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HomeMy WebLinkAboutattachment2Oshkosh Public Library Highlights March 2022 1. OPL welcomed award-winning author Rick Chrustowksi to OPL on Feb. 19 in the programming finale for the Wild Winter Read Off. Rick, whose books provided the themes for numerous children’s activities during the WWRO, talked about his experiences creating colorful, dynamic children's books. Twenty-seven people attended his fun, interactive presentation. 2. The Oshkosh Herald published an article in their February 23 edition titled Some steps to research the history of your home. Writers met with Information Services Library Assistant Joan Kaeding to learn about OPL’s local history resources. The article highlighted the library’s many historical resources and encouraged people to visit the library for personal assistance with their research. 3. When the library put out a call for poetry in February, Oshkosh responded in a big way – with 188 original poems submitted by local residents. Local judges have selected 20 poems to display in Main Street storefronts for the 2022 April Poetry Walk, a partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement District. The library continues to be a catalyst for community creativity, sponsoring activities for all ages that encourage creative expression through writing, photography, design and crafts. 4. A Hip Pop Hooray celebration on March 5 marked the end of our Wild Winter Read Off and success in reaching a community goal of 600,000 minutes read during the reading challenge. Staff and volunteers distributed library-branded canvas bags with popcorn, library swag and a cookie coupon to library visitors and served coffee and cocoa during the event. Patrons enjoyed the celebration of reading and WWRO participants reveled in their contribution to the community goal. 5. OPL launched a new suite of services for job seekers in March, in partnership with Fox Valley Job Centers and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Rotating workshops on resumes, job interviewing and career counseling are offered on Wednesdays, followed by two hours of appointments for one-on-one assistance. The fourth Wednesday of the month is a walk-in session, offering help with job searches, filing for unemployment, resume/interview skills, career exploration or community referrals. These services help to fill the void left by the closure of Work Force Development’s Oshkosh office. 6. A collection of Oshkosh Corporation memorabilia is on display on the library’s second floor through May 31. Tim Wright, known on Facebook as Mr. Oshkosh “Historian and Aficionado of Oshkosh Trucks,” selected items from his extensive collection to fill two display cases at the library. It’s a great way to experience the history of one of Oshkosh’s most iconic brands. Many thanks to Tim for working with Local History Librarian Michael McArthur to share these items with our community. The display was the subject of a front-page feature in the March 8 issue of the Oshkosh Herald. 7. We are pleased to welcome the Helen Farnsworth Mears Art Contest Exhibit to the library this month. Paintings, drawings and sculpture by talented local middle school students are on display through March 30 in the lower level. Many thanks to the GFWC-Oshkosh Women’s Arts Club for their work coordinating the contest and exhibit, which this year marks the 150th birthday of the accomplished Oshkosh sculptor. More than 60 artists and their families attended two receptions at the library on March 13. 8. Oshkosh Media taped a portion of the State of the City address under the Dome at the library. The State of the City is set to air at 6 p.m., March 28, on the Oshkosh Media YouTube channel; it will be simulcast on GovTV; and live stream on OshkoshMedia.org. OPL has been a go-to resource for the State of the City over the years, both as an impressive location for taping and a place to interview a broad cross-section of the community. 9. The library debuted March Book Madness on Instagram this month. OPL’s top checkouts of 2021 went head-to-head in the bookish bracket, with followers voting for their favorites. As this report was being prepared we were entering Round 2 of the competition, with everyone still reeling from the elimination of James Patterson from the tournament! 10. The media spotlight was shining on OPL once again in recent weeks. • Reader’s Advisory Librarian Nancy Bell shared book recommendations for Women’s History Month on the set of Local 5 Live (WFRV-TV5). • Children’s Librarians Marie Boleman and Kallie Schell did a live interview from the library on Local 5 Live to promote the LEGOmania Design Contest. • Local History Librarian Michael McArthur was interviewed for a front-page article in the Oshkosh Herald about the Oshkosh Corporation historical display currently on the second floor. • An article in the Oshkosh Herald announced the winners from the Mears Art Contest and invited the public to visit the exhibit in the library’s lower level. • The library was included on the Go Oshkosh Kids website in a feature on 25 Things to do with Kids on Spring Break.