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

⇒ The Caestecker Public Library in Green Lake has started Family History Fridays on every third Friday afternoon of the month. The library's genealogy enthusiast "will offer tips, advice, and her expertise in untangling those often complicated family ties. Census records, ship registries, online databases – Margie knows them all and can help you learn them, too. Whether you’re new to learning about your ancestors or have been tracing your family tree for years, she’s here to help you fill in the gaps."

⇒ The Oakfield Public Library collaborated with the the Bank of Oakfield to hold an evening of privacy education. "Laura Fay, Agency Liaison with the WI Dept. of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection’s Office of Privacy Protection will ... offer tips and resources about online safety and how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft. In addition to Fay’s presentation, the event will include secure document destruction for up to 2 boxes per person.  The Shred-It shredding service is provided courtesy of the Bank of Oakfield."

⇒ Berlin Public Library's patrons have grown a Communi-Tree: "When you stop by the library during the month of April, please write down why you enjoy the library or the community of Berlin on a paper leaf to add to our tree." By the end of April, the Communi-Tree had grown over 150 leaves — a sure sign of support for the library, and of spring!

⇒ On Thursdays in May, Menasha Public Library is providing English - Spanish Bilingual Storytimes for preschoolers.  "Come to listen, move, sing and share songs, stories and activities in both languages."  Niños de 0 a 6 años están invitados a escuchar, bailar, cantar y compartir historias y actividades en ambos idiomas.

⇒ The Endeavor Public Library began a book club for teens & tweens who are homeschooled: "... even if your child does not get to read it before the meeting, come anyway! There will still be ways to interact and enjoy the meeting, and we'll get you caught up for the next meeting."

⇒ Campbellsport Public Library held their first Seniors' Opportunity Fair, at which 28 exhibitors displayed information of value to senior citizens.

⇒ The Pine River Library of Leon & Saxeville has partnered with Waushara County Parks to develop a StoryWalk at Willow Creek County Park, to combine physical activity with literacy. "Watch a story unfold as you walk through the park! Follow the marked Trail and read the pages as you walk. Each story will be displayed for 30 days. Please come back often to read the next one."

⇒ The Poy Sippi Public Library is running four "Kindle Your Reading" Raffles as fundraisers. The prize given to the winner of each raffle is an Amazon Kindle Fire color screen tablet; tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.

⇒ Brandon Public Library is inviting readers to Book A Trip with their new year-round reading program: "We have logs with maps available for everyone, and all you have to do is read books. Fill in the book title of each state on your Book a Trip log as you read a book that either takes place in that state, is about that state, or is by an author who is from that state."  "We have a huge map of the United States here at the library, and when you check off a state on your reading log, you can come in and get a colored dot from one of our friendly staff, then go put it on the state you’ve just finished! We can all have fun watching as Brandon Library readers read their way across the USA!"

⇒ "On April 15, thanks to generous donations of $2,000 each from Ahern and Fond du Lac Firefighters Local 400 Charitable Fund, patrons of the Fond du Lac Public Library could “extinguish” their fines. Any overdue items turned in that day – no matter how late – were accepted and the fines wiped out. The Fire Dept. brought fire trucks to the library and allowed kids to climb inside."

Image credit: Berlin Public Library's post on Facebook