First-graders received their library cards this week. Pictured left to right is Shannon Vanderhyde, children’s programmer at Cedar Springs Public Library, Katie L the elephant (Rosann Gerhardt from CSPL), and Sara Magnuson, the children’s parapro at KDL’s Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library.

There are officially 188 new readers (and library patrons) in Cedar Springs. That’s how many first-graders got their library cards last week in the 14th annual library card drive.

Shannon Vanderhyde, in charge of children’s programming for the Cedar Springs Public Library, took the lead this year in managing the program—handing out the registration cards, collecting and processing them, and distributing the new cards with Kent District Library’s Children’s Parapro, Sara Magnuson, from the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library.

“I enjoy every opportunity I get to collaborate with the schools and other community partners,” said Shannon, who is also a member of the Cedar Springs Board of Education.

To celebrate, the children were treated to the movie Yogi Bear, at the Kent Theatre, on Monday and Tuesday. Don and June Mabie sponsored the movie, and their donation covered the $3 cost per first-grader and teacher to get in free. Independent Bank of Cedar Springs sponsored the pop and popcorn for every first grader who either had a library card or got a brand new card.

“The Kent Theater had their first string working ticket sales and concessions and did an outstanding job of getting people out of the lobby and into the auditorium,” said Donna Clark, Director at CSPL. “This year we had no families standing outside in the cold waiting to get inside and there were no bottle-necks at the concessions.  It was exciting to see whole families joining in the fun!”