April Newsletter: Find Your Library Joy!

Check out what’s going on at the library in this month’s newsletter.

National Library Week

National Library Week is April 19-25! The 2026 theme is “Find Your Joy,” and we’re so excited to explore all the ways that libraries spark delight, wonder, and happiness in your life. Stay tuned to our social media throughout the week to see the fun ways we’re celebrating at ELPL.

Want to share your library joy with the community? Pick up a free yard sign! Just stop by the front desk anytime we’re open.

The American Library Association (ALA) recognizes several celebration days during this week. Here are some additional ways you can celebrate:

• Monday, April 20- Right to Read Day: A day to take action to protect the right to read freely, without censorship. ALA will release its State of America's Libraries Report, including the list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2025. 
  • You can celebrate by learning more about censorship and defending the right to read freely.
• Tuesday, April 21 - National Library Workers Day: A day to recognize the value of library workers. Libraries work because we do! 
  • You can celebrate by thanking a library worker, and sharing what their work means to you. 
• Wednesday, April 22 - National Library Outreach Day: A day to celebrate taking library services on the go to meet patrons where they are. 
  • You can celebrate by thanking a library outreach worker, or using services at your local Library on the Go stop!
• Thursday, April 23 - Take Action for Libraries Day: A day to rally advocates to support libraries. 
  • You can celebrate by contacting your elected officials and telling them why libraries are important.

April Reading Recommendations

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

• National Poetry Month (adults)
• Arab American Heritage Month (all ages)
• Trans Day of Visibility (all ages)
• Chag Pesach Sameach! (all ages)
• Bugs, Insects, and More (Oh My!) (all ages)
• From Page to Screen (all ages)
• I Who Have Never Known Men (adults)
• Gardening (all ages)
• Bedtime Stories (kids)

Community Writing Contest - Deadline Extended!

The deadline has been extended for our annual writing contest! Enter your fiction or creative non-fiction for the chance to win cash prizes, and have your writing featured on the library website! There are separate categories for kids, teens and adults. 

Submission Requirements: 

• Submissions must be 2,000 words or less
• No more than one submission per author
• No submissions that have been previously published in print or online
• Submissions must be in a Word or PDF document, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and double spaced.
• Label your file as FirstName_LastName_Title
• Please do not include your name or identifying information in the document itself, as the review process is anonymous.

Enter to win by Friday, April 10!  

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.

• Introduction to Islamic Architecture: The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and Great Mosque in Damascus (adults): Wednesday, April 8, 7-8:30pm
  • Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of Wisconsin, Jennifer Pruitt, will present a talk on Islamic architecture in the Arabic-speaking world. Presented in partnership with Michigan State University’s Muslim Studies Program.
• Poetry Workshop with Joyce Benvenuto (adults): Saturday, April 11, 3-5pm
  • Celebrate National Poetry Month with a writing workshop led by local poet Joyce Benvenuto! Light refreshments will be provided. Registration required.
• Bug Day (all ages): Sunday, April 12, 2-4pm
  • Interact with live insects, take a picture at our photo booth, enjoy bug related science stations, and more!
• Family Activity Day with MSU Friendshop (kids and families): Sunday, April 12, 2-4pm
  • Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of educational activities with the MSU Friendshop! No registration necessary, drop in anytime during the program hours.
• Teen Cooking Lab: Store Brand vs. Name Brand (teens): Monday, April 13, 3:30-4:30pm
  • Put your taste buds to the test and see if you can tell the difference between store brand and name brand foods. Registration required.
• Michigan Climate and Health Adaptation with MDHHS (adults): Monday, April 13, 6-7pm
  • Learn about how climate change is affecting health, particularly from extreme heat and poor air quality, and actions you can take to help protect your community.
• Page to Stage (adults): Tuesday, April 14, 7-8pm
  • Read and discuss "Bad Books" before it opens live at the Williamston Theatre!
• Teen Vibe Coding for the Community (teens): Wednesdays, April 15-May 20, 6-7pm
  • Solve community problems with AI! In this six-week program, learn how to “vibe-code” using advanced Artificial Intelligence to instantly generate apps. You will identify a local issue and build a fully functional app to address it. Registration required, please plan to attend all six sessions.
• Laser-Crafted Jewelry Making (teens): Thursday, April 16, 3:30-4:30pm
  • We'll learn the basics of how the Maker Studio's laser cutter works and use it to create a variety of wooden charms that will be made into bracelets, necklaces, or earrings. Registration required.
• Build-a-Puppet Workshop (kids): Saturday, April 18, 3:30-4:30pm
  • Create your own sock puppet, and learn how to give it life and character with a local theatre craftsman! All supplies provided; registration required.
• Making Music with Tau Beta Sigma (kids): Sunday, April 19, 1:30-2:30pm
  • Build your own maracas and enjoy an instrument petting zoo! All supplies provided; registration required. 
• Earth Day Celebration: Seed Bomb Drop-In Workshop (all ages): Wednesday, April 22, 4:30-5:30pm
  • Make some seed bombs to celebrate Earth Day! Seed bombs are small balls of clay, dirt, and seeds that are designed to bring greenery and flowers to urban environments. Seeds of plants that are native to Michigan will be used. 
• Mobile Device Basics: iOS (adults): Thursday, April 23, 10-11:30am
  • Learn how to get connected, identify common apps, and build confidence in using your Apple device safely. Registration required.
• Sir Howard Birthday Party! (teens): Monday, April 27, 3:30-4:30pm
  • Celebrate our Teen Room Mascot - Sir Howard the Capybara! There will be activities, games, a photo booth, and of course, Sir Howard himself!
• Graphic Novel Book Club (teens): Thursday, April 30, 3:30-4:30pm
  • Read the book and discuss it over snacks and activities. Registration is required in order to receive a book to keep (while supplies last). This month we’ll be reading Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, by Meg Medina.
• Painting With Police (kids): Saturday, May 2
  • Session 1: 11am-12pm 
  • Session 2: 12:30-1:30pm
  • Join the East Lansing Police Department for a fun painting program and a storytime! Children will receive a wooden toy car to paint courtesy of the R.J. Scheffel Memorial Toy Project. Snacks will be provided while supplies last. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting acrylic paint on. Registration is required, please sign up for one session!
• Author Talk - Beth Gelman (adults): Sunday, May 3,3-4pm
  • Join us for an afternoon talk with romance author Beth Gelman, the #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author of Eight Crazy One Night Stands.
• Dementia Caregiving Series (adults): Wednesday, May 6, 1-2:30pm
  • The Dementia Caregiving Series is a 3-session series ideal for those caring for a person with dementia or Alzheimer's. It assists with reducing caregiving stress by providing useful tools and information. It is recommended to attend all 3 sessions, but it is not required. This workshop series is presented in partnership with the Tri-County Office on Aging. To register: Call Tri-County Office on Aging at 517-887-1465 or e-mail Christine at histedc@tcoa.org
• Show and Tell for Grown-Ups (adults): Saturday, May 9, 10:30-12pm
  • Show and Tell isn’t just for the kids! Come show us your oddities and obsessions! Each person will have 5 minutes to tell the story behind their object or collection. No judgment, just fascination! Registration is required to participate, but not to support!
• Documentary Screening and Discussion: Madan Sara (adults): Saturday, May 9, 2-3:30pm
  • Join us for a viewing of the documentary Madan Sara, which profiles a group of Haitian women whose work put their children through school, provide housing for their families, and ensure the future of generations to come. The viewing will be followed by a virtual discussion with the filmmaker Etan Dupain.

Spotlight: 

Celebrate National Poetry Month by checking out the Explora Poetry and Short Story Reference database! This free resource provided by MeL.org contains hundreds of thousands of poems, as well short stories, biographies, and essays. You can explore by author, topic, form, movements, and techniques. Learn more about the United States’ current poet laureate, Arthur Sze, or explore the poetry that came out of the Harlem Renaissance. No matter what you search, you’re sure to find a wonderful world of poetry at your fingertips.

ELPL in the News:

• ELi: Library Board Narrows Director Search; Staff Moving Forward With Teen Behavioral Improvement Plan
• The Hub: Crack the Case: Sherlock Holmes Escape Room for Digital Discovery

Catch ELPL Next Month:

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

• Dementia Caregiving Workshops
• Author Talks
• Teen Music Bingo
• And more!

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