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!

Upcoming Library Events!

Adult and Children's Programs

It may be cold outside, but Genesee District Library remains buzzing with activity during this Winter season. As always, our programs are always free, and additional details can be found on our Event Calendar where you can search by branch or by topic. To make a reservation for events below, click the corresponding hyperlink.

All events below take place at our Grand Blanc-McFarlen branch

515 Perry Road

TED Talk Showing - "Love, No Matter What," with discussion to follow

Thursday, February 4, 6:00PM - 7:30 PM

  

Children's Valentine's Day Party   

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library

Saturday, February 6, 1:00PM - 2:00PM

Children's Easter Party  

Sponsored by Friends of the Library

Saturday, March 5, 1:00PM - 2:00PM

Money Matters: Are you Drowning in Debt?  

Presented by: State of Michigan

Wednesday, March 9, 6:00PM - 7:00PM

 

Free Career Assistance - Genesee/Shiawassee MichiganWorks

Thursday, March 10, 2:00PM - 4:00PM

 

Genealogy 101 - Introduction to Genealogy Research

Saturday, March 12, 1:00PM - 2:30PM

 Join us for these exciting events and check back to our event calendar for additional library events or to make a reservation today!

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

Children's Room Completed!

The Children's Room and Our Next Steps

 

We're very pleased that the Children's Room addition to McFarlen Library has been completed, and is already being enjoyed by local families! If you've not visited lately, please stop by and check it out!

 

New Early Literacy Stations (Upper L) and new shelf caps (R)

The addition contains "Easy Readers" and new games and activities

Another view of building addition

Now that the Children's Room is completed, our focus has shifted to both the Teen Room and sitting area near the newspapers and magazines. Just this week library staff came together and reviewed furniture options for each of these spaces. Also in progress is a vast collection of modern signage which will appear in all areas of the library. It will help people new to our building efficiently locate exactly what they need. As always, stay tuned for future updates!

 



Construction Update #7

Children's Room Progress!

 

On Monday and Tuesday of this week the carpeting was installed in our children's room! The funding for this carpet was generously donated by the Grand Blanc Community Fund, part of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. We are tremendously grateful for this gift!

 

Almost done! 3/23/15



With the carpet laid, the design team can move forward with the interior remodel of both the children and teen spaces. The children's shelving units you see above will be lowered for ease of access and provide an unobstructed view across the room. We are also gaining children's computer stations and additional seating space for our growing community. Keep checking back for more updates!

 

Carpet installed!



Construction Update #6

Construction Continues...slowly

It's been quite a while since we last updated you on the progress of our renovation. There have been some issues that have arisen which have slowed us down, mainly in the Children's area, which are preventing the carpet from being laid. Because some shelving from the Children's room will be used in the new Teen space, the Teen renovations have also been paused. 

Hopefully the carpet will be laid soon and the renovations will be completed by the end of March. We appreciate your continued patience as we expand and improve your library!

SBDC Expands at Kettering!

Library Partner Expands @ Kettering University

 

GDL's Business Librarian and Head of Marketing were both in attendance yesterday as the I-69 Corridor Region of the Michigan Small Business Development Center celebrated their expansion. Having previously shared office space with 2 other organizations, this grand opening marked their first purpose-built space at Kettering University. Pictured below: Flint Mayor Walling, SBDC Regional Director Marsha Lyttle, Kettering University President McMahan (rear) , and University Provost Dr. James Zhang.  

 

President McMahan & Director Marsha Lyttle



The SBDC office has been an essential partner for Genesee District Library as we continue to connect our community to available business resources. Check out the TV coverage on  ABC12 and WNEM 5 that appeared yesterday night!