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library events & classes www.portagelibrary.info
what’s inside
this month’s newsletter PAGE 2 May 2-13 Library Programs PAGE 3 May 16-30 Library Programs PAGE 4 Portage District Library’s 50th Anniversary PAGE 5 Portage District Library’s 50th Anniversary
library hours Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
library board Betty Lee Ongley Library Board Chair Alisha Siebers Library Board Vice Chair Michele Behr Library Board Trustee Stephanie Brown Library Board Trustee Annee Dunn Library Board Trustee Martha Pacheco Library Board Trustee & Liaison to the Friends of PDL Joe Yantis Library Board Trustee
portage district library
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300 library lane portage, mi 49002 269.329.4544 www.portagelibrary.info
programs & events May 2-13
PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUB Thursday, May 2nd 10:00 AM Age Group: ADULTS Drop-in computer question and answer session. No registration required.
WHAT SOME ARE READING: CHAPTER EIGHT Thursday, May 2nd 6:30 PM Age Group: ADULTS Come join us for our eighth year presenting this book talking soiree. Exchange book titles with other book group members and find out what titles have stimulated lively discussions. You will take home booklists for your book group and your own simmering summer reading. Susan Ramsey and Beth Amidon are back again to share their favorite titles and Gloria Tiller, co-owner of Kazoo Books, will help us look at what are hot and current literary trends. No registration required.
SUNDAYS LIVE: DESERT SQUIRREL STRING BAND Sunday, May 5th 2:00 PM Age Group: ADULTS Come hear this American/ bluegrass acoustic string band from Kalamazoo which includes Rose Willey and Karen Bondarchuk, Vocals; Dan Denov, Bass; Bob Anemone, Guitar; David Code, Fiddle; and Chris Barnes, Banjo/Guitar No registration required.
GEEK DISCUSSION GROUP: APOCALYPTIC/DYSTOPIAN Monday, May 6th 6:00 PM Age Group: ADULTS & TEENS Come to the library at 6 PM on the first Monday of every month and talk about the science fiction or fantasy genre of that evening. Bring a book to use as an example, or just have a book, movie, or even game in mind to talk about. This year long series of informal discussions, moderated by library staff, will lead you
to new reading experiences as you learn about hot subgenres. Share your own reading interests, and learn about others. No registration required.
PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUB Thursday, May 9th 10:00 AM Age Group: ADULTS Drop-in computer question and answer session. No registration required.
INTERNATIONAL MYSTERY BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION Death at the Chateau Bremont by Longworth, M.L. (French #1 in the series) Thursday, May 9th 7:00 PM Age Group: ADULTS Set in charming and historic Aix-enProvence, France, Death at the Château Bremont introduces readers to Antoine Verlaque, the handsome and seductive chief magistrate of Aix, and his on-again, off-again love interest, law professor Marine Bonnet. When local nobleman Etienne de Bremont falls to his death from the family château, the town is abuzz with rumors. Verlaque suspects foul play and must turn to Marine for help when he discovers that she had been a close friend of the Bremonts. This is a lively whodunit steeped in the rich, enticing, and romantic atmosphere of southern France. (Excerpted from mllongworth.com)
No registration required.
CRAFT OF THE PARANORMAL: FEATURING MICHIGAN AUTHOR JENNY TROUT Monday, May 13th 7:00 PM Age Group: ADULTS Fans and aspiring writers of the paranormal/urban fantasy genres won’t want to miss this open discussion with Jenny Trout. Come away with tips and advice for writing paranormal, horror and fantasy titles for YA and adult readers. No registration required.
BIRDS: A MULTI-MEDIA EXHIBIT April 5th – May 31st
SOLO GALLERY: STEVE HESS, WATERCOLOR April 5th – May 31st
Thursday, May 16th 10:00 AM Age Group: ADULTS Drop-in computer question and answer session. No registration required.
KALAMAZOO MACINTOSH USER GROUP (KMUG) Saturday, May 18th 9:00 AM Age Group: ADULTS This drop in group meets the third Saturday of each month. Anyone may attend. The meetings begin with a presentation of a software program, computer or accessory by an experienced club member The meeting continues with a “Help Session.” Experienced Mac users share their in-depth knowledge answering questions about any aspect of the Mac. Beginners on Mac computers are welcome. No registration required.
SUNDAYS LIVE Sunday, May 19th 2:00 PM Age Group: ADULT Jennie Miller & Ginny Parnaby play classic and contemporary tunes on recorder and dulcimer. No registration required.
OPEN FOR DISCUSSION: A DROP-IN BOOK DISCUSSION The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce Tuesday, May 21st 10:30 AM Age Group: ADULTS Harold Fry--retired sales rep, beleaguered husband, passive observer of his own life--decides one morning to walk 600 miles across England to save an old friend. Setting off on the long journey, he wears the wrong jacket, doesn’t have a toothbrush, and leaves his phone at home--in short, he is wholly, endearingly unprepared. But as he travels, Harold finally has time to reflect on his failings as a husband, father, and
friend, and this helps him become someone we (and, more important, his wife Maureen) can respect. After walking for a while in Harold Fry’s very human shoes, you might find that your own fit a bit better. Excerpted from a review by Mia Lipman (Amazon) No registration required.
PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUB Thursday, May 23rd 10:00 AM Age Group: ADULTS Drop-in computer question and answer session. No registration required.
CLASSIC FILM FEST: PRIVATE BUCKAROO Saturday, May 25th 2:00 PM Age Group: TEENS & ADULTS “A Universal Army enlistment promotion, produced as a musical showcase for Harry James, the Andrews Sisters, Joe E. Lewis, and Donald O’Connor & Peggy Ryan. The film’s thin plot has James drafted, and joining him is the band’s lead vocalist Lon Prentice (Dick Foran), who doesn’t believe that Army training and regulations are necessary for anyone of his skill and fame. Shemp Howard (of the Three Stooges) also has the opportunity to clown onstage with the Andrews Sisters during a musical finale, as they perform Don’t Sit Under the Appletree.” We will also show a Popeye army cartoon and several shorts. No registration required.
PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUB Thursday, May 30th 10:00 AM Age Group: ADULTS Drop-in computer question and answer session. No registration required.
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PORTAGE COMPUTER USERS CLUB
programs & events May 16-30
Portage District Library has 50 Years of Growing and Glowing! How long is a half century? It’s 50 years… or 2,600 weeks… or 18,250 days…or 438,000 hours … or 26,280,000 minutes! When you break it down like that, it makes you stop and realize that it’s quite a significant amount of time! But the true impact comes when considering WHAT has happened during that length of time. For the people in the Portage community, it has meant a half century of wonderful library service. Please take a moment now to say “Happy 50th Birthday” to the Portage District Library… and then thank the fine folks who 50 years ago had the foresight and determination to get the ball rolling. It was Mrs. Vivian Belsky and her crew of volunteers who began gathering donated materials back in the fall of 1961, and then in 1962, it was Township Supervisor John Plantefaber who helped the library achieve official status as a township library, setting up shop in the WMU Agricultural School building on W. Milham Ave. In 1963, the library moved to a store front facility in the Portage Shopping Plaza and operated there for 13 years. Mrs. Dorothy Ellis was hired as the first paid librarian and was later joined by two part-time librarians, Maurice Mc Nitt and Olive Halstead. At the same time, Portage officially became a city and the library was given the title of “public” library. From that point forward, the pace accelerated and Frank Hemphill was hired as the new City Librarian, serving in that capacity for over 30 years. During his tenure, Hemphill moved the library in 1976 to a newly constructed building at 300 Library Lane and 20 years later initiated an expansion project that tripled the building’s size. At the dedication of the library in 1976, speakers included then City of Portage Mayor Betty Lee Ongley, who now serves 37 years later as our current Library Board Chair (Thank you, Betty Lee!). One of the most momentous milestones for the library came in 1998 when voters approved
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Exterior of the first Portage Library (a.k.a. The Chicken Coop) located at 1525 West Milham Avenue. March, 1963. (Kalamazoo Gazette Photograph)
Children visiting the first Portage Library located at 1525 West Milham Avenue during the summer of 1962. (Kalamazoo Gazette Photograph)
This image is only labeled “Volunteers Process Books” It was taken inside the first Portage Library at 1525 West Milham Avenue. Summer, 1963. (Kalamazoo Gazette Photograph)
Interior of the first Portage Library (1525 West Milham Avenue). The image is dated May 15th, 1963. (Kalamazoo Gazette Photograph)
Moving books from the first library on Milham Avenue to the new “store front” library located in the Portage Plaza (7526 South Westnedge). December, 1963.
Trying out the new Portage Library book-drop.
Reading-time inside the Portage Store-Front Library located in the Portage Plaza (7526 South Westnedge). Late 1960’s.
Reading-time inside the Portage Store-Front Library located in the Portage Plaza (7526 South Westnedge). Late 1960’s.
Children’s Puppet Show at the Portage Store-Front Library (Portage Plaza – 7526 South Westnedge). 1972, August 17th (Kalamazoo Gazette Photograph)
Moving Day…Staff moves books from the Portage Public Library’s store-front location in the Portage Plaza to the new library located at 300 Library Lane. June 1976.
a a 1.5 separate dedicated library millage in perpetuity and the Library of Michigan officially recognized the library as an independent district library. At that point, Christine Berro was appointed Library Director and started a whirlwind of amazing changes that included technology enhancements (Internet, WiFi, RFID self checkout, online catalog, award winning website) as well as wonderful collection development (CDs, DVDs, research databases, eBooks, etc.) and facility and customer service improvements. The library’s Adult and
Youth Departments, Business Room, Heritage Room, Community Art Wall, meeting rooms and Atrium browsing area are among the best in the state. In fact, in 2004, Portage District Library was given The Library of Michigan Foundation’s State Librarian Excellence Award for excellence in customer service. For 50 years, the library has stood the test of time, and with the loyal support of all of you who “Love Where You Live” and are very proud of your library… we say, Thank You!
Summer Reading Program 2013
at the Portage District Library Summer Reading is free and starts June 5th KEEP READING ALL SUMMER LONG! Children, Teens & Adults
2EGISTER ON LINE AT SUMMERFUN PORTAGELIBRARY INFO
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Look for our Summer Events Calendar at www.portagelibrary.info for all our summer events
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300 LIBRARY LANE PORTAGE, MI 49002 269.329.4544 WWW.P ORTAGELI BRARY.I N FO
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at the Portage District Library FREE EVENT!
Kids Summer Kick-Off/Movie Night June 7, 7:00 pm (Gates open)
Location: Celery Flats Historical Area Movie: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (original version, “G” rating) Movie begins at dusk (Approximately 9:40 pm) 50 years ago the library was created and Portage became a city! Help us celebrate and share all the fun things we have planned for you this summer that tie into our history and the love of reading. The fun begins with our family summer kickoff party on Friday, June 7th at the Celery Flats Historical Area. Bring your blankets and bug spray! Concessions available for purchase. Free entry. A joint venture with the Portage Summer Entertainment Series.
7:00 pm: Gates open 7:30 – 8:15 pm: The Josh and Roy Show, Old-Fashioned Vaudeville Entertainment 8:30 – 9:30 pm: Community-sponsored activity booths and birthday celebration 9:45 pm (dusk): Movie in the park – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Art Encounters: A Festival of Local Music and Art Saturday, August 10, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
FREE EVENT!
Location: Portage Senior Center and Portage District Library Please join us at the 3rd annual Art Encounters event! The afternoon will feature several local musicians, interactive art activities, an artist reception and demonstrations, and is topped off with a “create your own sundae” ice cream social. Art Encounters is a joint venture with the Portage Summer Entertainment Series, the Portage Senior Center, and the Portage District Library. Join us for fun, free events all summer long! Visit the online Events Calendar at www.portagelibrary.info for more information about the Kick-Off, Art Encounters, and other fun happenings at the library. Have a great summer and Happy Reading!
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300 Library Lane | Portage, MI 49002 | 269.329.4544 | www.portagelibrary.info
What’s Coming to PDL in June! YOUTH SUMMER READING PROGRAM! Starts June 5th
Starting June 2nd The Library will be CLOSED on Sundays
ADULT SUMMER READING PROGRAM! Starts June 5th
TEEN SUMMER READING PROGRAM Starts June 5th
Traveling off the Beaten Path & Close to Home June 19th Steve Ellis, publisher of Spark Magazine will present photos
Summer Kick Off Party June 7th The fun begins with a family kickoff party at the Celery Flats
Teen Advisory Group Meeting
June 8th Thousands of books for sale
Business Research Essentials June 10th Discover resources to help make decisions about your business
www.portagelibrary.info
June 19th Children will build language skills listening to stories
Movies of the 1960’s: Goldfinger
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Be sure to go to the library website and see ALL of the Summer Programs the Library has to offer!
Family Storytime
Beyond Fifty Shades June 12th Two Librarians share their favorite steamy beach reads
Lunch & Learn June 13th Discover the nocturnal world of animals
June 19th
June 20th Teen who volunteer to help plan events at the library
LEGO! LEGO! LEGO! June 21st Come on in and express your creativity
Art Around the World! D-3 June 22nd Get ready to become an adventurer
Dig into a World Below Your Feet June 24th Explore the strange world below your feet
Decade Day: 60’s
June 14th
June 26th Come to the library dressed in 60’s garb along with the staff
Baby & Toddler Time
It Came from Below
Movie: Forrest Gump
June 17th A special time for children from birth to 23 months
June 27th Come unearth an amazing array of history’s mysteries
Exploring the Celery Flats
Classic Film Fest: Road to Morocco
June 17th Explore the rich natural world along the trail
June 29th Road to Morocco