=> from the SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER ... September 27, 2009 TOT TIME @ Schoolcraft Community Library---- November 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th from 9:30-10:30 A.M. ... TOT Time is a special program for those children 18—36 months and their parents to come and enjoy a time of singing, fingerplays, stories and free play. The first 20 minutes are spent on the floor with children and parents doing songs with movement, fingerplays, a book or two and then the remainder of the time is spent in free play for the children where the parents also have a chance to interact and share with one another. It's a great place to meet new friends and play at the library!! Space is very limited so call today and reserve a spot. 679-5959. Pre-registration is required.

=> NEW ADULT BOOKS ... September 27, 2009
* The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
* Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods
* A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve
* Dying for Mercy by Mary Jane Clark
* Hiding in the Spotlight: a musical prodigy's story of survival 1941-1946 by Greg Dawson
* Hardball by Sara Paretsky, Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler, Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
* An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
* The Healing of America by T. R. Reid
* The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith
* Twitter for Dummies
* The Grave Thief by Tom Lloyd

=> from the SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER ... September 14, 2009 PRESCHOOL STORYHOUR @ Schoolcraft Community Library— "CREATURE FEATURE"---The Schoolcraft Community Library will be hosting its fall preschool storyhour for children ages 3-5 years of age. "Creature Feature" will be held on Wednesday mornings from 10 A.M. to 10:45 A.M. beginning September 23rd and ending October 28th. Storytime includes stories, fingerplays and songs, craft and snack. Pre-registration is required and can be done be calling the library at 679-5959. Call ahead as space is limited. 1897-1920 Michigan Death Certificates Available on the Web through Seeking Michigan ----- Library Project Digitized nearly 1 million records!!! For those genealogists out there note that the Michigan death records collection at Seeking Michigan covering the years 1897 to 1920 is now largely complete. There are now more than 960,000 death certificates available for free at this site, meaning that the project is now 99% complete. These records-never before available electronically—are indexed for easy searching by name, death date, location and age and hold tremendous research opportunities for genealogists, historians and students. This digital project is based on the Library of Michigan's collection of microfilmed Michigan death records from1897-1920. Of the 302 rolls of film only 1 roll has not yet been added to the site. Seeking Michigan is a project of the Library of Michigan and the Archives of Michigan and this information rich site includes: * More than 100,000 pages of Civil War documents * Approximately 10,000 photographs * A variety of Michigan sheet musicNearly 1 million death records * A broad section about Michigan's past 44 governors * Works Progress Administration date (circa 1936-1942) about land and buildings throughout rural Michigan * Oral histories with notable Michigan residents Seeking Michigan was made possible with generous funding from the Talbert and Leota Abrams Foundation, a non-profit that primarily focuses on funding library and educational science programs. The National Historic Publications and Records Commission provided additional funding. So, start your genealogy search today by visiting seekingmichigan.org. SCHOOLCRAFT FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY "SILENT AUCTION" ---Saturday, October 10th ... The Schoolcraft Friends of the Library will be hosting a Silent Auction on Saturday, October 10th at the Ken Krum Center from 7-9 P.M. This is a fun event for the whole family and there will be goodies to eat, entertainment and lots of items for everyone to bid on. Some of the items include: 2 free massages at Mais Chiropractic, $25 gift certificates at Big C Lumber, basket from Chocolate Tea, 18 hole golf passes to Old Mill Golf, Halloween Webkins, bushel of apples, basket from Big Island Quilts, handmade quilt and other handmade items, gift certificates for homemade rolls from Judy Oliphant, scrapbooking basket, gift certificates from Good To Go, Marjo's Heirloom Rose, and Bounceland, pillow and greeting cards made by Emily Coleman, stuffed animal made by Abby Chapin, Whitewashed Longenberger Recipe Box with cards, Purse from Tonya's Totes, 3 night weekend stay at Kitty Cat Bed and Breakfast, haircut at Country Styles, Principal for the Day at Upper Elementary and Early Elementary and more. In addition to items for the Silent Auction, there will be items auctioned off in a "Live Auction" throughout the night. Come join us and support your local library. Any further questions or if you have an item or a service you would like to donate to the cause call the library at 679-5959. Many thanks.

=> from the SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER ... September 7, 2009 "THINKFINITY" A NEW RESOURCE ON MEL.ORG ... There is a new resource available at mel.org (Michigan Electronic Library) that should prove very useful for students and teachers and home school families alike. Thinkfinity can be found at http://more.mel.org or just go to mel.org and click on the link MORE (Michigan Online Resources for Educators). Thinkfinity.org is the Verizon Foundation's free, comprehensive web site containing more than 55,000 educational resources, including standards-based, grade-specific, K-12 lesson plans, student interactive tools and reference materials. Content is provided through a partnership between Verizon Foundation and 11 of the nation's leading educational organizations: American Assoc. for Advancement of Science, The International Reading Assoc., the John F. Kennedy center for the Performing Arts, National Center for Family Literacy, Council for Economic Education, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Council of Teachers of English, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Geographic Society, ProLiteracy and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Thinkfinity.org also offers a free, robust professional development program for teachers and trainers. For more information on this professional development, contact Karen Hairston at hairstonk@michigan.gov.

=> NEW ADULT BOOKS ... September 7, 2009
* The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
* Bringing Down the House: the inside story of six M.I.T. students who took Vegas for millions by Ben Mezrich
* Traveling with Pomegranates: a mother daughter story by Sue Monk Kid
* My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme
* The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
* End the Fed by Ron Paul
* Day after Night by Anita Diamant

=> NEW DVD's ... September 7, 2009
* Fireproof * Gran Torino * Nights in Rodanthe * Twilight * The Secret Life of Bees * The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 * The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

=> from the SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER ... August 31, 2009 HEALTH SERVICES IN MICHIGAN ... Did you know that you can go out on medlineplus.gov/MI to get information on a variety of health issues and concerns. Anything from Drug Abuse Treatment Centers to Financial Assistance is available. Check it out today! quick links ... * Health services by COUNTY, CITY or ZIP CODE * Health services by PROVIDER or FACILITY * Alphabetic list of all programs and services for Kalamazoo County * Medline Plus - health information from the National Library of Medicine ... Drugs & Supplements * Encyclopedia * Dictionary * News * Directories * Interactive Tutorials * Clinical Trials * Senior Health * Videos of Surgical Procedures MAGAZINES AT THE LIBRARY!!! ... Did you know that you can check out more than 35 different magazines from your local library? Magazines can be checked out for 2 weeks just like a book and we have offerings like Home, House Beautiful, Parenting, Family Fun, Money, Golf Digest, Oprah, Taste of Home, Healthy Cooking, Women's Day, Sports Illustrated, Car and Driver, Health, PC World, Time, National Geographic, People, Seventeen and more. Come in and check them out!!!

PRESS RELEASE: Michigan Library Association Opposes Plan to Divide Library of Michigan Assets and Slash Funding ... Read more.

=> from the SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER ... August 3, 2009 SOCIAL SECURITY - RETIRE ONLINE ... You may now apply for Social Security online. This is part of a new and important initiative taking place at Social Security called Retire Online. It features a new online retirement application that can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. The application is online at www.socialsecurity.gov, and it can be easily completed from our library computers. A brochure on the subject can be viewed at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10522.pdf. => from the SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER ... May 18, 2009 COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS - CHECK OUT THIS NEW RESOURCE ... The U.S. Department of Education is launching a new resource for those college bound students and their families called www.college.gov. It is designed by students for students and features first-person accounts of students who overcame challenges to going to college such as peer pressure, lack of family support and financial barriers. It provides relevant, comprehensive information about why to go, how to go and how to pay for college or other postsecondary education programs. Young people who may not have considered higher education a viable option will be informed and inspired to create their own roadmap to college. Check it out!!!

=> from the SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER ... May 05, 2009 NEW DVD — FILING AN ONLINE CLAIM FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ... The Schoolcraft Community Library has a new resource to help patrons with the filing of their unemployment claims. It is a 25 minute tutorial DVD from the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) to help walk patrons thru the arduous process of filing for unemployment. The DVD is housed at the circulation desk and all you need to do is ask for it. It can be used in house at any of our internet computers. The library also has an additional DVD about Filing a Claim and Finding a Job. This is a 17 minute DVD which also is housed at the circulation desk. So, be sure to ask to use either or both of these resources if you are needing to file for unemployment or are searching for a new job.

MICHIGAN E-LIBRARY ... Did you know that ALL Michigan residents have free access to a multi-million dollar website known as MeL? MeL is the Michigan eLibrary—a 24/7 online library whose databases allow you instant access to full-text articles from tens of thousands of magazines and newspapers. There are also databases for kids and adults on specialized topics such as car repair, practice tests (ACT, SAT etc.) and art images. MeLCat is a special interlibrary loan system that allows you to order books, audios, movies, music and other materials from libraries all over Michigan and have them delivered to your home library. MeL Michigana contains photographs, diaries oral histories, local records and historical Michigan data. MeL Gateways include specialized resources such as those on genealogy, health, business and areas for kids and teens. MORE-Michigan Online Resources of Educators allows teachers and parents to find lesson plans and curriculum aids searchable by subject and aligned with state standards. This amazing resource is funded by the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library of Michigan. It saves our state's libraries, schools, colleges and universities over $72 million a year. Check it out by going to mel.org and spend some time finding out just how much valuable information is right there at your fingertips. For more information you can call the library at 679-5959.

LOCAL AUTHOR PUBLISHES HIS FIRST MYSTERY!! ... A local Schoolcraft resident, Mel Starr, has published his first medieval murder mystery, The Unquiet Bones. The book is on display and available for checkout at the Schoolcraft Community Library. RELATED RESOURCES ... Author's site - MelStarr.net : Read Chapter One LITERACY CORNER AT THE LIBRARY ... The Schoolcraft Community Library has developed a Literacy Corner just for its littlest patrons!!! Of course, we will continue to add new things as we go, but bring those little ones in and play with them at the magnetic board with letters and numbers, sort dinosaurs by kind or color, make words with the Word Whammer or play with them at the big felt board using a variety of felt shapes creating patterns, counting, sorting etc. We also have board books, puzzles and other activities to keep your little one's mind active and learning. So come on in and ask us about our Literacy Corner.

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SAVE AT THE SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY!!! ... Are you looking for ways to reduce your budget and save the environment at the same time? Why not try checking out the variety of magazines offered at the library? The library offers over 30 periodicals, which include magazines, newsletters and a couple local newspapers. Magazines can be checked out for 2 weeks and you can save money, catch up on the latest news and gossip around the world, find a new recipe or learn something about the changing world of health, computers or finance. Why not give it a try? INTERNET POLICY AT THE SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY ... In effect as of March 26th, 2008, the Internet Use policy now states that a current library card or a piece of Government issued identification (ie., Driver's license, voter's registration card, a student ID., etc.) must be presented to use the internet. Also, if you are under 18 years of age, a parent's signature will be required to access the Internet. Wireless Internet access is also available at the library and though ID is not required to access this service, the library does require a patron signature after reading the Wireless Internet Policy and to abide by those same guidelines as those using library computers. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the library at 679-5959. RECYCLE THOSE INK CARTRIDGES AT THE SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY ... The library has joined forces with Cartridge World, a locally owned business, to provide a place for our patrons to recycle those ink cartridges or laser cartridges. There is a box available at the Schoolcraft Community Library, just as you enter the building, and all you have to do is drop your cartridge in the box and we take care of the rest. So, do your part in cleaning up the environment and drop your cartridges with us.

WI-FI at the Schoolcraft Community Library!!!! --- Wireless internet service has come to the Schoolcraft Community Library. So whether you are traveling through town, needing to quick check your email or an important website for a research paper for school, you can bring your laptop to the library and hook up.

HARDING'S eScrip COMMUNITY CARD FOR THE SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY -- The Schoolcraft Community Library has partnered with Harding's Market in the Harding's eScrip Community Card to help raise funds for the Schoolcraft Community Library and you can help! It is easy and is a great way to help the library. Here's how you can help. Just go to a Harding's Market and ask for the Harding's eScrip Community Card. Then you can activate your card by one of two easy methods. You can call 1-800-931-6258 and register your name with our library or if you prefer you can register online at www.escrip.com/hardings.jsp and follow the instructions there. Then each time you make a purchase at any Harding's Market you give them your Harding's eScrip Community Card to scan and presto you have helped the library with up to 4% of your purchases. No having to remember to keep receipts and then bring them to the library anymore! Just a quick phone call and a swipe of a card and you have given your help to the Schoolcraft Community Library. So, join today and start those savings coming in to the library. Many thanks to all who have helped in the past with their Harding's receipts and many thanks in advance to all who will help us in the future. Call the library at 679-5959 if you have any questions.

Friends of the Library
The "Friends of the Library" believe in the importance of the library and encourage the use of the facility. The purpose of "Friends" is to enhance library services by providing invaluable voluntary assistance and supplemental income through charitable donations and fundraisers.

The "Friends" meet on a regular basis at the library. If you believe in the importance of the library, consider joining us.

QSAC: Quality Service Audit Checklist -SCHOOLCRAFT LIBRARY ATTAINS "ESSENTIAL LEVEL" OF QUALITY SERVICES FROM LIBRARY OF MICHIGAN - The Schoolcraft Community Library is proud to announce that it is one of 10 Class II libraries in Michigan who have qualified for the Essential Level requirements from the Quality Services audit checklist known as QSAC. There are seven categories of achievement which include human resources, governance/administration, services, collections development, technology, facilities and equipment and public relations/marketing. By focusing on these key areas the Schoolcraft Library has demonstrated a strong commitment to customer service. There are 78 class libraries in the State of Michigan and so the Schoolcraft Community Library is proud to have been one of the first 10 to have achieved this goal.

NOTE: LASER JET CARTRIDGE RECYCLING PROGRAM ... The Schoolcraft Community Library regrets to inform its patrons that the Laser Jet Recycling Program has once again been discontinued. You can still recycle your ink jet cartridges and any old cell phones as well in the bags provided at the library, but laser jet cartridges will no longer be accepted. You may be able to dispose of them through Office Max or there is a recycling center near the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds. Many thanks for your support of this program while it lasted.

previously ...

=> from the SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER ... August 10, 2009 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TOP READERS @ THE SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY LIBRARY!! ---Summer reading is officially over at the Schoolcraft Community Library, but it was a summer of great creativity and much reading. Our hats are off to all those who participated in the reading clubs this summer and a special hurrah to the following students, teens and adults who were our top readers for the summer months ... Malachi Sampley, Johanna Bennett, Anneka Doorn, Chloe Baldwin, Owen Langejans, Jack Langejans, Annie Lilac, Erin Seager, Claire Langejans, Austin Trumbull, Alison VanOrman, Mikayla Grunwell, Kristy Baldwin, Katie Broekema, Rita Broekema.

=> NEW ADULT BOOKS ... August 31, 2009
* Pacific Boulevard by Debbie Macomber
* Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson
* 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs
* Spire by Richard North Patterson
* South of Broad by Pat Conroy
* The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
* A Mercy by Toni Morrison
* Vision in White by Nora Roberts
* Lighting their Fires: raising extraordinary children in a mixed-up, muddled-up, shook-up world by Rafe Esquith
* Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews
* Skin Trade by Laurell Hamilton
* The Scoop by Fern Michaels
* The Missing by Beverly Lewis
* Rhino Ranch by Larry McMurtry
* Bad Things Happen by Larry Dolan
* Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of the Game by Tilly Bagshawe
* Even Money by Dick Francis and Felix Francis

=> NEW ADULT BOOKS ... August 10, 2009
* Jericho's Fall by Stephen Carter
* Red by Ted Dekker
* Black by Ted Dekker
* White by Ted Dekker
* Chosen to Die by Lisa Jackson
* Wyoming Brides by Debbie Macomber
* The Black Circle by Patrick Carman
* Moxy Maxwell does not love practicing the piano, but she does love being in recitals by Peggy Gifford
* The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser
* The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory
* The Winds of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
* Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

=> NEW ADULT BOOKS ... August 3, 2009
* Lumby's Bounty by Gail Fraser
* Stealing Lumby by Gail Fraser
* Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire
* Eat That Frog!: 21 great ways to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time by Brian Tracy
* Hot Pursuit by Suzanne Brockmann
* The Traffickers by W.E.B. Griffin
* The Deep Blue Sear for Beginners by Luanne Rice
* A Surrendered Heart by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller
* The Accidental Billionaires: the founding of Facebook, a tale of sex, money, genius, and betrayal by Ben Mezrich