Serving and celebrating public libraries in Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara and Winnebago counties.

Celebrate the Freedom to Read

Created in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of book challenges, Banned Books Week, celebrated October 1-7 this year, brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

"ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubles the 729 book challenges reported in 2021. Censors targeted a record 2,571 unique titles in 2022, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2021. A list of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2022 can be found on the ALA website at ala.org." (Source: ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/by-the-numbers)

The Oshkosh Public Library has planned a variety of activities throughout October to celebrate the Freedom to Read. Learn more about their weekly book discussions, community Freedom to Read Scavenger Hunt, and video series answering questions like: What is the difference between “banning” and “challenging”? Can a book be un-banned? Is our freedom to read a protected right? Visit Oshkosh Public Library's Freedom to Read page to learn more!

Around the Libraries

Check out our favorites this month from a few of the Winnefox Library System member libraries in Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara and Winnebago counties.

Celebrating New Spaces

The Friends of the Montello Public Library are celebrating the completion of the brand-new gazebo in the library's garden.

Join them October 19 at 5:30pm for celebratory refreshments!

Ethel Everhard Memorial Library's new StoryWalk offers families a fun way to read a story page by page while walking the Pioneer Trail at Westfield Community Park.

The StoryWalk opened last month, thanks to the support of a number of community organizations and individuals.

Winneconne Public Library will host the Grand Opening of their new Library Lounge on November 1.

Visit from 4-6pm to explore this new space, designed just for teens and adults, and check out the other recent updates made around their library.

Local Friends of the Library groups support the library through fundraising and volunteerism, enabling our libraries to move from good to great -- providing resources for additional programming, much needed equipment, support for children’s summer reading, and special events throughout the year.

The advocacy work of Friends of the Library organizations highlights on an on-going basis the fact that our libraries are the cornerstone of our communities, providing opportunities for all to engage in the joy of life-long learning and connect with the thoughts and ideas of others.

This week we thank all of our library Friends!

Contact your local library to see how you can support their Friends group, fundraising or volunteer needs.

What We're Reading

Your library provides users with free access to the U.S. Newsstream database and website. It includes full text access to U.S. news articles, current and archival to 1980s, from key national and regional sources including The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Newsday, and Chicago Tribune as well as over 80 Gannett titles.

This is a great option if you are looking for recently archived articles or have hit a paywall on popular publications like The New York Times or Wall Street Journal.

FOND DU LAC COUNTY

Brandon Public Library

Campbellsport Public Library

Fond Du Lac Public Library

Oakfield Public Library

Ripon Public Library

Spillman Public Library, North Fond du Lac

GREEN LAKE COUNTY

Berlin Public Library

Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake

Markesan Public Library

Mill Pond Public Library, Kingston 

Princeton Public Library

MARQUETTE COUNTY

Endeavor Public Library

Ethel Everhard Memorial Library, Westfield

Montello Public Library

Neshkoro Public Library

Oxford Public Library 

Packwaukee Public Library

WAUSHARA COUNTY

Coloma Public Library

Hancock Public Library

Leon-Saxeville Public Library, Pine River

Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose

Plainfield Public Library

Poy Sippi Public Library

Redgranite Public Library

Wautoma Public Library

WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Carter Memorial Library, Omro

Elisha D. Smith Public Library, Menasha

Neenah Public Library

Oshkosh Public Library

Winneconne Public Library