Tell Us Your Story

29 submissions

Name Sort descending	Your Neenah Library Story
Anonymous	Richie really did a great job with the jazz series!
Betsy	The Neenah library staff is all so helpful! And I love being able to place holds on materials online & pick them up near the front desk. Thank you!
Cal	Cal (3) was so excited to play with our Explorer Boxcar that the moment his younger sibling woke from a nap he started asking Mom to go to the library. Even though they had just visited the library, Mom knew another trip was needed, so off they ventured. The entire journey to the library was filled with excitement over playing with the igloos. When a staff member handed Cal the Boxcar his smile stretched from ear to ear as he bounced up and down with excitement.
Caleb, Logan, Isaac, and Tara (aka Mom)	Tara (aka Mom) approached the Youth Desk asking for a game to help pass the time while waiting for her daughter's choir. Caleb, Logan, and Isaac all agreed that Ticket to Ride was the perfect length. Their wait was filled with family fun. We won't reveal who the winner was, but we hear he has bragging rights until the next family game time.
Charlotte (age 5)	I've been going to the library since I was one. I like that you can get crafts. I like that you can borrow as many books as you like and get subscription with a treat. I like to play there. I like to see friends there. (as relayed by mom Andrea.)
Chris	I emailed Richie Zaborowske, Adult Services Librarian, last August because I am interested in writing and heard about the "Leap into Writing" group. He emailed me they wrote "Flash Fiction" in the group, which I had never heard of. He wrote that the deadline for submitting a story was midnight that day. Flash Fiction is 1,000 words or less. There was a typo in the email, so it read 100 words. I figured I could write 100 words before midnight, and I did and submitted it. When I attended the meeting on August 29, I was the only one with a 100-word story. Everyone was very nice. It's tough to write a good story in 100 words. I learned a lot about writing in the subsequent group meetings. I enjoy writing Flash Fiction because it teaches me to be economical with my words while including all the elements of a good story in under 1000 words. It has sharpened up my writing, and I never would have heard about it except for Richie and the group. I wrote a story inspired by a theme of the month for the group ----- Fairy Tales. The group gave me valuable feedback, and I used it to edit the story. I submitted my story for online publication, and the editors accepted it! In December, my spouse and I moved to New York City to help care for our two grandchildren (we are living the dream), so I can't attend the Leap into Writing group. I continue to write and have several stories in progress. I participate in a writers' circle associated with the NY Public Library.
Coral	When Coral visits the library, she can often be found making art. Recently on a visit, her friend Camila joined her. They created their very own art challenge where each person would close their eyes and chose just six colored pencils. Using only those six colors they had to create a work of art. They kept their art a surprise by creating a folder wall between them until they finished. Both Coral and Camila rose to the challenge and found the library a good spot to create wonderful art.
Dana	My mother is a long-time patron of Neenah Library. Libraries have always been extremely important to her. She invited me to the Lawrence University student jazz concert at Neenah Library. I’ve never “understood” or “liked” jazz, but it’s time with Mom so I went along. The featured composer was Carla Bley. Between the music, Richie’s personal touch, the intimacy of the room, and the students’ gentle instruction of their art form, my mind was blown! It was a personal epiphany. Walking out through the children’s books, 60 year old memories of library trips with my mother and siblings came alive. I don’t live in Neenah but you have a magical place there,and I’ll be back. Thank you.
David	I always greatly appreciate the great staff at the Neenah Public Library. All of you do so much for serious and dedicated readers like me. I am 61 and reading is my passion. I have read seriously since I was 8 years old. Now that I am retired it brings me lots of enjoyment. The Neenah Library is the top library in the Fox River Valley. That is mainly due to the great staff but the facility, collection and the programming are fantastic! That is why I consider it my home library even though I live near Seymour. I’ve known Nicole and Richie and others for quite sometime now. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for the great work you do!
Diane	Bravo! The Neenah Public Library is amazing. I am completely impressed at the number and variety of quality activities you are offering to every age group and citizen of our community. My husband and I both wanted you to know you are very much appreciated. Please keep up the great work.
Donald	The interlibrary loan service is a wonderful gift. The service has gotten publications I never expected I'd ever see, but which have helped significantly with my research. (Donald A. Gaubatz PhD)
Emily	I've had the same card since I was an infant! It has even been taped back together at least once!
Friendship Place	We love the library for SO many reasons! One of the most profound things about the library is its inclusiveness. The NPL is one of the only places that EVERYONE is welcome regardless of their zip code, economic status, housing situation, mental health status, etc. NPL is a safe, warm, welcoming space to anyone seeking assistance for almost any issue, even if not directly library-related. No matter how difficult the question, your kind, compassionate staff tries to find the answers. And, it’s FREE! One of the other things we adore about our NPL is the availability of materials for our use. We often host a Book Club. Our Book Club requires up to 10 books to be reserved, as well as accompanied by an audio book. NPL makes this request seem effortless and smooth. Not only is being read to therapeutic in itself, but allows our members to practice mindfulness and to slow down for 1 hour per week. These experiences allow our members to obtain more skills for their mental health toolbox, all thanks to the NPL! Lastly, the variety of material available is so great! We have checked out cake pans for our special events; attended matinee movies, and music shows; and our members have explored the Happy Light, Kindle readers, and even a ukulele. Also, we regularly check out the jigsaw puzzles! So many things and for FREE. The NPL is a great walking destination for us at Friendship Place. We love you NPL!
Geni	Was reading a YA book & the main character was taking down posters in her bedroom: "Degas Ballerina" & "Renoir's Girls at the Piano." Earlier that day I was shopping with my sister and I picked up those exact puzzles. So when I was reading that afternoon, I was kind of freaked out that that happened!
Gwen	As a library employee, I sometimes wonder what impact we have on our community... On a bright sunny warm winter day, I set out on a walk with my dog, Toni. If we are going on a long walk, we will make our way to Conservation Park and walk the trail next to the pond. We took advantage of the beautiful weather, and walked along the trail listening for birds and taking in the sunshine. As we were leaving the park I glanced into the little free library and noticed that a few former romance paperbacks from our library were waiting to be browsed and borrowed. They were easy to spot as we mark are paperbacks with a bright letter sticker, it made me smile to see books once browsed and borrowed from our library continue to be part of our community within a little free library. Spreading library love one book at a time.
Hasini	Sure, some libraries are bigger, yes, some libraries have more books, but I think Neenah Public Library is better. My family lives in Appleton, and we drive all the way to Neenah just for the library! Everything is amazing! All the staff are so friendly, and they put together so many programs for us, i.e. the summer programs for children, the book club there, and all the crafts for kids. Neenah Public Library’s staff help people with joy and treat them with kindness. I don’t care if it’s far away, if it was a million miles away I’d still visit it; all in all Neenah Public Library is the best! 😊
Izabella	Once upon a time there was a girl named Izabella. She discovered that the library had puzzles and she got 2 of them. The End.
Jeanne	In high school I was happy to be hired as a "page" (shelver) at NPL for 2 years. Good memories of kind staff. Earned a Masters and became a University librarian for many years. During that time, when one of the NPL Reference librarians went on sabbatical, I worked evenings at NPL in Reference. Thoroughly enjoyed being back and working with new staff. Now retired, have came back to volunteer and shelve again at my favorite library with more new staff. Have thoroughly enjoyed our community's wonderful NPL for decades.
Julius	Julius came up to the circulation desk and very enthusiastically said “I really REALLY love the library. I LOVE coming here & getting lots of movies. When my mommy asks me if I want to go to the library I NEVER say no.” Hearing this made me very happy and Julius had the most beautiful & infectious smile.
Kendra	My family moved to Neenah at the start of the pandemic. We knew hardly anyone and had a difficult time of feeling alone and lacked any sense of community. The best thing we found in Neenah was NPL. Book bundles and online storytimes made us feel a part of something. It has been 4 years and our love and appreciation for our library continues to deepen and grow. Freshpages, Bookscription and all of the amazing activities, books and programs NPL offers have grown with our family. We love you NPL!