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1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org
MEMO TO THE MUSEUM BOARD
October 28, 2021
To the Board,
October has really flown by in a flash and as quickly as fall came it seems like winter is fast on its
heels! The Titanic exhibition safely departed from the Museum last week on Friday. While the
exhibition closed on October 13th, it lasted a bit longer for the Oshkosh Area School District in the
form of a “virtual” fieldtrip on October 14th. The Museum brought 500 students and teachers
together for a virtual presentation by Jessica Sanders of E/M Group, Wisconsin native William
Lange, a world-renowned expert in underwater imaging and camera system design who
recorded the discovery of the Titanic and subsequent journeys to the underwater site, Jeffrey
Taylor, Director of Collections, responsible for the preservation of the Titanic artifacts, and Violet
Jessop, who shared a story of Titanic from the perspective of a passenger. After the presentation
students developed over a hundred questions that they were able to submit to be answered by
the experts. It was a great event to conclude the exhibition.
After Titanic’s departure, staff immediately turned over the Temporary Gallery in preparation for
White Christmas and have begun decorating for the Holidays. The Henrys plan to arrive
Wednesday, November 3rd, to deliver the exhibition and will stay in Oshkosh until the next day
to help with some installation and to participate in some media appearances. The Museum will
host a special preview event on Friday, November 12th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and will invite
volunteers, sponsors, Cornerstone Members, the Museum Auxiliary, the Museum Board, and the
Oshkosh Common Council. Due to ongoing concerns of Covid-19, the Museum will have some
sweet treats for attendees to take with them after they get a first-look at the exhibition before it
opens on November 13th.
On October 21st, Archivist Amy Fels presented at the City’s Lunch and Learn program on
Genealogy work. Amy developed takeaways for City staff such as locating useful records and
resources, research strategies, and information organization methods. Photographs from the
Museum’s Archives can now be seen around the City through a collaborative project called
“Powered by History.” For this project the Museum partnered with Visit Oshkosh, Downtown
Oshkosh Business Improvement District, and Art City Wraps to wrap eleven electrical boxes
throughout downtown with historical photographs from the Museum’s collection.
After re-opening earlier this week, the Museum hosted Leadership Oshkosh on October 27th.
Museum volunteers Patti and Joe Yana gave a presentation to the group entitled “The Sawyers:
Seizing the Reins of Leadership in Early Oshkosh.” Because the Lecture Room is unavailable due
to exhibition preparations, the Sawyer Library was turned over three times in one day for group
use. After hosting Leadership Oshkosh, the Museum welcomed a large school group and led a
hands-on activity, then concluded the day with an Enrichment Program. While Staff goes to great
lengths to accommodate outside groups, days like that really highlight the Museum’s limitations
1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org
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and need for dedicated spaces for collections activities, research, for hosting events, and
educational visits with activities.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the Board meeting next week via Zoom where I will share
more about the results of the Titanic exhibition and share an update on the 2022 Budget and re-
bid projects. This ends the final week of October and I hope you all have a pleasant weekend.
Anna Cannizzo
Interim Director
Assistant Director/Durow Curator of Collections
Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
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BOARD AGENDA
Online Via Zoom
November 4, 2021
The Board meeting will be held remotely on Zoom at this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86929802603?pwd=RCtHRDgzek9vbUxySXRTMHVpdGRTQT09
Or call: +1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 869 2980 2603 Passcode: 226139
Citizens wishing to provide comment on individual agenda items may appear remotely
through the above link or phone number or may submit written comments. Written public
comments may be sent via mail addressed to the Museum, or sent by email to the Museum
Interim Director prior to the Board Meeting at: acannizzo@ci.oshkosh.wi.us written comments
will be distributed to the Board and made part of the public record of the meeting.
1. Call to order (4:00 p.m.)
2. Determination of quorum, roll call
3. Citizen Statements to the Board
(Citizens are to address the Board only. Statements are limited to five (5) minutes; must address items that are not
listed on the Board meeting agenda, are limited to issues that have an impact on the Oshkosh Public Museum. The
Board may address at a future meeting, and must not include endorsements of any candidates or other electioneering)
4. Consent Resolution Agenda
Consent Agenda Items are those items of a routine administrative nature that are voted on by the Board in a Single Roll
Call Vote. The Board has been furnished with background material on each item. Any member of the public or Board
may request that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion and to be voted on separately.
The Board will consider approval of:
A. Minutes of October 2021 Board Meeting
B. Minutes of the August 3, 2021 Board Meeting for Interviews
C. November Bill List
D. Receipt and Filing of 3rd Quarter Reports from the Oshkosh Area
Community Foundation
5. Report of the Interim Director
A. Titanic Exhibit Report
B. White Christmas Exhibit
C. 2022 Budget
D. CIP Landscape/Sign and Cement Projects
E. Education Activities
6. President’s Report – Gabe Loiacono
A. Welcoming Director Phillips in Dec.
B. Curator of Exhibitions Retirement
7. Auxiliary Report – Sue Eichman, Auxiliary Secretary
8. Adjournment
Oshkosh Public Library Highlights
October 2021
1. Readers Advisory Librarian Nancy Bell debuted OPL’s Book Bike at the Oshkosh Farmers Market
on Sept. 25. The bike was a tour de force in its first appearance with many curious shoppers
expressing an interest. Lively conversation and a free book giveaway rounded out a busy
morning at the market.
2. Assistant Director of Public Services Ruth Percey attended the 20th Avenue YMCA’s Free
Community Resource Fair on Sept. 29 as part of Active Aging Week. She shared information
about the library’s genealogy resources, favorite authors and Libby. Ruth also highlighted
notarization, faxing and document scanning. Several participants expressed their appreciation
for these services being available at low or no cost.
3. Local History and Genealogy Librarian Michael McArthur was a guest speaker at the 20th
Century Club’s 125th anniversary celebration held at the Delta Restaurant on Sat., October 9.
Michael presented the history of the group, which was founded in 1896 as one of the premier
women's organizations in Oshkosh.
4. Use of the library’s notary service continues to grow with Information Services staff notarizing
64 documents in September - an increase from 37 documents in May.
5. Five Chromebooks are now available for checkout with a loan period of two weeks. When paired
with a Wi-Fi hotspot, this service provides a digital lifeline to patrons who need computer and
internet access at home.
6. Seasonal flair was a draw this month for nine Adult DIY crafters who each created a decorative
candy corn candle. Take-home kits and instructional videos remain an option for anyone who
prefers to participate at home.
7. Oshkosh Memory Café has resumed monthly in-person programs at OPL. The café is a
partnership with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Winnebago County and is designed
to support people who are experiencing early memory loss and their care partners.
8. The first month of our subscription book boxes for teens was a big hit with 20 Lit Loot Boxes
quickly reserved. Teen Services Librarian Maggie Mueller selected 76 books for the September
themed boxes. A mother of two subscribers remarked that her family is very excited about the
new offering.
9. Roving Readers are once again fostering the development of literacy skills in young children. Ten
sites are hosting readers, with additional requests from childcare centers and preschool
programs. Library Assistant Victoria Sheehan assembles a monthly collection of books, rhymes
and puppets meant to actively engage little learners.
10. In September, weekly Family Storytime sessions welcomed a combined total of 96 preschoolers
and their grown-ups while twice-weekly High Hopes Early Literacy Storytimes hosted 118.
Participants are overwhelmingly pleased to be back at the library.
11. OPL is fulfilling its role as a catalyst for creativity with three contests this month.
F Stop: Resilience asked teens and adults to submit images that illustrate the concept of
resilience. Prizes will be awarded to the top three photos in two age categories. Camera Casino
is a supporting sponsor for the second year.
The Two-Sentence Horror Story Contest challenges teens to tell a scary story in just two
sentences. Amazon gift cards will be awarded to the top three contestants in two age categories
and stories will be shared on OPL’s website.
The Annual Creature Carnival Contest is back by popular demand. Kids ages 2 - 18 are asked to
craft an original creature using common household materials. Prizes and accolades will be
presented to the top finishers in a variety of categories and age groups.
12. Community Engagement Librarian Sandy Toland has recently participated in several local events.
She received a warm welcome at the Oshkosh Earth Science Gem Mineral and Rock Show on
Sept. 25 at the Sunnyview Expo Center. Hobbyists expressed their delight to connect with the
library at the show.
Sandy also hosted a booth at the Time of Your Life Senior Expo on Oct. 5 at the Oshkosh
Convention Center. This event attracts more than 500 active older adults in addition to other
representatives from retirement living communities, healthcare facilities, home healthcare
agencies, non-profit, charitable and government organizations.
Sandy was a featured guest on the new Oshkosh Media Life TV program The Place to Be
Oshkosh. Viewers will learn more about the library’s services, resources, programs and how to
discover their next great read!
13. The library continues to be a site for COVID-19 vaccination clinics every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m., under the Dome. A Winnebago County Health Department report stated, “The
library for us has been a strong player as well and met a need we might not have been able to
reach without that location. The space is very welcoming and easily used. As partners both FC
(Fox Crossing) and the library have been super.” As of Oct. 12, there have been 116 shots given
during the library’s clinics.