We have gotten a lot of patrons asking about our book sale. At Portland District Library, we do a semi-annual book sale and it's coming up soon. Stop in September 8-19 and fill a bag with not only books but anything else that we set out on the tables to sell for only $2.00! 

You can also visit the cart upstairs and the book room to find things to stuff in your bag. You can certainly bring your own bag but if you don't, we have you covered - we've got (free) bags here. Please stop by the circulation desk to ask about bags or anything else related to the book sale.

If you can't make it during this date, know that we keep the cart and the book room stocked full of things for you to peruse, buy, and take home. From books to CDs to movies to puzzles, there is an array of things to choose from all year round. Spend some time looking at our selection and see if there is something(s) you would like to take home with you this next book sale!

Summer Reading 2025

If you are looking for a fun challenge this summer, consider starting a reading one. There are so many different options to try out and each is relatively easy to sign up for. Take a look at a few here:

Portland District Library

Yes, your local library does put on a reading challenge every summer and we would love for you to participate! You have two ways you can sign up: in-person using a paper tracker -OR- via our app called Beanstack. For directions on how to sign up for the app, please call (517-647-6981) or stop in.

Any way you decide to log your minutes, as you move through the program you earn level badges. Each level you complete you earn a prize and a ticket, which you can allocate to a drawing for a grand prize. Earn up to 8 tickets that you can divvy up between any of the prizes in any way you see fit.

And it's free to sign up!

Barnes & Noble

I've been curious about this reading program, but haven't done much delving in until now. Information seems a bit sparse on their website but looking at their .PDF illuminates how it actually works. 

If you sign up for this program, you simply track 8 books and describe what part was your favorite and why. Once you are finished, you bring the completed journal to your local branch and then you get to choose a book from the list provided. Seems pretty breezy to me!

Pizza Hut

There are a few chain restaurants that offer reading challenges, including Pizza Hut, but you can explore the many options by searching online. Personally, I like the sound of earning a single topping personal pan pizza just for reading! It is easy to download their app and track progress.

Online options

If you are just looking for an easy way to motivate your little readers, doing a quick search on the web can pull up many resources and tools to support them. During the summer, many organizations such as Reading Is Fundamental or The Good and the Beautiful offer things like reading charts, reading lists, and other motivational options to encourage reading.

Other public libraries

Many families don't know if they're allowed to participate in more than one reading program at a time, especially if that program is at another public library. We want to assure you that most libraries are not stingy about what libraries you utilize for reading, and most will encourage you to sign up for more than one program! In our area, here are a few libraries to consider signing up at:

• Grand Ledge Area District Library
• Sunfield District Library
• Mulliken District Library
• Ionia Community Library
• Lyons Township District Library
• Delta Township Library
• Saranac-Clarksville District Library

Any way you choose to read this summer, feel good about the progress you make. Any time spent reading is time well spent.

Summer Reading is easy

Summer reading is in full swing, so if you haven't signed up yet you should consider joining today! It's easy to start: stop in, get a paper tracker (or download the Beanstack app), track your minutes, and win prizes. Not only can you get level prizes, but you can also use your completed tickets for a chance at a grand prize.

If you aren't sure what to read, try these books out to get you started:

Sunny Greene, a plus-size divorcee, begins her struggle to embrace her size and start dating again. But, the dating world is pure chaos, and stuck between 3 eligible men (1 being her ex himself), she is not having an easy go of it. With a Carrie-Bradshaw-esque heroine, readers are pulled on, rooting for Sunny as her journey brings her through the trials of dating, friendship, and finding yourself.

From the author of The Killers of the Flower Moon, a retelling of what happened to His Majesty's ship "The Wager" when it left England on a secret mission in 1740. It chased treasure only to maroon its crew on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia. In order to escape their natural prison, 30 sailors strapped what was left of their ship and sailed away, finding purchase in Brazil and being hailed as heroes. However, the real kicker comes when 3 other sailors turn up in Chile with a completely different story to tell. Rather, it seemed the stranded crew had major disagreements on how to proceed and ultimately they fell into violence and anarchy. It was decided that the Admiralty convene a court martial and whichever side was deemed guilty would hang.

Alice is a photographer, satisfied with standing on the sidelines and capturing others in the limelight, but when her Nan falls and breaks her hips she goes back to the place where it all began: the lake. She spent just one summer at 17 in this place and took a photo of 3 teenagers in a yellow speedboat - one that comes speeding back into her life with a man in it. Charlie was 19 when she took that photo and with his piercing green eyes he sees Alice as the person who sees others - which makes her worry for her heart.

Joan, a woman whose life hasn't really turned out how she planned it, decides to change her life dramatically by opening a café where customers can find connection through conversation. She creates a space for meaningful relationships and builds a lasting legacy through her business. In this novel about found family and the joy and loneliness that comes with age, Joan's rich observations lead you into a comic yet profoundly moving story about seeking satisfaction at every stage of life.

When one sister returns home to work for the other, it could be seen as a disaster waiting to happen. Denise and Helen might be a nightmare working together under usual circumstances, but when shady real estate developers destroy their childhood home to make way for condos, these ladies will be the perfect duo. Siblings-turned-sleuths find out about a dead body that turns up after one of the Falcon family's building collapses. So they do some of their own investigating to see how low these developers will go in order to stay afloat - and hopefully pin them before a big storm hits and wipes out all evidence.

Daphne found her fiancé's recounting of their "story" to be funny - up until he realizes that he's actually in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. Now in Waning Bay, Michigan, Daphne is a children's librarian living with the only person who could understand her predicament: Petra's ex, Miles. Opposites attract when these two come up with a plan to take misleading photos of their summer escapades. Maybe these ex-fiancés can find something better than what they once had?

A group of international players, all with their own loyalties and grievances, gather together for a diplomatic dinner. Gathering in a tiny village off the coast of Iceland, they can't even finish their dinner without one of them ending up dead. Jane, the ambassador's wife, is tasked with finding the killer but with violent weather trapping them together and a finite suspect list, you would think it would be quick work. Nope, this locked-room mystery is 336 pages long so get ready for the twists and turns in this mystery!

Portland Creates 2025 Reception

Portland Creates finally came to a close on Friday, June 13 with around 60 attendees. We had a total of 85 artists and 129 submissions this year, doubling what we had last year, with various art types.

The attendees enjoyed light refreshments, music, and some came in their best attire. We gave out door prizes as well as a best dressed prize after making the announcements for the winners. Here are some pictures of the attendees, including some of the winners:

While waiting for the announcement, attendees had the option to create a unique page or two for our community art book. Take a look at some of the work of art we had:

These pieces will be compiled into a community art book and will be available to look at later this year. We want to take a moment to thank the community for their participation in this program and their steadfast support for all the things we do here at the library.

Books and Gardens and Seeds, Oh My!

Libraries are a great source of all kinds of resources - books, films, research, arts and crafts, and at PDL, even seeds and vegetables!

So much potential in such a compact area - just like the seeds themselves!

I remember when I was living in Ypsilanti and first encountered the seed collection at the public library.  I was very intrigued, but had absolutely no idea how any of that worked and was too shy to ask.

Naturally, I was thrilled when I began working here just in time for the preparation and launch of our own seed library.  It's much simpler than I thought it would be - and it turns out that library staff are generally very friendly and more than willing to answer questions for folks.

Between the seed library and our children's sensory garden, you'd definitely think that everyone here has a green thumb.  Sadly, I am about as proficient at gardening as I am with auto-repair; that is to say, not very.

But there really is something very magical about gardening, isn't there?  It's a great way to get ourselves outdoors and into the sunshine.  It helps us feel proud of our efforts and our environment, since we go to the effort of caring for and cultivating our plants.  And, if you're inclined to grow fruits and vegetables, it's also a good way to get some bonus nutrition in.  After all, what's more satisfying than cooking or eating food you grew all by yourself?

So I'm wondering if maybe I should look at what I still have time to plant this season (I'm told there's still enough time to plant lettuce) and get to pulling some weeds to give gardening another try.  After all, we have plenty of seeds here at PDL!

For those who want to enjoy garden-fresh herbs and veggies but don't have a garden at home, stop by the library on or after July 10 for our Fresh Food Bonanza!  You will also be able to share pictures of your kitchen masterpieces for the chance to win a prize - look for more details on our Facebook or here at the library!

Do you garden at home?  Are you curious to learn more about the seed library?  Any garden stories you'd like to share?  Tell us in the comments below!