From the Fall Laketown newsletter: Library events

Maker-in-residence shares his craft at Herrick District Library, event on Sept. 27.

Editor’s note: This article from Herrick District Library was planned for the Fall Laketown Township newsletter but due to space limitations, it was not included.

By Mandy Bremer

About Maker-in-Residence AJ Young:

AJ Young is co-owner of Co-Create Studio, based in Fennville (@cocreatestudiomi on Instagram). AJ’s teaching experience runs from textiles and fiber art to general crafting, to the university classroom. He dabbles in pretty much anything with fiber or textiles – dyeing, weaving, crochet. In his personal art practice, he is heavily influenced by modern, folk, and mixed media art, themes of history, identity, and documentation as well as his love of books, language, and bold color.

AJ holds a PhD in Sociology from Temple University, with a focus on LGBTQ+ identities and culture, and works in academic support services at Grand Valley State University. 

Stop by for a Maker-in-Residence drop-in session to see AJ work on his craft.

Maker-in-Residence Drop In is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at the main library, 300 S. River Ave. Another drop in is 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the main library.

Other sessions are scheduled as well through early November. Check herrickdl.org for more details.

Library hosts author Leif Enger

Bestselling author Leif Enger visits Herrick District Library on Nov. 12 to discuss his career and newest book, “I Cheerfully Refuse.”

Enger’s fourth novel, “I Cheerfully Refuse” is the chosen novel for Hope College’s 2025 Big Read Lakeshore. This dystopian fiction centers on a bereaved musician journeying across Lake Superior and a broken landscape, finding unexpected friendship and hope.

The library aligns with Big Read Lakeshore’s goal to bring community together around one book and share the experience of reading, discussion, and exploring themes as a catalyst for open dialogue.

The Big Read Lakeshore program also offers a Middle Read titled “A Wish in the Dark,” by Christina Soontornvat, and “Little Reads Journey” by Aaron Becker and “Row Row Row Your Boat” by Annie Kubler and Sarah Dellow. Copies are available for holds at Herrick District Library. Watch for more information soon regarding Middle Read author Christina Soontornvat’s visit to the library in spring 2026.

For more details, visit us at herrick.org/events. 

Mandy Bremer is community relations aide at Herrick District Library.