May Newsletter: New Director, Writing Contest Winners, and More!

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

Meet Our Permanent Director!

We’re excited to share that Chrissie Evaskis-Garrett has moved from Interim to Permanent Director! The Library Board of Trustees extended the offer at a special meeting on April 22. She has served as the Interim Director of ELPL for the past nine months.

“The board majority was impressed by the work that Chrissie was able to facilitate over her nine months as interim director. She didn’t just fill the role, she excelled at it,” said Trustee Ameenah Asante, Board President. “Staff feedback was strongly in support of her leadership, the library’s new strategic plan is well on track, and there is a sense of peace internally that the library hasn’t seen in quite some time - all positives that we celebrate and could not ignore.”

The Board worked with consulting firm Bradbury Miller Associates to conduct a rigorous nation-wide director search, and Chrissie was chosen out of 41 candidates. As Interim Director, Chrissie has led implementation of the first year of the library’s strategic plan, forged community connections, and supported staff committees and initiatives. Prior to this role, she served as ELPL’s Collections Team Leader, curating collections like the Library of Things, Community Language Collection, and Maker Collection. 

"I'm so excited to continue championing the great work we do at ELPL, and so grateful for the community's support,” said Director Evaskis-Garrett. “I look forward to seeing you in the stacks!”

Chrissie holds an MS in Information from the University of Michigan and BAs in History and Sociology from the University of Tennessee-Martin. She is a former Jeopardy! contestant, an Advocacy Ambassador with the Michigan Library Association, the first person of color to become President of the Michigan Archival Association (which named a DEI award for her in February 2026), and a President-Nominee for the Rotary Club of East Lansing.

The library will hold a meet-and-greet in June so community members can get to know the director; more details to be released soon!

In the meantime, check out some of Chrissie’s favorite media: Chrissie's Favorites! (adults)

New to the Library of Things - Telescopes

We’re excited to announce that we have added telescopes to our Library of Things! Each telescope comes in a convenient traveling case, complete with a quick start guide and this month’s star map. Come over to ELPL to grab a telescope and look at the stars and more! Telescopes are provided through a generous donation from Abrams planetarium.

Congratulations to the Winners of the Community Writing Contest!

Congratulations to the winners of our annual Writing Contest, co-hosted by the Community Writing Center & East Lansing Public Library! 

Youth Fiction:

• Margot Stone - "Books for Curious Children” 
• Lillian - "Patches"

Teen Fiction:

• Khen Julia - "Elegy" 

Adult Fiction:

• Malcolm Woodstock - "Cheese Quest" 
• Maija Itenberg - "underdrawing" 

Adult Non-Fiction:

• Kelsie Donaldson - "A Victim of High Aspirations" 
• Dr. Lydia Tang and Mykola Baidiuk - "A Book in War"

You can learn more about the authors and read their winning selections on our blog.

One Seed, One State

April showers bring May flowers, just in time for One Seed, One State! Each year, seed libraries across Michigan come together to promote growing, saving, and sharing seeds. 

Each year, the chosen seed is an open-pollinated heirloom variety. What does that mean? It means that the flowers are fertilized by your friendly neighborhood pollinators (think bees, birds, bats, wind, rain, etc). This also means that traits produced one year will carry on to the next, meaning you can save the seeds and grow them again next year!

2026’s seed is “Pacific Beauty’ Calendula, a popular, easy to grow flower that has bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow and orange. It loves sunny spots and is not bothered by light frosts. 

With edible petals and leaves, it is suitable for salads, tea, soups, stews, and garnishes. It’s also known as a medicinal herb, as calendula oil or salve is widely used to treat skin infections, rashes, cuts, and burns due to its antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties.

Calendula is one of the best companion plants for gardeners; it repels pests such as aphids, whiteflies, cucumber beetles, etc. while attracting all types of helpful critters like ladybugs, hoverflies, lacewings, bees, and butterflies. 

If you’re ready to have this beautiful daisy look-a-like in your garden, come down to ELPL and grab a packet of seeds, as well as a handy growing guide to get you started.

Happy planting!

Save the Date: Summer Reading Challenge

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

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!

May Reading Recommendations

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

• Happy Mother's Day! (kids)
• International Workers' Day (adults)
• Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (adults)
• More Books for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (adults)
• Jewish American Heritage Month (all ages)
• Jewish Children's Books (kids)
• Mind Matters - Nonfiction and Memoir (adults)
• Fiction for Mental Health Awareness Month (teens and adults)
• Paws, Scales, and Tales (kids)
• Go Green, Go White! (adults)
• Botanical Horror (adults)

Spring Wonders

Is there anything so lovely as the library in spring? Enjoy a mindful moment with us as we look for the little wonders around the library grounds.

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.

• 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 present, but not to attend!
• 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. 
• Apraxia Awareness Storytime with Author Hana Carpenter (kids 5 and under): Wednesday, May 13, 10:30-11:30am   
  • Join us for a special Storytime event featuring local children's author Hana Carpenter as she shares her book Katie and Her Butterfly Voice and information on apraxia. 
• Teen Graphic Novel Book Club (teens): Thursday, May 14, 3:30-4:30pm   
  • Read the book and discuss it over snacks and activities! Registration required in order to receive a book to keep (while supplies last).This month: The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu.
• Teen Cooking Lab (teens): Monday, May 18, 3:30-4:30pm   
  • Experiment with food through tastings, activities, and recipes! We'll make Hasselback Tomatoes! Sign up online.
• Once Upon a Genre Book Club (adults): Monday, May 18, 7-8pm   
  • Join us for a lively discussion of this month’s thriller: Culpability by Bruce Holsinger.
• Author Storytime with Amy Dua and Miss Wanda (kids 5 and under): Saturday, May 30, 10:30-11:30am   
  • Join us for a special Storytime event featuring local children's author Amy Dua, as she shares her latest book, Woe is Me, It's Summer! along with a fun craft. Musician Wanda Degen will accompany with summer songs!
• 2026 Michigan Notable Books Author Tour (adults): Pero Dagbovie: Tuesday, June 2, 7-8pm     
  • Join Michigan Notable Book Author Dr. Pero G. Dagbovie for a discussion of his book Forever In the Path: The Black Experience at Michigan State University. Copies of Forever in the Path will be available for purchase at the event. 
• 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! 

Sustainable Libraries Update: 

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

• Staff participated in the Red Cedar River cleanup day with the Michigan Waterway Stewards! We picked up many bags’ worth of trash along the river trail and connected with other community members.
• We hosted a Seed Bomb Workshop on Earth Day! Visitors could make a seed bomb (native plant seeds and clay), which can be easily planted and grown!
• We conducted a light assessment to assess appropriate lighting levels in different areas of the building. Lighting adjustments are being made in the workroom according to staff needs and preferences.
• We purchased plants for staff that don't have access to windows, and also for the window into the workroom.
• We added a water dispenser which can be filled with water from the dehumidifiers, and that water can then be used to water plants and fill the bird bath.
• Staff did a walk-through of library grounds to identify invasive species and begin a plan for management.
• Our pollinator garden was planted alongside the new musical children’s garden!

Spotlight: Gardening Resources

Spring is here! It’s time to put away the snow shovels and grab your gardening tools to start your own garden. Drop by ELPL and explore the Seed Library to choose from a selection of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds to take home, plant, grow, and enjoy. You can also check out one of our Garden Tool Sets to help prep your garden. Each gardening kit comes with a trowel, a transplanter, a hand rake, a weeder, a pruner, and a multifunction tool. 

We ask community members to limit themselves to five packets of seeds per season to make sure as many people as possible have access to the collection. 

You can help us expand our seed collection by dropping off seed donations at our front circulation desk or at the seed library display near the science fiction catalog computer. We are most in need of herb and flower seeds, so if you have any extra seeds please consider donating them to our Seed Library so community members can make something bloom in their own backyard.

ELPL in the News:

• WILX: 54-B District Court holds expungement fair in East Lansing
• WILX: Celebrate National Libraries Week with East Lansing Public Library
• ELi: From Steering the Ship to Setting Course at East Lansing Public Library
• ELi: Chrissie Evaskis-Garrett Chosen as East Lansing Public Library Director

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:

• Summer Reading Kick-off Party
• Music at the Blissful
• Toy Photography Workshop
• Teen Pride Party
• And more!

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