This Month at the Library: Banned Books, Election Info, and More!
Check out what’s going on at the library in this month’s newsletter.
Featured: Banned Books Week
October kicks off with Banned Books Week, which is an annual celebration of the freedom to read, and a time to raise awareness of the harms of censorship. ELPL strongly believes that every person has the right to read (or not read!) whatever they choose, and we trust individual community members to make those decisions for themselves, free from censorship.
Read
This banned books week, we invite you to celebrate with us too! Take a look at the ALA’s list of the 13 top most challenged books last year, and maybe even check one out!
Learn More
Book challenges have been increasing at exponential rates in recent years, despite polling showing that the majority of US voters oppose books bans and trust librarians to do a good job at balancing diverse viewpoints.
Act
Book challenges are happening all across Michigan, and all across the country. Help defend the freedom to read with one of these actions!
Featured: Early Voting Center
Michigan voters have the right to cast a ballot early and in person at an early voting site before Election Day. For this year’s election, which will be held on Tuesday, November 7, East Lansing Public Library will act as an early voting center.
Early voting will be available in-person at the library on:
- Monday, October 30, 10am-5pm
- Tuesday, October 31, 10am-5pm
- Wednesday, November 1, 10am-6pm
- Thursday, November 2, 10am-6pm
- Friday, November 3, 10am-5pm
- Saturday, November 4, 10am-4pm
More information will be coming soon!
Featured: StoryLine
StoryLine is calling! Dial 517-319-6915 to hear a new recorded story each week!
Featured: Staff Spotlights
Get to know ELPL's amazing staff! Each week we'll share a new staff spotlight on social media, and their story will be added to our blog here. Check back every week for new editions!
Featured: Upcoming Programs
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- Practice your reading aloud skills by reading to dogs! These dogs are great listeners. Please sign up at elpl.org.
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- Learn about how elections have changed over the years, updates to recently approved proposals, and your rights as a voter! City staff will also be at the library with applications for election inspectors, absentee voter (AV) ballot applications, voter registration forms and more.
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- Meet scientists, see real fossil collections, learn what Michigan looked like millions of years ago, and enjoy a variety of fossil-themed demonstrations, activities, arts, and crafts.
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- Perfect to get in the spirit for Halloween! Some content may be uncomfortable for younger children.
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- Learn about some of Michigan's most imperiled pollinators (especially bees and butterflies) through an interactive presentation and activities, and ways that you can help protect them!
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- Meet us in Albert A. White Memorial Park. We’ll go for a short walk to observe birds together! Please sign up in advance.
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- Join us at the library to meet other enthusiasts, share stories and goals, learn about available resources, and practice identification strategies!
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- Join us at our monthly book club for bagels, activities, and discussion! We’ll be discussing The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera.
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- Enjoy pumpkin painting and Halloween candy! No registration required, pumpkins available while supplies last.
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- We'll use cardboard to make a set of basic superhero accessories: wrist bands and a mask (optionally a crown instead of a mask). When you register, please add a note to the name field, saying whether you are doing the Big Kids version (recommended for upper elementary and preteens) or the Young Kids version (recommended for younger elementary and pre-K).
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- Come to the East Lansing Public Library for a group discussion of Dr. Jessica Hernandez's book Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science. This discussion will be facilitated by Carrie Wicker, Museum Educator at the MSU Museum and Dr. B, STEAM Educator at the East Lansing Public Library.
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- Learn photography basics, and how to stage and take photos on a small scale! We’ll have custom-built dioramas, lighting elements, scenery, and toys to use to compose your scenes.
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- This month we’re discussing Carry Me Like Water by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (1990s). Join us for themed snacks and great conversation!
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- Read and discuss plays at the library before they open live at Williamston Theatre! This month we’re discussing "Murder for Two: Holiday Edition".
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- In her new book, I Saw Death Coming, Kidada Williams offers a breakthrough account of the much-debated Reconstruction period, transporting readers into the daily existence of formerly enslaved people building hope-filled new lives.
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- International students and their families are invited to meet their neighbors at East Lansing Welcomes the World, featuring food, children's activities, community information tables, a photo booth, music, and more!
Up and Coming Dates:
- We are now open again from 1-5pm on Sundays!
Catch ELPL Next Month:
Be on the lookout for more excitement in November! ELPL will be sharing featured reading lists, book displays, and programs throughout the month. Some of the library programs will include:
- East Lansing Welcomes the World
- Dinovember
- Early Literacy Night for Families
- Author Talks
- Page to Stage
- And more!
For more information, visit the library’s website or follow ELPL on social media!
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