So Much to Be Thankful for...Thankfully!

      The Friends of the Library reintroduced its popular Flix @ the Library program in September with showings of “Sing 2” for families and “Downton Abbey” for grown-ups. But, it’s apparently going to take a little time for attendance to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Board Past President Debbie Straub, who manages the program.

      “We’re very excited about making recently released, popular films available to library patrons again after a more than two-year hiatus,” Debbie said. “We knew it would take a little time to regain the momentum the program had been building before the pandemic, and that is proving to be the case.”

      Debbie said that while factors such as expanded streaming capabilities and lingering pandemic-related concerns might impact attendance in the short term, she is confident that Flix fans will return to this free entertainment once they become aware that it’s back.

      “There’s something to be said about watching a movie in a theater-like setting, with other people, large screens and free refreshments,” she said. “And, we work hard to get movies scheduled that aren’t readily available yet through streaming services, like “Elvis” and “Top Gun: Maverick.”

      That makes scheduling a bit of a challenge since it’s impossible to know more than a couple months ahead of time what movies will be available for showing, which makes frequent communication with patrons extra important, Debbie explained.

      “We’re going to do a better job communicating on a timely basis so that library patrons are aware of what’s showing and can make plans well in advance,” she said.

      While additional dates and movie titles will be added to the schedule going forward, here’s what’s currently on the slate for Flix @ the Library:

Date  Audience  Movie

Nov 13  Family (DC League of Super Pets)

Nov 19  Grown-Ups (Top Gun: Maverick)

Jan 8  Family   (TBD)

Feb 12  Family  (TBD)

Mar 12  Family  (TBD)

Apr 16  Family  (TBD)

      Mark those dates on your calendar and watch for additional information about movie titles in the library, on our website, on Facebook and in email communications. See you at the movies!

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      ASL (American Sign Language) Storytime is a relatively new program offered at the Cascade Branch of KDL which was created out of a partnership with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS). 

      As KDL was looking to understand more about how to better serve the Deaf community (8-13% of Kent County residents are deaf or hard of hearing), several people from KDL met to understand more about community needs. One of them was Ashley Smolinski, who was Branch Outreach & Programming Specialist at the time but since has become the assistant regional manager for the Cascade and Caledonia branches.

      “Covid has affected the Deaf community in a number of ways, but there's been a real problem with interpreter certification, which has led to a shortage of ASL interpreters,” Ashley explained. “Additionally, many people in the Deaf community have needed help through interpreters in hospitals and education settings. Part of the reason ASL storytime exists is to help people understand a bit more about Deaf culture, to learn some sign language, and to serve as a resource for families who might be interested in learning ASL or have a family member or friend who is Deaf or hard of hearing.”

      Ashley currently teaches the ASL Storytime program along with Nancy Piersma from DHHS in addition to an interpreter for the program. Each week is similar to the typical storytimes offered by the library for children, but an educational component is emphasized. It is truly a bilingual program with each part presented in sign language and voiced in English. 

      As awareness and interest in the unique program have grown, so has attendance, which had reached 37 by the fifth session, leading to an unexpected interview from WZZM. 

      Ashley said that she has learned a lot about the wide range of reasons people attend the ASL Storytime sessions:

      -A mother, who is 35 and losing her hearing, is bringing her family so they'll be able to communicate when she's completely Deaf. 

      -A mom and daughter are coming so they can learn to talk to their 20-year-old cousin in Seattle over FaceTime. 

      -A nanny is coming with two kids now so she can learn more sign in order to be able to take care of a Deaf child in the spring who has hearing parents. 

       -A couple of older grandmas who are losing their hearing are coming so they can bring their grandchildren. h friends who are Deaf later on. 

       -A couple of older grandmas who are losing their hearing are coming so they can bring their grandchildren. 

 -A former interpreter is coming with her granddaughter and son who studied ASL. 

      -A mom who has a child with a cochlear implant is coming to see if he can make friends with people like himself before he goes to Northview, the local school with a Deaf program in Grand Rapids. 

      “At each Storytime I feel like I learn something more about Deaf culture and what inclusion and equality look like within this program,” Ashley said. “It's been amazing to watch children sign back at us as we're reading a story, able to process and practice the language while making sense of it as a group. We're also learning more as people hear about this program that there isn't anything like it locally, and that people are very happy with it.”

      One interesting aspect of the program has been the community's interest in a Deaf playgroup, where they could come together to play and interact in sign language, a concept that needs a little more research but will likely be tested this fall and in the spring, Ashley said. 

      “Supporting an initiative like this is expensive in terms of paying an outside presenter, as well as an interpreter,” she added. “The cost of materials like board books is simple, but the cost of people is more complicated. So, we are so grateful to the Friends of the Library for supporting us and for their unflagging interest in what's going on at the library.”

      You can learn more about this worthwhile program by visiting the DHHS website. 

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Editor’s Note: Those of us who work alongside other volunteers in the basement of the library, sorting thousands of books for resale, know firsthand just how much their commitment, passion, sense of humor and concern for others make it a wonderful and meaningful way to invest time and talents in the community. 

      Lori LaCroix believes in the power of books and reading. And, she does more than just talk about it: She lives it. Books have been an integral part of her life for as long as she can remember, with fond memories of venturing off to the Gaines Township Branch of KDL by herself as a young girl to seek magic and knowledge on the library’s shelves.

      “My love for reading started in my home,” she said. “My father would linger over his coffee every morning for an hour enjoying the written word before heading off to work.” He modeled the attitude towards books and reading that would have a strong influence over her life.

      “My husband, Mark, and I really believe in the importance of reading to children at a young age and to having them see adults reading,” she said. “When a parent can hold a baby and a book at the same time, it’s time to start reading to them.”

      As a Friends volunteer, Lori decorates the Chapter Two bookstore to reflect changes in the seasons. She is also a frequent volunteer at book sales and helps out sorting books in the basement. “I really enjoy decorating the bookstore to help make it festive and welcoming.”

      Lori also served as an unofficial liaison between the Cascade Friends group and the Department of Health and Human Services “Reading Corner Program for five years,” providing books to share with the families who sought services from that department.

      “Unfortunately, the pandemic hastened the end of the program after 15 years of existence,” she said. But, she said she was glad that she could make an important difference while it lasted.

      That love for books and for making them available to others had another opportunity for expression recently when a neighbor and fellow member of the Friends, Amy Hoyt, decided to move to the Holland Home Breton Woods retirement community and couldn’t take her Little Free Library with her.

      “When I was honest with myself,” Amy explained, “I had to admit that, in the new setting, it wouldn’t be used as it was intended, serving all ages and interests in the community.  Breton Woods already has two extensive libraries in their two high rise apartment buildings; there’s not a lot of foot traffic; and there are no kids.  

      “It became more important to me for the little library to be used as it’s meant to be, rather than for me to hold onto it because it’s been one of the most joyful and meaningful endeavors I’ve ever undertaken in my life.”
     So, Amy stared searching for a home for it, preferably somewhere on her street, where the little library was already popular and had a “following” of dedicated users.  And, that led her to Lori and Mark’s doorstep, just a few houses down from her own. 

      “They are both dedicated book lovers, and I’m absolutely thrilled that they decided to adopt it and officially become its stewards,” she said.  “Knowing the little library will have such good stewards and that its established users will still have access to it, not to mention the many new folks who will discover it in the years ahead, warms my heart and makes parting with it bittersweet rather than painful.”

      Amy said she and Mark feel the same way about it. “When we heard the little library was in danger of being orphaned, we couldn’t let that happen,” Lori explained. “We felt it was a very important part of our community and would help us continue to fulfill our commitment to books. Plus, since my husband is an avid reader, the little library gives him a ready avenue to share books with others once he has read them.”
     So, how has the little library adapted to its new home? “It’s getting a lot of traffic,” Lori explained. “So, I’d say it has taken pretty well to its new home.”

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