The KPL Equity and Inclusion team met this morning to discuss getting started with improvements to service for people typically marginalized from library service. That includes people experiencing homelessness, the recently incarcerated, people of color, LGBTQ, and people with disabilities.
Along the same lines, the KPL Board will be asked at their next meeting on Tuesday evening to commit to a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Organizational Challenge which includes intentional policies and services meant to reach out to the underserved.

I have been working with the Kenosha Creative Economy strategic planning group for a year now to help facilitate a plan constructed by University of Wisconsin to support the local creative economy. We'll be tagging on to our commitment to parks programming with creative events such as murals, plein air events, dramatic readings, and other creative endeavors in the parks.
Kelly Witte has volunteered to lead a project to paint a mural on the east wall of the Civic Center Building. She'll be devising a plan based on some ideas from fellow co-worker Lisa Langerman. If you're an artist and want to participate, let Kelly know.

Summer parks programs begin at Lincoln Park on Monday. KPL staff are heavily involved in organization, coordination, and program delivery, including chess nights, tech nights, family fun events, and bookmobile visits. Hobbs Park (Wilson School neighborhood) and Roosevelt Park are our additional sites this year. We will also be in Columbus Park with preschool storytimes this summer.
The Kenosha Parks Alliance, the official name for our community group that plans and oversees parks events, will release a mobile app early next week. Look for that to be available from our website just as soon as it's ready.

Our strategic planning process continues with a gathering of staff, board, foundation, and friends to hear the results of our information gathering and decide our focus for the next three years. We'll get that date out as soon as it's set. We'd love for you to participate!

Happy warm weather weekend, everyone!
Barb