Library News

We asked the people of Portland to be creative, and they did not disappoint!  There are nearly 60 submissions for Portland Creates!, our all ages art competition, and now it’s time to vote.  The art will be on display May 1 – 25, so stop by to have a look and choose your favorites.  Then you can vote once per category per day.  The most popular piece in each age group will win a prize, so make your vote count. 

Library Closing

The library will be closed on Tuesday, May 7 for staff training.

Children’s and Teen

Talking Is Teaching Spring Scavenger Hunt

We don’t know about you, but we love the annual Talking is Teaching County-Wide Scavenger Hunt and we are SO EXCITED to kick things off starting Monday, April 1!

All seven county libraries and the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative will offer this 8-week-long outdoor scavenger hunt to patrons in each community. Visit other communities to complete the hunt there too. Talk, walk, and earn a prize at each library! Try to complete the hunt no later than Friday, May 31 to receive 7 special prizes. Start your family’s adventure by visiting our Youth Desk beginning April 1 to pick up a scavenger hunt sheet! Contact Youth Librarian Eileen Pock at 517-647-6981 ext. 3 or epock@portlandmilibrary.com with questions!

Virtual STEM Club Littles Edition: Bubble Machine 

We’ve got the perfect science experiment for our Littles (ages 5 & under) that will have them mixing together ingredients to make their very own special bubble solution. Then play with bubble wands to see what kinds of bubbles you and your little one can create! What’s so special about these bubbles? They are unpoppable! Registration for Virtual STEM Club Littles Edition: Bubble Machine Take-and-Make bags starts on Thursday, May 9. Follow along on YouTube as we guide you and your little one through creating the bubble solution and experimenting afterwards! This program does require registration, parental supervision, and is limited to 25 patrons.

Barks For Books 

Thanks to our new partners at Love On A Leash, Barks for Books is back this spring! Our furry friend Reagan will be at the library Wednesday, May 15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and Saturday, May 18 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Readers, ages 6-12, can sign up for a 15-minute time slot to practice their reading aloud; this improves communication skills while also building self-confidence. Added bonus: every patron that reads to Reagan gets to pick a bookmark or sticker to take home, AND they are also entered to win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card (we draw a winner every quarter)!

Teen Advisory Board Meeting May 

It is almost summer and you know what that means...PDL's Summer Reading Kickoff is close at hand. The T.A.B. will be diving in to get things ready to go. If you are interested in making our Summer Reading Kickoff a success, join us Tuesday, May 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. And guess what?!? We will provide some yummy goodness to eat! If you are already a member, all you need to do is just show up. Not a member, sign up at the Youth Desk. We accept all teens, ages 13-18.