July Newsletter

This month: America 250, Digitization Kits, Musical Children’s Garden, and Composting

America 250

July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence; we’re taking this time to renew our commitment to democracy and freedom for all! Here are some of the ways you can get involved this summer:

Reading Challenge:

Take on the America 250 BINGO Reading Challenge! 

The challenge is available July 1 - December 31, 2026. Books read for the America 250 Challenge can also be counted towards your minutes for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. 

Not sure where to start? Check out one of our recommended book lists.

Who’s Your American Hero?

Come to the library during our open hours to fill out a star and share!

Explore Resources

Check out more resources to learn about the US, history, democracy, and civic duty.

New Digitization Kits Available!

We’re excited to announce our new digitization kits, available for check-out now! Each kit comes with various tools to help you convert your old media like VHS tapes, film reels, documents, and more, into modern formats you can save and view on your computer! A complete instruction guide is provided in each kit. Check out the video below for a sneak peek at what’s inside:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ePCld60R5c8?feature=share

Funding is provided in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.

Musical Children’s Garden Officially Open!

We celebrated the grand opening of our new musical children’s garden on June 20! The ribbon-cutting event featured a short speaking program, then transitioned into a meet-and-greet with our new permanent director, with cake and ice cream, and the chance to try out the new musical instruments.

Plans for the children’s garden began in 2019; funds were raised through Books, Bites, and Bids, the library’s long-running annual fundraiser, until the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily paused development of the garden. 

In 2025, the design was transformed to include durable outdoor musical instruments shaped like flowers and fungi, which were installed in the fall. At the same time, construction also improved storm drainage and lighting around the garden, as part of the library’s work towards certification with the Sustainable Libraries Initiative. 

In the spring of 2026, a special play surface was installed around the instruments, and a native pollinator garden was planted to attract bees and butterflies. The library also welcomed a new statue to the library grounds in honor of Sarah Tarpoff. 

Finally, the garden was made available to the public this June. The garden aims to bring whimsy and delight to library visitors, filling the library grounds with beauty and music.

We hope you’ll stop by to make some music soon!

https://youtube.com/shorts/6baLQcjyC3E?feature=share

New Composting Available!

We're super excited to partner as a drop-off location for The City of East Lansing's new composting pilot program! This is a great chance to divert your food waste from the landfill and help out the environment. 

If you compost at home, you may be used to avoiding meat, fats, citrus peels, and compostable serviceware. Thanks to this industrial-scale opportunity, BPI-certified compostable containers, orange peels, chicken bones, and similar items are all fine! 

Current drop-off locations include ELPL, DPW, Hannah Community Center, and City Hall. Since this is a small-scale pilot, we'll stay flexible and keep a close eye on community interest and demand, any issues with odor or pests, and other challenges. We're looking forward to being part of the future of composting in East Lansing!

July Reading Recommendations

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

• Protests and Progress: the Shaping of America (teens and adults)
• American Science 250 (adults)
• STEM 250 (Kids)
• National Parks and Recreation Month (all ages)
• Disability Pride Month - List 1 (all ages)
• Disability Pride Month - List 2 (teens and adults) 
• Disability Pride (kids) 
• Celebrate Immigrant Voices (adults)
• Caribbean Voices (teens and adults)
• Beach Reads To Get Lost In (adults)
• Hoopla - USA 250 (all ages)

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.

• Books on Tap (adults): Tuesday, July 14, 6:30-8pm 
  • Meet us at One North Kitchen for drinks and discussion! This month is Dopamine Nation, by Anna Lembke. Sign up online.
• Teen Cricut Create - Tote Bags (teens): Wednesday, July 15, 2-4pm 
  • Create your very own custom tote bag using the Cricut Machine in the Maker Studio! All supplies provided. 
• Stories in the Garden (all ages): Wednesday, July 15, 7-8:30pm 
  • Explore the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens, and stop to listen to a story as you come across each volunteer reader!
• Nature Book Club (adults): Thursday, July 16, 6-7pm 
  • This month we will be discussing Beaver Land: How One Weird Rodent Made America by Leila Philip. Celebrate America 250 by looking at the country's history through a new lens, considering the impressive influence "one weird rodent" has had in making America.
• SHARK DAY 2026 (all ages): Saturday, July 18, 12-2pm 
  • Join us for a fun-filled open house event all about sharks. Enjoy interactive and educational shark-themed activities, demonstrations, crafts and more. 
• Magician Cameron Zvara (all ages): Tuesday, July 21, 2-3pm 
  • Join us for an afternoon of amazement and fun with Comedy Magician and Entertainer Cameron Zvara.
• How Michigan Election Processes Protect Democracy (teens and adults): Wednesday, July 22, 7-8pm  
  • The League of Women Voters and the East Lansing City Clerk, will be sharing information on how Michigan elections work.
• Nature Storytime (ages 3-6): Thursday, July 23, 10-11am 
  • Meet us at Patriarche Park! We’ll explore with magnifying glasses, listen to a picture book, and enjoy a fun craft. Sign up online.
• Jurassic Jailbreak Escape Room (teens): Friday, July 24, 2-3pm 
  • Can you escape the dinosaur enclosure in time? Register for one session. 
  • Session 1: 2-3pm 
  • Session 2: 3-4pm
• The Science and Music of Jurassic Park (adults): Wednesday, July 29, 6:30-7:30pm 
  • Join paleontologist Dr. Katie Maloney and music theorist Dr. Sylvie Tran for an exploration and analysis of the science and music behind the film Jurassic Park.
• Stories in the Garden (all ages): Wednesday, August 5, 10-11:30am 
  • Explore the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens, and stop to listen to a story as you come across each volunteer reader!
• Touch a Truck (all ages): Thursday, August 6, 6-8pm 
  • Explore fire trucks, buses, and other vehicles up close and personal. The first hour (6-7pm) will be a sensory-friendly time, so visitors with noise sensitivities can enjoy the space before the vehicles start showing off their horns and sirens. The library will close at 5pm to prepare for this event. 
• Clothing Swap (all ages): Saturday, August 8, 10:30am-12:30pm 
  • Find new-to-you clothes and drop off your old ones! You don’t have to bring something to take something.

Spotlight: History Reference Center

Want to learn more about the US’s history for its 250th birthday? Explore the History Reference Center database to explore documents, photos, maps, biographies of historical figures, film, and video from leading history journals. Delve into the history of how brave activists helped make the Americans with Disabilities Act into a law, or learn how the Black Lives Matter movement has shaped the country’s understanding of race. You can discover American history from the colonial period (1607-1775) all the way to the 21st century.

ELPL in the News:

• WILX: East Lansing Public Library Launches 2026 Summer Reading Challenge
• WLNS: East Lansing Library launches summer reading challenge
• WKAR: Summer reading programs see strong early turnout
• WILX: East Lansing library hosts Black History 101 Mobile Museum
• WLNS: Meet ELPL’s New Director

Upcoming Dates:

• The library is closed on Sundays through the summer!

Catch ELPL Next Month:

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

• Touch a Truck
• Clothing Swap
• End-of-Summer Party
• And more!

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