Library of the Great Lakes

08/28/2026

When she was interviewed by the Windy City Times, Dolly Parton said about Chicago, "It's a great city. Even when it's cold, the people are still warm." Today, we're remembering someone whose warmth extended far past Tennessee. 💕

📚 Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which sends one free book a month to children age 0-5, currently serves 1 in 6 U.S. children and over 60,000 children in Canada. Some of the strongest programs are in Great Lakes states and provinces. In Indiana, every child is eligible for the program, regardless of income level.

To find or start a program in your area, visit the Imagination Library website (link in comments). The program continues to expand, and more children are eligible each year– make sure to let the young families in your life know!

🌊 And as always, for more information on Great Lakes-specific literature– for young and old– visit our website to learn about our Fresh Bookshelf program or browse our Digital Bookshelf!

08/27/2026

The Fresh Coast Bookshelf can be found at the Edgewater Beach Book Box— Cleveland Public Library’s lakeside location!

Enjoy the final days of summer with some outdoor reading!

Thank you to the Cleveland Public Library for putting this video together!

08/25/2026

Stop in to see our new set of Great Lakes Books!

The Library of the Great Lakes chose BPL as one of ten libraries who were awarded the Fresh Coast Library kit!

Each library received a curated selection of 12 books across age range and genre that celebrate the Great Lakes.

Grab one today!

Library of the Great Lakes

08/18/2026

If you're in the Frankenmuth area, don't miss their discussion group on The Best Part of Us by Sally Cole-Misch, happening TONIGHT, August 18th!

The Best Part of Us- a Fresh Coast Bookshelf book- is a reflective novel about a woman caring for her aging mother while revisiting her childhood, exploring family relationships, memory, and the lasting impact of parents on identity.

It takes place in Michigan and the natural landscape - especially native plants, waterways, and the broader Great Lakes environment - shapes the characters' lives and memories.

Join Jen on Tuesday, August 18th at 6pm for a community discussion on the book, its broader themes, and our Fresh Coast program as a whole! Don't worry if you haven't read the book yet- still feel free to join us! 🥰🌊

08/13/2026

We are honored to have so many creative and dedicated libraries involved in our Fresh Coast Bookshelf program this year!

Check out this unboxing video from Bridgman Public Library!

08/12/2026

Check out this cool STREAM Kit, put together by Lincoln Township Public Library based on our Fresh Coast Bookshelf!

08/06/2026

There are libraries on all 5 Great Lakes with a Fresh Coast Bookshelf! Want to know more about their programming? Read on!

Did you know that we have an interactive map on our website? There, you can see all of our Fresh Coast Libraries, read about their programs, and view photos of their displays!

Here's a sample of some of the fun things libraries are doing with the Fresh Coast Bookshelf this summer:
- Scavenger hunts
- Story time on the beach
- Plant identification workshops
- STREAM kits based on our Fresh Coast Books with games, science experiments, and other supplies available for check out

To access the FCBS map, follow this tutorial:
- Go to the Fresh Coast Bookshelf page on our website (under 'Programs')
- Scroll down until you see our interactive google map
- Put it in full screen for the best experience
- Click any pin on the map to see photos, descriptions of their Fresh Coast programming, and a link to the library's website (for up-to-date program information)
- We will continue to update the map with photos and program descriptions throughout the year!

07/29/2026

🤔 What’s inside our Fresh Coast Bookshelf? Watch this to find out! 📚 🌊

The Fresh Coast Bookshelf is an annual program by Library of the Great Lakes where 12 hand-selected titles are sent to libraries around the Great Lakes region! This is our first year of the program, and we’ve been overjoyed at the response!

To see our Fresh Coast Bookshelf picks, find a library near you, or explore more about the culture, literature, and history of the Great Lakes, visit our website!

07/23/2026

Our Fresh Coast Bookshelf program is in full swing! Libraries around the Great Lakes have received their books, and here are some of their photos and updates!

Have you read any of our Fresh Coast picks? Even if you don't live near one of these libraries, check out some of these books for summer reading, and let us know what you think!

06/11/2026

Our Fresh Coast Books are starting to appear at libraries around the Great Lakes! Thank you Salem-South Lyon District Library for this update!