Social Library, Volume 96

Jennifer Peterson /

Image courtesy Appleton Public Library on Facebook

This latest edition of our Social Library series showcases how libraries connect with their communities in a multitude of ways. From Bingo to Chess, and from a Costco shopping promotion to welcoming new refugees and immigrants, we hope you find these examples as inspiring as we have. If you'd like to see your library featured in a Social Library edition, please let us know via [email protected] or find us on Facebook.

  • Appleton Public Library in Wisconsin shared a wonderful set of photos highlighting R.I.S.E. (Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education), a program funded by Friends of Appleton Public Library which welcomes refugees and immigrants, and helps to ease their transition into the community. An example of APL's Community-Led Library Programming, "each session is focused on the participants' interests and needs; incorporating recreational activities, educational and job training workshops, basic life skills classes and the library. Most of the individuals and families are from Congo. They arrive in the United States, in some cases, with very little knowledge of the English language or formal education. They come to RISE looking for opportunities to learn English and find support in the areas of jobs, family, health and education."
  • Toledo Lucas County Public Library in Ohio and two of the local Costco locations have partnered up for a week of savings. Patrons can "Shop like a Costco Customer using your Library Card, Nov 20 - 26! Present your library card at Costco Toledo and Costco Perrysburg and shop without a membership." The Toledo Blade featured a nice article about the promotion.
  • Image courtesy Sarasota County Libraries on Facebook
  • Sarasota County Libraries in Florida hosted an afternoon of BINGO! "Join us for a fun afternoon of Bingo with prizes at Jacaranda Library, 1:05 - 3:05 p.m. Free entry; no registration required."
  • Allen County Public Library in Indiana hosted the event, Meet Addison Agen, featuring a contestant on the current season of the Voice. The local television station, WANE, posted a video summary of the event. "After her performance, the 16-year-old Addison answered questions from fans about her career as a musician, what it’s like to be on national television every week, and her experiences with “The Voice” coaches Adam Levine, Miley Cyrus, Blake Shelton, and Jennifer Hudson."
  • We learned about the upcoming Joplin Public Library Quick Tournament in Missouri through a post by city councilwoman, Melodee Colbert Kean. Hosted by Joplin Public Library and Joplin Chess Club, "the tournament will feature three rounds of play, including “Rated Open” a category that requires a current United States Chess Federation (USCF) membership; an Unrated Open which is open to all players; and an Unrated K-12 Open which is open to all players enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Unrated sections may be combined based on registration. The fee for Rated Registration is $10. Unrated play is free to participants. Fifty percent of the tournament registration proceeds will be used to purchase Chess equipment for the Chess Club at Joplin Public Library."