books

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Republicans agree: Enhancing literacy needs to be a greater statewide priority. While they negotiate how best to support literacy efforts, there are strong programs available through our libraries. WEMU's David Fair explored the underdiscussed and appreciated role of these institutions with the director of the Ann Arbor District Library, Eli Neiburger.

A group of Ypsilanti women who were avid readers in the 19th century founded a small library room. It grew over the years and moved several times before eventually becoming the Ypsilanti District Library (YDL). WEMU’s Ana Longoria has this Women’s History Month story.

The Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) has had a positive public reception this year with the reopening of its main branch downtown and the hiring of its first social worker. Now, the library is looking forward to big plans in 2026. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the story.

We're getting closer to Halloween, and there's nothing like a good ghost story! Ypsilanti author Ken MacGregor is a master storyteller of the macabre and is a releasing a new collection of stories entitled "Some People I Have Killed." He talked all about his latest anthology of terror with Lee Van Roth on this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

The Ypsilanti District Library is defending residents’ right to read commonly challenged material during Banned Books Week. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the story.

Authors Kristina R. Gaddy and Rhiannon Giddens team up for a new book entitled "Go Back and Fetch It: Recovering Early Black Music in the Americas for Fiddle and Banjo," and WEMU's Jeremy Baldwin asked about their collaboration.

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.

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.