The Dwight Foster Public Library, 209 Merchants Ave, Fort Atkinson, has announced its July programming and events.
Summer reading program
A summer reading program continues to be offered at the library 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. Participants will be asked to log their summer reading and activities in “Beanstack,” a platform provider which partners with libraries and schools to “empower” them to “build a culture of reading through reading challenges and motivation tools for readers of all ages,” according to the platform’s website. 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 made available at the library upon request.
Storytime
The library will offer several “storytime” programs in July, with each designed to appeal to kids of varying ages. A “Storytime in the Park” program will be held each Wednesday. The activity begins at 10 a.m. and will be held in the Jones Park shelter near South Sixth and Milo streets, Fort Atkinson. In the event of inclement weather, the program may be canceled. Updates about cancelations will be posted on the library’s social media sites. A second program, “Toddler Time,” will be held each Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the library. In addition, “Baby Time,” also will be held at the library on Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Looking ahead, storytime programs will not be offered in August, the release noted.
‘Drum Circle’
According to information released by the library, “Drum Circle” will be led by Ryan Meisel, who will encourage participants explore music from different parts of the world. In addition, the program will help participants learn to play music creatively while building relationships with other participants and people who frequent the library.
Desk pet habitat
A program designed for kids, “Create Your Own Desk Pet Habitat” offers a craft-based activity during which children can make a “home” for an animal figurine. The program will be offered Tuesday, July 25, at 2 p.m., and again at 6 p.m.
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.
‘Wednesday Crafternoons’
According to the release, “Wednesday Crafternoons,” is designed to appeal to adults. The self-directed program offers opportunities to create arts and crafts while interacting with fellow crafters. The program will be held at the library each Wednesday in July between 1 and 3 p.m. Participants will find an assortment of craft supplies for their use or they can bring a project and supplies of their own. In addition, while supplies last, the library will be offering adult craft bags which include the supplies required to make a “sponge water bomb.” According to the release, the bag includes supplies to make “a handful” of items that encourage “fun for a hot day.”
Adult book club
Members of the library’s adult book club will gather Thursday, July 11, at 2 p.m., to discuss a novel titled: “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” by Shelby Van Pelt. Adult Services Librarian Deb Bauer will lead the discussion in the library’s community room. Copies of the book are available in multiple formats at the library’s circulation desk, the release stated.
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.” In July, the group will meet on the 18th, at 1 p.m., and again at 6:30 p.m., in the library’s community room. Participants are asked to visit the library’s second floor service desk where they can choose a receipt from this month’s cookbook: “Well Seasoned,” by Mary Berg. Participants may then bring the dish to share during the club’s meeting.
Technology support workshop
A technology support workshop will be held Tuesday, July 25, between 1 and 2:30 p.m., in the library’s “Wisconsin Room,” which is on the second floor. Participants are encouraged to bring their technical devices and any questions about them they may have. According to the release, library staff will assist participants with their technical devices. Group members also learn from one-another, the release stated.
Looking ahead
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, Aug. 16, 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.
‘Friends of the Library’ book sale
The “Friends of the Library” group will be hosting a book sale. The event will held Saturday, Aug. 12, 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.
Memory screening
The Dwight Foster Public Library will be partnering in August with the Jefferson County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) to host memory screenings. Those interesting in obtaining a screening are encouraged to call ADRC, 920-674-4035, and schedule an appointment on Monday, Aug. 14, between 3 and 5 p.m. According to the release, the library also will accommodate “walk-in” participants.
StoryCorps
The StoryCorps program invites those who would like to record a conversation for posterity to make use of equipment provided at the library.
As stated in a library release: “We invite you to share and record a conversation with a family member or friend for generations to come with our new Gathering and Sharing Stories initiative.
“Bridges Library System and Dwight Foster Public Library (have) partnered with StoryCorps, a national oral history nonprofit (organization), to record and preserve community stories.” Interviews will be held on the first Wednesday of each month, with a first interview day scheduled for Sept. 6. All stories are recorded with a trained facilitator from Dwight Foster Public Library. Recordings can then be added optionally to the StoryCorps Archive and Library of Congress or kept private based on the participants’ wishes. Participants are given access to their copies of their conversations, according to the release.
The release notes that the StoryCorps mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world. At the same time, StoryCorps is creating an invaluable archive for future generations online and in the Library of Congress.
Participants will have up to 40 minutes to record a conversation. Participants can choose their conversation partner and what they would like to discuss. The recording is audio only. No video will be taken, the release noted.
For more information about StoryCorps or other library programming, contact Amy Christian, by email: achristian@fortlibrary.org or phone: 920-563-7790. Additional information about StoryCorps is found here: https://bridgeslibrarysystem.org/storycorps/.
Dwight Foster Public Library, file photo, Kim McDarison.
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