KDL Branches in Lowell and Alto Offer Spring Break Activities

The official start to spring break has arrived.  Kent District Libraries (KDL) are a great place to visit any time during the year.  But over the next week, activities for kids who will be sticking close to home will be available in Lowell and Alto.

Activities for All Ages
All KDL branches off a wide range of materials which can be checked out.  Newly released movies and books are available the same day they’re on shelves in stores for purchase.  A hold can also be placed on items prior to their release as well. When the item is ready for pick up at your local branch you’ll receive notification.  

Additionally, the KDL catalog can be viewed online, and items which are not available at a branch local to a patron can be requested via hold to be transported to your home branch for ease of check out.  Books, movies, Wii and other game console games, family board games and activity packs, iPads, wi-fi hotspots and more can be borrowed from the library. Public library branches in Kent County have made it a priority to remain relevant as the role of a library has changed over the years.  

Various learning opportunities are also available for people of all ages.  Book discussions, computer classes, make and take classes for things like using essential oils, decorating mugs, making greeting cards, family story time, toddler time, movie nights, and more have been offered at branches.  Something for everyone can truly be found at KDL branches. Best of all the majority of the classes and events are free of charge. When there is a minimal cost, it’s to pay for supplies typically for adult classes.

Locally, on Tuesday, April 3 from 1pm – 3pm, stop by Englehardt Library for Build It!  The library will have various building sets available for visitors to use. Create something unique on your own or with a friend.  This is also a great family activity.

Geared Toward Six and Younger
Toddler Time is for children three and younger, with an adult.  Music, stories, and movement are the focus, all of which help develop language, motor skills, and social skills.  Plus it’s nice to get out and meet other parents with kids of similar age. This class is a great way to introduce children to the library.  This class takes place at Englehardt every Tuesday beginning at 6:30pm, including during spring break. The current session concludes on April 30.

Families are invited to listen to stories, sing, and more during Family Storytime.  After listening to stories, singing, and dancing, kids work on crafts, typically complimenting the stories read that day.  This class involves a little more sitting and listening compared to Toddler Time, which helps teach skills needed in preschool and kindergarten, including the development of early literacy skills.  Family Storytime takes place at the Alto branch on Mondays at 10:30am through May 21. Stop by Englehardt Thursdays at 10:00am through April 19.

Classes for School Aged Kids
Do you have a child who uses Minecraft or is interested in learning about it?  The Minecraft Club meets Mondays, April 2 and May 7 at 4:30pm at Englehardt. The branch has a limited number of computers and licenses for the game which are able to be used on a first come, first served basis.  Those who have a laptop with wi-fi capabilities and the game installed are invited to come and join the fun. Kids are able to build their own worlds and see the creativity of others at the same time.

Also at the Englehardt branch during spring break, a four-day workshop on coding is available for kids in grades 3-8 learning to code for the first time.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Englehardt Library, students will use simple programming language. Classes are Tuesday through Friday, April 3-6 from 3:30pm – 5:00pm.  Pre-registration is required for this workshop as space is limited.

Alto will host a STEAM for Fun and Discovery event on Tuesday, April 3 from 1pm – 3pm.  Kids can make projects to take home as they explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math.  

For those interested in solving mysteries through forensic science, Englehardt is the place to be on Wednesday, April 4 at 1pm.  Participants will learn forensic techniques such as dusting for fingerprints and analyzing fibers. There will even be an opportunity to solve a crime using these skills.  

Let Loose with Lincoln Logs takes place at Alto on Wednesday, April 4 from 1pm – 3pm.  Use the library’s set of Lincoln logs to create structures. Or visit the next day, Thursday, April 5 from 1pm – 3pm and make electrical circuits on a piece of paper.  Copper tape and LEDs can be turned into whatever you can imagine.

Finally, on Friday, April 6 from 1pm – 3pm at Alto kids can learn about anatomy.  STEAM based activities will teach visitors about the human body and how it works. Kids will also be able to make a brain hat to take home!

Activities Throughout the Year
The library isn’t a place to go to only when you’re looking for something to entertain kids over spring break and summer vacation.  It’s true, there are activities during these times, but the possibilities for discovery, learning, and resources are available every day of the year at a branch and online.  Gone are the images of old ladies with glasses checking books in and out while shushing patrons. The library is a lively place to visit. Kids can explore play areas. Adults can work on a puzzle, bring a laptop and enjoy a change of scenery when doing work.  And students wanting to learn more about a topic of interest can find information.

Librarians at KDL branches are available to help find materials and even help with basic computer skills.  A library card is a powerful weapon, easily obtained, and provides access to free materials, classes, and activities for newborns to seniors.  Have you discovered what the library has to offer?

A list of upcoming events at the Alto branch as well as happenings at the Englehardt Branch can be found online, including detailed information and whether pre-registration or a small fee is involved.  

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