What a night! 🎉
Music, dancing, games, food, balloon animals, bright colors, and a whole lot of community joy at Spring Celebration.
Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate together at Washington Square Branch Library.🌷
‼️ THIS THURSDAY ‼️
Don't miss our screening of Tampopo at @dormousetheatre 🍜😋
There will be ramen, there will be cookbooks from The Kalamazoo Public Library, there will be a food themed pre-show to watch while you slurp your noodles!
@kzoolibrary will even be able to return your materials for you along with checking out materials at the show!
Get your tickets now in our bio, this one will be popular! See you there 😉
Tiny readers, big day ahead! 📚☀️
We’re looking forward to a morning full of stories, music, book characters, and joyful early literacy fun at Party in the Park!.
Perfect for preschool and kindergarten classes, day care providers, and families.
• Wednesday, May 20
• 10:00–11:00 am
• Bronson Park
Register here: kpl.gov/event/party-in-the-park/
Warmer days are back! Let’s celebrate together! ☀️
Join us for a joyful return to spring with food, music, face painting, balloon animals, llamas, crafts, bingo, and live dance performances. Fun for all ages!
• Wednesday, May 13
• 5:30–7:00 pm
• Washington Square Branch Library
SUNDAY, MAY 3 – OPEN 1PM – 4PM
The Friends Bookstore will be kicking off Children’s Book Week (May 4-10, 2026) by holding a Children’s Book Sale on SUNDAY, MAY 3rd from 1pm – 4pm with BIG DISCOUNTS! Check out our bookstore and all of our wonderful gently used and low priced children’s books! #booksale #children #childrensbookweek
May 2 is Free Comic Book Day! Stop by any Kalamazoo Public Library location and pick up a free comic while supplies last.
And if one comic isn’t enough, and it never is, explore Comics Plus and read thousands more instantly with your library card. No wait, no limits, just reading.
Start here: kpl.gov/comicsplus
Calling all readers ready for a challenge! 📚
The 13th Annual Three Book Battle is back! Middle and high school teams will go head to head, test their knowledge, and compete for prizes.
Grab your team, pick a name, and sign up. Books available for pickup at the Central Library Teen Desk.
Register, see the book list, and start reading: kpl.gov/event/13th-annual-three-book-battle/
Competition takes place:
• Friday, June 12
• 3:00–5:00 pm
• Central Library Van Deusen Room
In partnership with Gilmore Piano Festival, join us for a conversation with Sean Hickey, composer, musician, and Managing Director of PENTATONE Music.
Hickey brings 35 years of insight to a timely talk on creativity, technology, and the evolving music landscape, plus how culture and music shape connection in a changing world.
• Friday, May 1
• 2:00–4:00 pm
• Central Library, Van Deusen Room
A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation for anyone curious about music, media, and the moment we’re in.
Teens can make a life-saving difference. 💛
Join Gatekeeper with Gryphon Place, a three-week program empowering middle and high school students with skills to recognize a crisis, support peers, and build healthy coping strategies.
📍 Central Library Teen Studio
🗓 Starts Sat, May 2 | 1–4 PM
🔗 Registration required: kpl.gov/event/gatekeeper-with-gryphon-place/2026-05-02/
While celebrating National Library Week, we're reminded that libraries are more than buildings; they're engines of curiosity, connection, and possibility.
This National Library Week, we celebrate the spaces that welcome everyone, the dedicated library workers who keep them thriving, and the countless stories that shape our communities.
Step inside, explore, and remember, your story belongs here too. 💫
#NationalLibraryWeek #LibrariesMatter #Community
We hope you're having a great Poetry Month!
We're leaning into rhythm and voice, with A Dog, on His Master by Billy Collins, putting the meter in man's best friend. 🐾 A gentle, wry reflection on time and companionship.
🎉 Party in the Park is back!
Gather in Bronson Park for a joy-filled story hour with beloved literary characters, community guest readers, and plenty of early literacy fun.
• Wednesday, May 20
• 10:00–11:00 am
• Ages birth–5 and families
Enjoy:
• Storybook character appearances
• Live story readings
• Early literacy resources
• Fun photo ops
• Surprise activities
Every child receives a free book, literacy gift, and snack.
Free, registration required: kpl.gov/event/party-in-the-park/ 📚✨
