[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6517318,"mediaKeyId","5418934-53d30fa2ba9bbbe0de58c2b30727c880","parentId",5418934,"title","Library hosts United Way laptop distributions, expands teen and children’s summer programming","audioSeconds",371,"startMs",1518000,"endMs",1889000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418934-53d30fa2ba9bbbe0de58c2b30727c880&start=1518&end=1889","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418934-53d30fa2ba9bbbe0de58c2b30727c880/thumbnail_1518000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6517318/Appleton-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Library-hosts-United-Way-laptop-distributions-expands-teen-and-childrens-summer-programming","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517318-97ee5cbfad2795c06fc62bace25589ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775754519&Signature=mmccE4lNarzh4w~tetJDNcT7BYI0dRvjjLJeriIc7yZu0uf9greNr-ApWu3cqcQjWsRuNTD8HsLBJoUUV2ihwpVKJw2~-72MUARtgeVth9lzbMGtaYDnurGlAb-eNHk8NFX7Zsl34uKC9VPqom58KgWg2D41iMw8dKXyPgV~GubvF-QaTDGd2AlCmTLmaLOf0WP3UlYvIGAIw1fHVbwNwQathBl~BhIwaImKsCmKdAOVoRrIgvdCkj5FsW4pomxMneVL2-Vas5HZNWnSOWH73cfHKNSVWs1ITnx7KTp1TWHfCTW0AD9aN0ClZbZhOGIZPYPe~N8eeCFWZZubJ4uwWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Appleton, WI","date","2025-07-16T00:00:00Z","article","Appleton Public Library staff reported on July 15 that the library is hosting United Way Fox Cities’ Techquity laptop distributions, expanding teen services, and running large children’s summer performers with strong attendance.

Community partnerships staff described Techquity distributions: a United Way van unloads about 60 laptops on site for each session, and recipients must register and meet eligibility criteria. Library volunteers and the library’s APL tech-help program assist recipients with account setup and device configuration. Staff said distributions are scheduled in July and twice in August, with plans to continue scheduling monthly through the end of the year as capacity allows.

Teen services staff Emily Smith and Kathleen Highey have increased offerings for teens this summer, including two weekly gaming sessions averaging about 10 teens each (peak attendance 14) and a recent program that drew 18 teens presented by local bubble-tea shop owner Benny Shi. Staff credited the Friends of the Appleton Public Library for honoraria and supplies that support several teen programs.

Children’s programs staff described large summer performances: a two-hour Bluey event drew “over 400 people” through the room, and other performers included a magic show and a bubble-science presentation by a returning performer. Staff highlighted hands-on school-age programs that combine crafts, fiber arts and basic technology skills, including a photo-embroidery activity for K–6 participants.

Staff asked trustees for support in identifying a nonvoting teen representative to serve on the board; the prior teen representative graduated and no replacement has yet been appointed. Trustees encouraged selecting a teen already engaged with library programming.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Appleton, WI - Library Board Meeting 07-15-2025 - Jul 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Appleton Public Library is hosting United Way Fox Cities laptop distributions (Techquity), increased teen program attendance and several large children's summer performers, including a Bluey event that drew more than 400 visitors.","taxTitle","Appleton City, Winnebago County, Wisconsin","taxId",3976,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6517323,"Library staff flag projected utility increases as trustees review budget guidance",211,340000,551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418934-53d30fa2ba9bbbe0de58c2b30727c880&start=340&end=551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418934-53d30fa2ba9bbbe0de58c2b30727c880/thumbnail_340000.jpg","/articles/6517323/Appleton-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Library-staff-flag-projected-utility-increases-as-trustees-review-budget-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517323-e59555ce9cc7046258cffdaf1054b4b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775754519&Signature=HkvUeh2sGFb9tWyusaXB9rPzY1NVBfJJwM9H2nVoAQBV7MNrYJI8P4lH2LL6wpbL2v8ijolOfwn~7~1oC9fMDQKcHacBHA~giTpdjPh4p7Gtea08soS9rTEB77Akz5Q7JCdUTLhexrQizafWLc01nX0FrwSzbAZujrefOJQ5MX~Nj5Qc1wpNMb1uTPrQ3JoPAktmENf2tVde0YoMPqNYq-5NtF-eWDeuRwMJAVl2~jKlkHWLIS6~AlajqLaWbtkk8Ht3798Td901oILg5vfWL5YnM~XCFsL-XJY4~or~GXNCIobV7g6lW5Ei-CThvOW5VrUtf10nOlUg5H9m5mZ13A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Library staff told trustees on July 15 that city budget guidance projects modest utility-rate increases for 2026 and the board discussed limits on comparing past utility bills.

“ I just pulled up the budget instructions. And for electricity and gas… they’re projecting a 3% increase for 2026, and water is 5%,” said Missy (staff member), who cited the city budget instructions during the meeting. Trustees noted the library does not have natural gas service at its site and that prior-year comparisons are complicated: the library spent previous years operating in temporary spaces and in some years utilities were included in rent, making year-over-year comparisons “not apples to apples.”

Trustees asked staff to compile a multi-year retrospective of utility costs in the current building to better understand trends and potential budget impacts. Staff said they would produce that retrospective so the board can assess seasonal peaks (cold winters, hot summers) and usage patterns for budget planning.

The topic arose during a broader consent-item discussion and an informational review of the library’s expenditures; no formal vote or budget adoption occurred at the July 15 meeting.","Library staff reported that city budget guidance projects a 3% increase for electricity and gas in 2026 and a 5% increase for water; trustees noted past utility comparisons were not directly comparable because of temporary locations and rent arrangements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6517327,"Board reviews bylaws, discusses trustee term limits and library director certification",839,589000,1428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418934-53d30fa2ba9bbbe0de58c2b30727c880&start=589&end=1428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418934-53d30fa2ba9bbbe0de58c2b30727c880/thumbnail_589000.jpg","/articles/6517327/Appleton-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Board-reviews-bylaws-discusses-trustee-term-limits-and-library-director-certification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517327-847fbd9b3996dcd44f2d30ef9c82d727/orig.mp4?Expires=1775754519&Signature=ZNPpWSsgU~5ZdUq7-p-804JJ6vyGhkZDjJ5DjitPhOf2-QG73W0KTSJqSfNmiqmYNlnds5Awabi--mgwQDeNtt1BhoxySCyrys3v-ENepw3VjWjkkvw414JzM0ysHbSlPTS0Ufs4PUPinH4lwsT5SuvfaVcyFl2mXZTv7NT-qHAZ4Cmqq6HjUehSG1pb6QGguelkG0yf7JDRxPfdgsM8JSXOVsMwRcIfsKxIt6wLt8Dn2dXPyM9v5wMY~n8fMZSYqKVadUfgsXUPlICCR6V0MwsnuKiFzDUPuDyH3raGpk4cwaY-6nHWe3yq9K8k~-VsI5DNYazW34t1Y~84gAV53Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees reviewed a packet of the Appleton Public Library board bylaws on July 15 and discussed whether any updates are needed, including questions about trustee term limits and the board’s role in evaluating the library director.

The board packet included the current bylaws and a chapter from the trustee manual. The board’s review noted that the state does not allow local-imposed term limits for trustees, and that trustee appointments are made by the mayor and approved by the common council.

Colleen, library director, explained certification and continuing-education requirements for library directors in the state. “Every library director in the state is required to be… certification overseen by the Department of Public Instruction,” Colleen said, and described continuing-education expectations: an annual average of about 20 hours of continuing education, a portion of which must address technology topics, and a five-year re-certification cycle. She said different certification grades apply depending on library size and that at her level an accredited master’s degree in library science is required.

Trustees also identified minor editorial errors in the bylaws packet (misnumbered articles and duplicated article numbers) and discussed the board’s reduced officer structure (president and vice president only) and the consolidation of several standing committees. Board members said the streamlined approach has eased scheduling and workload.

Trustees asked about the board’s role in evaluating the library director; the transcript notes the board’s statutory duties include selection and supervision and that the board determines duties and compensation for library employees. The director said she would track down any Department of Public Instruction (DPI) guidance or FAQ clarifying the board’s evaluation responsibilities under state law.","Trustees reviewed the library board bylaws, discussed term limits (not permitted by state law) and clarified that library directors in the state must hold certification overseen by the Department of Public Instruction.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6517330,"Appleton Public Library board approves minutes, creates and adopts consent agenda",132,36000,168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418934-53d30fa2ba9bbbe0de58c2b30727c880&start=36&end=168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418934-53d30fa2ba9bbbe0de58c2b30727c880/thumbnail_36000.jpg","/articles/6517330/Appleton-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Appleton-Public-Library-board-approves-minutes-creates-and-adopts-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517330-f650e489af9ac1bba05862d45a74f09a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775754519&Signature=WBemiT9hScjUbvQqkmv2G4RmT4r0TkLLg0UDvSJfArthdg2KsKCva2Fodf5h5A1jKAXUnSN6H-pKVYf4d1CABD1x~d~0IP0vmW1jcjVzerusUUzkqSBqwmqjyZKGkbKFPvg1L1bxN~bzNEiJRn-8VGgLopaeGwvUFFzBYXsOQGDiPEcA2FHEQCbFg1uCHynW-LSexQ34NYiW2Icez9H8BXsgCGgTysVJIkOqovD851ksvBmpw24LXLO8c5u54epqctvMoXPWp0Bs5ZG1~gml27gztd-W0xQD4M3FfEZuoS1JirozyE3CMz4M7HNIaUdlF279t9GElQnq3pIVf~s-vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appleton Public Library Board of Trustees on July 15 approved the minutes of its June 17 meeting, voted to create a consent agenda containing four docket items (25-0796, 25-0797, 25-0798 and 25-0799) and then approved that consent agenda by voice vote.

The votes took place early in the meeting after roll call and a public-participation check that produced no speakers. The board first asked for approval of the June 17 minutes; a voice vote produced aye responses and the chair said, “Motion carries.” The board then moved to create a consent agenda for the four docket numbers listed above, with a roll call in which members responded “aye” and no opposition recorded. A subsequent motion to approve the consent agenda also passed by voice vote.

No individual yes/no tallies were read into the record and no board member registered opposition on the audio transcript. The meeting closed with a routine motion and second to adjourn, which carried by voice vote.

The meeting packet lists the consent agenda docket numbers; the board did not discuss the individual consent items on the public record after forming the consent agenda, and no separate votes on individual consent items were recorded in the transcript.","The Appleton Public Library Board of Trustees approved the June 17 minutes, created a consent agenda listing four docket items and approved that consent agenda by voice vote during its July 15 meeting; no public commenters spoke.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Library hosts United Way laptop distributions, expands teen and children’s summer programming

Library staff flag projected utility increases as trustees review budget guidance

Board reviews bylaws, discusses trustee term limits and library director certification

Appleton Public Library board approves minutes, creates and adopts consent agenda