Newsletters and Press Releases

 January 22, 2025

Bloomfield Township Public Library is proud to share The Distracted Librarians podcast with library- and booklovers everywhere. The podcast premiered March 1, 2024, and over 20 episodes are already available.

“We use the ‘distracted’ moniker pretty liberally to allow us to bounce around to whatever topics interest us, as long as there’s a tie to storytelling, books, or other forms of media,” said Adult and Teen Services Librarian and co-host Drew Heuser. “We’ve had fun covering things like guilty pleasures, reading slumps, and adaptations of books and stories, as well as telling a few stories of our own, and we’re looking forward to seeing where being easily distractible will take us next,” he adds.

The podcast is hosted by librarians from Adult and Teen Services as well as Youth Services. The librarians partner with Bloomfield Community Television to use their recording space and sound editing expertise, as well as another avenue to share episodes.

Podcast episodes are released twice per month on the 1st and 15th and can be found on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast content outlets. Episodes are also available on the library website and the Bloomfield Community Television YouTube channel. We invite the community to sit back, relax, and prepare to get delightfully distracted with us!

Photo attached: Bloomfield Township Public Library-The Distracted Librarians are from left to right Killian Weston, Drew Heuser, Amanda Itria, and Nicole Gillies.

The Distracted Librarians can be reached at distracted@btpl.org or on the Bloomfield Township Public Library website at btpl.org/the-distracted-librarians

January 13, 2025

Bloomfield Township Public Library is honored to host the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit on Saturday, January 25 at 2 p.m. The choir will perform Songs for the People, a concert that celebrates the power of Black music with heart-calling melodies, infectious rhythms, and soulful voices. Inspired by Frances Ellen Watkins’ poem, this fully developed concert, complete with costumes and sound, honors the resilience, triumph, and cultural impact of Black artistry, past and present, and is suitable for all ages.

Founded by Rick Sperling in 1992 to address gaps in Metro Detroit arts education, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit served 25 young artists in its inaugural year. Today, hundreds of youth from more than 50 Metro Detroit schools participate in Mosaic’s First, Second, and Main Stage programs every year.

Registration for this program is required.

January 9, 2025

 Bloomfield Township Public Library invites Bloomfield Township residents to enter its ninth annual Photo Contest which runs January 6–March 9, 2025. The theme of this year’s contest is “Nature in the Modern World.”

Bloomfield Township residents of all ages are encouraged to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the natural world – whether positive or negative – and photo entries should explore how we coexist with nature in today’s world.

“This competition offers a platform to highlight local artistic talent while strengthening our sense of community and shared appreciation for the interesting perspectives around us. We invite Bloomfield Township residents of all ages to join in and celebrate their unique vision as part of this cherished event,” said Katherine Bryant, Assistant Director of Bloomfield Township Public Library.

Photo submissions can be color or black and white, and in a digital or print format. To be eligible, photos must be taken by Bloomfield Township residents between April 1, 2024, and March 9, 2025. Entries will be grouped into three age categories: Children (ages 12 and under), Teens (ages 13 to 18), and Adults (ages 19 and older). The deadline to enter photos is March 9, 2025 at midnight EST. Winners will be announced and honored at the Photo Contest Reception on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

Additional details, contest rules, and photo contest entry forms can be found at btpl.org/photo-contest/.

January 8, 2024

Bloomfield Township Public Library is excited to announce a special event with the author of Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt. The evening is jointly presented in conjunction with West Bloomfield Township Public Library and will be held Wednesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts. Cathy Russ, Executive Director of the West Bloomfield Township Public Library, will host the conversation with Van Pelt, followed by a book signing. Books will be available for purchase, courtesy of Schuler Books West Bloomfield. The Berman Center is located at 6600 W Maple Rd, West Bloomfield Township. Advanced registration is required as seating is limited.

Remarkably Bright Creatures, has made multiple appearances on the New York Times Best Sellers list for fiction. It is a Read With Jenna book club pick on the Today show, was awarded the Heartland Prize for Fiction, and received the McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize from The Writer’s Center. The novel tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus reluctantly residing at a local aquarium, and Tova, a widow and janitor at the aquarium who uncovers the truth about her son’s disappearance 30 years ago.

“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the West Bloomfield Township Public Library to bring Ms. Van Pelt to our community,” said Laura J. Kraly, Adult and Teen Services Department Head. “Her debut novel has become a beloved story, and we look forward to hearing about the journey behind her writing,” she adds.

Registration for Bloomfield Township residents opened January 6. Bloomfield Township residents have one month of priority registration before registration opens to all. Registration can be made online at btp.org or by calling the Library at 642-5800. For any questions, please check with your home library for further information on registering for this event.

January 7, 2025

The Friends of Bloomfield Township Public Library will hold their Second Saturday Book Sale Saturday, January 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friends members may shop the sale early from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and memberships can be purchased at the door on the day of the sale.

The sale takes place on the lower level of the Library and includes thousands of books and audiovisual materials for all ages and interests, conveniently sorted into more than 50 categories. The highlights of this sale include books and magazines on cars and motorcycles – models, racing, and drivers. They come from a large collection and are both current and vintage. There will also be a mini-feature on re-imagining your nest – decorating, woodworking, and DIY. The sale always includes a wide array of subjects, and a room dedicated to music and film.

Debit cards can be used for any amount, and credit card purchases may be used with a $5 minimum purchase.

The Library Shop, located just inside the Library, remains open during Library hours, and offers a selection of gently used books, movies, and music, as well as cards and gifts. The Friends are also continuing to accept donations of books and media in good condition. Visit the Friends of the Library webpage for more information.

Since 1995, purchases made at the Second Saturday Sales have allowed the Friends to donate over $1.85 million dollars to support the Library beyond their operating budget, donating over $105,000 last year alone. Donations have paid for artwork and sculptures around the Library, the beautiful gardens, programs and events for adults and children, and additions to Library collections.