Library staff hopes to earn a sustainability certification that would add to the city’s history of environmental leadership.
Despite revenue from the property tax growing at a lower rate than past years, ELPL is projected to carry a healthy budget in FY26.
The biggest impact from the cuts could be losing the system libraries use to share resources.
The strategic plan will provide guidance when ELPL makes decisions about its budget, programs and partnerships.
The strategic plan was developed during a nine-month process and included feedback from nearly 1,200 community members.
Reporter Ayah Imran brings a summary of what was discussed at library board meetings the last few months.
ELPL’s Freedom to Read Week kicked off Sept. 22 with a performance of “Inherit the Wind” from the MSU Department of Theatre.
ELPL is moving forward with its Strategic Planning Process that engaged more than 1,000 residents.
The East Lansing Public Library met yesterday for its April meeting.
The meeting was the first since Kevin King took over as library director on March 4.
New East Lansing Public Library Director Kevin King believes building solid relationships with library staff and East Lansing residents is key to success in his role.
ELPL Interim Director Angelo Moreno spent much of his last meeting at the helm discussing finances with the library board.
Strategic planning, budgets and reviewing the one-year report on the Jan. 11, 2023, incident were all part of the recent meeting.
The board unanimously moves to offer the job to Kevin King, who will come to EL from the Kalamazoo Public Library.
Tools, light therapy, zoo passes and more are among the unconventional offerings that can be checked out at the library.
The Library Board of Trustees will begin public interviews early this month.
With the year coming to an end, we look back at top stories and issues in the City of East Lansing.
The deadline for applications was Nov. 17. The Library Commission subcommittee hopes to present its findings and recommendations at the Dec. 13 meeting.
After an unanimous vote of support, Adult Services Librarian Angelo Moreno has been offered the position of interim director of the East Lansing Public Library.
The East Lansing City Council will look for an interim director for the East Lansing Public Library while library trustees will orchestrate a search for a full time candidate.
The resignations occur amid turmoil at the library and in the city’s workforce.
Eleven library staff members spoke about their jobs and responsibilities, stressing “libraries work because we do.” The union staff is currently in contract negotiations.
ELPL Board of Trustees and Director Kristin Shelley have back-and-forth exchanges during two-hour meeting.
Also on the full agenda was approval of board minutes, a new patron code of conduct and much more.
Incident has led to a special investigation by the library board and complaint to the EL Human Rights Commission.
Not everyone has a 3D printer, a laser cutter, vinyl cutter or even a sewing machine in their home. But the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) has made all of these devices available to the community. As part of the library’s Maker Studio, community members are welcome to tinker with technologies and gadgets they might otherwise not have the…
March 15 meeting was less acrimonious than recent sessions with more time spent focusing on business as usual.
This week’s East Lansing Library Board of Trustees meeting was dominated by discussion of the Jan. 11 incident.
Young adults (including college students) are invited to join this monthly event at East Lansing’s Public Library.
A long-time East Lansing resident says her son was racially profiled by the library director, and she wants the director removed from her position. What comes next is not clear.
Bright, bold colors of the mural on the west-facing wall of the library honors the colorful history and ongoing work for civil rights.
The Library Board of Trustees discussed two upcoming Board vacancies and concerns about intellectual freedom in light of what the American Library Association has called a “dramatic uptick in book challenges.”
A series of Freedom of Information Act requests from ELi show how some changes in the City’s workforce mean women are more represented as the highest earners. Emily Joan Elliott reports.
ELi’s mission is to bring East Lansing the news. Here’s a look at what we think we’ll be helping you to know about and understand in context in 2022.
Recently-unionized East Lansing Public Library workers and the administration have signed a contract. Meanwhile, repair costs at the library continue to skyrocket, now reaching twice the originally-accepted bid. What’s going on?
ELi faces a persistent lack of transparency and thus an unnecessary uphill climb in our efforts to report on what your local government is doing — including with your money. ELi City Desk reporter Andrew Graham brings the story.
The controversy surrounding MSU’s request for faculty and staff to volunteer their personal time to work in dining halls is only the tip of the iceberg locally in terms of tensions between employees and management. What else is happening around town?
City Council candidate forums, the possibility of a new City Attorney, an issue of representation at the Arts Commission, and parliamentary procedure. Alice Dreger brings updates on all that and more!
Supporters at the library workers’ rally included fellow librarians from MSU, LCC, and CADL, plus several East Lansing citizens, including one candidate for City Council.
The cost of library renovations could reach $1.5 million by the time the work is complete. The Library Board of Trustees is looking to Council for financial support.
What renovations are coming to the East Lansing Public Library? What programs are being offered? What is happening with contract negotiations with non-supervisory workers? Emily Joan Elliott reports.
On Tuesday, Aug. 17, several readers wrote to ELi to ask why three mature honey locust trees in front of ELPL were about to be cut down. What were the readers’ concerns? Why did ELPL move forward with the removal?
In today’s Ask ELi to Investigate, ELi Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott digs into questions we’ve received about the East Lansing Public Library since her report on Monday regarding the library labor dispute.
Employees in non-supervisory roles at the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) rejected a contract offered by the City because it did not include stipulations that the workers are fighting for. What are the workers hoping to receive? What happens next?
Seven million to the pensions. Water shut-offs starting soon. City lawsuit information might be disclosed to the public again. What else did we see at City Council this week?
Equipped with books, movies, and technology, the Library on the Go van is set to visit different parks, retirement centers, schools, farmers’ markets, and more this summer. Sarah Spohn reports.
During the pandemic, East Lansing Girl Scout Brownie Troop 30215 adapted to Zoom meetings and outdoor hikes. Now, their artwork made during the pandemic is on display at the East Lansing Public Library. Sarah Spohn reports.
A lot happened at this week’s four-hour City Council meeting. ELi’s Jack Timothy Harrison brings you up to speed with a 5-minute read!
When are the City Council elections? What’s with the Graduate Hotel pedestrian tunnel? Which vendors are coming to the market this Sunday? Answers to these questions and more.
The East Lansing Public Library will allow building entry for up to one hour to patrons starting Mar. 1. Library Director Kristin Shelley hopes the reopening will help those who rely on the library to file taxes and apply for benefits.
The library is expecting to spend about $800,000 to do some “desperately needed” maintenance on various facilities. Why is this happening just a few years after $1.5M in renovations?
The library has tentative plans to reopen on Mar. 1. In the meantime, staff are implementing public health protocols and conducting a cultural diversity audit on the library’s collections. Heather Brothers reports.
The City and school district held several important meetings this week. The ELi team brings you the updates.
The library faces financial trouble, calls for ambulances are way down, the mayor asks that mug shots be withheld from press releases, and Council members say what’s on their minds. Read all about it.
The City of East Lansing is trying to raise $50,000, to be matched through a grant, to bring people Downtown. It also wants people with downtown gift cards to use them sooner rather than later. Andrew Graham explains.
What did East Lansing’s “Library on the Go” van cost, where did the funds come from, and what is it used for? A reader asked and we found out.
Sarah Spohn brings an update about a virtual concert available for streaming, beginning today.
How does ELi cover taxes and finances in East Lansing? Publisher Alice Dreger explains.
Want to weigh in on cultural arts grants, a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, money problems in Parks & Rec and in the parking system, and traffic on Highland Ave.? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott tells you which East Lansing City meetings will cover what this week.
The Friends of the East Lansing Public Library is continuing its mission of supporting the East Lansing Public Library. Sarah Spohn explains how you can join in this Sunday.
Following up on a tip from a City employee who thinks East Lansing’s vehicle policies waste tax dollars, ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott provides a look at the spending.
The East Lansing Public Library has a new fine-free policy, eliminating fines for late returns. ELi’s Amalia Medina explains the new policy’s philosophy and practice.
At the City of East Lansing, men hold two-thirds of the full-time jobs, and five departments employ only white people. ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott reports.
During June and July, 97 full- and part-time City of East Lansing employees are working reduced hours, but with little impact on their income.
Outdoor lockers will help with 24/7 contactless delivery. What else will be changing at the library?
East Lansing’s City Government is getting busy. What’s up?
East Lansing Library Teen Services Specialist Beth Scanlon is not letting the pandemic get in the way of her work supporting area youth.
Trustees of the East Lansing Public Library met to talk about the tough times now and the tough times ahead.
The City of East Lansing is working on how to hold public meetings without allowing disruptions that are seen as inappropriate.
Find out how to find more!
Which City of East Lansing government meetings are starting up again, and which have yet to resume?
A wave of layoffs speaks to the massive financial challenges faced by the government and businesses of East Lansing.
The East Lansing Public Library’s doors are closed but its online treasure chest is open! Find out what’s available and how things are going financially.
In observance of federal, state and local orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many businesses have scaled back their hours and services. ELi’s Sarah Spohn provides the details.