Tag: Appleton Public Library

Libraries in Bloom (LIB) is a grassroots organization whose mission is to cultivate a diverse library workforce by providing professional pathways for young adults of color and elevate innovative and equitable library practices that serve communities more fully. A building block to their mission is their inclusive library apprenticeship initiative. The initiative provides selected young […]

On February 15, hundreds of people ventured out in a snowstorm to celebrate and experience the grand opening of the Appleton Public Library. The project was 17 years in the making following a 2008 space-needs study. The $40.4 million renovation, which began in 2022, added 7,000 square feet of space, including co-working areas, creation studios, […]

In an age of rapid technological advancement and ever-changing demographics, libraries are evolving to become more than just repositories of books – and audio – and video. These days libraries offer a treasure trove of cool things and vibrant spaces where you can explore, learn, and DO so many interesting things.  Imagine having access to cutting-edge […]

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Community Chords: Engagement through Music and Art is an exciting community project I lead as the Hmong Family Outreach Specialist with the Appleton Public Library. It celebrates Hmong American Day on May 14, a time to remember and honor Hmong people’s history, stories, and contributions in the […]

Did you know that the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region awarded $1.75 million in scholarships in 2024? Scholarships were awarded from among 238 funds created by people, businesses, and organizations to help students achieve their educational dreams. Many thanks to the generous donors who are partnering with us to make this incredible achievement […]

Imagine Fox Cities was created in 2018 in an effort to shape a community vision that guides actions and decisions that advance the well-being of all who call the Fox Cities home. Imagine Fox Cities is eager to engage new leaders and voices and maintain what makes the Fox Cities such a special place to […]

How do you define well-being in a community? Imagine Fox Cities is a new, inclusive community-wide initiative created to be more intentional about shaping the future of the Fox Cities to improve individual and collective well-being. Many communities define well-being differently but most include common threads of housing, safety, health care, lifelong learning and more. The initiative was […]

In an age of rapid technological advancement and ever-changing demographics, libraries are evolving to become more than just repositories of books. They have transformed into vibrant community hubs, catering to the diverse needs and interests of all residents in the Fox Valley region. Today, we’ll explore the remarkable role that libraries play in shaping our […]

Larry Sawyer and Debra McDowall at the grand opening of the new Read Play Learn space at JJ’s Laundromat in Appleton. “Can we do this here?” That’s the question Colleen Holz had when she heard about laundromats around the country designing literacy spaces for kids. She reached out to Lance Nevins, the owner at JJ’s […]

Happy National Library Lovers Month! Today’s libraries are so much more than a place to check out a book. They offer a variety of community programs for all ages, and patrons can download audiobooks, check out games and electronic bikes, and much more. We checked in with area librarians to discover what they or their […]

The recent Celebrating Our Volunteers event reminded me once again why some communities thrive and prosper while others stagnate and decline. The answer is simple: It’s the people. People who act beyond their own self-interests to be kind to a neighbor, volunteer their time and talents to a non-profit organization or take their passion for […]

By Tami McLaughlin, Office Director, World Relief Fox Valley Imagine being evacuated from the country you love and leaving everything you know behind. Thousands of Afghan families were faced with this situation following the Taliban takeover and are now waiting to be welcomed to a new community. We are one of those communities, as World […]