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Dexter (Mich.) District Library

Dexter (Mich.) District Library

Featured Library: Dexter District Library

Angela Hanshaw | September 02, 2010

Now that summer reading programs have wrapped up, I found myself wondering how libraries were welcoming fall. I discovered Dexter (Mich.) District Library’s September line-up, which offers an impressive variety of programs for kids, families, and adults.

Book discussions are, of course, a focus. The library offers book-related events for kids, teens, and adults:

  • The Super Stories book discussion group for grades K–2 will discuss “Learn about Your Library,” a fun program that will teach young learners about the materials available in the library and the services the library offers to this age group.

  • The Book Snackers book discussion group for grades 3–5 will discuss Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary. Young readers will be able to share their favorite parts of the book and make some new friends.

  • The Somewhere in Time history-themed book club for adults will discuss The Murder of King Tut: the Plot to Kill the Child King by James Patterson.

  • The Better off Read book club for adults will discuss The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.

  • The Books and Chocolate program for teens encourages teens to bring a favorite book and share it with friends.

For those more visually oriented, Dexter offers movies in September:

  • Muffins & Movies presents a variety of current and older major motion pictures for adults and seniors.

  • Friday Night at the Movies shows a variety of current major motion pictures.

For those who prefer to listen, the library also offers musical events:

  • In honor of Grandparents Day, the Hudson Education Center will present the first annual Grandparents Day Musical Showcase, featuring seventh-grade musicians from Mill Creek Middle School (plus a special guest).

  • Violinist Maria Bessmeltseva, a Russian-born violinist, will perform classical music. From an early age, Bessmeltseya performed in St. Petersburg concert halls such as Glinka Philharmonic Chamber Hall and St. Petersburg State Capella. She represented the University of Michigan in The Conservatory Project in Washington, D.C., performed at the Kennedy Center on the Millennium Stage, and performed in New York’s Carnegie Hall with the University of Michigan orchestra.

A variety of programs are offered just for fun:

  • Adults and teen can bring their own knitting or needlecraft project and make new friends at the Sip ’n Stitch drop-in program for adults and teens.

  • Ages eight and older can challenge each other in a drop-in session of Nintendo Wii Sports (snacks also provided).

  • Chef Ming Louie will show attendees how to make authentic Chinese egg rolls at the “Making Egg Rolls with Ming!” program.

  • “Mother Goose” (AKA Trudy Bulkley) will present an all-ages program featuring favorite stories and nursery rhymes as well as refreshments.

The library also offers programs of a more practical nature:

  • A college fair for teens and parents will address getting into college, paying for college, writing admissions essays, taking admissions exams, and joining college clubs and activities as well as general college information. Cassie J. Olson, Ann Arbor Kaplan Testing Center director; John B. Boshoven, author of From Chaos to Control: A Guide for Students and Families for Solving the College Admissions Puzzle and counselor for continuing education at Community High School in Ann Arbor; Jenni Marsh, founder of College Bound; and a panel of current university students discussing campus life will be available for questions.

  • Julie and Louis Nagel will present “Overcoming Performance Anxiety,” a look at the psychological issues that may affect performing and public speaking. Louis Nagel will perform a Beethoven piece on piano after the presentation.

  • “Investing Fundamentals,” the first program in a fall series on investing, will give an overview of common elements of financial markets as well as basic fundamentals for investing.

  • The Michigan Chapter of SCORE, a nationwide organization of businessmen and women who volunteer their services to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs, will present “The Fundamentals of Starting Your Own Business.” SCORE representatives will offer support and counseling to area business owners.

What programs does your library have on the agenda for fall?

Angela Hanshaw is Program Officer/Web Editor for the ALA Public Programs Office.

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