August 2026

Rooted in Equity. Growing with Purpose.

August invites us to care—for our communities, our histories, our health, and one another. This month brings opportunities to celebrate culture, remember difficult moments in history, recognize those who serve others, and learn about traditions from around the world.
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Monthly Spotlight
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"It's Daylight in the Swamps!" Lumberjack Show


Packwaukee Public Library is hosting a lumberjack show!


Children will learn about the immigrant experience, the many jobs in the woods, living in a bunkhouse, and becoming a homesteader!


Geared towards ages 6-12 (though all ages are welcome), this program will occur on July 30th from 5-6 pm.


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Community Conversation: Accessibility


Plainfield Public Library will be hosting a conversation aimed at accessibility!


Neurodiverse and disabled folks, parents, caregivers, family members, advocates, and anyone with an interest in inclusive community spaces are especially welcome.


Dinner and $10 gift cards will be provided.


Taking place on August 14 from 6-7:30 pm, those interested should RSPV by August 10th.

Partnership of the Month


Wisconsin Humanities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on building connections and understanding among people of all backgrounds and beliefs throughout the state.


Through grants, public discussions, storytelling initiatives, educational resources, and partnerships with libraries and community organizations, it encourages lifelong learning, preserves local history, and promotes thoughtful conversations about the people, cultures, and ideas that shape our state.
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Resource Harvest


Learn and Discover


Celebrate Culture


Support Wellbeing


Strengthen Communities


Care for Wisconsin
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Action Round Up


Vermont Library Association and IFLA provide a list of a hundred ways to make libraries a little greener. Here are some tips inspired by these lists and other green resources!


  • Consider purchasing window clings and films to reduce incoming heat— and need for cooling!
  • Identify your long, short, and medium-term sustainability goals
  • Hold recycling contests
  • Switch to compostable library cards
  • Grow a garden to spread awareness on sustainability
  • Show pride in your environment by planting in-season and local flowers and shrubs
  • When remodeling or building a new branch, utilize heat-resilient design led by nations like India as well as utilizing green materials
  • Install occupancy sensors to turn off lights when no one is using a room
  • Start a library-wide recycling program if you do not already have one
  • Buy drink mix rather than pre-mixed drinks for programs
  • Install a green, reflective, or solar-power roof
  • Build solar-power panels above parking lots to not only cool the area and reduce the heat-island effect, but also potentially make money!
  • Build rain gardens, swells, and constructed wetlands to divert rainwater
  • Tell the community what you are doing to support sustainability
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Tip of the Month


It is up to communities to support their Indigenous neighbors in preserving and protecting Indigenous Knowledge.


According to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is "an ancient, communal, holistic and

spiritual knowledge that encompasses every aspect of human existence."


Learning how IK is abused and misused, how to support Indigenous communities in preserving IK, and how libraries can help is an important first step in supporting Indigenous groups and organizations overall.


Here are some extra resources to get your started (or continue!) on your journey:
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Question of the Month


What conservation actions have you already taken and how can you share that with the public?
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August Religious and Spiritual Events


August 1st:

  • Lughnasadh (Celtic Reconstructionist and Paganism)
  • Lammas (Paganism and Wicca)

August 13th:

  • Obon (Japanese Buddhism and Shintoism)
  • Vertumnalia (Roman Paganism)

August 15th:

  • Feast of Assumption (Catholicism)

August 16th:

  • Toro Nagashi (Japanese Buddhism, Shintoism, Modern Folk)

August 25th:

  • Mawlid (Islam)


Weekly Observances

Week One:

  • Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru
  • International Clown Week
  • World Breastfeeding Week

Week Two:

  • International Assistance Dog Week
  • National Health Center Week

Week Three:

  • Contact Lens Health Week
  • Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week
  • National Aviation Week

Week Four:

  • Be Kind to Humankind Week
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August Cultural Awareness and Celebration Events


August 1st:

  • International Mahjong Day

August 2nd:

  • Dinosaurs Day
  • National Coloring Book Day

August 6th:

  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony

August 7th:

  • Purple Heart Day

August 9th:

  • Book Lovers Day
  • International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

August 13th:

  • International Left-handers Day

August 18th:

  • National Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day

August 19th:

  • National Aviation Day
  • World Humanitarian Day
  • World Photography Day

August 20th:

  • World Mosquito Day

August 21st:

  • International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
  • National Senior Citizens Day

August 23rd:

  • International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

August 26th:

  • Women’s Equality Day

August 28th:

  • Dream Day Quest and Jubilee

August 29th:

  • International Day against Nuclear Tests

August 30th:

  • National Grief Awareness Day

August 31st:

  • International Day of People of African Descent 
  • International Day of the Disappeared
 
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Monthly Observances


Awareness

  • National Breastfeeding Month
  • Romance Awareness Month
  • Park and Recreation Month
  • Black Business Month


Health

  • Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
  • Gastroparesis Awareness Month
  • National Eye Exam Month
  • National Immunization Awareness Month
  • National Minority Donor Awareness Month
  • National Water Quality Month
  • Psoriasis Awareness Month
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
 
 
 

Winnefox Library System | 106 Washington Ave | Oshkosh, WI 54901 US

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