News from the Kendallville Public Library:

Library Plans Lower Level Open House

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The library's Lower Level will be complete this month and will be "unveiled" at an open house on February 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. In addition to getting a look at the new space, guests are welcome at the Friends of the Library Book Sale also happening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (FOL members will receive a special discount)! Everyone will get a first look at the new Art Print Collection and can view student art from Wayne Center, North Side and South Side Elementary Schools.

Author Adam Gidwitz Visits Kendallville

Each year, the Kendallville Public Library brings an author to Kendallville as part of the Kleiman Creative Writing Contest, to encourage young authors. This year, that's looking a little grimm.

Adam Gidwitz, the author of The Grimm Conclusion, In a Glass Grimmly and A Tale Dark and Grimm, will be speaking to students, teachers and parents at the Kendallville Public Library on Monday, January 26.

Reading is Snow Cool at KPL

Winter is a great time to read. It makes a great picture: curled up by the fire while the snow is falling, reading a book that just can't be put down.

This winter, the Kendallville Public Library is encouraging adults to read, and offering prizes, too!

Bookface Winter Blues Contest for Teens

Teens who put their face in a book this winter may win a prize! The Bookface Winter Blues Contest is going on throughout the month of January at the Kendallville Public Library and its Limberlost branch in Rome City.

Teens can participate by finding a book with a face on it, and taking a selfie with that book.

Board Approves Policy Changes

Tuesday night the Kendallville Public Library Board of Trustees approved several revised policies and gave the staff a raise.

The 2015 budget includes a 3% pay increase for hourly employees and 2% increase for salaried employees. The board voted unanimously to approve the pay increase since the money was already included in the bottom line for next year. Employees will receive the increase beginning with their first paycheck in January.

Library Volunteers Receive Giver of Gifts Awards

Each year, the Noble County Community Foundation bestows several Giver of Gifts awards to volunteers throughout Noble County. For the second year in a row, two Kendallville Public Library volunteers have received that honor.

At a ceremony on December 4, Rachael Green and Yvonne DeMuyt were honored for their years of service to the library.

Since 2012, Rachael has dedicated over 1,500 hours of time to the adult and teen departments. She was nominated by Adult Services Librarian Mindy Patterson.

2015 Kleiman Creative Writing Contest

kleiman new logo2.png Get your own child - or an entire classroom of children - started on their entries for the Kleiman Creative Writing Contest, open to 4th, 5th and 6th grades. Books will be due on Friday, March 20. You can find all the contest documents right here, including guidelines, a sample layout, and a sample scoring sheet.

Library Adds New Microfilm Reader with LSTA Grant

KPL Microfilm 3.jpg The Kendallville Public Library recently received a $10,000 grant to purchase a new microfilm reader for the Russell Frehse Genealogy Room. This new equipment, called the U-Scan +, replaces an older model that is no longer being serviced or manufactured. The U-Scan + offers a crisper digital image, important to researchers.

Library Expands Services with Technology, Outreach

Rather than focusing on what the library has for people, the Kendallville Public Library is concentrating more on what it can do for the community. Since the library moved into a new building on South Park Avenue in June of 2007, library visits have increased significantly.

"It's wonderful that people are continuing to come to us, to take advantage of the technology and resources we offer," said Library Director Katie Mullins.

Library Adds TASC DVDs to Collection

The number of Americans who don't finish high school is truly staggering. Some wish they could get a “second chance” by earning their high school equivalency (HSE) credential, but many find the TASC exam too intimidating.

Now not only can they find help through the Impact Institute's HSE classes, they can get some extra visual assistance from the Kendallville Public Library.