HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.14.20 Attachment 2Oshkosh Public Library Highlights
January 2020
1. Santa Storytime offered a special holiday experience for families on Dec. 16, with 145 people
attending two sessions under the Dome. Santa played his ukulele, sang, told stories and performed
magic, creating an event that has become a holiday tradition for many local families.
2. New Year’s Eve is but a memory for most of us, but children and families who attended the library’s
Noon Year’s Eve Celebration won’t soon forget ringing in 2020 under the Dome. The event brought
in 125 people who danced to a live DJ and counted down to an epic balloon drop in the rotunda. A
photo booth gave everyone the opportunity to mark the last day of 2019 with a family picture.
3. More than 40 people participated in #Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3 at the library, decorating lunch bags
for the Winnebago Nutrition Program. Bags, art supplies and refreshments were set up in the First
Floor Reading Room for anyone who wanted to participate. Clients who receive lunches through the
program greatly appreciate getting their meals in colorful and cheerfully decorated bags and the
library was happy to provide an opportunity for residents to give back to the community.
4. A new traveling exhibit from the Max Kade Institute for German Studies at UW-Madison opened
under the Dome and on the library’s 2nd floor on Jan. 13. Neighbors Past and Present: The Wisconsin
German Experience offers an in-depth look at German culture in our state. The exhibit is joined by
displays of local German memorabilia, additional online resources (newspaper accounts, videos,
photos and book recommendations) and a series of programs on topics including local ethnic groups,
German traditions and a performance by a local polka band. The exhibit runs through Feb. 28.
5. The library is participating in U.S. Census activities in the community, contributing to the goal of
becoming a Complete Census Count City. After attending an initial meeting with community
stakeholders, OPL is coordinating outreach planning sessions at the library and Applicant Days to
recruit Census Takers. The library is also considering holding a National Census Day event in April, to
assist community members who need help filling out the Census form.
6. Librarian Michael McArthur appeared on WFRV-TV’s Local 5 Live on Jan. 7 for a Great Reads
segment. Michael shared his recommendations for winter reading, highlighting a wide variety of
selections, from the reality TV memoir Naturally Tan to Game of Thrones; from favorite series to
popular audiobooks. Reading recommendations are always a hot topic and Michael’s list has been
shared further during Learning in Retirement and public programs, on Oshkosh Media, on the library
website and in the OPL eNewsletter.
7. OPL will be a polling place for the 2020 elections. Many libraries serve as polling places and when
Community Engagement Librarian Sandy Toland started looking into this option for OPL, she found
out the City of Oshkosh was looking to relocate one of its voting sites. Voters from District 4 will vote
in the library’s Lower Level Meeting Rooms for elections in February, April, August and November.
Being a polling place will likely bring non-users into the library and the move supports the library’s
role as a proponent of civic engagement and democracy.
8. The library participated in several community events over the last month, including the Oshkosh
Farmers Market and Family Fun Night at the Oshkosh Seniors Center, doing registrations for the Wild
Winter Read Off, issuing and renewing library cards, helping participants put items on hold and
answering a variety of questions about OPL. Community Engagement Librarian Sandy Toland also
presented a Lunch & Learn program at City Hall, highlighting the library website, promoting
programs, demonstrating features of the online catalog, and showing participants how to sign up for
Gale Courses and Hoopla. The presentation was also shared with all city employees via email.