Welcome to Interlochen Public Library
Kids Can Cook! A great way to educate kiddos about good nutrition, what's in season, planning and preparing meals, and reading food labels. It can encourage them to eat healthy foods, especially ones they may refuse to try. Expand your students, ages 5-12, horizons by getting them in the kitchen. Kids Can Cook cooking class starts on Thur., June 27th, 10 am–11 am and will be offered again on Thursday, July 11th, 18th, and 25th. Participation in all of the classes is optional. Registration is required by calling the library at 231-276-6767. This program offers a multi-generational experience for families. The youngest participants play with sensory food activities; the older children can participate in a food cutting and prep station using special knives, and then they take the fresh vegetables and fruits and assemble a fun snack or treat. We provided a safe cooking experience for the advanced participants with a varied menu each time.
Gather 2 Grow is Feeding America West Michigan’s summer lunch program serving youth at 32 local libraries in Allegan, Grand Traverse, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Osceola Counties.
Starting Monday, June 3, any children (18 and under) and developmentally delayed adults up to age 26 can receive nourishing meals at participating libraries during the summer at no cost. All meal options are nut-free, and various vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available as well. Examples of meal choices include chicken salad, chips and cheese, tortilla sandwiches, hummus, and more. The program will end the week of August 5.
Participating libraries can also find program resources at FeedWM.org/Gather2Grow.
Play is the path young children take to learning. Children learn best when meaningful play is both challenging and fun! IPL's Play & Learn follows the "science of play" and specializes in creating intentional play environments to set children up for both learning success (IQ) and emotional development (EQ).
We combine meaningful play with a dynamic and developmentally appropriate learning environment to expand children's cognitive, social, emotional, language, and motor abilities. We believe in our children's competency to use play to develop their unique perceptions and ideas about the world.
The community is invited to this free musical event for all ages with Sound Garden Project’s Kodak Quartet on Thur., Jul 18, 7
pm, Interlochen Public Library. The dynamic, award-winning string quartet inspires the world with their passionate and
energetic playing. The Friends of Interlochen Public Library provides refreshments. For more info, call 231-276-6767.
Have you ever listened to a string quartet from a fire truck? It starts at the Interlochen Public Library and ends across the street at the new Green Lake Township fire station! Hear amazing music and check out the new building, police car, and fire trucks. Learn more: HERE.
We want the best for all Interlochen residents, so I’m very proud to share that Interlochen Public Library has received a national grant to help make our community an even better place for everyone. Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.
The competitive award comes with a $20,000 grant to help the library increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs for disabled people in our community.
As part of the grant, IPL staff will take an online course on leading conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host an in-person discussion with residents with disabilities about their needs and how to use the grant funds to serve our community members with disabilities better.
There is a lot of room for collaboration with your organization! Your deep connections to the disabled community and experience working with children/adults with disabilities will help us reach our goals. Here is the link to our brief (and anonymous) survey to help develop an Accessible Small and Rural Communities Disability Access and Inclusion Plan to guide our initiatives to provide enhanced spaces and services. Your survey responses will help us figure out where we can improve. We will be sure to handle your feedback with the highest confidentiality.
Many thanks for your consideration and your work in the community.
Sincerely,
Jennifer, IPL Library Director
Crafts with Kristy. Join us for eight weeks of exploration, creativity, and fantastic art and craft making! Each Monday, June 10th through July 29th, from 10:30 am to noon, meet in the IPL community room for Crafts with Kristy. Kids will learn and practice different craft skills. Ages 5-12, but all ages are welcome. All supplies are provided.
ABOUT FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT Four Shillings Short are Aodh Og O'Tuama from Cork, Ireland, and Christy Martin from California. We are international touring artists who perform music from the Celtic lands, Medieval & Renaissance Europe, the Americas and India on over 30 instruments including the Hammered & Mountain Dulcimers, Pennywhistles, Recorders, Medieval and Renaissance woodwinds, Native American Flutes, Mandolins, North Indian Sitar, Psaltery, Charango, Banjo, Guitar, Ukulele, Middle Eastern, African & Irish Percussion and vocals.
We have been touring the US and Ireland since 1997, performing over 100 concerts annually. We have produced 13 albums and performed at various venues, including festivals, performing arts centers, folk and music society-sponsored concerts, and house concerts. We also have an educational concert called "Around the World in 30 Instruments," which we perform in libraries, museums, retirement communities, and schools.
Summer Sizzles with Chef Susanne is on the second Monday, June through September. The community is invited to participate in our free Health & Wellness: Summer Sizzle Cooking Class on the second Monday, June through September, from 3:00–4:30 pm, at Interlochen Public Library. We will feature grilling techniques and fresh summer produce. Travel the world with chef Susanne while making a healthy new recipe each month paired with our signature mocktails. Classes are limited to 10 people. Registration is required by going to interlochenpubliclibrary.org. This Health & Wellness: Live Your Best Life class is funded by the Allen Foundation. For more info, call the library at 231-276-6767.
Poi Dance is a form where weights on the ends of ropes swing in rhythmical patterns. Poi dance originated in New Zealand and is part of the Maori cultural tradition. This new version of Poi quickly changed as it spread around the world. Enthusiasts invented new moves and borrowed from other disciplines, such as juggling, club swinging, dance, and rhythmic gymnastics. Poi dancing appeals to people looking for a dynamic and engaging physical activity that is less intense than martial arts or competitive sports. A scientific study at the University of Auckland showed Poi significantly improved grip strength, balance, and attention.
Please join IPl for this fast-paced 45-minute motivation program, suitable for all ages. It combines music, comedy, dance, and audience participation. Thank you to the Friends of IPL for providing the refreshments.