Do you have a book club? Get your kit from Ransom!
NEW LIST!
Everything you need to have a great discussion packed in a handy bag. Now with over 60 great titles guaranteed to please your readers.
Everything you need to have a great discussion packed in a handy bag. Now with over 60 great titles guaranteed to please your readers.
Ransom Book Discussion
Join us the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM for an hour of intellectual and entertaining conversation.
January 9, 2012
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
By Rhoda Janzen
February 14, 2012
Arc of Justice
By Kevin Boyle
March 13, 2012
Listen
By Rene Gutteridge
New title recommendations are welcome!
All titles we have read are available in the discussion kit bags for circulation.
Ransom Writers
Second Sunday of each month at 2PM
Item Due Notices
Ransom has begun sending out emails of "Item Due Notices" in advance of
material due dates. We hope these notices will help patrons to remember to
return and/or renew their materials to avoid late fees. We will also continue to
email overdue item notices. Please be sure to add your email address to your
library account as well as any child's account to ensure you get these
notices.
Your checked out items may be viewed and renewed online by visiting: www.ransomlibrary.org and click on Library Account. Your
library account username and password are your library card number. If your
login is not working, please call the library at 269-685-8024.
Troan Yearbooks
Ransom District Library is missing the following yearbooks and we would appreciate donations of the following years:
1957, 1961, 1969, 1979, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998
Ransom only emails you once a month or as needed for the following reasons:
-Reserve Notices
(As Needed)
-Interlibrary loan (MEL)
(As Needed)
-Item Due Notices
(As Needed)
-Overdue Notices
(As Needed)
-Ransom eNewsletters
(Once a Month)
-New Book Alerts
(Once a Month)
Sign up your email to your account and/or your child's account today!
Story Time:
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Last Story Time for Winter:
December 21
For more information, please visit our Children's Page.
Online Access to Your Library Account and Online Catalog
Access your online library account by scrolling over "Library Catalog," then click "My Account." Just enter your library card number for your username and password. Once into your account, you may view your checked out materials and renew materials. You may also reserve materials online. Just search our catalog, locate the item and enter your library barcode number for your username and password. This can also be done through our Catalog Computers in the library!
Order on MEL? Review your MEL Account and renew items! Go to www.mel.org, click MyMel to log in. Or go to MyMel directly to check for due dates, renew your MEL materials, and see the status of your requests. Just select your library (Ransom District Library) from the drop down list and login with your name and library card number.
Get the updates, newsletters, and more!
Send us your email!Is your email on your library account? Get Ransom's Newsletters, interlibrary loan (MEL) and Ransom Reserve notices to your inbox!
If you registered your email with us and have not received an email, please check your "spam folder" and mark our email address as "not spam." Thank you!
Get Connected...
Visit our Community Page.
What title comes next in a series of books?
Find out with this valuable resource.
Database of: Kent District Library
Reserving the Meeting Room
The Library has a meeting room available for reservation. The room is available to non-profit organizations only. There is no charge for meeting room use. Please check our calendar for dates and times that already have the Burchfield Room reserved. If you would like to reserve the room, please call the Library for further information.
Check out the National Jukebox!
Compliments of The Library of Congress
The National Jukebox
"The
Library of Congress presents the National Jukebox, which makes
historical sound recordings available to the public free of charge. The
Jukebox includes recordings from the extraordinary collections of the
Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation and
other contributing libraries and archives." -Library of Congress Jukebox Website
|
Search MeLCat!
|
Just view new items or sign up!
Southwest MI Digital Library
Free eBooks & Downloadable AudiobooksNow compatible with Kindles!
Join us on Facebook!
Click here to see Ransom District Library's Page!
Follow us on Twitter!
Click here to see Ransom District Library's Page!
Get Ransom Newsletter Emails!
Click here to fill out the form to subscribe.
Need more information on ordering through MEL (interlibrary loan)? Go to our Library Cards page for more information.
CLASSES @ YOUR LIBRARY
Registration Required
Intro to Computers
Dates: Wednesday, January 11, 18 & 25 @ 7PM
Wonderful World of Word: Intro
Dates: Wednesday, February 8, 15, & 22 @ 7PM
Powerpoint 101: Wednesday, March 14 @ 7PM
E-reader Class: Wednesday, March 28 @ 7PM
Free Online Computer Classes!
Compliments of the Goodwill Community Foundation
Free Online Computer Classes!
Compliments of the Goodwill Community Foundation
Friends of Ransom Library Upcoming Book Sales
Save money and help the library at the same time by shopping at one of these upcoming book sales:
Saturday, January 28th
from 10-3 PM
Saturday, March 17th
from 10-3PM
Memorial Day,
May 28th from 10-2PM
All money made is used for future book purchases and special programs. Most books are $1 or less!
Can't make it to the Book Sale? Don't forget the Friends Book Sale Shelves!
Can't make it to the Book Sale? Don't forget the Friends Book Sale Shelves!
The Book Sale Shelves (behind the coffee counter) hold our best sale materials and are regularly restocked with the finest selection. These items are available for browsing and purchasing everyday during library hours!
DONATIONS NEEDED!
If you are cleaning house and have audiobooks, CD's, books or DVD's consider donating them to Ransom.
Don't forget: Donations are tax deductible, too!
Ransom will be closed:
Easter
Sun., April 8, 2012
Memorial Day
Mon., May 28, 2012
Independence Day
Wed., July 4, 2012
Labor Day
Mon., September 3, 2012
Closing Early at 5 p.m. on:
Wed., November 21, 2012
Thanksgiving
Thurs., November 22, 2012
Christmas Eve
Mon., December 24, 2012
Christmas Day
Tues., December 25, 2012
New Years Eve
Mon., December 31, 2012
New Years Day
Tues., January 1, 2013
Music Equipment Wanted!
Do you have a guitar, amplifier, or any other musical equipment to donate to the library? Your old guitar, acoustic or electric, and other musical equipment could provide an opportunity for someone else to discover the joy of playing music in upcoming Ransom District Library programs. Please consider donating any musical equipment to the library and feel in tune with your community.
ATTENTION PARENTS!
Parents: Add your email address to your child's account - get overdue notices sooner to help reduce fines! Just fill out the Contact Us Form with your name, your email, and child(ren)'s name.
Be sure to view all of Ransom District Library's events!
All events are listed on Ransom's calendar.
But for program details on Children's & Teen's events visit: Children's Page and Teen Page.
Free Electronics Recycling @ Ransom
Ransom has partnered with The Recycling Team to offer free recycling! We now accept: computers, monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, toners, cell phones, any type of batteries and more! No large appliances, please. TVs are accepted for a $10 fee. Please drop off items during regular library hours.
Got a question about a library service? Visit Ransom's Library Service Page!
Find out about our copy/fax/san service, exam proctoring, computers, MEL, and more!
Still have questions?
Contact us!
Questions about item loan periods, fines, and overdue items? Visit our Library Cards Page for more information!
Join our Friends of the Library! New Members are always welcome! Visit the Friend's Page for more info!
Flash Drives for Sale
Ransom Library can now save you the trouble of going home for your flash drive! 256MB USB drives are now available for purchase at the front desk for $5.00. Flash drives come with our logo.
Over 30 new movies were just added to the collection! Remember: Ransom has free DVD rental with no limits!
Seeking a Lifetime of Financial Security
Presented by Debbie Clark
Wednesday, February 1st @ 7PM
Local financial expert Debbie Clark will highlight the challenges faced by today's generation and offer important points to consider in preparing for retirement. It's never to early to start preparing for the future! Please register for this class.
Cut Your Costs with Couponing
Presented by Lauren and Giselle of SavingAddiction.com
Thursday, February 9 @ 7PM
Patrons will learn how to lower their grocery budget by 50%, play the drugstore game, coupon lingo, how to maximize their coupons, menu planning, stockpiling, giving and more!
Please register for this class.
|
CASH IN @ Ransom Library
to Win a Kindle Fire!
 “Cash In” at Ransom Library this winter to win a Kindle Fire during our adult reading program.
It's easy: simply sign up starting on February 9, 2012 and pick up a savings account. For every activity completed log in your savings. Patrons can track their savings by using the website library use calculator. Return your account by March 22, 2012. Join us for the finale on Thursday, March 29 @ 7PM to find out who saved the most and won the Kindle Fire. Author Lorilee Craker will be sharing Money Secrets of the Amish during this year's finale. All participants are eligible for weekly book drawings. Libraries have always been great money savers because of all the books and periodicals you can borrow and use for free. We've evolved with the times, and now a Ransom Library card has become a must-have ticket to savings! |
Corn Fed Girls Concert
Sunday, February 19 @ 2PM
The Ransom District Library would like to thank the Friends of the Ransom Library for their generous donation of funds that has allowed us to purchase sound gear. That purchase means the library can much more easily bring live music to the Plainwell community. We will premiere the new equipment on Sunday February 19th, with a show by Kalamazoo’s own Corn Fed Girls. A major hit at festivals all over the region, Corn Fed Girls shows and CDs showcase a wonderful blend of original songwriting, acoustic instrumentation, and vocal harmonies—you won’t want to miss this band! (Appropriate for families) Please visit the band's website for more information about them.
Literary Memoir Workshop
March 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd @ 7 PM
Joe Gross, Ransom Library’s new Asst. Director and Youth Services Coordinator, holds a Master of Fine Arts in Literature and Creative Writing with a concentration in creative nonfiction (memoir and essays). He has published essays, stories, and poems in a variety of national literary journals. Come join him for a four-week workshop in writing memoir. Participants will read and discuss some short works by great writers and have their own work critiqued (optional) as part of the course. Joe will cover anything from creative writing basics to publishing in literary journals that accept memoir. The workshop will be limited to 12 writers, please register early!
Please register by February 21st.
Money Secrets of the Amish
Presented by Author Lorilee Craker
Thursday, March 29 @ 7PM
Discover the money-saving and wealth-building secrets of America's thriftiest people, the Amish. Author and journalist Lorilee Craker, like the rest of us, felt the pinch from the financial fallout of 2008.
Inspired by a news segment covering the Amish and how they emerged from the economic crisis unscathed, she realized it was time to learn about their time-tested approach to personal finances.While the middle-class worried over the family budget and the wealthy cried over their slashed portfolios, the Amish were content. They not only had financial health to support their lives, they exuded a wholeness that eludes so many when the financial bottom drops out.
In Money Secrets of the Amish, readers go on an "Amish money makeover," learning the choices, secrets, and disciplines that safeguarded America's favorite plain folk.
Get Certified to Save a Life @ Ransom Library CPR and First Aid Class on March 3 from 10-1 PM
Amanda Roden, Heartsaver Instructor and Member of the American Heart Association
Amanda Roden, Heartsaver Instructor and Member of the American Heart Association
Cost: $40
Learn CPR (infant, child, adult), first aid, AED (automated external defibrillators) use and how to manage illness and injuries in the first few minutes until professional help arrives. This course meets State of Michigan First Aid and CPR requirements for daycare providers. Space is limited and registration is necessary.
Free Online Classes!
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/
This is an amazing service provided by the Goodwill Community Foundation.
Start anytime, finish anytime - Study at your own speed!
Use the service for just one tutorial or complete a whole class!
Over 750 free lessons to choose from – receive a Certificate of Completion and accredited Continuing Education Units!
Just to name a few…Topics range from:
- Microsoft Office: Windows, Outlook, Powerpoint, Publisher, Word, Excel, & Access – available in XP, 2000, 2003, 2007, & 2010
- Career Building: Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Interview Skills, Job Applications, & Job Searching
- Internet Basics, Email Basics, Apple, Google, Mobile Apps, & Social Media Math Basics, Reading, Money, & “Everyday Life”
Now compatible on Kindles!
Books & Audiobooks - Log in and check out items today!
Log in today by selecting Ransom District Library and using your library card number. You may begin browsing materials immediately. However, to download materials and transfer them to your device you will need to review the QuickStart Guide. Please note that an email address will be required to download the software for accessing items and to place holds on checked out items. We recommend reviewing all of the links listed below as this is a new service.
Important Links for Getting Started:
SouthWest Michigan Digital Library Home Site
– We recommend bookmarking the SMDL Home page!
QuickStart Guide - Guided Tour - Checkout Assistance
FAQ's & Troubleshooting - Supported Devices - Incompatible Devices
New Book Alerts is a free online service that showcases the newest titles purchased by your local library. You can select to receive alerts via email and/or RSS feeds. If you see a new title that you are interested in, just click "borrow" to place a hold on the item right away.
Click here to see the New Book Alerts Page!
*New items added to the page WEEKLY!*
(Email Newsletters sent out monthly.)
New Book Alerts display all new items!
Browse our new items below, click on an item to see more! *New items added WEEKLY!*
Twitter or Facebook? Ransom has both!
Now follow Ransom District Library on Twitter or Facebook!
Ransom now has a Twitter Page and a Facebook Page. We have a great following on our Facebook Page, where we post a few times a week. We are
looking to do the same on Twitter! Start following Ransom's tweets or join our growing network of Facebook
Followers! Just be sure you are connected to Ransom for updates on what's happening at your library.