For the last 25 years, faculty at the University of Michigan have nominated undergraduate writers to showcase their work at a live event in the Shapiro Library: Café Shapiro.

This year had a virtual format, pushing the boundaries of how this student showcase has historically appeared to the campus community. Night Two of Café Shapiro 2022 was co-hosted by students Elizabeth Whitmore and Abigail Nighswonger. Digital Education Librarian Naomi Binnie also hosted both nights of the event. The eighteen talented students who spoke across two nights of poetry, prose, and more not only presented their work in an artful manner, but also spoke in depth about their journey to becoming writers and their sources of inspiration.   

Hosted by:

Elizabeth Whitmore, Library Student Engagement Ambassador, Undergraduate Freshmen studying BCN Pre-Med and RC Drama

Abigail Nighswonger, Library Student Engagement Ambassador, Undergraduate Junior studying Sociology and Writing

Naomi Binnie, Digital Education Librarian, Associate Librarian, Library Learning and Teaching, University Library

One of the purposes of Café Shapiro is to help inspire other students to write. As part of the second night of presentations, co-hosts asked how the featured writers first began writing, the work and authors they pull inspiration from, how daily life shapes their pieces, and how they make time to write in their busy lives.