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!

Construction Update #5

Interior Renovation Continues

 

It's been a while since we last posted about the ongoing renovations here at the library. If you've been in lately, you're well aware that we're not finished yet, but there has been considerable progress. Check out the photos below!

 

 

You'll notice our new, larger computer lab which consists of new chairs, tables, and wider monitors. With the tall book cases gone the hall is not only more spacious, but much brighter! We are also adding 4 computers which will arrive soon. The counter along the wall in the second photo will house the printer and new, user-friendly, scanning station.

 

 

Old Computer Lab





The old computer lab has already been cleared and will become space for our teen fiction collection. The closet has also been emptied and will become the staging area used by our shelvers to sort items before they are shelved.

 

New Sitting Area



Years ago the area above was a sitting area and since the teen material will be moved, this again will be used to house our newspapers and other magazines. Staff and patrons enjoy the large picture window we have looking toward Perry Road and now it can be enjoyed more fully while you read.

 

 

Main Reading Room



The main reading room has also seen some changes which we think you'll enjoy. First, our large paperback collection has been moved to regular upright shelving, so you'll no longer need to spin the racks to locate a specific book. The collection remains in order by genre. With all of these standing spinning racks gone, we were able to increase the seating in this room by 10 or more by using the two tables which had been in the hall.

 

The fiction book shelves were also altered and you'll notice that there are more of them. The reference collection, as well as the paperbacks were moved to this area. The study booths from the hall can also be found in this room and will be electrified soon to provide outlets for laptops and other devices.

 

The new children's addition is also progressing nicely, but with the false wall between us and the new area, a photo isn't possible at this time. The construction part of the children's addition will continue for several weeks, after which the interior crew will take over.

 

Stay warm!



Construction Update #4 - Interior Work Begins

Interior Renovations Begin!

While the exterior work continues, the big change this week at the library is the start of our planned interior improvements. During the next couple weeks you'll notice additional noise as the crew reconfigures shelving and shifts material around the building. Our priority is to provide uninterrupted service during this time of transition, so the library will remain fully open.

 

Here's a summary of what you'll notice this week:

 

1. All public computers will be moved into the hall leading toward the business center, taking the place of our audio book collection. Audio books have been relocated to the START of the non-fiction section. The audio books will remain here going forward. We will also receive an additional 4 computers to reduce the time you wait for a terminal during peak hours for a total of 21 in the branch.

 

Workers assembling the new computer desks



2. The reference collection and paperbacks in rotating racks that currently occupy a large area in the large reading room will be moved to upright shelving alongside the fiction. You'll notice that the shelving in the hall was removed; this will be repurposed in the reading room to hold the paperbacks and reference collection. The existing fiction shelving will also be shortened to create additional floor space. With the rotating paperback racks and short reference shelves removed, this will create better flow in the room. The low shelves in the foreground and the spinning wood racks on the right of the below picture will be removed.

 

Constructing shelves for reference and paperbacks



3. Our large collection of movies and television series will be moved to the reading room. Every DVD will now be placed on a shelf which will make locating exactly what you're looking for that much easier. The current location of our DVD collection, in front of the large picture window, will become a sitting area to browse our print magazine collection.

 

DVDs and magazines will swap locations



4. The Children's Room now contains a temporary wall to shield patrons from the work going on to connect the new children's addition and the existing building. So, this room is a little tight for the time being, but be assured it will be much larger once the construction is complete!

 

Temporary wall in Children's Room



5. The community room storage addition has been roofed, and you can get a sneak peak of the interior below. The community room itself is packed with materials, including the new chairs which will accompany the new computer lab.

 

New chairs and construction equipment

Inside the new storage area! Still being completed.



 

Check back soon for additional updates! We're very excited!

 

 

 



Construction Update #2

29 October 2014

The work continues after yesterday's rain.   

Foundation Built

Foundation Sealed

Floor Filled and Foundation Buried

Children's Room addition facing Perry Rd.

Upcoming Genealogy Workshops

Genealogy 101 Workshops

Wednesday, March 12: 6:00 PM

Saturday, April 12, 12 Noon 

Grand Blanc McFarlen Library

For the spring 2014 term, Genesee District Library is offering two identical seminars introducing genealogy research to those looking to learn more about their family tree. These seminars are intended for the novice researcher, and will introduce available online and print resources and best techniques for searching. Not sure where to start? This workshop is for you!

Because this is a workshop, attendees will be encouraged to put the information to work and investigate their lineage at one of 10 laptops that will be available during the seminar. Prefer to use a laptop from home? Bring it along and connect to the library's wireless internet to join in. 

Discover the hobby so many others enjoy and make a reservation on GDL's March or April calendar of events. Events, held in our Grand Blanc branch, will last about 1 hour and each attendee will receive a printed list of resources covered during the session.

Are Public Libraries Relevant?

I have been thinking a lot lately about the library of the 21st century. The job descriptions of public librarians look nothing like they did in 1990, and those in 1990 looked far different from those in 1980. Things continue to change rapidly as new technologies emerge and become ubiquitous in the lives of some Americans. Have technological innovations like the internet, e-books, and databases made physical libraries unnecessary?

What's a Business Center, anyway?

Robert T. Bolo, Jr. Business Center

When you hear "business center" what comes to mind? My mind immediately goes to the business centers you see in airport terminals or hotels. These places are used by "business people" to print, fax, scan, make use the wireless internet, or simply use an electrical outlet to charge their phone while they are traveling. Generally self-serve and unstaffed, these locations bear little resemblance to the GDL Business Center in Grand Blanc.

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}

Event Reminder

Genesee District Library continues to partner with Michigan Works to aid job-seekers

On Monday, June 3rd, from 10 AM to Noon, the Genesee/Shiawassee office of Michigan Works will host an informative and interactive seminar to better prepare you for your next job interview. Interviews can certainly make you nervous, so stop by the Grand Blanc branch to gain some confidence before you speak to a prospective employer. This is a FREE event.

When: Monday, June 3 10:00 AM - Noon

Where: Grand Blanc McFarlen Library (515 Perry Road)

Registration is required, click HERE and choose the "join" option to reserve your seat.

Memorial Day Weekend

Arlington National Cemetery

Just a reminder that all Genesee District Library branches will be closed on Saturday, May 25th through Monday, May 27th. All branches will resume normal hours on Tuesday, May 28th. 

It looks to be a great weekend to be outdoors, so stop by the Grand Blanc branch on Friday, May 24th to pick up a book for the weekend, or click over to our digital branch to download e-books and audio books to your tablet, e-reader, or home computer at your convenience.

Have a safe holiday weekend!

Gettysburg National Cemetery

New Books for Spring!

After what seemed like endless cloudy and rainy days in March and April, May has brought warm, sunny days to mid-Michigan. There's never a better time to grab a good book and sit outdoors to enjoy the sights and smells of spring. The Business Center has received a large number of books this past month, ranging from debt reduction, financial education for children, to handling workplace stress. In this yearly period of renewal, if you have concerns about your financial situation, or know someone who could benefit from the information the Business Center has to offer, stop by and check out one of these books, or request one to be sent to the branch of your choice.

Money Smart Week is here!

I hope that the posts from the past month or so have been helpful as you think more about the future of your finances. With Money Smart Week upon us, I want to give another reminder that tomorrow, April 23 @ 6:45 PM here in the Grand Blanc branch, we will join a national simulcast of "Be a Money Smarty." 

This event will include fantastic money advice from leading experts from across the county. Please take advantage of this opportunity to gain from their experience. To make a reservation click over to the GDL's calendar of events HERE and choose "join." In addition to the seminar, there will be a wide selection of print material available compliments of various financial institutions.

The GDL Business Center exists in part to increase the financial literacy of our patrons of all ages. Have questions? Don't hesitate to call or email the business librarian.

Looking for work? Read on...

Resume Workshop coming to Genesee District Library

Attend. Get Hired. Succeed.

Looking for a job is stressful and it doesn't take much to feel lost among the many career websites and multitude of opinions regarding your resume. The Genesee District Library has partnered with  the local office of Michigan Works! to host a set of three seminars focused on getting you prepared for your next job. Our next FREE event, "Resume's that Work" is THIS MONDAY, April 22nd from 10:00 AM - Noon here at the Grand Blanc branch.

Michigan Works! has close relationships with many local businesses who are hiring, and has access to job postings found nowhere else. Coming to this workshop might well connect you to your next employer. I have here a list of local, open positions from last week's seminar. Michigan Works can help you take the next step. 

Take advantage of this incredible opportunity. 

Bring Your Resume. 

Make a Reservation Below.

Date: Monday, April 22

Time: 10:00 AM -Noon

Location: McFarlen Library 515 Perry Road, Grand Blanc

Click HERE to make a reservation

ValueLine & Morningstar: Money Smart 2013

Using ValueLine and Morningstar to Monitor Your Investments

Whether you hire a investment professional or manage your portfolio on your own, monitoring the status of your stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investments is certainly necessary. The more you know about your current financial status, the better financial decisions you will make going forward. Watching the market can be time-consuming, and at times (many times) unnerving as you watch IRAs and stock prices fluctuate, and getting some perspective on the broader situation will help as you make decisions. The GDL Business Center has many such resources, including the Wall Street Journal, business magazines such as Bloomberg, Inc., and Forbes. Located in the business center you will also find several investment newsletters, including the Fidelity Monitor, Kipplinger Letter, and Dick Davis' Investment Digest.

In addition to these print sources, the library subscribes to both ValueLine and Morningstar, investment resources that offer advice and perspective on stocks and mutual funds.

Previously delivered in print format, the library now has online access to ValueLine, which means that with a valid library card and PIN number, you are able to access this resource anywhere an internet connection is available from the Personal Finance page of our website. If you access the resource from outside any of our branches, the site will prompt you to enter your barcode and PIN after clicking "View this Resource."

Updated every Monday at 8:00 AM ET, ValueLine has several different informational reports available:

1. Ratings & Reports: Here you will find detailed reports on 134 companies, especially important if you are looking to invest in their stock. These reports contain historical and current stock data and ValueLine's commentary on the company's performance.

2. Selection & Opinion: This resource contains ValueLine's view on the market overall, and contains additional economic commentary for the week. 

3. Last listed is the Summary and Index, which is helpful for an at-a-glance view of a stock's performance; companies are listed alphabetically. Near the end of this report ValueLine has listed industries by their timeliness, and then corresponding stocks in those industries, also listed by timeliness. Listed last in this Summary section is a group of stocks ranked 1 (the highest) for performance over the next 12 months. See a snapshot of today's report below:

The other online resource you will find helpful as you review your investments is Morningstar, the organization known for its ratings of stocks, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds (ETFs). 

 Morningstar offers comprehensive stock and fund information, with analysis, and suggestions for the types of funds you might consider depending on your particular situation. You can search morningstar several ways. If you know the ticker symbol for a company or fund simply type that in the header search box on the right side of the screen. For other searches by name, or fund type, use one of the "screens." Think of Morningstar's screens as just that, the ways you sift out exactly what you need and nothing that you don't need. Take a look at the stock screen below:

 

On the initial Morningstar screen I chose screen for funds, then "Fund Name" (viewable behind the screen function above, from a long list of searching options. You can then begin by typing a firm (MorganStanley, Fidelity, Vanguard, Merrill Lynch) and search for the fund you're looking for. After you've entered the name, be sure to click the button on the bottom right to view results. 

As you can see from the screen clipping from my search for funds that include the word "Fidelity," the resulting list contains the dates of the last report, the type of fund, the star rating, and total assets. Clicking on the link to any of the funds listed will direct you to the full Morningstar report.  

GDL wants you to win with your money, so check out these trusted sources for financial information today. Don't forget that Money Smart Week is next week, April 21-27th; please join for a special presentation on Tuesday, April 23rd, 6:45 PM, at our Grand Blanc branch. Click on our calendar of events to make your reservation today!

Upcoming April Events!

April is a busy month filled with activities here in Grand Blanc. Not only is Money Smart Week April 21-27, but the library is welcoming both Genesee/Shiawassee Michigan Works! and GreenPath Debt Solutions. The details for each event are below.

Set of 3 FREE Seminars

Monday, April 15, 22, and 29th

10:00 AM - Noon

Grand Blanc - McFarlen Library

 April 15: Forces Impacting Your Job Search

April 22: Resumes' that Work

April 29: Breaking the Hidden Job Market

Please pass this information along to anyone who is struggling to find work, and wants more information on the current status of the job market. These are local hiring experts who know this area well. 

After being cancelled back in March due to weather conditions, the debt professionals from the Flint office of GreenPath Debt Solutions will return to present "How to Understand Your Credit Report." This is another FREE event. Please register online by clicking HERE. 

Date: Thursday, April 18th

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Grand Blanc - McFarlen Library

Bring your questions for a post seminar Q & A session!

Money Smart Week is fast approaching and I hope the previous posts regarding some of the free resources available have been helpful. Keep checking back for posts, there is so much more to share! The highlight of Money Smart Week will be Tuesday, April 23 at 6:45 PM here at the Grand Blanc branch, as we will join a live webcast which includes more tips and information from finance experts from across the country. The library has also received a great deal of excellent resources from FINRA that will be available at this time.

Please register for this event through the GDL's event calendar, available on our website, thegdl.org, very soon.