Traverse Area District Library - March 2026 Newsletter ** What's new? ------------------------------------------------------------ Happy Reading Month! Welcome to the 171 new cardholders who joined us during February :) 1) Golden tickets are back for reading month! If you find a lucky golden ticket in a TADL item redeem it at the Woodmere front desk for your choice of library charm, pin, or water bottle sticker! (While supplies last) 2) Save the date - MakerFest 2026 will be April 25! (tadl.org/makerfest2026) 3) Our March democracy focus is Voting & Elections! Check the display board in the lobby for the updated theme each month. Civics celebration programs this month include: 3/10 - *Voter Information Table with the LWVGTA, 11 am - 1 pm (Lobby) 3/18 - *Beyond the Ballot, 6 pm (link (https://www.tadl.org/beyond) ) 3/23 - *Democracy in Action, 6 pm (Link (https://www.tadl.org/DemocracyInAction) ) 3/26 - *Ranked Choice Voting Explained, 6 pm Starting 3/2 there will be a voting exercise by the self-checkouts: Is a hot dog a sandwich?! Have a little fun practicing your debate and voting skills while checking off some squares on your bingo card! Take a look at the bingo card prizes down in the Adult Events section. Click to skim what's new at TADL: * New Fiction (https://bit.ly/36KpU4N) * New Non-Fiction (https://bit.ly/36KQVVH) * New in Large Print (https://tinyurl.com/tadllargeprint) * New Audiobooks (https://bit.ly/2I3Ry2o) * New DVDs (https://bit.ly/3nv66bv) * New Music (https://bit.ly/34Ai4Iw) ** Raptors Live! 3/25, 6 pm ------------------------------------------------------------ Come meet and learn about local birds of prey at a fun and interactive all-ages program presented by North Sky Raptor Sanctuary (https://www.northskyraptor.org/) . Brought to you by the Adult Services dept.! Youth (https://www.tadl.org/services/youth) It's school visit season! Every March our fantastic Friends of TADL fund busing so that first-grade classes at TCAPS can visit the youth services department Storytelling Adventure with Jen Strauss, 3/21 at 11 am Join us for a special playgroup session featuring the wonderful Jen Strauss! Jen is a gifted storyteller who brings books to life through movement and interaction. * 45-Minute Performance: An interactive storytelling experience designed for young children. * Small Craft: A simple, hands-on activity to go along with the stories. * Snack: A light snack will be provided for the little ones. This event is free and a great way to celebrate early literacy together. We hope to see you there! Other Events & Programs * Playgroup - Tuesdays at 9:30 am * Build & Create - Wednesdays at 4 pm * Storytime - Thursdays at 11 am * 3/2 - Make Something, 4 pm * 3/5 - Tween Time, 4 pm * 3/7 - Musical Storytime with the TC Philharmonic, 11 am * 3/8 - Preschool Family Storytime with Miss Kate, 1 pm * 3/9 - DIY (Do It Yourself) Delights Craft Program, 4 pm * 3/10 - Tell-a-Tail, 4 pm * 3/12 + Homeschool Group - Thematic Thursday (Must register), 1 pm + Bricks & Build: Learn to build Motorized LEGO© models (Ages 9 - 12), 4 pm * 3/14 - 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Celebration, 11 am * 3/16 - 4-H at the Library, 4 pm * 3/17 - BINGO, 4 pm * 3/19 - Tween Time, 4 pm * 3/21 - Ballads of Shorevania: a D&D inspired vocal performance (Tweens), 4 pm * 3/23 - Coding Club w/ Mr. Andy, 4 pm * 3/26 - Homeschool Group - Thematic Thursday (Must register), 1 pm Youth Spring Break Staycation Schedule! Monday 3/30 * Challenge Island Ages 5-8, 10 am (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/challenge-island-spring-break-program-28684) ) * Challenge Island Ages 9-12, 12:30 pm (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/challenge-island-ages-9-12-30118) ) Tuesday 3/31 * Spring Break Storytime, 11 am * Crafternoon in Youth Services, 2 pm Wednesday 4/1 * Open Spot Theatre Workshop for Kids, 11 am * Build & Create Biggie! 2 pm Thursday 4/2 * NERF Mobile Games Ages 5-8, 10 am (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/nerf-mobile-games-ages-5-8-28681) ) * NERF Mobile Games Ages 9-12, 11 am (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/nerf-mobile-games-ages-9-12-28682) ) * Family Movie, 2 pm Friday 4/3 * Playgroup, 9:30 am * Family Movie, 2 pm Saturday 4/4 - Musical Storytime with the TC Philharmonic, 11 am Teen (https://www.tadl.org/teen) ** Ongoing Events ------------------------------------------------------------ * Twisted Quills Teen Writing Group - Every Tuesday at 4 pm (No session 3/25) 3/4 - French Language Conversation Group for Teens, 6 pm 3/5 - Teen Luddite Club, 4 pm 3/7 - D&D for Teens Group 2, 1 pm (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/dd-teens-group-2-30722) ) 3/7 - Cultivating Light, Inner Peace, and Joy from the Inside Out: A yoga-inspired practice for all ages, 4:30 pm 3/14 - TTRPG @ TADL, 11 am (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/ttrpg-tadl-28741) ) 3/16 - Anime Club, 4 pm 3/17 - No-Sew D&D Dice Bags, 4 pm 3/21 - Ballads of Shorevania, a D&D Inspired Performance, 4 pm 3/22 - Gardening for Beginners, 1 pm (Register (https://www.tadl.org/gardening) ) 3/28 - TTRPG @ TADL, 11 am (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/ttrpg-tadl-28742) ) Teen Spring Break Staycation Schedule! Mon. 3/30 - Perler Beads for Teens, (Drop-In) 10:30 am - 7:30 pm Tues. 3/31 - DIY Sensory Slime for Teens, (Drop-In) 10:30 am - 7:30 pm Wed. 4/1 - Paint our Bookends!, (Drop-In) 10:30 am - 7:30 pm Thurs. 4/2 - Relax & Color, (Drop-In) 10:30 am - 7:30 pm Fri. 4/3 - Knife Skills: Learn to make salsa with us!, 3:30 pm (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/teen-program-30145) ) Local History Collection Exhibits First Floor Display Cases (in front of Sight & Sound) Local History Collection Presents: the Wilcox Papers of Electroshock Research, with an exhibit and article that explores the development of psychiatry in the mid-20th century. Dr. Paul H. Wilcox’s original documents will be on display to shine a light on this psychiatrist’s pioneering research on electroshock therapy. Curated by Local History Collection staff, Zoë Schwartz, visitors will discover another chapter of Traverse City’s medical history through the work of a local psychiatrist who made history! ** 2nd Floor Display Case ------------------------------------------------------------ In celebration of Women’s History Month, “A Cradle of Democracy, Women's Civic Groups Changing the Northern Michigan Community: From the Local History Collection” highlights the women’s civic groups that have shaped Traverse City’s cultural and community life for more than a century. From the Ladies Library Association, founded in 1869, to the Friendly Garden Club, the American Association of University Women, and many others, these groups transformed shared purpose into lasting impact. Drawn from the Local History Collection, this exhibit honors the women whose leadership, collaboration, and vision helped make Northern Michigan the vibrant community it is today. Adults (https://www.tadl.org/adults) We've got prizes for our 2026 Civics Celebration! Pick up a bingo card at your library or download/print at home from tadl.org/democracy. Complete one row and get a lapel pin, complete two rows and get a festive tee, just in time for America's 250! Book Groups & Author Events * 3/5 - Stay Golden Book Club (http://tadl.org/sg) , 9:30 am * 3/17 - Queer Tales (https://www.tadl.org/event/queer-tales-book-club-28030) , 7 pm - Selection: The Night of Baba Yaga * 3/30 - Books & Brewskis (https://www.tadl.org/event/books-brewskis-35) at Silver Spruce Brewing, 7 pm * 3/31 - Tuesdays @ Two (https://www.tadl.org/event/tuesdays-two-book-club-29) , 2 pm Health & Wellness * 3/3 + Guided Meditation for a Calm Mind & a Kind Heart, 1 pm + Resilience Program: Education and Naloxone Training, 6 pm * 3/6 + Chair Yoga, 11:30 am + Tai Chi, 1 pm * 3/7 - Cultivating Light, Inner Peace, and Joy from the Inside Out: A yoga-inspired practice for all ages, 4:30 pm * 3/12 - Ageless Grace, 10 am * 3/17 - Guided Meditation for a Calm Mind & a Kind Heart, 1 pm * 3/20 - Tai Chi, Noon * 3/23 - Ageless Grace, Noon Let's Learn Together! * 3/4 - French Language Conversation Meet-up, 6:30 pm * 3/5 - Mind Your Money: Smart Finances for Everyone, 6 pm * 3/7 - Spanish Language Conversation Meet-Up, 10:30 am * 3/10 - *Voter Information Table with the LWVGTA, 11 am - 1 pm (Lobby) * 3/12 - Freestyle Writing Workshop [FULL - WAITLIST], 6 pm * 3/15 - Traverse Area Historical Society program, 2 pm * 3/17 - Mind Your Money: Smart Finances for Seniors, 11 am * 3/18 + Family Law Clinic (Free drop-in services), 5:30 pm + *Beyond the Ballot, 6 pm (link (https://www.tadl.org/beyond) ) * 3/22 - Gardening for Beginners, 1 pm * 3/25 - Raptors Live!, 6 pm * 3/26 - *Ranked Choice Voting Explained, 6 pm * 3/28 - Morel Mushroom Hunting with Anthony Williams, 2 pm Just for Fun TADL Stitchers - Every Tuesday evening at 6 pm (Join us to work on your own needlecraft project.) * 3/9 - Adult Escape Room, 6 pm (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/adult-escape-room-26922) ) * 3/11 - TADL Volunteer Happy Hour, 2 pm * 3/14 - TTRPG @ TADL, 11 am (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/ttrpg-tadl-28741) ) * 3/16 - Anime Club, 4 pm * 3/21 - Ballads of Shorevania, a D&D Inspired Performance, 4 pm * 3/25 - Adult Craft & Coloring Night, 4 - 7 pm * 3/28 - TTRPG @ TADL, 11 am (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/ttrpg-tadl-28742) ) **Friends of TADL Spring Book Sale! ------------------------------------------------------------ The Spring Book Sale will be the second weekend of April - details will be posted on tadl.org/events! * 4/10 - Friday night members only presale * 4/11 & 4/12 - Sale open to the public East Bay Branch Library (https://www.tadl.org/eastbay) Can you check it out? Yes you can! Take a virtual visit to East Bay's Tool Library (http://tadl.org/things) and see what handy gadgets are available with your library card! Ongoing Sing & Stomp Wednesdays - 11 am Sing & Stomp Fridays - 10 am (No session 3/20) * 3/3 - Adult Coloring Night, 5:30 pm * 3/5 + Baby Bookworms, 10:30 am + Ageless Grace (Brain Health Program), 11:30 am * 3/10 - Community Book Discussion, 6 pm * 3/17 - French Language Discussion Group, 5:30 pm * 3/20 - Chair Yoga, 11:30 am * 3/26 - Afternoon Tea & Stitch, 2 pm * 3/27 - Commission on Aging Informational Session, 2 pm * 3/31 - Book Club, 6 pm * 4/1 - Tiny Art Show Kickoff (Stop in and paint, or pick up a kit to take home!), 3 - 4:30 pm * 4/2 - Drop-in & Build, 12:30 - 2 pm * 4/3 - Family Movie, 4 pm Kingsley Branch Library (https://www.tadl.org/kingsley) Do you have a party coming up? Check out a specialty baking pan (https://discover.tadl.org/Search/Results?lookfor=%22Baking%20pans.%22&searchIndex=Subject) with your TADL card! Great for graduations and birthdays, or make any day a party. Ongoing Wigglers Storytime Tuesdays and Wednesdays - 10:30 am Big Kids Storytime Thursdays - 11:30 am * 3/12 - Everyone Has a Story, 5:30 pm * 3/14 - Seed Swap, 1 pm * 3/25 - Afternoon Book Club, 2 pm From the Director's Desk with Michele P. Howard March is Reading Month! Good news: The Library of Michigan, which provides Mel and Melcat from funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, received an informal notice from IMLS that the Library of Michigan will receive $4,773,929 for use during our FY 2027 (10-1-26 to 9-30-2027). Translation: MeL and MeLCat are now funded until 9-30-2027. This is great news for all of us. Last year, TADL was 5th for borrowing items from other libraries - and we handle about 125 MeLCat transactions a day!. MeLCat benefits the whole state and I am overjoyed to know it is funded! Thank you to everyone who took time to advocate for this important program. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read the TADL Annual Report for 2025 (https://www.tadl.org/sites/default/files/content/minutes/TADL%20Annual%20Report%202025_0.pdf) on our website. It's not only an accounting of the major events last year but also a celebration of our community. We come together to read, learn, and play. None of that is possible without patrons like all of you! Cheers to a whole month devoted to reading - Michele ============================================================ ** Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TraverseAreaDistrictLibrary) ** Link (http://www.instagram.com/notjustbooks) ** Website (http://tadl.org) ** YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/TADLnotjustbooks)