West Michigan author draws hometown inspiration for new fantasy adventure
LeAnn Kelley blends childhood memories, local landscapes, and everyday moments from West Michigan into the imaginative world of her latest fantasy novel.
Lowell
This bedroom community offers a vintage small town lifestyle within a 20 minute drive of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan's second largest economic and cultural center. No wonder it's billed as "the next place to be." Here's your guide to Lowell:
Small businesses have huge resource in local library, chamber, and partnering organizations
It can be costly to run a small business, but the amount of resources that the Kent District Library and its partners, including the Grand Rapids Chamber, and Kent Intermediate School District are invaluable. Entrepreneurs and small businesses have a large resource with access to technology, tools, data, and training.
Library seeking reduction in millage, ensures no reduction in resources, programming
As costs of living increase nationwide, the Kent District Library is focused on continuing to provide invaluable resources and programming to the community. For their upcoming millage, they are seeking a reduction in their millage, to keep more of residents’ hard-earned money in their pockets.
Advocating for libraries and strengthening communities
Nearly 440,000 area residents have benefited from the materials, resources and programming at the Kent District Library. Now community members have a chance to help increase that number by attending or sponsoring KDL’s annual literacy program fundraiser, the Literacy Libations Gala.
Audiobooks and digital collection enable library patrons to use ‘books on the go’
June is Audiobook Appreciation Month, and the Kent District Library (KDL) provides patrons with a wide range of audiobook and digital resources year round. This collection provides a convenient option for enjoying titles whilst traveling, working, multitasking and more.
Rural library branches impact on communities by providing connections and resources
Within Kent District Library’s network of 20 branches, a variety of communities are served, with unique needs at each location, whether urban or rural. At rural branches, the library staff provide crucial resources like reliable, high-speed Internet, tech lessons, audiobooks and more to residents who might not otherwise have access to such.
Providing programs and resources to help families reach early literacy goals
First Steps Kent is an early literacy initiative that aims to ensure children have exposure to books at a young age. Raising a child takes a village and many local organizations, including the Kent District Library, provide helpful resources in line with the initiative.
Community support and engagement recognized through prestigious five-star designation
The Kent District Library (KDL) was awarded a five-star library rating by the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. This top score recognition reflects the commitment the Library has to bettering everyone in the community.
HealthBar school nurses provide holistic care to area students
“The complexity of health care needs within the schools is increasing,” HealthBar CEO Nathan Baar says. HealthBar is that new front door to health care for students in districts that had previously gone without school nurses — a critical connection to health care for students.
LowellArts: Connecting local artists to audiences for decades
Inspired by a visit from the Artrain USA program in 1976, LowellArts hasn't slowed down since. The nonprofit has been connecting artists and audiences in the little town of Lowell for decades.
