Appleton Public Library

Get ready to sing, clap, and dance along during this visit by award-winning musician and author Jim Gill on Monday, October 5 at 10 am.

Join us for a fun, hands-on digital art program every Monday, October 12 through November 30 from 4 to 5 pm. Designed for kids ages 8–12. Participants will learn how to draw, color, and design their own digital masterpieces while discovering tips and tricks to bring their ideas to life. No experience needed—just imagination. Register today!

https://loom.ly/T6kI11o

Join us for School-Age STEAM on Mondays! Two sessions available: 1-2:30 pm or 3:30-5 pm. This week's theme is All About Graphic Art. School-Age STEAM is for grades K-6. Stop by the library to make block prints and doodle art! Drop in when you can; our tables will be ready. Registration is not required.

Thanks to Friends of the Appleton Public Library & Trout Endowment for the supplies and technology that make this program possible.

Are you an educator or care provider in the Appleton area? In this energizing session Jim Gill shares examples of his award-winning songs and musical books that combine opportunities for active movement with word play and rhymes. Participants will receive a workshop certificate of participation that can be submitted to the Wisconsin Registry for credit. Monday, October 5 from 6:15-8:30 pm. Register today!

https://loom.ly/IaAaX8A

As you drive around the city, do you ever wonder what the story behind the street name is? While some street names are obvious (named after a type of tree or after a U.S. President) others are more uniquely Appleton.

Today we explore the naming of Story Street, named for Appleton’s first Mayor, Captain Amos Story!

When Appleton officially became a city in 1857, residents cast their votes for their first mayor. In a twist that would make for an interesting election headline today, Amos Story's opponent was none other than his own son-in-law, Anson Ballard, who was serving as the city's first attorney. Story won the election by 29 votes and became the first person to hold Appleton's highest elected office.

At the time, Appleton was a young community of only about 2,000 residents. Some of the issues facing the new city might sound surprisingly familiar. Residents debated taxes, roads, bridges, public infrastructure, cemetery locations, and tavern licensing.

Story proved to be a forward-thinking leader. He advocated for better roads, including improvements to College Avenue, called for additional bridges across the Fox River, and recommended construction of a public sewer through the heart of downtown. Concerned about fire protection, he pushed for reservoirs and supported the creation of a volunteer fire department. He even urged the city to acquire land for public use and recreation, recognizing the value of green space long before parks became a municipal priority.

Perhaps one of his most lasting proposals was suggesting that Appleton's original cemetery, then located near the center of town (where the Post Crescent Lofts are), be moved to a more suitable location as the city grew. Decades later, many of those early burials, including Story's own remains, were reinterred at Riverside Cemetery.

Long before arriving in Appleton, Amos Story had already lived a remarkable life. Born in 1794, he spent much of his career in New York, where he worked on the expansion of the state's canal system and helped develop communities along the waterways. The construction of the Green Bay & Mississippi Canal eventually drew him to Appleton around 1850, where he quickly became involved in civic affairs. In 1854, he was elected Street Commissioner, a role that foreshadowed his future leadership.

Though his time as mayor was brief, serving two one-year terms from 1857 to 1859, Story's influence extended beyond his years in office. His family became deeply intertwined with Appleton's history. His descendants, along with the Johnson and Ballard families connected through marriage, would remain prominent figures in the community for generations.

Keep an eye out for future stories behind the street names coming up!

Spooky season is almost upon us! What better way to celebrate than exploring around the library after hours? Join us on Friday, October 23 at 5:30 pm in the Mary Beth Nienhaus Community Meeting Room B & C as we welcome the investigators of Haunted Destinations for an engaging panel discussion exploring the world of paranormal investigation. We'll answer some of the most common questions about haunted locations, investigative techniques, evidence, misconceptions, and our experiences in the field.

Following the discussion, participants will break into small groups and venture through the library to see investigative tools in action and experience a hands-on introduction to paranormal research techniques.

Registration is required for attendance. This program is open to teens and adults. Register here: https://loom.ly/Ydg1Hs8

Join us for a Portfolio Review with Artist-in-Residence Cat Tervo on Saturday, September 26 at 12 pm. Cat will talk about how to build a digital portfolio to showcase your work and offer portfolio reviews for those interested in pursuing design work or prospective art school applicants.

Join Teen Services as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday, October 6 at 4:30 pm! Add a little whimsy to your day by creating fun and colorful Loteria-inspired magnets to keep in your locker or share with friends. ✨ All supplies are provided, no registration is needed. This program is for grades 6-12, while supplies last. Visit our website for more details.

https://loom.ly/XysUPyk

Stop into the library for a silent reading event Saturday, September 26. This drop-in program from 10 am to 12 pm will provide a quiet, cozy, reading environment at the library. Bring a book of your own choosing or checkout a book from the library!

Join us for School-Age STEAM on Mondays! Homeschool session is from 1 to 2:30 pm. After-school session is from 3:30 to 5 pm. This week's theme is Artist Selfies. Stop by the library to create analog photoshop pictures, pixalate yourself, make egg carton animal portraits. School-Age STEAM is for grades K-6. Drop in when you can, our tables will be ready. Registration is not required.

Thank you to Friends of APL and Sandra & Dr. Monroe Trout Endowment Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region for continued support of this program.