Library News

Library Closing

Due to all-staff training, the library will be closed on Tuesday, May 6.  We look forward to coming back refreshed and better than ever!

Quilling Club

Have you ever heard of quilling? It is the art of using strips of paper to make different shapes, which can be used to decorate greeting cards, pictures, boxes, and more.  The library has a drop-in quilling club that meets on the second Wednesday of each month—May 14—from 6:00-7:30.  All skill levels are welcome.  Bring your own supplies or use some of ours to work on projects together, show each other new techniques, and share ideas.

For the Love of Food

Spring finds For the Love of Food checking out a variety of flavors, focusing on your favorite food in May. Share your take on this theme on May 28 at 6:00 p.m.  Don't forget the recipe!

Portland District Library will assume no responsibility for reactions or illness from consuming these foods.

How Does Your Garden Glow?

Spring brings flowers, and here at the library, flowers bring a beautiful votive holder crafted by you! Sign up anytime, and then pick up this take-and-make bag beginning May 13.  You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create a glowing garden of your own.  Ages 15 and up.

3D Printing for Absolute Beginners

Are you curious about 3D printing, but can’t tell a filament from file cabinet?  On Wednesday, May 21 at 6:00 p.m. we will be covering the very fundamentals of 3D printing.  No complicated design techniques, no technical jargon, just learning the steps needed to find and submit a 3D print job at the library.  Ages 12 and up, registration is required.

Children’s and Teen

LITTLES

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 Tuesday, 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 Saturday, May 31 to receive 7 special books. 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!

Crawl, fly, and buzz your way to the Children’s Sensory Garden on Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 pm for Books & Blankets. We’ll spread our wings as we read, sing, and dance during this storytime made for the biggest bug fanatics. Call the library at 517-647-6981 to register you and your little ones (ages 8 & under) today.

MIDDLES

Get ready to blend, smudge, and create with pastel painting! Grab a Take-and-Make Bag beginning Friday, May 9 for this colorful art activity that lets Middles patrons, ages 6-12, explore their creativity using soft pastels to make bold and vibrant masterpieces. 

Get ready to create your own swirling storm with Virtual STEM Club: Twisty Tornados! Using plastic bottles, water, and a simple swirling motion, Middles, ages 6-12, can make a mini tornado appear right before their eyes. Pick up a Take-and-Make bag beginning Wednesday, May 21 and bring the wonders of nature into the palm of your hand—no storm chasing required!

Our 3Doodler pens are back in action with Doodle Along With Me! Follow along with library staff as we guide patrons ages 8-12 through our skills course on Monday, May 19 starting at 6:00 pm. Register at the Youth Desk by stopping by or call the library at 517-647-6981. Program is limited to 10 patrons.

TEEN

Let your imagination bloom and bring your fairy-tale garden to life! You will have everything you need to design a miniature garden full of magical elements, from tiny fairies and their homes to whimsical plants and adorable animals. Teens (ages 13-18), pick up your Take-and-Make bags at the Youth Desk beginning Thursday, May 1.

Summer is almost here and that means so is PDL's Summer Reading Kickoff!  The members of T.A.B. are coming together on Saturday, May 10 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm to help make it a success. 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 (13-18).

Get ready to make your next move at Play It Forward, the ultimate club for teens (13-18) who love games! Whether you’re strategizing your way through a classic board game or competing in an epic video game challenge, this club is all about fun, friendly competition, and connecting with fellow gamers. Play It Forward meets Tuesday May 13 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm and Friday May 23 from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm in the Community Room. Registration is not required.