Grand Rapids Area Library

Children’s librarian Tracy Kampa recaps the winners of the 2026 Youth Media Awards celebrating contributions to children's literature. Renée Watson's "All the Blues in the Sky" was this year's Newbery winner.

Children's librarian Tracy Kampa recommends new books from Beth Ferry, Daniel Miyares and Katherine Applegate. Plus, her recap of possible 2026 Newbery Medal contenders.

Grand Rapids Area Library children's librarian Tracy Kampa recommends new books by Maddie Frost, Megan Clendenan, Dan Gutman, and K. Woodman-Maynard.

KAXE covered natural disasters, federal funding chaos, Eichorn's arrest and resignation, mining permits and wild rice, library budget cuts, sheriffs teaming with ICE and more.

Grand Rapids Area Library children's librarian Tracy Kampa shares her recommendations on new children’s books by Indigenous authors including Jen Moudahi, Maria DesJarlait, Michaela Goade, and more. Also, new books by Kate DiCamillo and Kate Messner.

Plus: the first snowstorm of the season is expected to fall on the Northland on key Thanksgiving travel dates; and the United Way of Bemidji Area is coordinating two toy drives this holiday season.

Budget cuts are forcing the library to be open just Monday through Wednesday. But a new fundraising effort aims to offset the cuts in the future.

Tracy Kampa, children's librarian at the Grand Rapids Area Library recommends new books from Jashar Awan, Megan Maynor, Tiffany D. Jackson and Maryrose Wood. Plus a surprise collaboration between Stephen King and Maurice Sendak.

With a significant reduction in staff hours, Grand Rapids librarians must figure out how to maintain services and expectations with less time to do so.

The city is proposing a 14.5% cut, and the county is offering an extra $50,000. Both entities will likely discuss budgets at their meetings early next week, Sept. 22 and 23, 2025.