Tell Us Your Story

59 submissions

Name Sort descending	Your Neenah Library Story
Elizabeth	I grew up in Neenah from 1941–61. My mother was an avid reader and encouraged my two older brothers and me to read for pleasure, beyond using the library for homework research. I graduated as an English lit major from UW/Madison and move to New York, where I had a 46 year career in the publishing business. I firmly believe that the seed was planted at the Neenah public library under the auspices of the head librarian, Mrs. Johnson, and I am forever grateful!
Emily	I've had the same card since I was an infant! It has even been taped back together at least once!
Friend of NPL	I Love the Neenah Library. Everyone is very sweet and kind.
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.
Gwen	Library Traditions through Generations-From a Boomer to Gen X to Gen Z Once we bought our first VCR in the mid 80's my Dad(boomer) would go to our library and check out movies to watch with us. They were classic movies such as Casablanca, All about Eve, and Sunset Boulevard to name a few. He would borrow all the Disney classics and we would watch them too. All of these movies and so many more fostered a love for movies. That I(Gen X) would often borrow from the library to rewatch them in their now current format DVD's. Borrowing movies from the library is how I could share the same Disney classics like the Apple Dumpling Gang, Herbie the Love Bug and Swiss Family Robinson with my daughter (Gen Z) as a little girl. Then as she got older, we would watch the same black and white movies I watched with my Dad along with the movies I loved as a teen. The library continues to allow us to create wonderful memories. "Mr. Demille, I'm ready for my close-up." - Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard
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.
Janis	My heart felt thanks for your "Coffee at the Library." I make coffee the old-fashioned way! My grandmother perked hers on top of the stove, and at 78 years old I do, too. No fancy coffee makers for me! That is, until your promotion and the use of the Keurig machine! Now the library is a DESTINATION, not just a place to pick up a book. I bring my bookbag, a small jar of milk, and my journal! I choose a water view table upstairs and have a wonderful afternoon. Many, many thanks!
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.
Joe & Jen & Ellie (entered by Dan)	We live in Oshkosh but our almost three-year-old Ellie loves books, reading and going to libraries. We enjoy coming to visit Neenah, the downtown and especially the library. Super friendly, great selection, ambiance and setting - wish we could visit more, but we'll always take the time to come back.
Joyce	First of all, I would like to thank the Neenah Library staff for this service of providing us with the books we need for our Book Club. Our group formed approximately 14 years ago. We chose the Neenah Library as our source for the books. We have, during that time, had anywhere from 12-14 members. There was a time when we had to break it up from the original group to start a second group. Since I have taken over about four years ago, we remain at 10-12 members. We always look forward to meeting and discussing the books. We appreciate the service of gathering all the books we need. We are a group who definitely discusses the questions given to us by the librarian. Lately, we have been taking advantage of meeting in one of the rooms available to us. It's a pleasure to look forward too. We have ladies from Sherwood, Appleton, and, of course, Neenah.
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.
Karen & Terra	Neenah Library is a wonderful library because of it's staff. They are always ready to assist and are kind and always helpful. I'm 74 & my daughter is disabled & we have always received the help we need joyfully & respectfully & sometimes I need a lot of support!
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!
Lexi	Thank you for all your help this year with the WONDERFUL teacher collections you've pulled together for me! My students and I greatly appreciate you and all you do for us! I feel very strongly about growing a love for books and reading at an early age and know the importance of book selection and having options for students. I also appreciate the many books from my specific list you are able to include each month. These are my read alouds for the month and having those familiar books on the shelf are so meaningful to my students for book-look time and in allowing us to use the library copy one on one with students who need extra support during read aloud time.
Linda	We love the Neenah Library. My mom who is 94 years old has me to the library weekly for books. She reads at least one book per day. Her friends are all gone; she can't do the things she used to but she can read. It keepers her sharp & happy! Honestly, I think this is what keeps her alive. Thank you!
Lisa	I have 4 children who are now 20, 18, 14, and 11. The Neenah Library has been a staple for us through the years and stages. What a great resource for families! We have left with stacks of books, partook in programs, just hung out etc. We Love our public library!
LoriAnn	The Neenah public library Bibliocycle, a book bike and trailer, is filled with book and other materials, which travels to many outdoor spaces in the summer for patrons to access materials to check out. As a Neenah Youth staff, my job every Thursday morning in the summer is to travel 14 miles round trip on the Bibliocycle to a large summer camp along with two other NPL staff members. On the first day, campers rush the Bibliocycle as soon as we pull up! What a sight it was to be surrounded by kids! t On one of the later dates at the camp, at young teen walked up to me and returned a book. They smiled, looked at me and said, "Do you know why I love the bibliocycle so much? Because you all brought books that made me want to read more and now my summer is filled with reading!" I know I can speak for all the Bibliocycle staff at camp that day, when I say that comment made us feel like superheroes and yet feel humbled to know we instilled a love of reading for this young patron. Thank you Page for sharing your heartfelt excitement on that day! We look forward to seeing you next summer at camp and keep on reading!