Here are great ideas and good news from around the Winnefox Library System:

⇒ The Friends of the Caestecker Library provided the funds to purchase a bird monitoring kit for groups to reserve & check out. "Green Lake County now has a bird monitoring kit available for groups to check out from the Caestecker Public Library. Developed by the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology and the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative, the kit contains 15 pairs of binoculars, a spotting scope and tripod, five copies of Birds of North America field guide by Kenn Kaufman, an educator’s guide with suggested activities, and other bird identification literature. The bird monitoring kit is suitable for use by scouts, 4-H, school, and adult groups, and will check out for up to one week. There is no charge for using the bird monitoring kit if everything is returned in good condition."

⇒ The Mill Pond Public Library in Kingston's next fundraiser is Pretty Pallet Projects. "Wood pallets have long been vital to shipping processes. Much more recently, they have become popular for home and outdoor projects. It's not hard to see why. Pallet wood is cheaper than regular wood, and using it is a form of recycling. Perhaps more important than that though, is a pallet's character. All wood is unique, but pallets  add to that a patina if you will. They are weathered. They are distressed. They are aged. They have served a purpose and are ready for more. And more is what the library is hoping for! You can stop in and take a pallet home today, to create a unique and rustic piece of furniture, or a fun piece of garden art, or maybe a great storage solution." Local business Dalton Lumber donated the large pallets to the library for the project. The library will hold a silent auction for pallet projects from April 25 - May 7; money raised from the project will go toward purchasing new shelving.

⇒ The Berlin Public Library Friends group began a fundraising effort by placing a donation board next to the book drop: "If you donate one of the amounts listed on the donation board by putting money in the owl bank at the circulation desk, you will get a white sticker to place over the amount you gave. Help us "white out" the board for more programs, activities, materials, and events at the library!"

⇒ The Winneconne Public Library held a Make & Take Fleece Dog Toy family program that benefitted the Neenah Animal Shelter. Participants were invited to make fleece tug toys for their pet, and also make toys that the library donated to the Shelter.

⇒ Brandon Public Library celebrated its 103 anniversary with a customer appreciation day, serving brats (donated by local business Brandon Meats) and cake.

⇒ Campbellsport Public Library hosted a painted board workshop, at which 25 participants created decorative wall hangings. "This workshop was so popular we scheduled a second one that will take place on Monday, April 18th."

⇒ The annual Easter egg hunt at Poy Sippi Public Library was well-attended: "57 kids, 1390 eggs, 30 raffle prizes and the eggs were all found in about 15 minutes." Local businesses & organizations Loyal 4H Club, Poy Sippi Auto Center, Country Rose, 1st National Bank and the Poy Sippi Lions Club donated prizes.

Image credit: Mill Pond Public Library's photo on Facebook