NFLS Blog

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 Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) announces new board members and officers for 2022. These leaders represent a variety of roles and types of libraries from across the state:

• Nyama Reed, Director of the Whitefish Bay Public Library, will serve as Board President.
• Kristopher Turner, Associate Director, UW-Madison Law Library, will serve as President-Elect.
• Rachel Arndt, Library and Special Collections Consultant, Rachel Arndt Consulting, LLC, will serve as Treasurer.
• Maureen Olle-LaJoie, Director, Chalmer Davee Library, UW-River Falls, will serve as WLA Board Liaison representing the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians (WAAL) division.
• Carrie Doyle, Academic Librarian; Head of Acquisitions & Serials, UW-Madison Law Library will serve as WLA Board Liaison representing the Association of Wisconsin Special Librarians (AWSL)

“I am thrilled to welcome such talented individuals into these leadership roles!” said WLA Executive Director Laura Sauser. “Their unique backgrounds and diverse experience will help elevate our already strong board of directors and our organization overall.”

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.

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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.

Kewaunee Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their small and rural communities.

The competitive award comes with a $3,000 grant that will help the library to meet with the Hispanic community, gain their input, highlight library services available, and then purchase materials to meet their needs.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Carol Petrina. “This grant will allow our library to get to know our Hispanic residents better and help us build a more complete collection to serve their needs and the needs of our community overall.”

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 library services offered and the desired materials needed by the Hispanic community, and use the grant funds to acquire desired materials to meet the needs expressed.

“More literature in Spanish would attract more Spanish speakers to the library, bringing with them their children," said bilingual educator and Kewaunee resident, Aaron Sisneros. “Spending time in a library surrounded by books fosters a love for reading. EL (English Learner) students often struggle in reading, and anything we can do to encourage them to read more is imperative. If we give parents a reason to come to the library, a culture and an appreciation of literature naturally develops. Appreciation of multiculturalism makes for a more inclusive society. Adding more Spanish resources to the Kewaunee Public Library would benefit not only Spanish speakers, but the entire Kewaunee community.”

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

Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.

Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is an initiative of the American Library Association in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.

​The Brown County Library Board of Trustees recently voted to allocate $275,000 of its savings towards the purchase of a new Bookmobile.  This new vehicle will replace the library’s current Blue Bird bus bookmobile that has been in service since 1993 and is well beyond its life expectancy of 20 years.

Known and endeared by many, this "library on wheels" brings library services, information, materials, and programs to members of the community. Traveling to different parts of the county, the Bookmobile achieves its goals of raising awareness about the library and reaching those not served or underserved by the library by reducing barriers related to physical, economic, social or geographic reasons. The Library Board recognizes and supports the value and mission of the Bookmobile and its importance as a county service.

Brown County Library has provided bookmobile service since 1948.  To ensure the continued excellence in meeting the needs of library users, the Board will contract with a consultant, specializing in bookmobile development and design.  “It may take 18-24 months before the new Bookmobile hits the road, but it will be worth the wait,” said Library Board President, Brian Anderson.  “With improved technology, additional route options, and increased availability for special events, the Bookmobile will be more impactful than ever!” An opportunity for naming rights of this long-standing tradition of library service will be available.

April 7 is “National Outreach Day” (formally National Bookmobile Day) – a time to celebrate library outreach, the library professionals that make it happen, and to advocate for continued support.
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Library staff is grateful for the Board’s commitment to a new Bookmobile and is excited to continue offering current popular materials and reference information, promoting early learning and literacy, issuing library cards, introducing library services, presenting engaging programs and providing personalized library service to residents of Brown County – young and old - for many more years to come.  

Contact: Sue Lagerman
Community Engagement Manager
(920) 448-5806
​susan.lagerman@browncountywi.gov