Library News

April 19–25 is National Library Week, and we invite you to celebrate with us at the Farmington Community Library! This year’s theme, Find Your Joy, is all about discovering what makes the library special to you. Stop by either location to pick up a limited-edition sticker, check out materials for a chance to win raffle prizes, and explore everything your FCL card has to offer.

Celebrate the coming of spring with the opening of the Farmington Community Seed Library. Join us March 14 at 2 p.m. for “Learn to Compost at Home + Seed Library Kickoff” and be among the first to browse this year’s seed collection.

Each session includes lunch, networking, and the opportunity to learn from local industry experts on topics designed to help you start or grow your small business.

After 34 years of service, Library Director Kelley Siegrist concludes her career at Farmington Community Library. Her leadership helped guide strategic planning, expand access, and strengthen the Library’s commitment to community-centered service.

The Library is excited to announce the lineup of events for its 25th annual MLK Weekend Celebration, honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Over the past 25 years, the celebration has grown from a single day to a full weekend of community activities.

Prepare for the SAT with this free, live virtual workshop series led by an expert test-prep instructor. This series is open to the public—no library card is required to register. Sessions cover reading, writing, and math strategies. Attend any or all sessions.

FCL celebrated the 50-year anniversary of its Downtown Farmington building by unveiling the 2026 renovation concept images. Learn about upcoming improvements that will create new study spaces, outdoor gathering areas, and enhanced children’s services at both Library locations.

The Library is honored to announce that it has been named 2025 Large Business of the Year by the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce.

FCL welcomes Sasha Matthews as the Library’s new Director, beginning December 1, 2025. With extensive experience in public library leadership, she brings a strong commitment to innovation and community service. Her appointment follows the retirement of Director Kelley Siegrist.

The Library is experiencing delays in new materials and holds due to the sudden shutdown of our longtime book supplier, Baker & Taylor. Read the full update to learn how this may impact your holds and when we expect service to return to normal.

Looking for a new job, exploring new career paths, or wanting to expand your skills? The Library has many tools and resources available to help you succeed.

The FCL Board of Trustees will hold two special meetings to interview and hear presentations from the finalists for Library Director: Thursday, September 18 at 6 p.m. (one finalist) and Thursday, October 2 at 5 p.m. (two finalists). Both meetings are open to the public in person and on Zoom, with opportunities for public comment.

There’s no better time to explore where your Farmington Community Library (FCL) card can take you! Whether you’re signing up for the first time or finding new ways to use the card you already have, your library card is a passport to endless possibilities. Plus we are celebrating with new collectable FCL stickers and swag giveaways throughout the month!

As summer break winds down, the Library is here to support students and families heading into a new school year. From free virtual tutoring and educational kits to programs that promote reading and research, FCL has tools to help learners of all ages succeed.

Visit the FCL Farmington Hills location August 2-September 30 to view Achievement—an exhibit by the Automotive Hall of Fame celebrating Black innovation, invention, and leadership within the automotive industry through a dynamic, multi-channel experience. Join us for a reception on August 14 for a discussion led by members behind the exhibit.

Adults age 60 or older who live in Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne County qualify for free roundtrip transportation to Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) destinations for themselves and a caregiver or companion! This limited-time transportation partnership between The Library Network, Michigan Activity Pass, and Wayne Metro aims to increase access to local cultural sites and promote social connectedness among older adults.

Kelley Siegrist, Director of the Farmington Community Library, has announced her upcoming retirement in January 2026. We’re grateful for her years of leadership and dedication to our community. Read her letter to staff and learn more about the next steps in the leadership transition in the full announcement.

We are excited to share that FCL has received a $1,000 grant from the Farmington & Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth & Families to continue our early literacy book giveaway program. This initiative, offered in partnership with Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Pediatrics – Farmington Hills, provides free books to families with newborns during wellness visits and encourages early reading habits at home.

Our Trustee Spotlight Series introduces the dedicated individuals behind the Library’s governance. This month, we are delighted to introduce Ernie McClellan, Jr., Board President since August 2021.

Farmington Community Library is excited to share the release of its Facilities Masterplan, a guiding document resulting from extensive community and staff input. At the March 14, 2025 Board Meeting, the FCL Board of Trustees voted to begin an initial phase of improvements including an outdoor amphitheater and children's play area. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026.

Our Trustee Spotlight Series introduces the dedicated individuals behind the Library’s governance. This month, we are delighted to introduce Kathie Brown, Board Treasurer and Trustee representing Farmington Hills since August 2021.

Visit the FCL Farmington Hills location May 3-31 to view an eye-opening exhibit that uses photography, personal storytelling, and community-driven research to highlight the impacts of firearm violence in Asian American communities. Join the Library for a reception on May 22 and meet the University of Michigan faculty members behind the project.

April 6–12 is National Library Week, and we’re celebrating all the reasons we’re drawn to the library! Stop by either FCL location to pick up a limited-edition sticker, grab a Tell-a-Friend tote, or sign up for a library card if you haven’t already. There’s something for everyone!

Our Trustee Spotlight Series introduces the dedicated individuals behind the Library’s governance. Through these features, we hope to highlight the diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives that help shape the Library’s mission: engaging our diverse community through resources and experiences that celebrate ideas, inspire creativity, and enrich lives. This month, we are delighted to introduce Sharon Snodgrass, a Trustee representing Farmington Hills since October 2023.

March is National Reading Month, and it is the perfect time to celebrate the joy of reading at your local library! Farmington Community Library (FCL) has something for everyone. From book clubs to zine-making, we’re turning the whole month into a reading extravaganza!

Dr. Steven Snead is the latest appointee to the FCL Board of Trustees, representing the City of Farmington. Dr. Snead, who brings over 23 years of experience in K-12 education with a specialization in data analysis, measurement, and assessment, will serve a four-year term expiring June 30, 2028.

Find local tax prep assistance offered throughout Southeast Michigan. Download federal and State of Michigan tax forms and instruction booklets. Visit the Library to request free prints of any federal and state tax forms.

BingePass is a service on Hoopla that allows FCL cardholders to borrow 7 days of unlimited streaming access to Hoopla's partner platforms like Creativebug. Borrowing a BingePass uses just one of your monthly Hoopla borrows while giving you access to an entire collection of content!

During the 2024 Summer Reading Program, we set out to celebrate not only the stories we read, but also the power of telling our own stories! Community members of all ages submitted personal stories from their own life. The stories were compiled into a single collection that is now available for the entire community to enjoy.

Join Farmington Community Library for a weekend long celebration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Join FCL for this six-part Lunch & Learn Small Business Series February 18 through March 25, 2025! We will meet each Tuesday for lunch, networking, and an opportunity to learn from local industry experts on a variety of topics that will help you start or grow your small business.

If you are looking to make a tasty dish to enjoy with loved ones, Farmington Community Library has got your back. We gathered recipes from Library staff to share with you, ranging from savory side dishes to delectable desserts!

Our Children's Department launched a new literacy program for students in kindergarten through 5th grade at the Library Extravaganza this past Sunday! Read 250 books before you enter 6th grade and receive cool prizes along the way.

Farmington Community Library launched the FiberCity® Digital Literacy Project this fall, thanks to a generous $10,000 donation from Farmington Area FiberCity® powered by SiFi Networks. This funding will support circulating laptops and a subscription to Fiero Code, a learning platform for users ages 8-18 that teaches them how to code.  

We are overwhelmed by the support our Diaper Drive received from our community! This week, the Library delivered a grand total of 9,892 donated diapers to the Neighborhood House in Farmington Hills.

This is your chance to create a library card design for the Farmington Community Library! The library represents many things to different people. Your design should celebrate the Library community, services, or an experience you have had at FCL. What does that mean? It is up to each artist to interpret!

*No Increase to Local Tax Rate* On November 5, 2024, Farmington and Farmington Hills voters will be asked to consider a 20-year renewal of the Farmington Community Library’s summer operating millage.

The Farmington Community Library is excited to offer a treasure trove of digital resources through our eLibrary collection. With just a few clicks, you can access a wide array of eBooks, magazines, eAudiobooks, movies, music, and more!  The Library has two primary applications for eBooks and other digital content, Libby and Hoopla. We also offer a variety of platforms designed specifically for kids and beginning readers.

Fiero code is an innovative e-learning platform designed to turn you into a coding pro. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to enhance your skills, Fiero Code offers a comprehensive curriculum in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and more. It's gamified, self-paced, and perfect for all ages—from kids to adults.

Early literacy development lays the foundation for lifelong learning and academic success. Participating in activities that build early literacy skills enhances a child’s cognitive abilities, vocabulary acquisition, and comprehension skills. These Library resources can help you know where to start!

The Michigan State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 6. Find precinct maps, voter registration information, absentee ballot applications, and other important election information from the City of Farmington and the City of Farmington Hills.

FCL cardholders can “check out” discounted passes to over 400 museums, parks, campgrounds, historical sites and more with a Michigan Activity Pass. Parents of little ones will be excited to hear that the Peppa Pig World of Play in Auburn Hills is now a MAP destination!

Entrepreneurship is a vital part of our community and FCL invests in resources and services that empower entrepreneurs and small business owners of all backgrounds. These three online resources provide assistance to small businesses across a wide range of industries at any stage in their journey.

The Farmington Community Library is accepting donations of both opened and unopened packages of diapers in all sizes July 1 - August 30, 2024. Donations will be given to The Neighborhood House in Farmington Hills to benefit local families.

FCL is partnering with a local teen who is leading a service project to donate used eclipse glasses to Eclipse Glasses USA. Donations are accepted through May 31, 2024, at either FCL location.

The Farmington Community Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously (6-0) to waive rental fees for meeting rooms at the Library at a regular board meeting in February. Fees for renting the meeting spaces will remain in place through the end of the Library’s fiscal year on June 30, 2024. Several meeting rooms of varying sizes are available to reserve that can accommodate groups of 7 to 235 people.

FCL staff and community were saddened to hear of Beverly Papai’s passing on February 17, 2024. Bev spent 31 years serving the community at FCL and led the organization as Director from 1985 until her retirement in 2004. Bev brought a unique combination of compassion, professional excellence and unparalleled creativity to her leadership of the Library.

FCL unveils four new library card designs created by community members! Staff voted on their favorite designs submitted during the Books & Beyond Library Card Contest during this year's National Library Card Sign-Up Month Celebration this past September. The new designs will become limited edition FCL cards available in early in 2024.

Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month September 1-30 with FCL! Submit an original design in the Library Card Contest, sign up for an FCL card for a chance to win an FCL tote bag, and share your library love with your community.