Exciting Events for Fall 2016!

Source:USDA

After a fantastic Summer of reading that saw more people than ever participate in GDL's Summer Reading Challenge, it's now time to look to Fall and the fantastic programs planned for our community. As always, the Grand Blanc-McFarlen branch and the GDL Business Center will be bustling with activity and I want to highlight some of the upcoming FREE opportunities.

Genesee/ Shiawassee/Thumb MichiganWorks! Career Counseling

Join us for another counseling / career services workshop with our local Michigan Works office right here in the Grand Blanc library.  Be sure to bring your resume and look your best as Michigan Works is actively seeking to fill open positions in our area. Also bring your resume and interviewing questions, as staff will be on hand to help you through the application and interview process and explain what is most important to potential employers. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Date: Thursday, September 29, 2016

Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Arrive at 2 PM)

Registration available here via Genesee District Library calendar.

 

Fall Legal Series

 The Genesee County Bar Association's Speaker's Bureau has made available three practicing attorneys for our series coming in October and November. Focusing on Estate Planning & Trusts, Starting a Small Business, and Social Security, each session will include plentiful time for Q&A with the attorney after and during the presentation. These lawyers are here to help you navigate these complex issues, so please take advantage of this opportunity to gain insights from legal experts. each session will last approximately 1 hour. Register for each session by clicking on the topic(s) of your choice below.

Topic: Estate Planning & Trusts

Date: Thursday, October 13, 2016

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Attorney: Sherri Frame, JD, LLM
Location: Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch (515 Perry Rd.)

Topic: Starting a Small Business
Date: Thursday, October 20, 2016
Time: 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Attorney: James Trembley, JD
Location: Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch

Topic: Social Security
Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Attorney: Brian Barkey, JD
Location: Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch

Genealogy 101 Classes

I will again be offering Genealogy 101 this Fall here at the Grand Blanc branch, once each in October and November. This is an introductory class and every resource discussed is freely available. This class is a lot of fun and whether you're new to genealogy or been working your lineage for years, you'll enjoy this discussion-based workshop exploring genealogical resources. To register for either class (they are the same) click on the desired date below. Wifi will be available should you wish to explore the resources during the session, but bringing a PC or tablet is not required.

Genealogy 101:

Session A: Thursday, October 6, 2016: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Session B: Saturday, November 5, 2016: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

We hope to see you this Fall and, as always, please call us with questions about these or any other programs at Genesee District Library branches!

Recent Library Updates

Paint, plus a new digital scanner!

Main Reading Room

We continue to improve the Grand Blanc branch as Summer progresses, the latest changes being the newly painted reading room and the installation of a new Library Document Scanner (LDS). 

Words of inspiration will be added to the blue stripe along the wall, in large while letters in fun fonts, which will create a more welcoming, cozy place to read and study. 

New Scanner near PC Lab

 For the last 2 years or so the Grand Blanc branch had a portable digital scanner which was complicated and not easily understood by library staff or the community. It worked, but it wasn't ideal. When we decided what improvements would be made using the generous gift by Dr. and Mrs. Claffey, an easy to use, self-serve scanner was on the list to modernize our services. It is already saving time and money for our patrons. In the middle of typing this post I helped a patron send her scanned document via email and saved her the cost of faxing!

So what can this scanner do? After scanning your document, you have the choice of emailing it to yourself or others or saving it to a USB/Flash drive (you can see the USB drive between the screen and scanner above). Previously you had to scan one page at a time, which was time-consuming, but this new machine has a top-feeder which allows you to scan many pages at once at the touch of a button. 

Documents or photos can be saved as PDF, JPEG, or TIF files, and the color and quality can also be adjusted. In addition, the scanner also acts as a back-up printer if the main Xerox machine is in use. Copies at this machine are also 10 cents. 

The last benefit is the ability to convert a document into Microsoft Word (.doc) format. We see many people who have a printed copy of their resume, but don't have a corresponding electronic copy. Previously this meant they have to retype the resume from scratch if they wanted to make changes, but  this this scanner will make that unnecessary. Stop by to check it out!

Printer and scanning bed for LDS machine

June Events @ GDL Grand Blanc!

 SCORE, SBDC, Morningstar, 

and Franchise Network

Summer is finally here and GDL has several programs scheduled for June you won't want to miss. All programs are taking place at the Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch, 515 Perry Road, unless otherwise noted.

SCORE Business Counseling

Tuesday, June 10

1-on-1 meeting  available at 6:00 PM

FREE

GDL offers SCORE business counseling on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 4PM to 7PM. Three 1-on-1 sessions are available, and as of the May 30th, only the 6 PM time is available. Please call 810-694-5190 or email the business librarian at twinn@thegdl.org to make an appointment.

Morningstar Investment Research Center Seminar:

Dividend Investing

Thursday, June 19, 6:00 PM

FREE

Learn from the experts! Morningstar has long been a trusted source of unbiased investment information this free seminar will focus on dividend investing and is hosted by Josh Peters, editor of DividendInvestor, one of four newsletters included in the library's Morningstar subscription. Click HERE to make a reservation.  

Small Business Development Center Seminar:

How To Write A Business Plan

Wednesday, June 11, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: Kettering University

FREE

Join the I-69 Corridor Region for this free seminar to kick-start your business plan. Attendees should have previously taken SBDC's "How to Start a Business" class. Registration is required, click HERE for more information or make a reservation. NOTE: This event is held at Kettering University. 

FRANNET Franchising Seminar

Thursday, June 26, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

FREE

Join Franchise Placement Specialist Linda Belford as she explains the processing of franchising and the options available to the prospective owner. No specific franchise will be promoted, and there is no obligation in attending the meeting. Linda does not work for any specific franchise so her goal is to find the best possible fit for you. 

For more information on any of these events please contact the business librarian at 810-694-5190.

Personal Investing @ GDL

April is Financial Literacy Month

Personal Investing @ Genesee District Library

Genesee District Library is committed to increasing the financial literacy of Genesee County residents and preparing them (you!) to make informed decisions concerning money. 

In this first of several posts, we'll explore some introductory resources for the beginning investor. Not sure where to start? Let us help! Click below to read full post.

New Resource!

New Database Helps Local Entrepreneurs

Genesee District Library patrons now have access to DemographicsNOW, a powerful database that includes a business directory, plus national and state demographic information. See full post for complete list of capabilities and videos.

GDL Business Center on ABC12!

Business Center Promotes Financial Resources on ABC12

Genesee District Library, in partnership with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's Investor Education Foundation, has taped 3 informational television spots highlighting investing and personal finance resources. See full post for current video.

SCORE counseling comes to GDL!

Business Center now hosting FREE monthly business counseling

SCORE (previously Service Corps of Retired Entrepreneurs) is a national organization that offers free business counseling to current and prospective business owners. Each mentor is a current or former business owner and is available for hour-long counseling sessions. 

New Books for June!

{New titles available in the Business Center}

New Resource: Mergent Archives!

Genesee District Library patrons now enjoy access to Mergent Archives online!