Summer Reading Program, Changes to Collection, & Strategic Planning!
Check out what’s going on at the library in this month’s newsletter.
Featured: Summer Reading Program
Join us for the summer reading program here at the East Lansing Public Library! This year's theme is "Adventure Begins at Your Library!"
Our program begins on Monday, June 3, 2024! We'll kick things off with an all-ages party from 5-7pm, featuring performances by Cirque Amongus, and activities for teens. Our kick-off party is free of cost and open to the public, so stop by!
The summer reading program consists of two parts: tracking your reading, and fun events!
Throughout the summer, kids and teens can track their reading online or via paper to earn cool prizes! This portion of the program requires registration; staff will be available at the kick-off party to help you register, but you can join the challenge any time during the summer. Each participant will earn a completion prize, and also be entered into grand prize drawings. The more you read, the more chances you get to win the grand prize! Tracking is open June 3 - August 17. Our adult tracking program is on hiatus this year.
We also have tons of great programs available all summer for kids, teens, and adults! You don't need to track your reading to attend one of our programs, and you don't even need a library card! These are always free of cost and open to the public. Keep an eye on our events page for all the upcoming events.
Check out the video below for more details on the program, prizes and events:
Featured: Changes to Our Collection
We have some exciting changes coming to our collection!
On June 1, 2024, we will be implementing automatic item renewal. This means that if you have a book, DVD, or other item checked out, it will automatically renew when the due date approaches as long as there are no holds on the item. You will receive an email notice any time your checked-out items are automatically renewed.
As we roll out this new change, we will also be removing the two-renewal limit for standard library materials: books, DVDs, CDs and books on CD. If you have an item checked out, it will continue to automatically renew until a hold is placed on the item. Once a hold is placed on an item, it will need to be returned or the item will be treated as overdue as reflected in our Circulation Policy. Please note that items in our express collection, tools, electronic devices and other Library of Things items will still have renewal limits due to high demand and regular maintenance needs.
We are following the example of many other libraries in the state with this change in policy, and we are looking forward to more library patrons being able to take the time that they need with their books, movies and more.
In addition to automatic renewal, we also have some changes coming to Hoopla. Our library reserves a certain number of titles for use by our members, and there’s a limit to how many items can collectively be checked out per day. ELPL is proud to be home to many voracious readers, and often, we hit our collective cap quite early in the day. That means that patrons currently have to race to be the first to check out books they want in the morning, or else wait for the cap to reset at midnight each night.
Starting June 1, 2024, we will be lowering the individual check-out limit from 15 items per month to 10. This change will ensure that we don’t hit that collective cap so early in the day, and allow everyone a fair shot to browse the books they want, anytime. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we balance the numbers so everyone gets a chance to read good books on demand.
Featured: ELPL Begins Strategic Planning Process!
The library has begun our Strategic Planning Process! The new Strategic Plan will help guide our library for the next few years. It will tell us what our community thinks is most important, and give us ideas for how best to serve you.
In the coming months, we'll be reaching out for community feedback through a survey (available online or via paper) and community conversations. This is a chance for us to better understand people’s aspirations for their community, the concerns they have, and what they believe might make a difference in strengthening the community. We’ll take what we learn and use it as part of our strategic planning process to help make the work of the library in the community more effective.
Keep an eye on our website for updates on the process and how you can participate!
Featured: May Book Lists
Check out some of the curated book lists available this May:
- Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month at ELPL - 2024!
- Mind Matters: Teenage Tales about Mental Health & Neurodiversity
- National Bike Month
Featured: Spring Wonders
Summer is nearly here, and the library grounds are buzzing with life! Before the season slips away entirely, take a moment to enjoy some peaceful spring wonders with us. 🙂
Featured: Upcoming Programs
Library programs are free and open to the public; you don’t even need a library card! Unless otherwise noted, no registration is required.
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- Join us to share stories, strategies, and a love of birds!
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- Dr. Priscilla Wade will share skills and tips for elementary-aged kids to deal with daily stressors. Registration required - space is limited.
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- We’ll be discussing Marrow Island, by Alexis Smith.
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- Learn how to write your own song!
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- Featuring performances by Cirque Amongus! We’ll also have fun activities for teens. Register to track your reading this summer and earn cool prizes!
ELPL in the News:
- WILX: East Lansing Public Library Welcomes New Library Director
- ELi: Library Board Discusses Strategic Planning, Staff Conferences
Up and Coming Dates:
- The library will be closed Sunday, May 26, and Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day weekend. This will begin our summer Sunday closures.
Catch ELPL Next Month:
Be on the lookout for more excitement in June! ELPL will be sharing featured reading lists, book displays, and programs throughout the month. Some of the library programs will include:
- Magician Cameron Zvara
- Stories in the Garden
- Teen Pride Extravaganza
- “How Dogs Talk”
- And more!
For more information, visit the library’s website or follow ELPL on social media!
Add a comment to: May 2024 Newsletter: Gearing up for Summer!