NFLS Blog

JobPod, an innovative initiative dedicated to connecting job seekers with quality employment resources through public libraries, proudly announces its new “Powered by Microsoft” status.

The partnership was officially launched at a special event on October 22, 2024, at the Brown County East Branch Library in Green Bay, bringing together community leaders and stakeholders to celebrate this pivotal collaboration.

The event featured notable speakers, including Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach, Microsoft US TechSpark Fellows Program Manager Michelle Schuler, Bay Area Workforce Development Board Executive Director Vickie Patterson, and Nicolet Federated Library System Director Tracy Vreeke. Together, they underscored the importance of leveraging training and technology to empower individuals in their job search efforts across Wisconsin.

JobPod aims to merge the welcoming spaces of community libraries with essential workforce development services, offering a comprehensive range of job services and resources. This innovative model ensures that job seekers can find the support they need, regardless of their location.

Through its collaboration with Microsoft, JobPod is positioned to provide robust training in digital literacy and technology skills. This initiative will facilitate opportunities for community members to learn, grow, and succeed in a rapidly evolving job market.

For more information about JobPod, please visit jobpodwi.org.

​Kewaunee Public Library has been selected as one of 310 libraries to participate in round two of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. 

The competitive award comes with a $20,000 grant that will help the library improve accessibility to their building through improved automatic front doors and updates to their bathroom facilities.  

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Carol Petrina. “This grant will allow our library to better serve our residents with disabilities. It will make our building easier to access and ensure this population feels welcome and comfortable in our space.” 

As part of the grant, Kewaunee Public Library staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a community conversation with residents about what makes a building aging and disability friendly and use the grant funds to create a more welcoming building that is easier to access and use. In working with the Kewaunee County Aging-Friendly coalition, the library identified the connection between quality of life and the need for accessible spaces.   

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact the Kewaunee Public Library at (920) 388-5015 or visit www.kewauneepubliclibrary.org for more information.

The community is invited to attend a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of the new Brown County East Branch Library. “This modern, reimagined space will serve residents on Green Bay’s east side and surrounding communities - equipped with the latest in technology and gathering spaces,” says Brown County Executive, Troy Streckenbach.

Located next door to the current branch, this conveniently located and familiar site features 16,500 square feet - nearly triple the current library's footprint! “We can’t wait for the new East Branch Library to be open to welcome visitors and serve our community for generations to come!” says Library Director, Sarah Sugden. The new library is expected to open in October 2023.

Designed by Somerville Architects & Engineers, the new library will offer inviting and comfortable areas for all ages, a fireplace, meeting and study rooms, and a calming room.  Planned exterior amenities include a drive-up window, an outdoor garden/green space, and ample parking for library patrons.  The outdoor commons area will feature native plantings, a play space designed for children, a pathway, and a variety of seating.

• Who: Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach, Brown County Library Executive Director, Sarah Sugden, Brown County Board of Supervisors Patrick Buckley and John Van Dyck, and others involved with the project, as well as an East side resident and library user.
• What: Ceremonial groundbreaking to celebrate Brown County’s new East Branch Library
• Where: East Branch Library | 2255 Main Street | Green Bay, WI 54302
• When: Thursday, April 6, 2023 | 11:00 am 

​Refreshments will be served. 

Visit browncountylibrary.org/east-branch-project to view renderings including exterior views and floor plans, the project budget, and ways to support this and other library projects.

Stay current with library news and information by connecting with the library on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, visiting www.browncountylibrary.org or by calling 920.448.4400. ​

Arrowhead Library System serving Rock County and Lakeshores Library System serving Racine and Walworth Counties are merging to form Prairie Lakes Library System. Each of the area’s 22 public libraries support the merger and are excited for the new three-county federated system to take effect January 1, 2023. ​

The Brown County Library and Ledgeview Parks and Recreation have teamed up to offer a Storywalk® throughout Ledgeview Park along the East River Trail from May through October.

Storywalk will feature a new book each month displayed on yard signs along the trail. This is a great way for adults and their children or grandchildren to enjoy a story together, practice literacy skills, and enjoy healthy exercise as they walk from sign to sign.

​The Brown County Library Bookmobile will be on site June – August and staff will lead storytime and crafts for all ages in the Ledgeview Park shelter, 2064 Dickinson Road.

In 2021, Wisconsin’s Digital Library, a collaboration of all 16 of the state’s public library systems, broke records by lending over 7.2 million digital books and audiobooks. Since its inception in 2016, Wisconsin’s Digital Library has seen steady and occasionally explosive usage growth, demonstrating the ongoing value of public libraries lending ebooks and digital audiobooks. Even as physical library buildings reopened and collections were once again accessible, usage of the library continued to climb.

To meet last year’s growing demand from patrons, Wisconsin’s Digital Library added more copies of popular titles and collections of always-available ebooks and digital magazines for readers who want to avoid the line and start reading right away.

Of the more than 115,000 titles in the collection, the following were the most popular in 2021.

The Nicolet Federated Library System (NFLS) is excited to announce that it has been granted two American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants.

• Library Space and Safety Improvement Grant: $200,000
  This grant was a collaboration between NFLS, the Outagamie Waupaca Library System, the Manitowoc-Calumet Library System, and the Winnefox Library System. Each member library has been awarded $3,000 to purchase items such as modular shelving and furniture that will provide library spaces more flexibility for social distancing and programming during the continuing pandemic. The libraries can also purchase meeting room enhancements for virtual and hybrid meetings, video equipment for virtual programming, and technology-enhanced workstations for patrons.
• Tribal Library Outreach Program for Community Partnerships: $190,569
  This grant, shared between the four tribal public libraries within NFLS and Northern Waters Library Service, will attempt to reduce barriers for tribal members needing assistance in the areas of workforce development, education, healthcare, and social services. The grant will provide the participating tribal libraries with a master class in community partnerships and with individualized support to assess community needs and develop community relationships. The goals include: defining the library community and assessing community strengths, opportunities, and aspirations; growing new and existing relationships to address community needs; and leveraging local knowledge and partnerships to support and market the community-focused library programs funded by the grant.

​Learn about the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for Wisconsin Libraries here.

The following is from a press release from the Wisconsin Library Association.

​Governor Evers Issues National Library Card Sign-Up Month Proclamation

(Madison, Wisconsin) The Wisconsin Library Association thanks Governor Tony Evers for his proclamation in recognition of Library Card Sign-up Month this September. The Governor’s recognition of libraries as an essential community resource and library cards as a critical tool for empowering students and fueling academic success is much appreciated. A copy of the proclamation can be found here.

Throughout the month of September, Wisconsin libraries will join Governor Evers, the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to remind parents, caregivers and students to get the school year off to the best possible start by signing up for a library card - the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning. In a separate proclamation, Governor Evers also established September 6 as National Read a Book Day throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin libraries offer a wide range of resources - from early literacy programs to virtual homework help and GED classes, helping transform lives and communities through education. Want to learn more? Visit your local library, sign up for a library card, and support your local library today!

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the ALA and libraries work together in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card. To learn more, visit www.ala.org.

​

After careful consideration and thoughtful deliberation, and upon approval by the Brown County Education and Recreation Committee, the Brown County Library Board of Trustees announces an accepted offer of $975,000 for property that will become the future home of the East Branch Library. 

On Wednesday, July 7, the Ed & Rec Committee approved a resolution to authorize the purchase of the property at 2253 Main Street in east Green Bay for an East Branch Library location. A top priority for the Library Board, the search for a new East Branch Library location is complete after a series of facility studies, assessment, and public comment. 

“We are excited to have taken this critical step toward a new, modern, and innovative library for residents of Brown County,” said Brian Anderson, Library Board President.

The Door County Libraries will not require masks starting May 24, 2021, per the County lifting its masking advisory due to CDC guidance. The Library Board met Monday, May 17, and agreed with the change in masking practice.

Library Director Tina Kakuske said the safety of library users continues to be a priority so the cleaning protocol will remain, social distancing is encouraged, masks are available for those who wish one, and hand sanitizer is still available.

The masking change comes before the expansion of the library’s hours. As of June 1, libraries will be open with regular summer hours, with the exception of Sturgeon Bay, which will continue to close at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 5 p.m. on Friday, and will be open until 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The library will hold most summer events virtually with library book clubs having the option to meet in person or as a hybrid event utilizing Zoom. Popular craft bags will continue to be available at all branches as a take home activity. Also, pickup service will continue to be offered, even beyond the end of the pandemic.

Keep updated with the latest developments at DoorCountyLibrary.org or on the library’s social media.