by Cornelia Funke while munching on free pizza. CRDL Pizza and Pages is set for Tuesday July 14th at 6pm at Veterans Memorial Library.


He started with bookmarks and wallets and eventually made his own prom tuxedo and his date’s prom dress. William Beacom will show you how to create with duct tape on Thursday July 21st at 6pm at Veterans Memorial Library.


We’ll open the doors at Faith Johnston Memorial Library in Rosebush for another CRDL Teen Gaming Night on Thursday July 21st.


Some events have space and size limitations, some events require registration, but all events and activities are free. The easiest thing to do is click the CRDL Summer Reading Program at crdl.org and see why everybody is saying I Love My Library.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Counting down to SRP


We’re just about ready to dot the I’s and cross the T’s on your CRDL Summer Reading Program schedule of events at your Chippewa River District Library. Besides the list of special performers visiting your library that we went over last week, there’s a full schedule of fun activities for all ages.


CRDL Storytime and Kid Stuff Crafts take place each week at all six CRDL branch locations. In Mt. Pleasant bring the kids to a CRDL Storytime on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:15am at Veterans Memorial Library. Kid Stuff Crafts happen each Thursday at 2pm at Veterans Memorial Library.


Other CRDL Storytimes and Kid Stuff Crafts to put on your calendar: Mondays at 1pm at the Fremont Township Branch Library in Winn, Tuesdays at 2pm at the Weidman Public Library in Weidman, Wednesdays at 11am at the Rolland Township Library in Blanchard, Wednesdays at 11am at Faith Johnston Memorial Library in Rosebush, and Thursdays at 1:30pm at the Coe Township Library in Shepherd. This summer we’re going to Be Creative at your Library with fun Kid Stuff crafts such as Now You See It: Collage, Ham It Up, I’ve Got Rhythm, Crafty Creations, Build It, and Quick Quilts. Kid Stuff crafts are recommended for children in grades Kindergarten and up. Space is limited; Kid Stuff crafts will be available to the first 40 children on a first-come-first-serve basis.


CRDL Summer Reading Program Music and Movement should be on your calendar for Wednesday June 3rd, Wednesday July 1st, and Wednesday August 5th all at 10:15am at Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant. CRDL Music and Movement is for children up to 5 years old.


Teens around Central Michigan will enjoy more events this summer than ever. An Ice Cream Social and Paperback Book Exchange and Gaming Gabbing & Good Food on June 16th, Henna Tatoos with Anshu Varma on June 23rd, the first ever CRDL Battle of the Bands on June 27th, Graphic Novel Art with Jane Irwin on July 7th, CRDL Pizza and Pages on July 14th, William Beacom ‘the Duct Tape Guy’ on July 21st, and another Gaming Gabbing & Good Food on July 21st. Click events at crdl.org for times, details, and locations of teen events at your Chippewa River District Library.


For Mom and Dad we’ve put together the CRDL Brown Bag Artist Series. Each Monday at Noon a different artist will share their talent with you at Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant. Needle Felting and Wool Rolling with Lavana Shurtliff, the Marimba with musician Tim Mocny, the Gardens of France with Carol Miller, local metal sculptor Rose Wunderbaum Traines, and Michigan musician Mike List are just some of the events you’ll enjoy this summer as you Master the Art of Reading.


With Summer Reading Programs for children, teens, and adults, the whole family can participate and stay engaged in reading and learning. Click events at crdl.org for a full schedule of CRDL Summer Reading Program events and to see why everybody is saying I Love My Library.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Countdown to CRDL Summer Reading Program


We are less than a month away from your CRDL Summer Reading Program. Registration starts June 8th at crdl.org or at any CRDL branch. Register, read, and earn prizes.


Click crdl.org for more information on your CRDL Summer Reading Program.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Special Performance TODAY!!!


Don't miss a special performace by the Storytellers. Today, 10:15am at Veterans Memorial Library, 4pm at Faith Johnston Memorial Library.

Thursday, May 07, 2009


Studies show that students who don’ t read during the summer can experience “summer set-back”, losing ground in learning and returning to school less ready for the next year than when they began their summer break. So, yes there is an educational benefit to exercising your mind as well as your body this summer, but it’s also fun. Not only will the stories contained in the pages of a book take you on a journey to far off places, but a series of programs and special performances happening throughout the summer at your library will add to the journey.


On Wednesday June 17th at 11am Joel Tacey will bring his Circus Creatus Comedy Show to your library for two shows. Amazing tricks, books, music, and art come together at the library during Joel’s exciting new show. Featuring dazzling juggling and a creative whirlwind of new tricks and audience favorites, Joel’s Circus Creatus Comedy Show has something for everyone. Kids and parents alike will have BIG fun at the library at hear positive reading messages throughout the show. Catch Joel’s free show at 11am at Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant, or at 3pm at Faith Johnston Memorial Library in Rosebush.


Then join us at Veterans Memorial Library on Wednesday June 24th at 11am. Using puppetry, music, laughter, poetry, imagination, audience participation, and humor, Kevin Kammeraad will share his love of writing, reading, music, and art with us during his show.


Lori Fithian and Drummunity visit your Veterans Memorial Library at 11am on Wednesday July 8th. Drummunity is a unique, interactive program where everyone participates. Using hand drums, percussion, and simple drum circle games. Lori will bring her collection of instruments from all over the world and create a positive experience that will leave everyone smiling.


You can Be c-READ-active at your library on Wednesday July 15th. The Acting Up Theater Company will perform at 11am at Veterans Memorial Library and at 3pm at Faith Johnston Memorial Library. What if you were paid ten million dollars and all you had to do was paint a picture? That’s what the famous artiste Pate’ Brushe’ has been assigned to do, but unfortunately he has lost all of his creativity, imagination and inspiration so he has spent the last 6 months playing Guitar Hero instead of painting. But today is the day the museum is expecting the painting to be done so Pate’ is then visited by some friends who help him to “BE CREATIVE”. His friends then leave him with a bit of advice and creativity and at the very end each of them is transformed by not only their own imaginations but through the power of BOOKS as well. The show “Be c-READ-ative!” has all of the Acting Up Theatre Company staples that have been with them since their very first production ten years ago. Revolving colorful characters, fast moving action, comedy, pop-culture references, a moral and of course the audience participation that will have everyone in the place yelling: “BE CREATIVE!” With the audience’s help, a few books and some imagination the painting is done, the book is written and the opera is sung and the “Creativity Emergency” is all fixed.


Wednesday July 22nd Baffling Bill the Magician will show us the Magic of Reading. Baffling Bill’s show is an effective educational program that uses magic as a medium to teach the importance of reading. See magical effects used to emphasize the fun and importance of reading in everyday life. Showtime is 11am at Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant.


Each Friday throughout the summer we’ll pop some popcorn and open the doors to the CRDL Cinema. Each movie will start at 2pm at Veterans Memorial Library. Click events for a full schedule of movies and to see why everybody is saying I Love My Library.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

The Storytellers are coming to your Library


If the date isn't circled on your calendar yet it should be. Monday May 11th your Chippewa River District Library system will welcome The Storytellers and their Be Creative: Musical Folktales Concert. Be Creative: Musical Folktales uses out of the ordinary musical instruments together with the imaginative talents of Audrey and Robert Allison to create interactive stories, beautiful music, and humor.

Audrey’s uncanny vocal effects and multiple voices distinguish her as one of today’s finest storytellers. Robert has performed with Diane Carroll, Della Reese, Andy Williams, Buddy Rich, Barry Manilow, even the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

The Storytellers use instruments from around the world; rhumba box, m’bira keyboard, djembe, berimbau, udu, didgeridoo cuica, dondo, even steel drums to create Brazilian melodies, familiar American songs, Caribbean tunes, Australian melodies, original compositions and more to accompany their stories.

On Monday May 11th The Storytellers will bring their unique show to Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant at 10:15am and to Faith Johnston Memorial Library in Rosebush at 4pm. Grab your family, friends and neighbors and get ready for a one of a kind performance. Both shows are family friendly and free but seating is limited, so get there early.

Click events at crdl.org and see why everybody's saying I Love My Library.