Let's talk books

With spring right around the corner, many of us have already zipped through 2022's "best of" lists and are searching for new titles to add to our holds list.

If you can relate, bookmark the online magazine Literary Hub to explore the hottest books hitting shelves right now.

Literary Hub's team of editors provide reviews, recommendations and the latest news from the publishing world.

For a local take, subscribe to Book Buzz on our YouTube channel. Librarian Nancy Bell chooses one popular book each month and offers viewers her expert opinion on three read-alikes. It's a brilliant way to read more of what you love.

If your book club needs a dose of inspiration, we have an outstanding selection of Book Club Kits available for checkout. Browse the entire collection on the library's Second Floor.

It's a wrap!

Another fun Wild Winter Read Off is in the books. Thanks to everyone who registered and tracked their reading minutes. We hope that the program helped you reach your reading goals!

The numbers are in

It was a standout year for winter reading thanks to you! Highlights include:

• During the nine week program, one adult patron tracked 13,200 reading minutes (220 hours). Impressive!
• The adult and teen programs saw a combined total of 139 active readers.
• The children's program recorded 653 new registrations with 139 challenge completions.
• Adults read a combined 198,800 minutes, earned 659 badges and redeemed 112 rewards.
• Teens read a combined 45,154 minutes with an average total of 1,188 minutes per reader.
• Children read a combined 125,152 minutes and earned 529 Reading Badges and 260 Activity Badges.

You read a combined total of 380,966 minutes!

Congratulations Oshkosh! You exceeded the 300,000 minute community goal.

To celebrate, we asked you to vote for one new lawn game to add to our collection. Kick Croquet narrowly edged out Ladder Toss and Slam Ball to take the top spot with 181 votes. The game is on order and should be here before the snow melts.

Hey LEGOmaniacs ages 3 - 17! Turn your original ideas into LEGO creations and win fun prizes!

**Submissions due: THURS | March 23 | 7 p.m. | Lower Level

• View entries: FRI | March 24 | 10 a.m. - noon | Lower Level
• Winners announced: FRI | March 24 | noon | Lower Level

Oshkosh Corporation is sponsoring an "Electrifying Our Future” category. These builds should reflect renewable energy sources such as hydropower, energy consumption, solar, wind, power grids and more.

House of Heroes is sponsoring a “Superhero Vehicles” category.

Thank you for providing prizes and judges for this year's contest!

• Complete rules
• Download the Entry Form.

We've added another streaming app to our lineup

Introducing Kanopy, our newest movie streaming service that’s free with your library card, no waiting, no limits. 

To watch Kanopy’s movies and documentaries, you'll need your Oshkosh Public Library card. Download the Kanopy app to stream on your phone, tablet, or TV. Questions? Call Information Services at (920) 236-5205 or watch the Kanopy Tutorial.

What will you read, watch or do this month?

Have you tried our convenient Book Bundle Service? Tell us what you like to read, and we’ll select a customized stack of books for you. It's like having your own personal shopper, but for books!

• Adults
• Teens & YA fans 
• Children

We all know someone who could use a little help building their tech skills. Everyday Tech classes and drop-in sessions offer hands-on practice in a supportive environment. Thanks to Bug Tussel University for providing these programs free of charge.

Did you know that the library offers a 1000 Books Challenge for children from birth to age 5? Nurture your child's love of reading in just 15 minutes a day. Register online at Beanstack or by visiting the Children’s Department. You have the option to track using Beanstack, on the pages of a keepsake booklet, or both! Questions? Call (920) 236-5208 and speak to one of our staff.

Zine and heard in the community

When English Teacher Arian Bougie needed a large quantity of magazines for an upcoming class project, she turned to Community Engagement Librarian Sandy Toland for help.

Sandy delivered stacks of the library's outdated issues to Oshkosh North High School, and the students recycled the pages to create their own zines.

Ms. Bougie let us know the magazines were quickly put to good use.

"A large group of 9th and 10th-grade students read Tommy Orange's novel There There, and as they analyzed subjects in the text, they developed a zine to represent the meaning they were making."

If you have a library-related idea or would like for Sandy to connect with your organization, email [email protected].