Putnam District Library

Check out our new website!!

2010-12-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

Please visit Putnam District Library's new website at:
www.putnam.michlibrary.org

Beginning December 1, 2010, this website will be the primary source of information for PDL. Please contact the library at 517-852-9723 if you have trouble accessing the site.

Third Graders Tour Putnam

2010-05-14T06:28:00.001-07:00

Mrs. Bross' class poses out front.
Miss Emily explains the different sections
of the children's room.

Third graders learn how to locate books

by their favorite authors.

On April 26th and 28th, third graders from Fuller Elementary got a tour of Putnam District Library. Librarians Shauna Swantek and Emily Mater explained the basic history of the library as well as the layout of the different sections. Basic information was given about the Dewey decimal system and how it is used in Putnam's nonfiction sections. Kids also got a chance to go upstairs and were fascinated by some of the local history artifacts located up there. Mrs. Bross pointed out a photo of a homestead from the 1830s as an example of the Michigan History the third graders are learning this year. The librarians also explained how all M.V. students are eligible to have a PDL library card. They encouraged kids to bring their parents down and get them signed up.

Community Survey Now Available!

2010-03-17T09:19:00.001-07:00

Please assist the staff and board of Putnam District Library to serve you better by participating in our community survey.

Click the link at the top of our blog to complete online or visit the library for a paper copy.

The input collected from this survey will help the library create its long and short term goals. Participate and help us reach our vision: "Honorong the Past, Serving Today, and Preparing for Tomorrow"

2009-11-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

Joshua Roush sizes up Wild Thing

If you have read Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are recently, you will know that a rumpus is not necessarily a bad thing! The 80 attendees who met WILD THING at Putnam Library on October 30 certainly had a good time making a rumpus. Kids and their caregivers had a chance to meet the character from the book (and now a new motion picture) and even pose for a photos. After the story and character were presented, kids had a chance to create their own “Wild Thing” paper bag puppets to take home.

Cindy Van Neste from Eaton County’s Early Childhood Connections was on hand as a sponsor of the event. Free books were provided to each family, thanks to ECC. The character costume was presented by a partnership between ECC and the Eaton County Literacy Coalition. Both of these organizations work with libraries and preschool groups to promote literacy. Anyone from the Maple Valley area who is interested in helping form a literacy council for the area can contact Cindy through the library.

Thank you to our event sponsors Early Childhood Connections and Eaton County Great Start!and volunteers Deb Crandall and Darcey Turner for making it a fun event!

Friends of the Library reorganizing

2009-11-11T12:16:00.000-08:00

A group of interested library supporters met Tuesday, November 3rd to discuss the reorganization of the Putnam District Library's Friends of the Library (FOL) group. Currently there are nearly 30 people interested in formally supporting the group and assisting with fundraising, advocacy, and volunteerism.

If you were unable to attend the meeting, please stop by and pick up the informational packet that was distributed. Please fill out an FOL information sheet and return it to the front desk so that we know how you may best serve the library as an official or unofficial Friend of the Library.

2009-10-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

2009-08-05T13:10:00.000-07:00

Fun Feedback for Kids

Just because Summer Reading is over doesn't mean you need to stop reading and earning prizes!! Try out our new fall program in three easy steps:

Read a book at YOUR reading level.
Pick up a bookmark and fill it out completely.
Return your bookmark to the library for a prize from the prize pail.

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!! Stop by on Tuesday, September 8th to visit the library before or after your school's open house.

Happy Birthday Cleo Page Turner!

2009-02-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

Library Wish Tree 2008

2009-02-12T18:54:00.000-08:00

Through the month of December 2008, the library was decorat ed with 22 mini Christmas trees. The library's first Festival of Trees kicked off with an evening tree lighting event--complete with caroling and cookies.

The mini trees were decorated by area organizations and businesses from the Maple Valley community. (To see the mini trees, visit the library's Flickr site by clicking on the link to the right.)

The library's large tree, shown here, was decor

ated with ornaments depicting titles of books the library needed new

or replacement copies.

The cost to purchase each title was on the back of each ornament and library patrons were invited to purchase the book(s) of their choice.

Nearly $300 was donated via the wish tree resulting in a cart full of new books. Each donated title has a Festival of Trees bookplate inside recognizing the donor.

Read Like A Rockstar!

2008-11-18T11:08:00.000-08:00

Haunted Library 2008

2008-11-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

Goodnight, Goon.

2008-10-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

Lots of little creatures dressed in black and orange attended Spooky Storytime on Tuesday, October 28. All in attendance listened to Goodnight, Goon by Michael Rex, a parody of the popular classic, Goodnight, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. Older elementary kids created their own "Not-Very-Scary" Make a Monster Books with Director Shauna Swantek.

The youngest group recites "5 Little Pumpkins" with Emily Mater.
Miss Emily reads Goodnight, Goon with help from the audience.

Little Critter Visits

2008-10-29T07:20:00.001-07:00

Little Critter was a big hit!!

Kids shake hands, and feel Little Critter's mouth, but Little Critter didn't mind!

These girls work hard to create beautiful Little Critter artwork!
Grandma Deb shares a Little Critter story with the preschoolers.
Everyone is so excited to have their picture taken with Little Critter, even baby Reid Rosin, held by his mom Holly.

Little Critter waves good-bye to his little fans!

TAG Scavenger Hunt

2008-10-19T17:15:00.001-07:00

Little Critter to meet Putnam's Little Ones

2008-10-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

Bring your little ones to Putnam District Library on October 24 at 1:00 p.m. to meet Little Critter, the loveable character from the stories of Mercer Mayer. Preschoolers will have a chance to listen to stories, do coloring activities, and meet Little Critter in person! Parents, bring your cameras for this photo op! All families will be able to enter a drawing for door prizes. Caregivers will be given tip sheets for reading with preschoolers, and every child in attendance will receive a free book to take home. This is a special Early Childhood Literacy Coalition event sponsored by Early Childhood Connections of Eaton County in cooperation with Putnam District Library. All preschoolers are welcome to attend!

Raccoon Tune Fun

2008-09-24T05:23:00.000-07:00

Raccoon Storytime is a Riot!

Youngsters use their flashlights to find nocturnal animals in the library.

These "raccoons" created quite a stir!

Front left to right, Travis Mater, Lauren Haag, Camden Carpenter, Kayli Hansen, Jared Mater, Noah Hansen. Back left to right, Emily Mater, Abigail Mater, Shauna Swantek.

Raccoon Tune Coming Soon!

2008-09-18T05:55:00.000-07:00

This is Nancy Shaw, author of Raccoon Tune, posing with her book after she autographed Putnam District Library's copies.

Nancy is a Michigan author and her book was selected as this year's Michigan Reads! title. This means that young people all over Michigan will be reading her book this fall.

Join the Putnam District Library staff for Night of the Raccoons to hear the story and learn about other nocturnal animals. The fun starts at 6:30 on Tuesday, September 23rd. Wear your PJs, bring a flashlight, and have some fun!

See you then!

Drummunity!

2008-08-25T19:17:00.001-07:00

Everyone had fun on August 12th!
Lori Fithian leads Drummunity! with enthusiasm!
Camden, Taylor, and Holly Carpenter get caught up in the rhythm.
There were many instruments to try out.

John DeVoss II shows off the new bike he won in the

Summer Reading Contest's Grand Prize Drawing.

Origami for Teens

2008-06-12T04:59:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, June 11th a group gathered at Putnam District Library to make origami bracelets with library volunteer and origami-enthusiast Sue Swantek.

Sue started by sharing information about origami and mentioning the resources available at the library to learn more about the art form.

She showed a collection of insects she created to help spotlight the library's Catch the Reading Bug summer reading theme.

Ten tween/teens created wearable art together and a dozen more were made throughout the afternoon as patrons stopped in and admired the project.

The next Teen Event is June 25th at 1 pm. This planning meeting will give teens the opportunity to help the library decide what events they would like to do at the library this year. Snacks will be provided.

Glow in the Dark Night Thrills!

2008-06-11T06:03:00.000-07:00

'Twas the Night Before Summer was the story that kicked off Glow in the Dark storytime on Tuesday, June 10th. After picking up their name tags, each child received a glow bracelet before finding a spot to enjoy the story from.

After finishing the story, the Family Readers stayed with Ms. Emily

in Putnam District Library's children's room to play Cootie and enjoy their snack.

Independent Readers who had "caught the reading bug" spent their evening

in the sunroom with Miss Shauna and her mom--who taught the kids origami.

They each made a Glow in the Dark cootie catcher and enjoyed a snack.

After the Independent Readers showed the Family Readers their Glow in the Dark cootie catchers, each child chose a Glow in the Dark insect from the bug bucket to take home. With bracelets, cootie catchers, and various insects glowing, Putnam District Library was glowing with fun . . . as Morgan Lang creatively demonstrates below!

Butterfly House Winner!

2008-06-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Gage Rohde was the winner of Saturday's butterfly house drawing! Congratulations to Gage -- shown here collecting his prize with his mom, Angela, and sister, Noelle.

Putnam District Library would like to express their gratitude to the following sponsors of the 2008 Summer Reading Program:

Nashville Lions Club

Hastings City Bank

Hummell's Body Shop

Impression 5 Science Center

Roush's Sidewalk Cafe

Dream Design Balloons, LLC

Fear Factor Food Event is a Hit!

2008-06-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

The bugs officially moved into Putnam District Library on Saturday, May 31st!

Children of all ages and their families filled the library to sign up for the summer reading program and enjoy a buggy buffet. Visitors tasted creamed grasshoppers, maggots & beatles, worm dogs, dirt cake, and praying mantis pizza (compliments of Roush's Sidewalk Cafe).

Then, they rinsed it all down with bug juice. Over 50 people signed up to read and enjoyed the balloon bug art decorating the library (done by Susan Kopka and family).

Signs ups for the Catch the Reading Bug! summer reading program continue at the library. Families with young children may sign up as Family Readers.

School age children may sign up as Independent Readers.

Teens are encouraged to join the Metamorphosis reading program and

adults are welcome to join in and play Bug-O.

All levels will read for prizes and the opportunity to enter into grand prize drawings.

A Call For Artists

2008-05-08T06:04:00.001-07:00

Click on the images above for a closer look at how you can participate in this year's art show to be held on Library Lawn on June 14th in conjunction with Nashville's annual car show and the library's book sale.

3rd Grades Visit Putnam

2008-05-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, April 30th, all of the 3rd grade classes from Fuller Street Elementary school visited the library. Accompanied by Mrs. Heather Bross and aides, they walked from the school to the library.

The 3rd Grade students are working on research reports about various animals. Assistant Director, Emily Mater, showed the students how to use encyclopedias to find information. She also encouraged them to look in unexpected places for related topics. For example, she recommended a biography of Jane Goodall to a student studying primates.

Library Director, Shauna Swantek, gave students a tour of the rest

of the library. She showed students the Circulation Desk where they check out and return materials -- and where they sign up for a FREE library card! She encouraged them to all return with mom and/or dad to get one and begin using it this summer during the reading program.

The students also got a tour of the upstairs of the library.

The second floor houses the

library's classic and rare books as well as several local history rooms. The students were impressed by the interesting items found there. The library was delighted to share the treasures of the library with the students and looks forward to seeing them in the future!

A special thank you to Mrs. Bross and Fuller Street Elementary for all of their support this school year!

Red Cross Babysitting Workshop

2008-04-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

Eleven dedicated young ladies are now certified and ready to take on babysitting clients!

The group met two Saturdays for a total of 8 hours of training to receive their Red Cross Babysitting Certification.

Some of the training came from a printed manual; however, most of their time was spent discussing and acting out real life situations.

They brainstormed what to do in a variety of situations and helped each other problem solve. They also watched several video clips to reinforce the information they were learning. Much of the second Saturday was spent learning the infant CPR technique. They had to demonstrate proficiency in this before they could be certified by the instructor.

The girls took a pretest and a posttest to help
demonstrate what they were learning. In addition to the CPR proficiency, they had to demonstrate many other hands-on skills before they qualified for certification.

The library hopes to host future babysitting workshops and encourages those interested to let the staff know. We will form a list for future classes. If you're looking for a babysitter, ask about that too. We'll try to pair you up with a recently Red Cross certified babysitter!

Wooly the Lamb's Visit

2008-04-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

Fifteen youngsters joined library volunteer Deb Crandall and library director Shauna Swantek for storytime at the library on Friday, April 25th. Each child held a small stuffed lamb in honor of the theme for that day's story time.

"Grandma Deb" read The Lamb and the Butterfly during which she asked if anyone knew how to say butterfly in Spanish. After a silent pause filled the room, one eager young man with excellent listening skills raised his hand and said he knew how.

Deb asked him to share with everyone to which he replied proudly, "butterfly in Spanish." A round of applause was given--as well as the a short lesson on the Spanish word "mariposa".

Miss Shauna then led the group in a nine verse version of Mary Had a Little Lamb--while Deb showed the storybook pictures. After the singing, everyone went outside to greet a special story time guest that assistant director Emily Mater had invited. Many children posed for pictures with the lamb before returning inside to select books for reading at home!

The next story time is Tuesday, May 6th at 7 pm. It is a nighttime story time so children are invited to wear their PJs and bring a stuffed friend. The local Girl Scout troop will be attending to read their favorite stories! Mark your calendar.