Interest: Civic Engagement
Interest: Civic Engagement
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Budget Hearing
Published: November 7, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING YPSILANTI DISTRICT LIBRARY County of Washtenaw, Michigan ON THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS IN THE LIBRARY DISTRICT OF THE YPSILANTI DISTRICT LIBRARY PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Ypsilanti District Library Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, the nineteenth day of November, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at YDL-Whittaker Road, 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197, to consider the approval and adoption of the operating budget of the Ypsilanti District Library for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Copies of the proposed budget are on file at …
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Your Library Card Packs a Punch
Published: August 30, 2025
Last September, YDL issued over 400 new library cards. This year, you can help us make National Library Card Sign-up Month even bigger! Since 1987, September has marked an annual effort to get a library card in as many hands as possible. This year, the American Library Association chose the theme “One Card, Endless Possibilities.” Anyone who gets their YDL card this September can also get a colorful beach ball, courtesy of Gene Butman Ford, or a nifty travel bag (while supplies last). Have you somehow finished reading all of the books in our collection? You can also use your …
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Join YDL at Ypsilanti’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Published: June 11, 2025
June 19 is Juneteenth, a now-federal holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the U.S.
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Happy Pride Month from YDL!
Published: June 10, 2025
YDL is celebrating Pride Month by including Pride book displays at each of our branches. Read on to find more information about Pride Month and how you can participate.
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Michigan Memories
Allows users to search the online collections of cultural memory institutions all around Michigan.
Black History Month 2025
Published: February 4, 2025
February is Black History Month. This year’s theme is “Black Resistance,” which recognizes and celebrates the resistance of Black people, organizations, and institutions to racism in the past and present.
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Library Social Work program coming to YDL
Published: January 23, 2025
The Ypsilanti District Library is transforming how patrons can connect with social service resources in the community, thanks to a generous grant from Washtenaw County Community Mental Health. With funding from the Washtenaw County Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage, YDL will hire a fulltime Library Social Worker. This MSW position will engage with the community at YDL’s three locations to help provide information, support, referrals, and follow-through to people experiencing challenging life circumstances. The Library Social Worker will help patrons seeking community resources such as mental health services, substance use services, housing services, food, education, and other social …
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Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Budget Hearing
Published: November 8, 2024
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING YPSILANTI DISTRICT LIBRARY County of Washtenaw, Michigan ON THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS IN THE LIBRARY DISTRICT OF THE YPSILANTI DISTRICT LIBRARY PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Ypsilanti District Library Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, the twentieth day of November, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at YDL-Whittaker Road, 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197, to consider the approval and adoption of the operating budget of the Ypsilanti District Library for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Copies of the proposed budget are on file …
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Candidate forum recordings from the League of Women Voters
Published: June 24, 2024
Candidates for Superior Township Clerk and Superior Township Supervisor discuss the issues.
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Happy Pride Month from YDL!
Published: May 30, 2024
YDL is celebrating Pride Month by including Pride book displays at each of our branches. Read on to find more information about Pride Month and how you can participate.
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Ypsi Stories Episode 23: The Ypsi Farmers & Gardeners Oral History Project
Published: May 6, 2024
Episode 23 of Ypsi Stories.
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Celebrate National Library Week with YDL!
Published: April 3, 2024
April 7-13 marks National Library Week 2024, a week dedicated to honoring libraries, library workers, and their impacts on their communities. This year’s theme is Ready, Set, Library!
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Cleaning Up the Rain Garden
Published: August 5, 2023
We started the first phase of revitalizing the rain garden at YDL-Whittaker!
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YDL receives Great Stories Club grant from the American Library Association
Published: July 25, 2023
Grant will allow librarians to lead book clubs with underserved teens
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Special Guests Share Their Expertise
Published: July 24, 2023
See a couple of featured organizations that have been at YDL recently.
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Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with YDL!
Published: April 27, 2023
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which celebrates the achievements of Asian and Pacific-Islander Americans. Read on to learn more about the history of AAPI Heritage Month (including why it’s celebrated in May), as well as how you can celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at YDL (see right)! Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (Saturday, May 6 11am-12pm – YDL-Superior) Curious about how AAPI Heritage Month got its start? To learn more, read this excerpt of “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month,” courtesy of Minhae Shim Roth of History.com: In 1977, New York representative Frank Horton introduced …
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Celebrate National Library Week 2023!
Published: April 19, 2023
April 23-29 marks National Library Week 2023, a week dedicated to honoring libraries, library workers, and their impacts on their communities. This year’s theme is “There’s more to the Story.”
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Want to hear from your elected officials? Stop by for a coffee hour!
Published: March 14, 2023
Chat with your elected officials during a coffee hour. Representatives Jimmie Wilson Jr. and Jason Morgan will visit YDL to share updates on current legislative efforts and host Q & A sessions with attendees. March 25: Coffee Hour with Representative Jimmie Wilson, Jr. March 25: Coffee Hour with Representative Jason Morgan April 29: Coffee Hour with Representative Jimmie Wilson, Jr.
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Celebrate Women’s History Month with YDL!
Published: February 28, 2023
March is Women’s history Month, a month dedicated to honoring the accomplishments of women in the past and present.
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RESCHEDULED YDL Board meeting – February 1
Published: January 26, 2023
The January YDL Board meeting has been rescheduled for February 1 in the Whittaker Road Board Room at 6:30 PM. For public meeting guidelines and other information about our board meetings, visit our Board page.
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Thank you for your service, Kay!
Published: November 28, 2022
After 45 years of dedication to the Ypsilanti and Superior communities, YDL Board Trustee Kay Williams is stepping down from her position.
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Join us for the Superior Library Book Brigade
Published: August 30, 2022
October 8 is moving day for the collection at the current Superior branch!
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Disinformation: Don’t be Fooled!
Published: August 30, 2022
Identifying and combating disinformation is challenging, but you can learn how to spot and avoid it.
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Dramatic progress inside and out
Published: August 3, 2022
The most dramatic addition to the exterior has been the installation of the solar panels on the south side of the building.
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Voting Help
Published: August 2, 2022
Find information about voting requirements, absentee voting, polling information, and YDL resources for voting.
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Exterior finishing and a generous grant
Published: July 1, 2022
The exterior is taking shape, and we received a generous grant from the James L. and Faith Knight Foundation!
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Join YDL and the League of Women Voters at the Mayoral Candidates Forum
Published: June 9, 2022
Join YDL and the League of Voters on Wednesday, June 22, at the Ypsilanti Senior Center for the Mayoral Candidates Forum.
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Celebrate Juneteenth with YDL
Published: June 8, 2022
June 19 is Juneteenth, a now-federal holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the U.S. Read on to learn more about Juneteenth.
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Welcome to Fine-Free
Published: May 31, 2022
Exciting news! Effective June 1, YDL will no longer charge fines for late materials.
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Fireplace Installation Starts
Published: May 31, 2022
The fireplace, a focal point of the library, has been installed.
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Ceiling and walls underway
Published: April 20, 2022
In the last month, the roof has been completed and crews are making fast progress on interior work. The concrete slab has been poured. The subceiling insulation is mostly in place, and drywall is being installed. The walls are being framed and windows are being fabricated. We were delighted to welcome major donors and stakeholders into the space for a behind-the scenes Hard Hat Party during National Library Week. Attendees signed walls and posed with vests and hard hats to celebrate the progress of the new library. In the coming weeks, crews will begin installation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing …
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It’s National Library Week 2022!
Published: April 1, 2022
National Library Week is April 3-9! Celebrate with us by using our digital resources and sharing what you love about YDL.
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Progress on roofing and underground plumbing
Published: March 24, 2022
Construction work continues at a fast pace. In the last few weeks, crews have completed the installation of roof sheathing and shingles. Boxes for the solar panel circuitry are in place as well. Crews enclosed the building structure and heated the inside in order to defrost the ground. Underground plumbing has been installed. The ground is being leveled in preparation for the pouring of the concrete slab. In April, you’ll begin to see exterior façade work. We are happy to announce the award of a $10,000 grant from the Mullick Foundation for the kitchenette. Alongside a previous grant from The …
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Celebrate the Women Who Created YDL
Published: March 9, 2022
In honor of March being Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting the women that built our local library.
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Winter construction continues
Published: February 28, 2022
We are very excited, as construction of the new Superior building is now 35% complete, over a third of the way done! Construction crews have been able to keep working despite cold weather and snow. Structural masonry work is finished, the heating and cooling unit is in place, and gas and power are available. You can see the many dramatic angles to the roof, which give the building flair. Roof sheathing is nearly done. Crews are currently in the process of defrosting the building pad. They will enclose the structure so the interior can be heated as work continues. When …
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See Evicted: The latest travelling exhibit at YDL
Published: February 1, 2022
Check out Evicted, the latest travelling exhibit at YDL-Whittaker.
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Building takes shape
Published: January 26, 2022
The exterior of the building is changing every week, sometimes every day! The structure is nearing completion. The majority of the exterior studwalls are in place. After a few delays, roof trusses arrived in mid-January, and the larger ones were installed by a huge crane. Once the finer truss work is complete, crews will install roof sheathing and shingles. The overhead photo to the right may be one of the last open-air views you will see! Curbs are in place, clearly defining the outlines of the parking lot and the drive-up book return. The masonry sign at the Harris Road …
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Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Published: January 12, 2022
Learn about community events and YDL resources that commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.
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Grants boost Superior progress
Published: November 24, 2021
This is part of a series of updates about the new YDL library being constructed on North Harris Road in Superior Township. Find more information and updates at ypsilibrary.org/newlibrary. YDL received word of two grant awards for specific features of the building. The Humane Society of the United States awarded YDL a $2,000 grant toward bird-friendly glass. The Children’s Foundation awarded the library $23,100 toward the new library’s kitchenette, making the free summer lunch program possible. To see the latest on the capital campaign, visit, ypsilibrary.org/nextchapter. The construction team continues to make visible progress on the new library. The …
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Steel Beams in Place
Published: November 2, 2021
Construction crews are making exciting progress on the building structure. Steel arrived on October 13, and in the following weeks, the building has taken shape in a visible way. On November 1, project partners gathered for a beam signing ceremony before the placement of the final beam. It was a festive occasion to mark a major construction milestone. YDL has received the necessary permit to connect the sanitary sewer line to the County drain; our construction manager is in touch with the County’s Water Resources Commission to schedule that work. Other water work has been accomplished; the fire hydrant is …
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Digital Michigan Newspaper Portal
A list of over 1,000 digitally-accessible newspaper collections across Michigan.
Double your donation to YDL’s Next Chapter Capital Campaign
Published: October 1, 2021
The Ypsilanti District Library is turning the page to a bright future, launching the Next Chapter Capital Campaign to help build a new branch in Superior Township!
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Progress on Water, Sewer, and Electric
Published: September 22, 2021
Since our last update, we’ve seen exciting progress in the construction of the new library. The sanitary sewer line has been installed. Water mains have been installed, pressure tested, and chlorinated. Our construction crew is awaiting a permit to connect to the county drain. Crews are installing underground plumbing for the building at this time. Electrical work has begun with the connecting of the light pole bases. We are in the queue for a full electrical hookup with DTE, predicted to be in about eight weeks. Masons have installed block around much of the building’s perimeter. The drive and parking …
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Foundation Work Continues
Published: August 19, 2021
Underground and foundation work continues at the new library site. Harris Road was closed temporarily to allow crews to install the sanitary sewer line under the road. Crews continue to work on the footings and foundation. Heavy rains have delayed that work slightly, but the crew is making significant progress. Excess soil from excavation and the digging of the retention pond is in the process of being hauled away. Coming soon: electricity! Electricians will be on site in the next weeks to install bases for light poles. The construction site changes every day. We encourage you to drive or walk …
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The 2nd Phase of the Next Chapter Capital Campaign
Published: August 6, 2021
Thanks for making our $100,000 Young Family Challenge a success! For Phase 2 of our Next Chapter Campaign, help us double the size of our picture book collection for the new library.
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We Did It…Thank You!
Published: July 29, 2021
Thanks to all your generous donations, we have reached our Young Family Challenge goal!
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More to See!
Published: July 26, 2021
As you can see from these wonderful aerial photographs, the new library site is taking shape! Diversified Excavating prepared the base for the building’s foundation with crushed stone. Superior Township issued our building permit, so Diversified expects to begin pouring concrete next week. Harris Road will be widened in conjunction with the new library construction. The Library, Superior Township, and our respective engineering teams are partnering to make sure the process goes smoothly and efficiently, with the least disruption possible to neighborhood traffic. Act fast! The Young Family Next Chapter Challenge runs through July 31. Visit ypsilibrary.org/nextchapter before the challenge …
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Construction has Begun!
Published: June 3, 2021
After the YDL Board of Trustees approved initial construction bids, construction work has officially begun! Beginning the week of May 24, O’Neal Construction is on site to coordinate work, and subcontractors have begun earth moving operations. This involves leveling, moving, and compacting soil in preparation for foundation work and stormwater retention development. A construction trailer will be installed on site in the next week. We kicked off the Next Chapter Capital Campaign on June 1. You and your friends can help make the new library everything the community wants and needs! Please visit ypsilibrary.org/nextchapter to learn more about how your …
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Improving access to fresh food
Published: April 29, 2021
A new pilot project aims to make it easier to use food assistance benefits, like SNAP, to get fresh produce.
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Ready to Build!
Published: April 19, 2021
We have officially broken ground! Our Groundbreaking Celebration, held April 7, was an exciting milestone in the construction process. The enthusiastic in-person crowd, engaging speakers, and fabulous weather made for quite a memorable event. Thank you to Bank of Ann Arbor for sponsoring the livestream, which allowed many more people to attend remotely. If you missed the event, check out the recording on the YDL Youtube channel. Thanks to an in-kind gift from Superior Township, we finalized the transfer of the land on March 29 for the rock-bottom price of one dollar. We are so grateful to Superior Township for …
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Groundbreaking Celebration and Progress Report
Published: March 4, 2021
At its meeting on December 16, the Superior Township Planning Commission approved the final site plan for the new library! Now our design work can be finalized and the construction can go out for bid.
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Committing to Compassion
Published: December 29, 2020
Last year brought challenges. It also brought opportunities for compassion, community, and patience. In addition to the pandemic, racial unrest throughout the country forced us to think about how we make a community work for everyone. This year, renew your commitment to personal and community growth. In the spirit of spreading knowledge, here are some tools and tips for achieving your resolutions and becoming a more informed and engaged citizen. Talk to your family about race Research from the American Psychological Association shows some preschoolers may have already developed racist beliefs well before adults start talking about race with them. …
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NEH For All the World to See Virtual Tour
Published: December 22, 2020
The virtual tour and accompanying activities for the NEH For All the World to See exhibit are ready to explore!
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Final Site Plan Approval
Published: December 17, 2020
At its meeting on December 16, the Superior Township Planning Commission approved the final site plan for the new library! Now our design work can be finalized and the construction can go out for bid.
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Help YDL Prepare for Reopening
Published: December 1, 2020
To welcome patrons back to the library safely, YDL wants to install air purification systems at Whittaker Road and Michigan Avenue. Read on to learn more, and visit our Donate Page to contribute to the project.
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Ypsi Stories
Join us quarterly to hear Ypsilanti History in story form!
Ypsi Stories Episode 1: Lucius Lyon and the Land Speculators
Published: November 4, 2020
Hear Chapter 1 of Look Both Ways!
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Site Clearing Progress
Published: November 3, 2020
If you have traveled past the future library site on North Harris, you no doubt have noticed exciting changes: site clearing work is underway! Brush and small trees have been cleared from the construction area. Once a soil erosion permit is secured, temporary fencing will be placed and the land will be prepared for groundbreaking. We anticipate groundbreaking in Spring 2021. Having the site clearing performed in the fall means the construction work can get a quicker start as soon as the weather permits. Over the winter months, we will continue finalizing all of the planning pieces so that construction …
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2020 Election for Kids
Published: October 17, 2020
Kids, learn about elections and the book character candidates, then cast your vote!
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LET’S COMPLETE OUR HISTORY
Published: September 24, 2020
In October, YDL will co-host a Wikipedia edit-a-thon of Ypsilanti and related pages. We want to engage our diverse community to paint a more complete picture within those articles.
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Let Your Voice Be Heard
Published: September 22, 2020
Everyone has a voice in our community and government. Make sure yours is heard!
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Powerful Films on Race Relations in YDL Collection
Published: July 3, 2020
Powerful Films on Race Relations YDL owns copies of all but one of these films: reserve your copy today The Color Purple (1985) PG-13 Fiction: Based on the novel by Alice Walker Do The Right Thing (1989) R Fiction Get Out (2017) R Fiction: Horror Django Unchained (2013) R Fiction-Western Harriet (2019) PG-13 Fiction: Biographical: Harriet Tubman 13th (2016) Documentary about 13th Amendment & Mass Incarceration No DVD release; streaming only on www.Netflix.com Birth of a Nation (2016) R Fiction: Biographical: Nat Turner Note: For historical purposes, YDL also owns a copy of the original film called Birth of a …
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Anti-Racism Book List for Adults
Published: June 4, 2020
The following books are available through YDL’s digital collections:Abu-Jamal, Mumia | Have Black Lives Ever Mattered? ebook on HooplaAlexander, Michelle | The New Jim Crowebook on HooplaAnderson, William & Zoe Samudzi | As Black as Resistance: Finding the Conditions for Liberationebook on HooplaCoates, Ta-Nehisi | Between the World and Meebook and eaudio on OverdriveDavis, Angela | Freedom is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movementeaudio on Hoopla, ebook on OverdriveDiAngelo, Robin | White Fragility: Why it’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racismebook & eaudio on OverdriveDunbar-Ortiz, Roxanne | An Indigenous Peoples’ History of …
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Information on YDL-Michigan’s Closing on 3/4/2020
Published: March 4, 2020
We are set to reopen our downtown branch on Thursday, March 5.
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Information on YDL-Michigan’s Closing
Published: October 17, 2019
Our Michigan Avenue location is closed after confirmed evidence of bed bugs. The library branch is scheduled to be inspected and treated on Friday, October 18. We plan to reopen on Saturday, October 19.
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Preparing Your Family for Immigration Enforcement
Published: October 7, 2019
Know your rights: Immigration Enforcement Michigan Immigrants Rights Center (MIRC) has released a comprehensive guide entitled, “Preparing your family for immigration enforcement.” Print copies of this guide will be available for free at all YDL Branches in English, Spanish, and Arabic. Electronic copies in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bangla, and French are available on the MIRC website. The guide focuses on navigating your rights throughout any immigration enforcement encounter, whether it be before, during, or after a raid. Topics include: An outline for creating an emergency plan. Short scripts and advice for interrogation situations. Multi-lingual, Printable “know your rights” cards that …
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How a Doctor Exposed the Flint Water Crisis
Published: October 1, 2019
What The Eyes Don’t See, Dr. Mona Hanna Attisha’s groundbreaking account of the Flint Water Crisis, is featured this fall as part of the Great Michigan Read. Dr. Mona will visit Ypsilanti October 21.
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Get EMU Football Tickets with a new Library Card
Published: September 5, 2019
September is Library Card Sign Up Month, and we’re giving out tickets to EMU football games to new card holders (while supplies last!)
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Laying the Groundwork for our New Library
Published: March 1, 2019
Public input sessions were held in January, and we retained a construction manager for the project. Survey work has been completed, and the Architect and Construction Manager are working together to complete the schematic design.
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Newspaper Source Plus
860+ full-text newspapers, plus TV and radio news transcripts.
MasterFILE Complete
General interest magazine articles, reference books, primary source material, with some full-text resources dating back to 1922.
You’re Invited to our 150th Birthday Party!
Published: August 27, 2018
Celebrate 150 years of library service to the community with music, kids activities, history, and cake!
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Watch live video of local meetings with Ypsi Live
Published: February 6, 2018
In 2017, a new project dedicated to fostering a greater sense of civic engagement and access bloomed. Sustainability Commissioner Keith Michalowski has created a facebook page where interested residents can view live video coverage of meetings–including city council, city board and commission meetings, school board meetings, public forums, and political debates. Many residents have busy lives and cannot always make it to meetings they may really want to hear. Through the work of volunteers, Ypsi Live makes public meetings accessible from anywhere you can find an internet connection. Not only are the videos streamed live, they are also archived so anyone …
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Inside the Racial Justice Discussion series
Published: December 28, 2017
La’Ron Williams Fully titled “Safely talking and learning about race and racism,” the series has brought hundreds of people to the library to watch films and hold open, honest conversations in a safe and supportive environment. What began as a short-term partnership between YDL and the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice is now in its third year. YDL asked facilitator and moderator La’Ron Williams about the intention and impact of these discussions. YDL: What motivated the start of this series? La’Ron Williams: In a nutshell, the racial climate about two years ago was one in which there were heightened …
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Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Current events and issues, such as gun control, global warming, and capital punishment, are explored with pro/con viewpoints and interactive maps and articles in this tool for persuasive essay writers.
