June Newsletter: Summer Reading Kickoff, June Reading Recommendations, and More!

This month: Summer Reading Kickoff, June Reading Recommendations, Upcoming Programs, Auto Repair Source

Summer Reading Challenge

The dinosaurs are coming back to life this summer! See a sneak peek below:

https://youtu.be/8oKMJ9YkwEw

Our summer reading challenge runs June 8 - August 8. Track the minutes you spend reading to earn fun prizes. The challenge is free and open to the public, you don’t even need a library card! 

To kick things off we will be hosting a Summer Reading Kick-Off Party on June 8 from 5-7pm! There will be games, free ice cream, crafts, and more! You will also be able to sign up for the summer reading challenge. 

Unearth a story and discover the joy of reading this summer at ELPL!

June Reading Recommendations

Looking for your next great read? Check out some of our recommended reading lists for June:

• Happy Father's Day! (kids)
• Black Biographies for Juneteenth (adults)
• Pride Month Picks (adults)
• Queer Horror for Pride Month (teens and adults)
• Books for Immigrant Heritage Month (all ages)
• African American Music Appreciation Month (all ages)
• Summer Stories (kids)

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.

• Teen Karaoke (teens): Friday, June 5, 11-1pm     
  • Sing your heart out with karaoke and celebrate the last day of the school!
• Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff Party (all ages): Monday, June 8, 5-7pm     
  • Celebrate the start of summer and the Summer Reading Challenge! We’ll have a dance party, glitter tattoos, free ice cream, fun crafts, and more! And, of course, you can sign up for the summer reading challenge. Track the minutes you spend reading to earn fun prizes. The challenge is free of cost and open to the public; you don't even need a library card! 
• Nature Storytime (kids): Every Thursday, 10-11am     
  • Meet us at Patriarche Park for an outdoor storytime! Each week we will focus on a different nature-related theme (e.g. Trees, Birds, Rocks, Colors, and more) as we explore with magnifying glasses, listen to children's books, and complete a fun craft/activity. Sign up for each week separately online.
• Black History 101 Mobile Museum (all ages): Friday, June 12, 11am-5pm     
  • Founded by educator and scholar Dr. Khalid el-Hakim the Black History 101 Mobile Museum features over 15,000 original artifacts spanning the era of the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the vibrant culture of hip hop. As we reflect on 250 years of American history, this exhibit reminds us that a complete and honest telling of that story includes all of its voices.
• Safety Day (kids ages 5+): Saturday, June 13, 11-12:30pm     
  • Join us for a summer safety event for families - learn about water safety, fire safety, and common first aid needs from community experts like East Lansing Fire Department and Goldfish Swim School!
• Music at the Blissful (kids): Tuesday, June 16, 2-3pm     
  • Join us for a high energy concert that’s free and fun for the whole family!
• Stories in the Garden (kids): Wednesday, June 17, 10-11:30am     
  • Join us at the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden! Volunteer readers will be scattered throughout the garden; stop and listen to stories as you explore!
• Grand Opening: Musical Children's Garden & Director Meet-and-Greet! (all ages): Saturday, June 20, 12-1pm
  
  • You're invited to the grand opening of our new musical children's garden! We'll have short remarks and a ribbon cutting at 12:15pm, then activities and light refreshments to follow! Try out the instruments, and chat with our new director!
• Toy Photography Workshop - Dinosaur Dioramas (all ages 8+)
  • Join us for an introductory workshop on Toy Photography, and learn the beginning principles of photography such as lighting, focus, composition, and more! As part of a Summer Reading theme "Unearth a Story," this session will feature modular dioramas and dinosaur models. Toys and iPads provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own camera as well!
• MythCrackers - Common Animal Myths (kids): Thursday, June 25, 2-3pm     
  • Friends from the Howell Nature Center will help us address some common wildlife myths and help us learn what’s a fact and what’s made up with the help of live animals! 
• Pride Party (teens): Friday, June 26, 3-5pm     
  • Celebrate Pride with a photo booth, games, activities, snacks, music, Just Dance on the Nintendo Switch, and more!
• Hamilton Hangout (teens): Wednesday, July 1, 2-4pm     
  • Watch Hamilton, sing along, and enjoy snacks.

Sustainable Libraries Update: 

Here's a brief update of what we've achieved in the last month:

• The Sustainability Team has partnered with the City of East Lansing’s Environmental Steward to learn how to identify and remove invasive species on library property.
• We’ve picked up the first few Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farmshares from the MSU organic farm to provide fresh produce to staff and patrons.
• The pollinator garden was planted out front of the library, near the Children's Musical Garden! 
• We’ve been reviewing a Wisconsin Libraries’ Inclusive Services Assessment Guide and generating ideas on how to make ELPL more accessible and inclusive.

Spotlight: Auto Repair Source

Hitting the road this summer? Make sure your ride is in road trip shape with the Auto Repair Source database! Just enter your vehicle’s year, make, model, or vin number to get repair information and schedules, diagrams, service alerts, recalls, and more, so you can travel with confidence this summer.

Upcoming Dates:

• The library will close at 6pm on June 18 and remain closed on Friday, June 19, for Juneteenth.
• The library will close at 6pm on July 2 and remain closed on Friday, July 3, for Independence Day.
• The library is closed on Sundays through the summer!

Catch ELPL Next Month:

Be on the lookout for more excitement in July! ELPL will be sharing featured reading lists, book displays, and programs throughout the month. Some of the library programs will include:

• Shark Day
• Voter Education
• Magician Cameron Zvara
• And more!

For more information, visit the library’s website or follow ELPL on social media!