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Bellaire Public Library 111 S. Bridge St. Bellaire MI 49615 |
Spring/Summer Hours Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm Saturday 10 am to 2 pm |
Library of Things Gardening tools for removal of invasive species plants Hotspots to use reliable internet access in our area for free! Nintendo Switch (What a fun family game night idea!) Chromebooks that you are able to check out and bring home to use. Launchpads- preloaded tablets with educational STEM games and eBooks for ages 3-10. Wonderbooks- picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels with a built-in audiobook that will read aloud to the child! They still get to turn physical pages and see the beautiful illustrations. Metal detector Singer sewing machine Video Projector with screen 3-D printer that is available for you to use in the library Pickleball outdoor set STEM Kits Come in and check out all we have to offer! |
From the Director... At the beginning of next month, I will be leaving Bellaire Library to take a new job. It’s been a great pleasure to serve as library director over these past 15 months and I’d like to thank the board of trustees and the library staff for making my job so rewarding. Here are some of the most vivid memories of my time at Bellaire: Getting flowers from Nikki and Jessi. I began my tenure here in May of 2024, just as so many spring flowers were blooming. I’ll never forget the big vases of lilacs and other flowers that appeared on my desk while I worked to familiarize myself with library procedures. Camping out in Sarah’s driveway. Before we bought our home, my wife and I had to scramble to find a place to live. The time we spent in a camping trailer at Sarah’s place really helped cut down the time we had to look elsewhere. Anything Gabe does. The phrase “computer genius” gets thrown around a lot, but Gabe is the genuine article. His skill in calmly, cheerfully guiding patrons through their problems with technology is inspiring. Smartphones, desktops, tablets, TVs . . . even hearing aids, the guy has dealt with it all. The winter of 2024-25. When my wife and I moved here, everyone assured us that there was usually enough snow for cross-country skiing. Well, that turned out to be an understatement as the snow began falling in November and, basically, didn’t stop until March. Who knew that 20 feet was even a possibility? Yvonne filling in when I was sick. I was seriously ill this past spring, but Yvonne (and the rest of the staff) really stepped up and covered for me. Yvonne took care of one of my programs and was especially instrumental in making sure payroll was completed. And all this while remaining her usual sunny self. Dawn’s wrap-up party for Summer Reading 2025. Bellaire Library is lucky to have Miss Dawn in charge of children’s programming, because the final party for this year’s Summer Reading Program was a textbook example of How It’s Done. Art projects, prize drawings, food (so generously donated by Bellaire McDonald’s), and a color run for our young patrons. Amazing. And it’s been an amazing time for me. Thank you, Bellaire, for making it possible. |
Field Trips for Grown-Ups: King Orchards
August 5, 2:00pm
King Orchards: 4620 M-88, Central Lake, MI 49622
Come get a behind the scenes look at a thriving local farm here in Antrim county! Known for their U-pick orchards full of local fruit, King Orchards is a place where people enjoy apples, cherries, strawberries, peaches, juices, baked and canned goods, and more. Now they have their own wine and cider tasting room as well. We look forward to seeing you there! Registration is encouraged, you can do so on https://www.bellairelibrary.org
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AUTHOR EVENT WITH BRYAN GRULEY
Thursday August 14th, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Forest Home Township Hall: 321 N. Bridge St, Bellaire, MI 49615
Join us as Bryan Gruley returns to Bellaire for a special event as part of the release tour for his latest novel, Bitterfrost.
Bryan is a bestselling and award-winning author of six novels. A journalist for more than 40 years, he shared in the Pulitzer Prize given to the Wall Street Journal for coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks. A graduate of Notre Dame, avid hockey player and amateur musician, he lives with his wife, Pam, in Northern Michigan.
Bryan has special ties to the area. His first journalism job was in Bellaire and the fictional town of his Starvation Lake trilogy is modeled on Bellaire. Short's Brewery stands on the spot where the fictional Enright's Pub is located.
Registration appreciated but not required, on https://www.bellairelibrary.org
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ANNUAL BOOK SALE
August 15 & 16, Friday 10am-4pm Saturday 10am-1pm
Bellaire Public Library
For years during the annual Rubber Ducky Festival the Friends of the Library have organized a Book Sale! Come check out all the treasures folks so generously donate to our sale room. You are welcome to donate your gently used books to the sale as well. We ask that you do so before August 10th. Proceeds from the sale go to programs and new books for the collection at the library.
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CHILDREN'S AUTHOR EVENT WITH DESIREE COOPER
Wednesday August 27, 3:00-4:00pm
Bellaire Public Library
Join author Desiree Cooper for a reading of her children's book, "Nothing Special". It is a 2023 Paterson Prizewinner and included on the New York Public Library’s “10 Best Children’s Books of 2022." With gorgeous artwork and a heartwarming story about visiting Grandpa and Grandma, this will be family favorite. The first thirteen children who register for this event will receive a free copy of "Nothing Special." This event takes place at the Bellaire Library. You can register on https://www.bellairelibrary.org
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ADULT AUTHOR EVENT WITH DESIREE COOPER
Wednesday August 27, 7:00-8:30pm
Bee Well Mead and Cider 116 N Bridge St, Bellaire, MI
Join us at Bell Well Mead and Cider as we welcome author Desiree Cooper for a reading from her flash fiction collection, "Know the Mother", which has won numerous awards including 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award. The first thirteen people who register for this event will receive a free copy of "Know the Mother." Desiree Cooper is a 2015 Kresge Artist Fellow, former attorney, and Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist. Register on https://www.bellairelibrary.org.
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NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR LIBRARY OF THINGS!
We added some useful tools to our Library of Things thanks to a grant from the American Library Association. We have wheelchair ramps, grabbers, weighted cutlery, lots of games and puzzles to strengthen cognitive function, a cat companion for those that can't have real animals due to their living arrangements, plus other tools that are useful to those caring for a loved one. If you have a local resident library card you are welcome to check these items out. Feel free to stop in and see all we have to offer in our collection. |
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Antrim Conservation District Story Walk
4820 Stover Rd. Bellaire, MI Just a reminder that we have partnered with Antrim Conservation District to create a magical book experience. Walk through their beautiful trails while finding the pages of a beloved picture book. We change the story seasonally so it's not a onetime adventure! It is currently showcasing Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm by Billy Steers |
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Storytime with Miss Diane!
Every Tuesday, at 10:00am to 11:00am
Bellaire Public Library
The famous Miss Diane reads a story, and the kids have a snack and craft activity after. |
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Tech Tuesdays with Gabe
Every Tuesday, 11:00am- 3:00pm
Bellaire Public Library
Every Tuesday Gabe is here to help you with any tech questions you have. He is a wealth of knowledge. Feel free to bring laptops or other devices you would like more guidance using. Additionally, computer skill classes can be arranged upon request. |
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Medicare Seminar
July 1st, 1:30pm-2:30pm
Bellaire Public Library
We are still here for your Medicare Information needs, the first Tuesday of every month. Learn more about all aspects of Medicare from Jennifer Marie McDonnell, "The Insurance Guru". She has 20 years of experience as a Medicare expert.
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Spanish Speaking Cohort
Every Wednesday, 4:00pm
Bellaire Public Library
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Kids Coding Club!
Every third Saturday of the month, 10:00am July 26th
Bellaire Public Library
Join us every third Saturday of the month. This is an opportunity for kids to explore the world of computer coding at their live. Students use activities from code.org, Scratch, and devices like Snap Circuits, Mindstorm Lego, and various robots to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For ages 8-13, registration is required either online by clicking on the calendar on our website, bellairelibrary.org or call the library at 231-533-8814. This is a free program, all supplies are provided. |
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There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak My eyes look wild here because I’m trying to hypnotize you into reading this book. It is an example of how fiction can be so important for our learning journey and gaining empathy. This book changed me. It is informative and brilliantly written. I have a whole page of quotes written on the front page because of how gorgeous Shafak puts things. I’m in awe. Praise be to Nisba. Might need a tattoo in cuneiform after this one.
The research that went into the characters lives' that span 1000’s of years is mind-blowing. The author notes answered all my questions about whether these stories were based on real events, unfortunately they are. I learned about an ancient, minority religion- the Yazidis, birthed where humanity was, Mesopotamia. They are a group of people that have been oppressed and labeled as devil worshippers, and have had multiple instances of genocide committed against them. The most recent in 2014 by ISIS, killing men of the community and taking the women as slaves. Some are still currently living as sex slaves in cities around the Middle East. There’s a moment in the book where the character Arthur finds out about one of the atrocities (during the 1800’s) and is shocked he hadn’t learned of the devastation when it happened. He was a well-read, intellectual man that considered himself well informed, how could he not have known? I found myself mirroring his thoughts when I learned about the Yazidi people’s genocide by ISIS from this book. The truth is, minority groups aren’t seen as worthy of our attention. Many minorities have been seen as less than for thousands of years and because of that we don’t learn or hear of their stories, that’s why literature like this is so important. Don’t miss this one. |
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Girl anonymous
by Christina Dodd
Haunted by her mother's role in a deadly feud years ago, Maarja is drawn back into the dangerous world of the Bouchard crime family forcing her and Dante Bouchard to confront their pasts and a relentless shared enemy.
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Hidden nature
by Nora Roberts
Surviving a near-fatal shooting, injured police officer Sloan Cooper moves back to her quiet hometown and investigates a string of mysterious disappearances across three states in the new novel from the New York Times best-selling author.
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Fever beach : a novel
by Carl Hiaasen
A dim-witted Proud Boys reject becomes entangled in a bizarre web of corruption and intrigue involving a hitchhiker, a con artist, an eccentric millionaire and a power-hungry politician in the new novel by the best-selling author of Bad Monkey.
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How to age disgracefully
by Clare Pooley
The quirky members of the Senior Citizen's Social Club join forces with the tiny members of the daycare next store to thwart the city council's planned sale of the building housing both centers.
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The first gentleman : a thriller
by Bill Clinton
"The President of the United States is up for reelection. Her husband is on trial for murder. Is the First Gentleman a killer? A pair of brilliant investigative journalists set out to answer that burning question about the NFL star-turned-political spouse"
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The final gambit
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
As the clock ticks down to the moment when Avery Kylie Grambs will become the richest teenager in the world, a visitor arrives at Hawthorne House who draws Avery into a dangerous game against an unknown and powerful player.
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The first state of being
by Erin Entrada Kelly
When a teenage boy appears out of nowhere in 1999, claiming he's the world's first time-traveler and has a book outlining the events of the next 20 years, 12-year-old Michael wants to get his hands on the book and must decide how far he's willing to go to do so.
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More New Titles
Adult Fiction - Nightshade by Michael Connelly - Bear County: Michigan Stories by John Counts - The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue - Libertie by Kailyn Greenidge - The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb - Superior Stories by Helen Raica_Klotz - There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak - The History of Sound by Ben Shattck - A Mother's Love by Danielle Steel - Going Home in the Dark by Dean Koontz - Badlands by Douglas Preston - Culpability by Bruce Holsinger - Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman Sandwich by Catherine Newman - The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros - The Things we Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros Large Print - Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey - Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner - Be Ready when the Luck Happens A Memoir by Ina Garten Young Adult - Heiress Takes it All by Emily Wibberley Audiobooks - Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen - Blood Moon by Sandra Brown |
Adult Nonfiction - Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient cultures can teach us about the lost art of Raising Happy, Helpful little Humans by Michaellen Doucleff - Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House by Jonathan Allen - The Photo Ark: One man's Quest to Document the World's Animals by Joel Santore - The House of my Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke One of our dear patrons, Errik Cornell, passed away this month and his extensive DVD Collection was donated to us. We are thankful for his generosity in life and death: - 300 - The Medal of Honor: The Stories of our Nation's most Celebrated Heroes - The Aviator - Mamma Mia! - McCabe & Mrs. Miller - No Country for old Men - Ace Ventura: Pet Detective - Amsterdam - Argo: and the Town - Asteroid City - The Carol Burnett Show - Domino - Dune - The Equalizer - The Full Monty - Ghost in the Shell - Interstellar - Stephan King Movie and TV Collection: The Stand, The Langoliers, Golden Years, Pet Sematary, Silver Bullet, Graveyard Shift - The Life and Death of Peter Sellers - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl - Reds - The Terminator - Terminator 2: Judgement Day |
Children's - Freestyle by Gale Gilligan - Phoebe and her Unicorn: The Unicorn Whisperer by Katy Farina - Phoebe and her Unicorn: unicorn Playlist by Katy Farina - Sleuth & Solve- 20 Mind-twisting Mysteries - Pax- Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker - What We'll Build: Plans for our Together Future by Oliver Jeffers - Popcorn Party by Matt Huntley - Paw Patrol- Save the School Bus! by Mickie Matheis - The Monster at the end of the Book by Jon Stone - Early one Morning by Mem Fox - There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback - Danny and the Dinosaur; The big Sneeze by Syd Hoff - Build, Dogs, Build: A Tall Tail by James Horvath - All Aboard! by Kelly Lyons Starling - A Fly went By by Marshall McClintock - Amelia Bedelia Gets the Picture by Herman Parish - How does an Egg Hatch? by Eric Carle |
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