Dear Patrons, Friends, and East Lansing Public Library Community Members:

Like all of you, we have felt both the joys and uncertainties of being stuck at home. We know that the weeks and months ahead are difficult to predict. Our library staff has been working busily at home to keep our communications, electronic resources, programs, and support services available through electronic means.

As spring approaches each year, we are used to getting excited about the offerings and activities we’ve been cooking up for our Summer Reading Program. We’re working behind the scenes to make sure that the key goal of our program -- to embrace, enjoy, and share experiences with books in all formats -- remains strong whether we are open or not. We are excited to announce we will have our all ages Summer Reading Program available completely online this summer!

Right now, we’re relying on the advice and requirements of the City of East Lansing, the Ingham County Health Department and the Governor’s Office. We can’t wait to have the library open again, but we know that some of our popular activities won’t fit in our spaces if we need to maintain social distancing. For example, we will kick off the Summer Reading Program on June 8 with a virtual Dance Party with DJ Rod Carpenter.

We want to minimize the number of items that our community’s hands touch as they come and go from the library. That is why we encourage you to use our Summer Reading Program online tracker to participate in ELPL’s Summer Reading Program this summer.

We are saying goodbye to weekly reading incentive prizes. We know! We hear your kids’ groans, but we couldn’t forgive ourselves if germs traveled on them. Additionally, we feel it is wrong to ask our struggling local businesses to donate prizes at this difficult time. Instead, we will be encouraging you to log your weekly reading activity in our online program to earn entries to win one of our end of summer prizes. The more you read and record your reading, the more chances you have of winning a prize.

All information about the ELPL Summer Reading Program will be available on our website.  You can also tune into Facebook for information on the kick off and all of our virtual Summer Reading programs!

Like you, we are eager for the world to feel more normal for our children. Thanks in advance for going on this new kind of journey with us while keeping each other safe.

-ELPL Summer Reading Team