Guest Writer: Stephanie Van Koevering
Dear Downtown Lansing,
Thank you for making Thursday my favorite day of the week.
That’s the day when the downtown Lansing branch of the Capital Area District Library offers the most precious of treats: a chance to creep down a quiet stairwell and enter a basement space filled with the intoxicating scents of library paste, faded ink and worn leather.
It’s the Book Burrow, and it’s one of the greatest pleasures our city offers.
Operated by the Friends of the Lansing Libraries, the Book Burrow is where donated and used books come to stay until some discriminating soul comes to review and maybe purchase them for their own collections. It’s open Fridays from 11–2 and Saturdays from 11–4.
But the best day to go is my day, Thursday, when I can sneak down on my lunch hour between 11 and 2 or stop by before I leave for the day between 4 and 7. Do I always buy something? No, but the collection is always changing, and treasures are everywhere. From rare and classical works to children’s books and scores of novels, the Book Burrow is a dynamic and peaceful place to browse.
Each visit feels like a reunion with old friends and an introduction to new ones. For decades, this place has been a companion during rainy afternoons, a retreat during hectic days, and a reminder that the simple joy of holding a book still holds so much power in a fast-paced world.
The Book Burrow is a gentle celebration of curiosity, a nod to the beauty of stories that have passed through many hands, yet still hold the potential to captivate new readers. It makes literature accessible, offering stories at prices that feel like a gift, allowing everyone the chance to take a piece of magic home.
Thank you, dear Book Burrow, for being a haven for those of us who seek a little escape, a little wonder, and a lot of heart. You are more than just a place; you are an experience, one that I will continue to cherish with every visit.
With deep affection and endless gratitude,
Stephanie Van Koevering
