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Ferndale Proves that “Libraries Rock” with Resources, Events, and More
(Ferndale Area District Library, April 2, 2019)
Check out our “Get Involved Guide” for more stories about local organizations. Thank you to Bosco Lounge for sponsoring this seriesWant to contribute a write up of a group you care about?  Message editor@oc115.com with your idea.
We’ve been proving “Libraries Rock” so consistently that we started selling our own t-shirts that say as much. More than anything, we’ve proven to be proponents of all things local, when it comes to cultural enrichment: book signings for local authors, monthly concerts for local bands, exhibited works by for local visual and mixed-media artists, performances by local magicians, a home for local gardeners to host seminars and eventually run a seed library, a  400-album-strong collection of local music, and we’re a reliable gathering place for community organizations, from parent groups to Rat Patrols, to Yoga classes and beyond.
We host Game Days for all ages and skill levels to unplug and play. There are monthly music concerts called First Stop Fridays featuring a unique local artist performing a free show after hours. There is also the occasional special event, like a songwriting workshop, or a synthesizer symposium.
There are various themed-programs for children and teens, from the Anime-culture themed Animaniacs, music and movement storytimes for toddlers, drop-in video games for teens, Battle of the Books, and more! We’re currently inspiring parents and small children to read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, applying an individual colored leaf to our Reading Tree for every 100 books completed; there are also prizes available for those participants.
For adults, we also have monthly Book Clubs –including one catered strictly sci-fi fans, one for older/retired readers on weekday afternoons and another, yet, for younger post-college types to meet at a local bar, after hours, discussing plot points over pints. We also collaborate with three other regional libraries for the Reading Collective: a Community Read series of events where patrons from neighboring communities can attend and discuss programs that explore or are inspired by the themes of a single book that everyone is reading together.
We’re all over Facebook and Instagram, so any followers there will certainly see our colorful flyers, announcements, featured new books, and our playful and creative #BookFaceFriday images. You can also find recently returned treasures via our tumblr page, library-related news items on twitter, book displays on Pinterest, in-depth interviews, staff spotlights, and more news about events on our blog, and regular updates of everything happening here, month to month, via our e-newsletter.
Tonight, we might be an Art Gallery; next weekend, a concert venue. What never changes here is that it’s always a place where personal passions matter. The staff knows this is more like a community center and you don’t have to be a manager to bring an idea to the fore and follow it to fruition. Everyone’s passions are encouraged, which means we get a variety of programs, as well as a variety of items added to our collection. And because each staffer is so preternaturally attuned to the cultural vibes of this community, each idea often winds up striking a chord with lots of patrons.
There are 36 public computers accessible throughout the library and we are open 7 days a week, 10am-8pm Monday-Thursday, 10am-6pm Friday, and 12pm-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Some of our unique services include eBook and Audiobook access, free or discounted passes to Michigan State Parks and cultural destinations through the Michigan Adventure Pass, loanable wi-fi hotspots to connect to the internet anywhere, fax and Xerox services, storytimes for children and more.
If you are a resident of a community in The Library Network of Oakland County (like Berkley, Hazel Park, Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak, or Clawson), then your library card will work to access our resources here in this building. Find more info at facebook.com/FerndalePublicLibrary/ or ferdalepubliclibrary.org/
Thank you to Bosco Lounge at 22930 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220 for sponsoring our “Get Involved” series featuring local nonprofits, clubs, and groups.  Check out a city by city list here. Want to contribute a write up of a group you care about?  Message editor@oc115.com with your idea.