In Memoriam: "Olivia" Author Ian Falconer
Ian Falconer, best known as the illustrator and author of the beloved Olivia children’s book series about a spry and smart young pig, died on Tuesday in Rowayton, Conn. The author, illustrator,…
News
Deadline to Apply for the Amanda Green Scholarship Fund Extended
Due to the recent ice storm which affected Kalamazoo County and left many individuals without electricity for several days, the KZCF Scholarship team has extended the application deadline to Monday,…
Kalamazoo Native Volunteers to Teach in Ukraine
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Bob Wood, a Kalamazoo native, and retired high school teacher is raising awareness of people living in Ukraine during the war. Wood just last week returned from a…
Best of 2022
Check out the Best of 2022 books, movies, and music as chosen by KPL staff!
Apply for the Amanda Green Scholarship Fund for People of Color Interested in Library Science
Released Monday, December 19, 2022. January 1, with a deadline of March 1, 2023. The scholarship will be awarded to a student expected to attend a graduate-level library science program…
Kalamazoo Public Library is Seeking a Library Director
The award-winning, successful Kalamazoo (MI) Public Library seeks a leader who will serve both the library and the Kalamazoo community as an engaged, active participant and contributor. Learn more and/or apply…
Congratulations and Welcome new KPL Board Members!
Kalamazoo Public Library extends a warm welcome and congratulations to our just-elected board members! Linda S. Mah (top left) Denise Miller (top right) Kori Jock (bottom left, will serve a…
Coming Soon...Oshtemo Branch Library Parking Lot Construction Project
Construction on the Oshtemo Branch Library parking lot will begin soon. The updates include: Improved ADA parking spaces and curb ramps New drive-up material dropbox Sidewalk repairs New bike racks…
2022 Election: Kalamazoo Public Library District Trustee Candidates
The role of a public library board is to set policies and delegate responsibility for implementing those policies to the library’s director and staff. The board provides for, establishes, and…
October Encore Magazine: After 150 years, the Kalamazoo Public Library isn't going just by the book
Kalamazoo Public Library is the featured story for the October issue of Encore Magazine! Kalamazoo Public Library is celebrating 150 years of service to Kalamazoo. This October issue of Encore…
In Honor of Academy Award Winner, Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier, the groundbreaking actor and enduring inspiration who transformed how Black people were portrayed on screen and became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for best lead performance…
All KPL Locations Will Provide Curbside-Only Service Beginning Wednesday, January 5
Due to the rapidly increasing number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Kalamazoo and surrounding Michigan communities, Kalamazoo Public Library is prioritizing the health and safety of our patrons and…
Icon Betty White Passed Away at 99
Icon Betty White passed away on December 31, 2021, she was 99 years old. Betty White began her television career in the late 1930s. She starred on Life with Elizabeth in…
KPL Staff Picks Best of 2021
Each year, KPL staff read, watch and listen to hundreds of titles found in our collections. See what was chosen for the Best of 2021 Staff Picks!
Acclaimed Author and Activist Bell Hooks 1952–2021
Acclaimed author and activist Bell Hooks died on Wednesday, December 15. She was 69. Hooks, whose real name was Gloria Jean Watkins, was born on Sept. 25, 1952, in Hopkinsville,…
Author Anne Rice 1941–2021
Kalamazoo Public Library is mourning the loss of iconic author Anne Rice who passed away at 80 years old on Sunday, December 12. Anne Rice was the author of over 30…
KPL Board of Trustees Appoints Annee Dunn to the Library Board
The KPL Board of Trustees welcomes new member Annee Dunn to the library board—she was appointed at the October 25 meeting. Dunn will serve until December 2022, when the seat is…
Jerry Pinkney: December 22, 1939–October 20, 2021
Kalamazoo Public Library is mourning the loss of acclaimed American illustrator and writer of children’s literature, Jerry Pinkney who passed away at age 81 on October 20. Pinkney was a…
Friends of KPL Bookstore Gift Book Sale!
Beginning November 26! Shop hundreds of gift-quality, like-new books at a fraction of retail cost. Doors open at 10 am. The Friends Bookstore is located in the Lower Level of…
Gary Paulsen (May 17, 1939–October 13, 2021)
We are saddened to learn of the passing of three-time Newbery Honor children’s author Gary Paulsen, who passed on October 13, 2021 at the age of 82. Paulsen was the…
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week (September 26-October 2, 2021) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts…
The Margin Project
The Margin Project is a special collection offered in the Teen section at the Oshtemo Branch and Central Library. It gives our readers an opportunity to express themselves by writing…
What Do You See in Room 21 C?
As part of their annual Rotary Is For Reading Campaign, Kalamazoo Rotary joins forces with Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS) to promote literacy and college awareness throughout all second-grade…
It's a David Small World–A Journey Through Life and Art
Join KPL in celebrating Western Michigan University’s acquisition of the David Small and Sarah Stewart Archive with a special month-long exhibit. More than 60 pieces of original art will be…
September is Library Card Sign-up Month
Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been observed each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the American Library Association and libraries unite in…
Metro Bus Transit to Provide Bus Service to Oshtemo Branch Library
Beginning Monday, August 30, Metro Transit will provide bus service to the Oshtemo Branch. Service will include 1 stop per hour, Monday–Friday, between 10 am–6 pm. The new route will…
KPL Announces 2022 Reading Together Title The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui
Kalamazoo Public Library is pleased to announce its 2022 Reading Together book title, The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir by award-winning author and cartoonist Thi Bui, who will speak in…
In Honor of Former KPL Director Saul Amdursky
Kalamazoo Public Library and our community recently lost an instrumental figure in the history of KPL. Longtime, former director Saul Amdursky passed away July 30, 2021, after a battle with…
Disability Network Southwest Michigan Awards KPL the Community Inclusion Award
Each year Disability Network Southwest Michigan honors individuals and organizations in the community who have made a significant contribution to the disability community and to the mission of the organization.…
Library of Things is Open!
The Library of Things is a collection of items beyond books, music, and movies. Have you ever just needed a specific tool for a home improvement project? Ever wanted to…
