October Newsletter: Enter Our Library Card Design Contest!

October Newsletter: Enter Our Library Card Design Contest!

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

Featured: Library Card Design Contest

Library Card Sign-Up Month may be over, but the fun never ends! We are thrilled to announce a library card design contest! 

The contest opened at 12:01am on October 1, and submissions will close at 11:59pm on October 31. Winners will be announced by Friday, November 14, 2025. 

Library card designs will be judged in three categories - Youth (ages 12 and under), Teens (ages 13 to 17) and Adults (ages 18+) - and one winner will be chosen in each category. The winning designs will be printed on our next order of library cards!

Art should be submitted as 3.125 inches by 1.875 inches in PDF format. All kinds of visual art will be accepted, and must be scanned or photographed in high resolution, and submitted without any additional background. Please do not include names or any other identifiable information on the submission; works will be anonymized during the judging process. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is strictly prohibited. All work must be original to the artist. One submission per person. Read the full submission rules here. 

Submit your design here!

Featured: Freedom to Read Week

Freedom to Read Week, also known as Banned Books Week, is here again! This year the celebration runs from October 5 through October 11! 

Freedom to Read Week is an annual event celebrating the value of free and open access to information. Freedom of speech is an essential feature of democracy and a longstanding American value. By celebrating Freedom to Read Week, we stand with libraries and readers everywhere to say that we trust people to make their own informed decisions and think for themselves.

This year’s theme is “Censorship is So 1984: Read for Your Rights,” taking its phrasing from George Orwell’s cautionary tale “1984” about the dangers of censorship, amongst other oppressive practices. 

Check out ways you can join ELPL to celebrate!

1. Read banned books! Be on the lookout for displays, bookmarks, and online reading lists that highlight materials that have faced book challenges. 
2. Join us for a Banned Books Discussion with the owner of Bettie’s Pages and author of “This Book is Dangerous” on Thursday, October 9 from 5:30-6:30pm.
3. Learn more about what you can do to fight censorship and keep books available in your libraries and the freedom to read open to all!

Happy reading!

Featured: National Friends of Libraries Week

National Friends of Libraries Week is October 19-25. Please join us in thanking the Friends of the East Lansing Public Library!

The Friends are a dedicated and hard-working group of volunteers who support our library in so many ways. They run the used bookstore inside the library, and donate the money earned to help us do cool things! From raising money for library events, supporting our summer reading program, providing mini-grants for special projects, and giving out scholarships for staff to continue their education, the Friends really do so much for us, and we are so grateful! Thanks, Friends!

Featured: October Reading Recommendations

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

• Killer Thrillers (adults)
• October is Family History Month! (adults)
• Must Read Science Fiction (adults)
• Current Lit Kits (adults)
• Short Story Treasures (adults)
• Hispanic Heritage Month (adults)
• Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Picture Books (kids)
• Censorship is so 1984 (teens)
• Freedom to Read - Most Challenged Books of 2024 (teens and adults)
• Banned Books (adults)
• LGBTQ+ History Month (adults)

Featured: Plant Propagation Station

We're so excited to introduce our new plant propagation station! Located on top of our holds shelf, you're now welcome to take a plant, leave a plant! 

We have tags so you can label your cutting, and we have damp paper towels so you can safely transport your cutting home. No need to ask permission or check in with staff — the station is completely self-serve and community-driven. Let's grow a community of plant-lovers together! 

Featured: Coming Soon - A Musical Garden!

What’s with all that fencing and construction in front of the library? We’re installing a musical garden! Soon there will be durable outdoor musical instruments shaped like flowers permanently available for visitors to explore, as well as improved landscaping and new seating! Stop by the library to see the latest blueprint for the new space.

The project is anticipated to be completed by December. While we improve drainage and replace sidewalks, both sets of stairs leading to the library entrance will be blocked off. During this time, please plan to use the accessible ramp on the south end of the parking lot. 

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.

• Architecture of the Upper Peninsula (adults): Wednesday, October 8, 6-7pm    
  • Please join us for a visual tour of the architecture of the Upper Peninsula with Detroit-based photographer, speaker, and writer Josh Lipnik.
• Banned Books Discussion With Bettie’s Pages (teens and adults): Thursday, October 9, 5:30-6:30pm    
  • Join Nicole Lintemuth, owner of Bettie’s Pages in Lowell MI, to discuss her book “This Book is Dangerous” as well as banned books in general. Learn to find tools to combat book bans and help fight to protect the right to read for everyone. Nicole has been featured on multiple podcasts, media articles, and has nearly 120k followers on TikTok.
• Nature Write-Out (all ages): Sunday, October 12, 1:30-3:30pm    
  • Weather permitting, we’ll spend some time outdoors on library grounds, or at one of the several nature-viewing windows within the library. We’ll reflect on the natural spaces around us and enjoy some dedicated writing time together! Nature journals will be provided (while supplies last), or you’re welcome to bring your own favorite journal. 
• Art of Herbal Tea-Tasting Experience (adults): Wednesday, October 22, 6-8:30pm    
  • Blend, brew, and enjoy a selection of herbal teas with Bevin Cohen, award-winning author, owner of Small House Fam, and host of the popular Seeds and Weeds podcast. Learn about the history and folklore behind ingredients while documenting your impressions of each herb’s aroma and flavor. Participants will also create a custom herbal blend to enjoy at home! Registration required. 
• Homeownership Education Seminar with MSU Extension (adults): Thursday, October 23, 6-8pm    
  • Attend this in-person homeownership seminar from MSU Extension, which provides you with valuable information about the home buying process. Attending the 4 hour single or split sessions, returning completed signed paperwork, and payment received fulfills the requirements for certificate of completion. Registration required.
• Poetry Reading - A River of Words (adults): Thursday, October 23, 7-8:30pm    
  • Laura Apol, Joyce Benvenuto, and Marianne Peel will read from their poetry collections!
• Family Activity Day (kids and families): Sunday, October 26, 2-4pm    
  • Enjoy educational activities with the MSU Friendshop!
• Teen Pumpkin Painting (teens): Monday, October 27, 3:30-4:30pm    
  • Decorate a pumpkin and enjoy tasty treats, while supplies last!
• Page to Stage (adults): Tuesday, November 4, 7-8pm    
  • Read and discuss “Sherlock Carol” before it opens live at the Williamston Theatre!
• Tabletop Mini Painting (ages 8-14): Thursday, November 6, 6:30-8pm    
  • Celebrate International Games Month and learn to paint game miniatures! We'll provide the paint and minis for young artists.
• Nature Book Club (teens and adults): Saturday, November 8, 10-11:30am    
  • This month we’re discussing The Serviceberry, by Robin Wall Kimmerer!
• Teen Cooking Lab (teens): Monday, November 10, 3:30-4:30pm    
  • We’re making energy bites! Ingredients include oats, chocolate chips, peanut butter, coconut, flaxseed, honey, chia seeds, and vanilla extract. Sign up online!
• Poetry Reading - Michigan Poet Laureate Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd (adults): Friday, November 14, 7-8:30pm    
  • Dr. Boyd’s reading serves as a keynote address to the Lansing Poetry Club's Poets' Roundtable Conference, being held the following day at the Library of Michigan in Lansing, where she will offer a workshop. A reception and book signing will follow the reading. Books will be available for purchase. This event will also be livestreamed on our facebook page!

Spotlight: Ancestry Library

October isn’t just for scares, it’s also National Family History Month! This is a great opportunity to talk to your family about your history, and pass down important memories and stories for decades and centuries to come! 

Trying to gather family history can feel like an intimidating task for so many reasons. For many people, the word history is enough to put them to sleep, but family history is important and can be fun! Try using a K-W-L approach while doing your own research or helping another family member.

1. Write down what you already Know about your family, past or present.     
   1. How many people are in your immediate family? What about your extended family? 
   2. Where do family members currently live? 
   3. What do they do for a living? 

Writing down what you know can help create a visual reminder that you already have some family history to start with.

1. Write down something you Wonder about your family.    
   1. Where does your family name come from?
   2. How long has your family been in a certain geographical area?
   3. What types of jobs did your ancestors do?
   4. When did certain family traditions start?

1. Record and share what you Learned about your family!

You can use the AncestryLibrary database to map your family tree and help tell your family history. This service is free with your library card! Find your family members in the census, their military records, and more with one of the most popular genealogy databases available! Ancestry Library is only available inside the library via wired and wireless computers and devices. Remote access is not supported. 

ELPL in the News:

• WILX: Cool People Carry These
• ELi: Regional Reading Initiative One Grand Read Connects Community Through Shared Story
• 6 in the City: One Grand Read
• ELi: Library Board Prepares to Search for a New Director

Upcoming Dates:

• The library will close October 13 for Indigenous Peoples Day.
• The library will close November 3 for a staff inservice day.
• The library will close at 6pm on November 10 and remain closed on November 11 for Veteran’s Day. 

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:

• Books on Tap Book Club
• Page to Stage Discussions at ELPL
• Youth Animation Club
• Tabletop Mini Painting for Kids
• Nature BookClub
• Dino Day
• And more!

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