Bookmark contest submissions due Sunday

IRON MOUNTAIN -- Dickinson County Library programs for April include:

--All ages are welcome to enter the 2023 Bookmark Contest. Entry forms will be available at the circulation desks of all branches, and must be returned to any branch by this Sunday. They will display entries at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain for public voting from April 24 through April 30. In addition, entries will be posted to the library's Facebook page that week; the entries with the most "likes" will get one extra vote.

Winners will be chosen for each age group, and the winning bookmarks will be available at the library and in the summer reading registration bags.

--Lego Club Jr.: 4 p.m. today at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

Children in kindergarten through second grade will be challenged with task cards to build Legos at this program perfect for budding engineers. Legos are a great way to enhance fine motor skills, problem solving skills, and more. No registration is required.

-- Growing Up with Gardens: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, April 11 and April 18, at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain; at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 20, at the Solomonson Branch in Norway; and at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the North Dickinson Branch in Felch Township.

Spring into some good books at these storytime sessions for kids up to age 5. Kids will grow their early literacy skills through garden stories, songs, crafts, and science experiments. No registration is required.

-- Lego Club: 3:15 p.m. Tuesday at the North Dickinson Branch and 4 p.m. Thursday at the Solomonson Branch.

Build yourself up at Lego Club. This monthly program for kids in third through eighth grades offers an opportunity to be creative and have fun while building with Legos. This month participants will be challenged to build a spinning top and then take turns spinning to see which top can spin the longest. Kids in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to attend the North Dickinson session. No registration is required for Lego Club.

-- Just Doh It!: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

The playdough club that provides guided and independent activities such as letter formation, shape identification, and more for ages 3 to 5.

Playing with playdough is a great activity to build fine motor skills and encourages children's language and literacy, science, and math skills all at the same time. There is no registration required.

-- Bow Wows and Books: at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

Learning to read doesn't have to be intimidating, especially when you have a furry friend at your side. Kids of all ages are invited to practice their literacy skills by reading aloud to therapy dogs Azul, a Siberian husky mix and Diogee, a Sheepadoodle. Registration is required by calling the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain at 906-774-1218 to reserve a 15-minute time slot with either or both dogs.

-- Solomonson Branch Book Club: 2 p.m. Thursday at the Solomonson Branch.

Adults are invited to discuss "The Kitchen Front" by Jennifer Ryan. New members are always welcome to attend book club.

--Find fantastic deals on books, audiobooks, DVDs, VHS tapes, magazines, and more at the semi-annual Friends of the Library Book Sale that starts Friday through April 21 at the main library in Iron Mountain. The event kicks off with a preview sale open to Friends of the Library members only from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, followed by a Friends of the Library meeting at 6:30 p.m. New members are encouraged to join at the door for $5 annual membership or $50 lifetime membership.

-- Registration opens on Monday, April 17, for Teen Subscription Boxes available for pickup on Monday, May 1, at the main library in Iron Mountain.

This month's theme is adventure and includes a library book, treats, some other fun items, and a book review form. Both the library book and the box must be returned, but participants may keep all other items. This is currently limited to the first four teens each month. Please stop in at any branch to fill out a registration form. A new registration form must be filled out each month to receive the next subscription box.

-- Gamers' Club: 4 p.m. Monday, April 17, at the Solomonson Branch; 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the North Dickinson Branch; and 4 p.m. Monday, April 24, at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

Calling all video game enthusiasts in third through eighth grades to enjoy some snacks from the Friends of the Library and play a variety of video and board games at this month's session.

--Main Library Book Club: 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

Adults are invited to discuss "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. New members are always welcome to join.

-- Growing a Bountiful Harvest Even When Time, Space, and Budget are Limited: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, via Zoom.

Growing gardens is good for the mind, body, spirit, and your household budget. To assist people with finding ways to grow nutritious food and beautiful landscapes, We Energies has teamed up with gardening expert Melinda Myers to provide free educational programming and content for this growing season. Register at the Zoom link https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HETZZYjiRYet8VdgdvP6Rg or visit the library website for a direct link.

--Explore Life's Hidden Adventures: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22 at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

Local author Sally Heidtke will offer a workshop based on her book "Be Infinite: Access Your Unimagined Potential." Adults will be helped in finding their purpose in pursuit of spiritual harmony and joy. Space is limited so please call the Main Branch at 906774-1218 to register. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

-- National Library Week: April 23-April 29

The library will celebrate national library week 2023: There's More to the Story April 23-29. Stop in and thank your favorite librarians on Tuesday, April 25 for National Library Workers Day. Thursday, April 27 is Take Action for Libraries Day and is a great chance to advocate and share support for libraries.

-- Shh...Out!: 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

Do some fun duct tape crafts and hang out with therapy dogs Azul and Maverick at this month's meeting. This program is open to all teens in grades nine through 12 and is a welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ teens and allies to just be themselves. No registration is required.

-- Write On!: 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

Adults and teens are invited to join this writers' group that focuses on providing an encouraging and supportive space for all types of writers. At this month's meeting, local author and illustrator Chelsea Lillge will offer a writer's workshop to attendees. Lillge has written fiction and nonfiction books for child and adult audiences as well as illustrated several children's books. For April, bring questions to ask a published author. Snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Library.

-- Human Trafficking with Geno Basanese: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

Michigan State Police Officer Geno Basanese will present a program about human trafficking dangers and ways to stay safe. There will be a question period for attendees to address concerns. This program is for adults and no registration is required.

-- Smart Money Kids Storytime: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

April is Financial Literacy Month and we are celebrating with a special storytime session for ages 5 to 8 all about money. Children are encouraged to participate independently as we read about selling goods and making change with "Owl + Otter and the Big Yard Sale." Participants will receive a free book, sponsored by the Michigan Credit Union, and will decorate their own bank to take home, provided by the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Community Federal Credit Union.