HomeMy WebLinkAboutOPL highlights August 2021Oshkosh Public Library Highlights
August 2021
1. OPL has begun collaborating with a local service agency that offers personal enrichment
opportunities for people of varying abilities. A staff member and client from Todd Steven &
Associates have signed on as OPL volunteers to regularly visit the Little Free Libraries in Oshkosh
and restock them with donated books. This activity is rewarding for the individuals involved,
repurposes books that might otherwise be discarded and helps to refresh what’s offered in the
neighborhood-based Little Free Libraries.
2. OPL has sustained high circulation of digital books and other media, which increased
dramatically during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when the library building was closed.
From March 2020 through the end of June 2021, the library recorded Year-to-Date increases in
circulation of ebooks, digital audio books, music and movies.
3. Staff attended the Winnebago County Fair to promote OPL, talk about books and answer
questions about library services. Signing people up for summer reading, promoting the website
survey, demonstrating digital resources and issuing or renewing cards were some of the ways
staff connected with fairgoers during the five-day event.
4. Twenty people attended a social on Aug. 10 for Roving Readers and potential new volunteers.
Staff explained the program, did a sample reading and seasoned Roving Readers shared their
experiences. There are currently 12 sites hosting Roving Readers, with additional childcare
centers and other locations requesting the service.
5. OPL is on the back-to-school outreach circuit, attending numerous elementary school
registration events in August to promote library services and encourage families to sign up for
library cards. Library staff has also been out at various community events, including Family
Movie Night at the Leach Amphitheater, Downtown Oshkosh Chalk Walk and the Oshkosh
Farmers Market.