March is Reading Month

Graphic with colorful flowers and the words "Welcome Spring"

Welcome Spring & Celebrate Reading with these activities during the month of March!

Kids Birth – K | Early Literacy Activity Table: Try our monthly manipulative activity that supports Early Literacy! 

Kids Birth – K | Guest Readers: We have special guests coming to the library for our Tuesday morning 11am Preschool Storytimes! See below for more info.

Kids 3+ | Scavenger Hunts: Hunt for objects around the library and earn a candy prize! See below for more info.

Kids 0 – 6th Grade | Library Land Game: Sing silly songs, find books, and tell a story as you journey through our Library! Instant Prize each time you play, complete the game to enter our Grand Prize drawings!

Teen Activity Table: Each week we will have a game, puzzle, or a craft set up for teens to enjoy!

Adults| Guess this Book: Adults, can you “Guess this Book”? We’ve stuffed pages from a damaged book in a guessing jar. Guess the title and the author from just what you can see! Winner drawn on March 31!

Kids looking through a magnifying glass

Library Scavenger Hunts!

Our young patrons love Scavenger Hunts in the Library, and the rewards are oh so “sweet”! Starting March 1, kids will be able to participate in the following hunts:

I Spy! Our Bulletin Board will be turned into giant “I Spy” board! Kids get a paper list telling them what to find on the board. Turn in the paper at desk for candy prize!

Popular Book Characters Laminated pictures of popular children’s book characters are hidden throughout Children’s Department. Kids get a paper list of hidden characters, and will check them off as they find the characters. Turn in the paper for candy prize!

Special Guest Readers

Ben Hassenger; Preschool Storytime, Tuesday March 5 at 11am
Ben Hassenger is well-known as Michigan’s Ukulele Ambassador, teaching ukulele in Michigan classrooms and communities through the Music is the Foundation non-profit. He is also the founder of the Mighty Uke Day festival and the Lansing Area Ukulele Group, and is involved in many other ukulele adventures. As a voracious reader in his younger days, Ben loves nothing more to read to, and sing with, his three grandchildren and is looking forward to sharing his joy of reading and music with you!

Ukulele with Ben Hassinger
Cindy Langenberg from Halloween 2022

Cindy Langenberg; Preschool Storytime, Tuesday March 12 at 11am
Cindy Langenberg is a local favorite storyteller sharing the history of Grand Ledge and art appreciation with thousands of children over her career.  Cindy has been working with the Grand Ledge Area Historical Society since before the society was  formed in 1975. Her role then was record keeping with the local newspaper, the Grand Ledge Independent. She is now the secretary for the society as well as the society’s museum curator. She is also the president of the Grand Ledge Garden Club.

Grand Ledge Chief of Police Ron Erickson; Preschool Storytime, Tuesday March 19 at 11am
The Library welcomes Chief Ron Erickson to Grand Ledge and as a father himself he loves storytime.  Ron is originally from Lake Orion, Michigan. He attended Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement. Ron started his career as a patrol officer with the Adrian Police Department in Adrian, Michigan, where he worked for two years prior to laterally transferring to the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office-Illinois in January of 1995. He retired from the sheriff’s office in December of 2023 as the Operations Commander/Captain. Ron was hired as the Chief of Police with the City of Grand Ledge on January 3rd, 2024.

Grand Ledge Chief of Police - Ron Erickson
Linda Kuhlman in front of bookshelf

Linda Kuhlman; Preschool Storytime, Tuesday March 26 at 11am
Linda graduated from MSU with a degree in Child Development & Teaching long ago and spent years teaching preschool & kindergarten. She graduated to work in a library in Lansing with all ages but her favorite activities were story times for babies and children. Linda has presented programs in many schools and libraries as The Storybook Quilt Lady.

Her hobby has always been quilting and she combined her love of children’s books and quilting to have a collection of books & quilts to go with them. Some have been autographed by the author!  Linda has been married to her husband John for many years, has one daughter, and three grandchildren.

Exciting March Events!  Women’s History, Crafting, and Fun Events for Folks of All Ages!

Baby Stories & Play
Saturday March 1 | 3:30pm – 4:30pm | 18 months & younger and their parents or caregivers
We’ll read a story, sing and rhyme together, do a fingerplay, and have fun while learning and playing. We’ll end with time for caregivers to socialize and babies to play & interact with each other.

Let’s Dance: Beginning Contra Dance Workshops
Sunday March 2 | 1:30pm – 3pm | Ages 7+
Learn the basics of Contra Dance and have fun at this lively FREE workshop! Come solo, bring some friends, make some friends, and learn fun dances in a friendly, relaxed, judgment-free atmosphere. Recorded music, live, in-person instruction, these fun dances are like an amusement park ride you make for yourself! Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you can move easily in.

Meet “Rosie the Riveter”!
Tuesday March 4 | 6pm – 7:30pm | Adult
Meet Claire Dahl, a Tribute “Rosie” reenactor and learn more about the Michigan Flight Museum & Air Adventures (formerly the Yankee Air Museum). “Rosie’s” presentation includes great pictures and fascinating information about the history of the Willow Run B-24 Bomber plant, part of the “Arsenal of Democracy” and of course, the legacy of Rosie, the Riveter. It’s great night of learning, laughing, smiling and a few tears as we remember the Greatest Generation

Red Cross Babysitting Workshop [Registration Req.]
Saturday March 8 | 10am – 4pm | For Teens 12+
Learn emergency procedures, discipline techniques, diapering, age-appropriate activities, rescue breathing, the Heimlich maneuver, and basic first aid skills needed while babysitting. Upon workshop completion, students receive an American Red Cross babysitting course certificate. Registration required, class size limited. Participants bring a sack lunch, water bottle. Parents: please come into the library to sign in your children the morning of the class. Participants bring a sack lunch, water bottle.

Reading Challenge Dinosaur Dig [Registration Req.]
Monday March 10 | 6pm – 7pm | Ages 5+
Calling all Dino-ROAR readers! Join us for an exciting Dino Dig program where you can unleash your inner paleontologist and uncover the past by digging for dinosaurs, listen to dino stories and dig up some dinosaur bones. Not enrolled in our Dino-ROAR challenge? Not a problem, there is still time to sign up at the event and start earning prizes!

Minecraft Mania
Tuesday March 11 | 6pm – 8pm | Ages 8 – 12
We’ll have our Minecraft server set up and the laptops ready to go. No experience needed — all levels of players/builders welcome.

Adult Bingo
Wednesday March 12 | 2:30pm – 4pm | Adults
Join us for a fun and engaging afternoon of Bingo complete with light refreshments and prizes for the lucky winners! No registration required, just show up ready to have fun!

“Woman of the Watch, Keepers of the Light”
Wednesday March 12 | 6pm – 7:30pm | Ages 12+
“Women of the Watch, Keepers of the Light,” written and performed by Kamryn Marck and directed by D.B. Schroeder, is an uplifting 45-minutes of music, laughter, and simple honest storytelling. The performance follows Kamryn as she relives family trips to lighthouses in Michigan, which ignites a passion to share the spectacular stories of various female lighthouse keepers of the Great Lakes. She details the lives of four particular keepers by donning voice and movement. As she steps into these brave women’s shoes, she discovers the tragedy of the hardships they faced and the beauty of their spirits. The performance is followed by a Q & A.

Glitzy Green Party
Saturday March 15 | 12:30pm – 2pm | All Ages
Families are invited to join us for a festive time before the St. Patrick’s Day parade. We will have crafts and our Library Land game available while you wait for the parade to begin.

ECLC Family Literacy Celebration
Sunday March 16 | 1pm – 3:30pm | Ages 0 – 5
The Lansing Mall (near Best Furniture)
Join us for a fun-filled day of children’s activities and storytelling! Meet beloved children’s book characters like Clifford the Big Red Dog, Kevin Henke’s Lily, and Frog and Toad! Every child receives a free backpack filled with books, courtesy of WKAR (one per child while supplies last). Rock out with Chicago-based Parents’ Choice Award-winning family musician Leonardo. Through sing-a-longs, jokes, stories, and dance moves this interactive performance will spark imagination, creativity, and a love for reading among all ages. Meet author/illustrator Lisa Wheeler!

Clay Pot Leprechaun Hats
Monday March 17 | 4:30pm – 5:30pm | Ages 6+
Get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with our Clay Pot Leprechaun craft! Transform a simple clay pot into an adorable leprechaun hat using paint and ribbon to make a charming decoration.

Financial Literacy Workshop: The Informed Renter [Registration Req.]
Wednesday March 19 | 6pm – 7:30pm | Adults
Considering renting but not sure where to start? Already a seasoned renter but want to learn how to become a better one? This workshop will equip you with valuable information about the rental process including costs, the application and approval process, and tenant rights and responsibilities. Participants will receive handouts to help document expenses, assess housing needs, and record important information about their rental. Presented by Ezra Pompos, Financial and Homeownership Program Instructor, MSU Extension. Office: 517-887-4575, email epompos@msu.edu.

Michigan Safe Boating Course & Certification [Registration Req.]
Saturday March 22 | 8am – 4:30pm | Ages 12+
Learn and Earn your Safe Boating Certification in one day! To legally operate a boat in Michigan, state law requires anyone born AFTER 7/1/1996 to have their Safe Boating Certification. The Michigan Safe Boating Course is the definitive 8-hour course for acquiring the Michigan Safe Boating Certification. The State of Michigan charges $29.50 for the online course and test. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Lansing Flotilla will teach the entire course live/in person AND administer the test on the same day. Registration required. There is no cost for the course, but a $20 dollar donation per person is recommended. Checks made payable to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Lansing Flotilla. For ages 12+, under 16 accompanied by responsible adult.

Aquarium in a Jar
Monday March 24 | 6pm – 7pm | All Ages
Dive into creativity with our Aquarium in a Jar craft! Patrons of all ages are invited to design their very own miniature aquarium in a jar using an assortment of miniature sea creatures, colorful pebbles, and aquatic themed decorations.

Balloon Animals Workshop with Mr. Greg!
Wednesday March 26 | 11am – 12pm | Ages 6+
Kids learn some basic skills to make Balloon Animals! Join Mr. Greg, “Balloon Zoo Wrangler” and have some fun making their own Balloon Creations! Learn types of balloons to use, where to get them, how to inflate them and twist and bend to make a fun creation to take home!

Hoop it Up! Hula Hoop Show & Class
Wednesday March 26 | 6pm – 7pm | All Ages
Kids, teens and adults–Come “Hoop it Up” with us this Spring! This fantastical hula hoop show begins and ends with a hoop dance performance. Sandwiched in the middle, kids of all ages will learn how to hoop dance, how to build hula hoop huts, and of course parents are encouraged to join us! We’ll spin, move and try something new as we move to fun music! Presented by Nat Spinz and the Motley Misfits Circus Entertainers.

Switch Gaming: Mario Kart
Thursday March 27 | 6pm – 8pm | Ages 8 – 12
Join us for an afternoon of fun and friendly Switch gaming! We’ll play Mario Kart today! Who’s the best driver around? Feel free to bring your Switch to play between your turns! All skill levels welcome!

Elephant and Piggie Party
Monday March 31 | 6pm – 7:30pm | Ages 5+
Celebrate our friends Gerald the Elephant and Piggie! Come make elephant and pig themed crafts, have some laughs, and do a special scavenger hunt.