allegan city council candidates forum · allegan city council candidates forum tuesday, october 15...

331 Hubbard Street, Allegan, MI 49010www.alleganlibrary.org • 269-673-4625

Mondays - Thursdays 10 AM–9 PM • Fridays & Saturdays 9 AM-5:30 PM

A L L E G A N C I T Y COU NC I L C A N DI DAT E S FORU M

T U E S DAY , O C TOB E R 15 AT 6 P M

Sept • Oct • Nov 2019

ADL Friends’ 5th Annual Tea PartySunday, October 13, 2019

3:00-5:00 pmThe Friends of the Allegan District Library will host their 5th annual Tea Party on Sunday, October 13 in the recently renovated historic Carnegie Room. The theme of this year’s Tea will be “Tea for Princes and Princesses.” The afternoon will feature a short program highlighting some of the world’s famous princes and princesses, a regal Storytime for the youngest royals, as well as prince and princess-friendly finger foods and tea. Parents and grandparents are invited to treat their young royals to this fanciful afternoon. Regal costuming is encouraged but not required.

Reservations are required; tickets are $10 for royals over the age of 10, and $5 for royals age 10 and under. Reservations are limited and can be made at the Library circulation desk beginning September 1st. All funds from donations will go to Library youth programming. Join us for an afternoon of fun and fancy!

With the shared mission of providing reliable and timely information, as well as representing the well-being of our community and local economy, we have partnered with the Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Allegan County News to sponsor a formal question-and-answer forum in advance of the November 5th election of City Council members.

This is your opportunity to meet the candidates, learn about their positions on relevant issues, and to measure their demeanor and competence when addressing those issues in public. The forum will include introductions and opening position statements followed by the delivery of prepared and audience questions. Each candidate will be permitted to answer or decline each of the questions. The event will follow a forum protocol and is not a debate. The forum will be streamed to Facebook Live. Like the City Council roles, the forum will be strictly independent of sectarian affiliation, will be non-partisan, and non-denominational in its approach to the question and answers.

To submit a question for consideration in advance of the forum, email it to Library Director Ryan Deery at [email protected]. Please be aware that time constraints and other factors will determine which and how many audience questions are utilized.



Adult Programs & EventsIntroduction to DrawingTuesdays, September 17-October 22, 6:30 PM | Children’s Program RoomIn collaboration with the Allegan Arts Council, Wendy Seelhoff, from Wendy’s Works of Art, will be returning to teach us the ABCs of art which include an introduction to drawing material, perception of line, edges, space, value, and beginning perspective. Please plan to attend all six classes. All supplies provided free of charge. Space is limited. Registration required.

Pintesting-Scarecrow/Snowman Holiday SignWednesday, October 16, 6 PM | Children’s Program Room Want to try out some Pinterest crafts, but don’t feel like investing in all sorts of supplies? Here at the library all you need is your creativity and a sense of humor; we’ll provide the rest. For ages 16 and up. Space is limited. Required registration begins Wednesday, September 25 at 10 AM. Individuals may only sign up themselves and one other person.

Therapy Dogs and Mental HealthSaturday, November 2, 2:00 PM | Children’s Programming RoomJoin Christine Hassing, Angela Moe, and Sunny the Therapy Dog to learn more about the positive healing impact canines have on trauma, crisis, victimization, grief, anxiety, and depression. This event will include an opportunity for each

participant to engage with Sunny the Therapy Dog while also learning more about the positive impact Sunny has had through the sharing of “Tails from the Field.” This event will also involve an interactive exercise that demonstrates the power of story-telling and story-listening.

Legal Assistance Speaker Series Wednesdays, September 18-October 9, 6 PM | Carnegie RoomNavigating the legal system can be overwhelming. This autumn we are partnering with Allegan County Legal Assistance Center to bring a seminar series, covering a different topic each week:

September 18: Jennifer Kamps, Allegan County Friend of the Court, will be providing an overview of services including parenting time, custody and child support.

September 25: Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Bakker will give an overview of the court system. Bring any and all of your general questions to this introductory informational session.

October 2: At this session, Attorney Daniel Borton of Legal Aid of Western Michigan will speak on the fundamentals of landlord-tenant law.

October 9: Probate courts deal with the property and debts of a person who has died. Join us as County Probate Court Administrator Avery Rose shares information covering deceased estates, guardianship, and conservatorship.



Creative Aging ClubAdult Programs & Events Continued

Monthly ProgramsThe ADL Book Club Tuesdays, September 3, October 1, and November 5, 7 PM | Carnegie RoomJoin us for great books, great conversation and a great time! No registration required.

Sept: The Friend by Sigrid NunezOct: The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See Nov: In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

Pub Quiz Night @ Tantrick Brewing Co.Fridays, September 20, October 18, and November 15 at 6 PMTest your knowledge in a fun night of trivia covering a variety of topics. In addition, October’s pub quiz will feature a spooky theme; come dressed in your Halloween best for a chance to win a prize. Teams of 4-6. Space is limited. Registration begins at 6 PM; quiz starts at 7 PM. Show your library card and earn an extra 10 points to add to your team’s score. Note: Feel free to bring your dinner as Tantrick does not serve food.

Tech Class

Cards for CardsThursday, September 12 11:30 AM | Carnegie RoomSeptember is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Help us get the next generation of library users excited about our library by writing a note to area children who will be getting their first card this month. All the supplies you’ll need to make and write your cards, as well as lunch, will be provided. Registration required.

DIY Essential Oil Room Fresheners Thursday, November 2111:30 AM | Carnegie RoomThere’s just something so comforting about those

classic holiday scents. At this DIY make-and-take program, you will be able to make a sweet orange and cinnamon room freshener in a painted mason jar and enjoy lunch too! Registration required.

Game Day: Wheel of FortuneThursday, October 24, 11:30 AMCarnegie Room Our take on the popular game show! Participants will be divided into teams to solve word puzzles and win prizes. Multiple rounds will be played and winners will be determined by totaling points from each round. Free lunch! Registration required.

Taking Better Photos with Your Smart Phone WorkshopSaturday, September 212:00 PM | Carnegie Room

Want to learn how to take photos like a pro but don’t want to invest in fancy equipment? In this workshop, Jeffrey M. Smith, a photographer and video producer at the University of Michigan, will show you how to take better photos using your smartphone. You’ll acquire some strategies for improving your photos and learn how to make simple edits and enhancements using the free app Snapseed. Bring your own fully charged phone along, you’ll be using it! Registration required.



Kids Programs & EventsLittle Ones (Toddlers & Preschoolers)

Music & Movement Thursdays, September 5, October 3, & November 710:30 AM | Children’s Programming RoomJoin us on the first Thursday each month for 30 minutes of stretching, singing, dancing and playing! Music and Movement is a great opportunity to get your little one moving while boosting gross motor skills and developing vocabulary. A healthy snack will be provided at the end of each session. No registration required.

StorytimeWednesdays, September 4-11; September 25 - November 2010:30 AM | Children’s Programming RoomStorytime is designed to promote literacy, language development, and a love of books. Sessions include fun stories, songs, and crafts designed to bring out the future reader in your child. Come out and play! For anyone ages 0-5, families welcome. No registration required.

Older Kids (K-5th Grade)

Fun For All AgesLEGO ClubMondays, September 9, October 7, and November 4 4:00 PM | Children’s Programming Room

What will you invent? Each month, come complete the LEGO Challenge, and discover your inner builder. Let your mind wander and your creativity take over as you create your LEGO masterpiece. Duplos are available for little inventors. Creative geniuses of all ages are welcome. No registration required.

CrafternoonTuesdays, September 10, October 29, and November 12, 4:00 PM | Children’s Program RoomStop by the library after school to unwind with some hands-on creative projects. Caregivers may need to assist younger participants with some projects. Grades K+. Registration encouraged.

September: Perler Bead Pencil Holder October: Cemetariums November: Finger-knitted Scarves

STEAM Book Club for Beginning ReadersWednesdays, September 18 & November 13 and Friday, October 25, 2:00 PMChildren’s Programming Room Looking for something to do on APS early release days? Check out our brand new book club for elementary-aged children. We will read the book of the month out loud together, then discuss the story through dramatic play while enjoying a snack. Each session will conclude with STEAM activity relating to the book. In November, we will be participating in the National Endowment for the Arts Little Read Lakeshore Community Read, reading, discussing and exploring The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet along with other libraries and schools in our area. Grades K-3. No registration required.



Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Tournament Friday, September 6, 2 PM | Children’s Programming Room Battle your friends in a double-elimination Super Smash Bros Ultimatetournament. Not much of a fighter? Come spectate and indulge in snacks. Don’t forget to stop by the Teen Area leading up to the tournament toget your practice in and find your main. This program is being held on an

APS early release day. Those who do not attend APS can request a spot in a bracket later in the tournament. Grades 6+. Registration required.

Teen Programs & Events

DIY Book Buttons Wednesday, October 16All afternoon | Perrigo STREAM Lab & ADL Lab Did you know we have a

button maker in our digital lab? Come check it out and express yourself with a personalized button! We’ll provide some supplies to make your own creation, but you can also bring your own images to transform into something wearable. No registration required.

Tech PlaygroundFriday, November 156 PM | Perrigo STREAM Lab Your favorite after-hours hangout is back! Check out our robots, experience VR and play video games while enjoying snacks and pizza after the library is closed. Grades 6+. Registration required.

Sphero Mini GolfFriday, September 27, 4:00 PM Children’s Programming RoomIn this program combining design

skills with coding, we’re bringing a summertime favorite into the library. We’ll teach you how to code your robot to navigate any obstacles, then we’ll all create our own mini golf holes to complete a full course. Grades 3+. Registration required.

Code a Clicker Game Thursday, October 17, 4:00 PMChildren’s Programming RoomA clicker game is a simple video game which involves performing basic actions to earn points. Using Scratch, participants will create their own characters and settings, then learn how to earn points and program goals. This program is suitable for coding beginners, experts and everyone in between! Grades 3+. Registration required.

Art Bots: Spherographs Saturday, November 23, 1:00-3:00 PM | Children’s Programming RoomLearn how to code our Sphero robots to transform into a Spirograph and create some artwork to take home with you. This is a drop-in program which will run on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration required.



ADL Labs! for Adults: 3D Printing WorkshopSaturday, October 5, 12:00 PM | ADL Lab There is so much that can be done with a 3D printer; where do you begin? Attend this work-shop to get acquainted with our Rostock Max 3D printers and learn how to design your first object. We will begin printing objects on the day of the program, but expect to come back in the next week to pick up your finished product. Ages 18+. Space is limited; registration required.

ADL Labs! for Adults: Drop-in Lab Time Mondays, September 9-November 25, 5:00-7:00 PM | ADL LabAre you curious about VR? Do you love gaming? Want to try animation? Stop by our Media Lab on Monday evenings! While adults are always welcome in our lab, this two-hour block will be designated just for our adult patrons interested in tinkering with the technology the ADL lab has to offer.

The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Lakeshore Community Read and Movie Discussion

Initiated by the National Endowment for the Arts and organized by Hope College, the Allegan District Library is joining Fennville District Library, Herrick District Library, Saugatuck District Library, and over a dozen other libraries, organizations, and school districts in reading Julia Alvarez’s “In the Time of the Butterflies.”

“In the Time of the Butterflies” tells the story of the four Mirabal sisters — Patria, Minerva, Maria Teresa and Dede — who were murdered on November 25, 1960 due to their roles as leading opponents of the regime of Dominican Republic’s long-time dictator, Generalissimo Rafael Trujillo. This book, published in 1994, was selected with the aim of broadening our understanding of the world, community, and self through the joy of sharing a good book.

Copies of “In the Time of the Butterflies” will be available at the Allegan District Library throughout October and November with a book club discussion on Tuesday, November 5th at 7pm, as well as a showing of the 2001 feature film and discussion on Wednesday, November 13th at 6pm. In addition to these events, a host of other opportunities to explore, discuss, and interact with “In the Time of the Butterflies,” including an author reading at Hope College, are available at many of the partner institu-tions. Information about all NEA Big Read Lakeshore events can be found at https://hope.edu/offices/big-read/

F o r A d u l t s

ADL Labs! for Adults: Introduction to Google Earth VR Saturday, November 9, 12:00-4:00 PM | ADL LabWith Google Earth VR you can explore the world from a totally new perspective. Using Oculus Rift, you can teleport across the globe and find yourself strolling through

the streets of Tokyo or soaring over the Grand Canyon. Attending this workshop will teach you the basics of navigating the virtual world, building a foundation for additional virtual experiences in the future. Participants will register for one 20-minute time slot within this block in order to allowadequate time for all those interested to complete their journey. Ages 18+. Registration required.



Schedule of EventsSeptember

October

November

SUN

SUN

SUN

MON

MON

MON

TUE

TUE

TUE

WED

WED

WED

THUR

THUR

THUR

FRI

FRI

FRI

SAT

SAT

SAT

8

3

15

10

22

14

17

29

21

24

11

6

18

10

13

25

17

20

24

27 28

1

9

1

4

16

8

11

23

15

18

30

22

25

12

7

19

11

14

26

18

21

25

2

10

2

5

17

9

12

24

16

19

23

26

13

8

20

12

15

27

19

22

26

14

6

9

21

13

16

28

20

23

27

Book Club 7 PMClosedLabor Day

Storytime 10:30 AM

Cards for Cards 11:30 AM

Pub Quiz Night 6 PM

Storytime 10:30 AM

STEAM Book Club 2 PM

STEAM Book Club 2 PM

Legal Speaker Series 6 PM

28 29

Children Older Kids TeensAdults All Meetings

Friends Meeting 1 PM

3 4 5

7

Candidates Forum6 PM

Intro to Drawing6:30 PM

1

3130

30

Wheel of Fortune 11:30 AM

Crafternoon Pencil Holder 4 PM

Lego Club 4 PMADL Labs! for Adults

5-7 PM

Friends’ Tea Party3 PM

29

Music & Movement 10:30 AM

Closedat 5:30 PM

Closed

Storytime 10:30 AM

ADL Labs! for Adults 5-7 PM

Board Meeting 7 PM

Labs: Spherographs 1 PM


Super Smash Bros.Tournament 2 PM


Labs: Sphero Mini Golf 4 PM

Intro to Drawing6:30 PM

Book Club 7 PM

Tech Playground 6 PMPub Quiz Night 6 PM

Pub Quiz Night 6 PM

Storytime 10:30 AM

Storytime 10:30 AMLegal Speaker Series

6 PM

Storytime 10:30 AM

Storytime 10:30 AM

Labs: Code a Clicker 4 PM

432 5 76

Book Club 7 PM

Storytime 10:30 AM

Storytime 10:30 AMSTEAM Book Club 2 PM

NEA Film 6 PM

Intro to Drawing 6:30 PM





6 PM


6 PM

Therapy Dogs 2 PM

Room Fresheners 11:30 AM

Smart Phone Workshop 2 PM

Crafternoon Cemetariums 4 PM

Crafternoon Scarves 4 PM

Book ButtonsAll Afternoon

Pintesting 6 PM




5-7 PM


Board Meeting 7 PM




Closed Noon-4 PM



5-7 PM


Board Meeting 7 PM

ADL Labs! for Adults 3D Printing

Workshop 12 PM



ADL Labs! for Adults Google Earth VR

12 PM



Directors Note

Please Note: Programs, events and spaces may be photographed or videotaped to be utilized in the library’s print and online publications.Please notify library staff if you prefer not to be photographed.

Please Note: Programs, events and spaces may be photographed or videotaped to be utilized in the library’s print and online publications.Please

TO: CURRENT RESIDENT ALLEGAN, MI 49010

Another phenomenal Michigan summer is coming to a close, and while I enjoyed the gardening, swimming, and biking with my family, as I always do, this summer I had the added joy of coming to work in our gorgeous new library. It truly was a pleasure to see how all of you made use of your new space. From sunbathing on the reading deck, to impromptu board game tournaments in the meeting rooms, to endless kids and teens interacting with the technology, toys, and fun and educational programs on offer, our new space was utilized in exciting ways we both planned for and couldn’t have imagined.

The unimagined uses and possibilities that our expanded and renovated library opened up has made us rethink some of our practices as well as our design intentions, and I want to briefly touch on how your library is evolving:

• Community Meeting Room Demand: Due to high demand from community members for the use of the Historic Carnegie Room, Board Room, and Children’s Program Room, we have created an online calendar and reservation system to facilitate the process of reserving these rooms. Navigate to the “Services” tab on our website to find descriptions of these rooms and directions for reserving them.

• Tweens in the Library: In designing and opening our youth and teen spaces, we heard from some community members that neither felt like a great fit for our community’s tweens. Thanks to great input from tweens, their families, and the schools, we are adding some features including technology and seating to the youth area to make it a more inviting space.

• Technology: We heard loud and clear that bridging the digital divide and providing high tech tools was a crucial piece of the project, and incorporated many cool new tech tools and toys to meet that demand. However, we couldn’t possibly have anticipated just how popular the Digital Lab, interactive TVs, gaming, and computers would be. To help fill this new demand, we have increased Digital Lab hours, added three new computers, made laptops available for in-library checkout, and added a second Nintendo Switch.

• Food in the Library: This summer we were excited to witness many of you stopping in with a snack or a picnic, however, in order to maintain our new furniture, materials, and technology, our previous policy didn’t allow for eating in the library. The new lower level is an open space free of technology, books, and carpeting, so we revised our policy to allow eating in the new Lower Level Café. So please stop in the lower level and snack away!

Sincerely,Ryan Deery

allegan city council candidates forum · allegan city council candidates forum tuesday, october 15...

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