Opening Day Moved to July

Color, Color Everywhere! The kids library is really taking shape. Next week we'll have leaves on the column trees and glassed in activity and art rooms. Thanks to Aaron for these great pics.

We had eyeballed June 8th as a grand opening day, but our architect has provided sage advice, warning us that simple things like missing parts in boxes might set us back a couple of weeks and leave us unprepared for that date.  So we're giving ourselves a little more time. Our new opening day for the children's library has been pushed back a month to Saturday, July 13th.

You will see ads go out soon for new staffing. All YFS staff at KPL and CL will be attending Playmaker University  through a grant from DPI. This training is designed for early childhood educators of children experiencing trauma and focuses on creating joyful spaces as an antidote to the stresses children in poverty and unsafe households experience. Our YFS staff are some of the kindest people on earth. We want to give them all the tools to nurture every child walking through our doors.

Our fundraising has us over the $1.7 million mark on our way to $3 million. Thanks to BMO Bank for their $25,000 gift that purchases naming rights for the community partner meeting space. WE Energies has purchased the toy collection with their $50,000 gift. The Andrea family has claimed the magnet wall with their $75,000 gift. Do you know any area businesses that can help? Please tell them about our fabulous project and how this children's library is going to give kids a great head start and move our literacy scores higher.

This week's Bright Spots are all from me:

Gina deserves a bright spot every week, but this week in particular for juggling a lot of people all at once at the SW service desk this week with grace and expertise. She loves that doorbell! Thanks to all the staff who answer!

I also want to give Jason some kudos for always stepping in to take charge in Dan's absence. Thanks for all you do!

You've probably noticed that Marcia is really good at writing grant applications. Well, she's done it again! Here's the official notice: "On behalf of the Kenosha Community Foundation, congratulations on the $1,000 CBK Small Grant awarded to the Kenosha Public Library and ArtSpace for your efforts to build a community OFRENDA and offer multi-generation programs at Northside Library to recognize Día de Los Muertos."  Way to go, Marcia! Thanks for all the good work you are doing!

And thanks to Jessica for coming over Thursday morning to see the new kids space under construction. Jessica immediately took some video to create another fun post on Instagram. If you haven't looked at our Instagram feed lately, you are missing awesome entertainment. You are among some of the best actors and dancers in the library world. Give them a like!  instagram.com/mykpl 

I'll be taking a few days off next week to spend time with the grandkids. I'll be available by phone, if needed. Enjoy the snow!