reading

The Michigan Library Association is calling on state lawmakers to protect and aid readers' access to library books. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the story.

After two decades of nurturing young writers from a whimsical robot shop in Ann Arbor, the nonprofit organization, 826michigan, has relocated its headquarters to Ypsilanti. It's a move aimed at deepening impact and expanding access to literacy education. Lee Van Roth talks to 826michigan's grants writer, Catherine Calabro-Cavin, about the move to Eastern Michigan University's College of Education and what that means for the future.

The Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) is making summer more accessible, educational, and fun for everyone in the community. The library's eighth annual Summer Challenge, where readers of all ages earn badges for prizes, to free meals, mutual aid programs, and teen-led music showcases, offers a full slate of free programming. Lee Van Roth (formerly Rylee Barnsdale) will share more about the program and others being offered in a conversation with YDL Community Relations Coordinator, Sam Killian.

The Ypsilanti District Library has received grant funding to help them with several programs in their Reading Together Downtown Initiative. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.

You’ve heard of the wage and income gap that exists in Washtenaw County. There is also a divide in reading levels. The Ann Arbor-based Children’s Literacy Network is working to close the reading gap. WEMU's David Fair spoke with program manager Kara Woodard about those efforts and how to help keep kids engaged over the summer.

There are any number of organizations and programs aimed at increasing equity in Washtenaw County. Literacy is foundational to a sustainable and successful community. Washtenaw Literacy is an organization working to enhance the opportunities, particularly for those who have been traditionally marginalized and underserved. Carole McCabe is executive director of Washtenaw Literacy and joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation on overcoming the barriers to a better life and better community.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed spending bills Thursday focused on school safety, literacy and student mental health. We have more from Rick Pluta.

Bills to improve literacy outcomes in Michigan are on their way to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk after receiving bipartisan support in the House and Senate. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The Michigan Senate Education Committee is set to hear more testimony Tuesday on bills to screen students for dyslexia. Colin Jackson has more.

The Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) won a grant from the American Library Association (ALA) to create a "Great Stories" Book Club. It is a reading and discussion program for underserved teens with books specially chosen by the ALA. The YDL staff will work with a small group of teens to read and discuss stories that explore questions of race, identity, and more. WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale dig deeper into this exciting, new program with YDL teen librarian, Kelly Scott.