Dwight Foster Public Library plans activities in May

The Dwight Foster Public Library, 209 Merchants Ave, Fort Atkinson, has announced its May programming and events.  

‘Friends of the Library’ book sale

The “Friends of the Library” group will be hosting a book sale. The event will held Saturday, May 13, between 10 a.m. and noon.  Members of the Friends of the Library group are invited to attend the sale at 9 a.m. Those who would like to join the group may do so during the sale. According to information suppled by the library, there is a large selection of both fiction and non-fiction books, along with CD’s, videos and books on tape that are available for purchase.  A large selection of children’s and young adult books also is available. 

The following opportunities are designed for families and children: 

Lego Club

The program invites Lego enthusiasts to join as a group and build a Lego creation. The project is guided by a theme, and will be held Monday, May 15, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Creations built by the group will be placed on display at the library. 

Lunch Bunch for Homeschoolers 

Lunch Bunch for Homeschoolers is a program designed to help families who homeschool meet other homeschooling families. The program will be held Wednesday, May 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program invites participants to bring a lunch to the library to enjoy while staff members read books, share library resources and offer time to chat and socialize, according to information released by the library. May’s meeting will be the last held this school year. 

Play Pokémon

Play Pokémon offers participants an opportunity to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game with other Pokémon trainers. The program is offered Monday, May 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. Participants are invited to come to trade cards and, for beginners, learn how to play the game.

The following opportunities are designed for adults: 

Breastfeeding Support Group

A breastfeeding support group will be offered Thursday, May 4, at 11 a.m. The program will focus on participants sharing their triumphs and struggles regarding breastfeeding. All members of the family are invited to participate, the release noted. 

Cooking Club

According to information supplied by the library, Cooking Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month and invites members to share recipes they have made from the club’s “selected cookbook of the month”: “Delish,” by Joanne Saltz. In May, the group will meet on the 16th, at 1 p.m. Participants are encouraged to visit the service desk on the library’s second floor, where they can choose a recipe to make and share with club members. 

‘Downloading 101’

“Downloading 101” will be held Wednesday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Each workshop will focus on learning to download apps, digital books, use QR codes, and stream movies and music. Attendees are encouraged to bring a personal device, along with their login information and passwords, to aid in workshop participation. 

‘Dementia Live’

The Dwight Foster Public Library, in partnership with the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Jefferson County, is offering a program titled: “Dementia Live.” According to information found on the ADRC website, the program is a “high impact, dementia simulation experience that immerses participants into life with dementia, resulting in a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live with cognitive impairment and sensory changes.” The program uses virtual reality (VR) equipment to provide the simulation. The program will be offered Wednesday, May 24, at two times: 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Registration is required. Those interested are asked to visit the library’s main desk or call: 920-563-7790 to sign up. 

2023 reading challenge 

The 2023 reading challenge asks participants to read 12 books over the course of 12 months. Books follow a theme determined each month. An informational sheet about the program is available at the library, the release stated. 

Looking ahead 

A summer reading program begins in June. Opportunities for teens to aid readers as volunteers will be available and require participation in one of two orientations. Both will be held at the end of May. Information about the summer reading program and its associated volunteer opportunities follows. 

Summer reading program

A summer reading program will be offered at the library beginning June 1 and running through July 31. According to information released by the library, the program will offer separate reading challenges for babies and toddlers, kids, teens, and adults.  Participant will be asked to log their summer reading and activities in “Beanstack,” a platform provider looking to partner with libraries and schools to “empower” them to “build a culture of reading through reading challenges and motivation tools for readers of all ages.” The program allows participants to earn badges, prizes, and tickets for raffle drawings, information released by the library stated.  Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit the following link: fortlibrary.beanstack.org or download the Beanstack Tracker app.  Paper reading logs will be available upon request.  Pre-registration for the program is underway, the release stated. 

Library seeks teen volunteer summer reading program helpers

Students who will be entering sixth grade this fall, and students entering higher grades,  are invited to volunteer as summer reading program volunteers. Duties will include encouraging summer reading program participants to read and helping them collect their prizes. Those who volunteer for at least seven hours will be invited to a Summer Reading Program Helper pool party planned for Aug. 8.  Those interested in volunteering must attend an orientation session, which will be held  at the library Tuesday, May 30, at 6 p.m. or Wednesday, May 31, at 3:30 p.m.