Fond du Lac Public Library announce holiday programs

Ready for the holidays? Let the Idea Studio at the Fond du Lac Public Library help.

During December’s Let’s Make event, create a unique sublimated ornament on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. Learn how to use the Idea Studio’s sublimation printer and heat press while creating your masterpiece. Participants must be age 13 or older to join. Register at calendar.fdlpl.org.

The public also is invited to join the Press Club (for Printmakers) on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Idea Studio. See informal demonstrations and learn different printing techniques to try for free! This month, the group will explore cyanotypes again. No experience or registration required for this free event, but participants younger than age 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Group badging opportunities also are available at the Idea Studio. Check calendar.fdlpl.org for sessions as they become available.

The Idea Studio is open for walk-in visits Monday through Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

Fond du Lac Public Library operates two locations: the Main Library at 32 Sheboygan St. in downtown Fond du Lac, and the Allen J. Buechel Branch at 1132 E. Johnson St. near Festival Foods. The main library is open daily: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Chapter 52 Bookstore at 52 Sheboygan St. is open Monday through Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the Allen J. Buechel Branch is open weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about any of these locations, visit fdlpl.org.


The entire Fond du Lac community is invited to join in discovering the Fond du Lac Winter Reads ‘23-24 book selection, “All Thirteen” by Christina Soontornvat.

Read this book and others for a chance to win prizes during our winter reading program that runs Dec. 1 through Feb. 29. This free program includes activities for all ages throughout the winter, a chance to win prizes as you log minutes of reading, and a capstone celebration on Feb. 22 as we welcome the author to the library via Zoom.

Participants can win prizes just for participating. Log minutes read on the library’s online portal, Beanstack, and get entered for a grand prize. Don’t like to track your progress online? Patrons may use paper cards that are available at the Fond du Lac Public Library as well.

Be sure to read “All Thirteen” during your winter reading adventure. It is available through the Fond du Lac Public Library in hardcover, Playaway, audio CD, and audiobook via Libby.

The book, appropriate for most readers aged 10 through adults, tells the story of 12 young players of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach who become trapped in a cave in northern Thailand when unexpected rains flood the cavern entrance. This true story details the heroic 17-day rescue operation involving thousands of rescuers from around the globe in 2018.

Discover programs related to topics and themes of this book, as well as many other activities scheduled this winter, via the Fond du Lac Public Library’s user-friendly online calendar found at calendar.fdlpl.org.

Learn more about Fond du Lac Winter Reads by visiting fdlpl.org/winterreads or log in to fdlpl.beanstack.org to start logging participation.

Fond du Lac Public Library operates two locations: the Main Library at 32 Sheboygan St. in downtown Fond du Lac, and FDLPL Express at 1132 E. Johnson St. near Festival Foods. The main

library is open daily: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Chapter 52 Bookstore at 52 Sheboygan St. is open Monday through Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while FDLPL Express is open weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about any of these locations, visit fdlpl.org.


Emerging artist Dawn Weeden will showcase her work, “Technicolor/Noir: Narrative Portraiture,” during her December exhibit at the Langdon Divers Community Gallery.

From Wednesday, Dec. 6 through Tuesday, Jan. 2, Weeden’s work may be seen at the gallery located inside the south entrance to the Fond du Lac Public Library.

Weeden is an emerging artist based in Milwaukee who, through her work in portraiture, seeks to encapsulate her passions of cinematography, history, travel, culture, and fashion. She is honing her style of mixing traditional portraiture with a historic or folkloric aesthetic, bringing to her portraits a memorable and thought-provoking narrative in which the past, present, and future are unified into a single vision.

An artist reception also is planned for Thursday, Dec. 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Langdon Divers Gallery.

The Langdon Divers Community Gallery is open seven days a week, whenever the Fond du Lac Public Library is open at 32 Sheboygan St. The gallery may be found off the atrium at the south entrance to the Main Library.

For updates on Langdon Divers Community Gallery, follow the gallery on Facebook at www.facebook.com/langdondivers. Volunteer curator Mel Kolstad may be contacted at mel@kolstad.net.


Santa is coming to FDL Public Library on Dec. 6 to celebrate a Winter Wonderland

The big guy in the red suit, Santa Claus, is returning to the Fond du Lac Public Library on Wednesday, Dec. 6 as the youth services department turns the entire library into a Winter Wonderland. The Winter Wonderland Celebration will be just one of many events scheduled for youth and teens during December.

Drop into the library Dec. 6 anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. to enjoy crafts and games that will be sprinkled throughout the library.

Every family that attends will receive a free book to keep, as well as a chance to get a photo with Santa himself. No registration required for this free event.

Other youth activities planned include:

· Dec. 1 – Feb. 29: Join Fond du Lac Winter Reads for fun activities, prizes, and more. Log your minutes of reading online or on paper cards at the library to earn chances to win. Learn more at fdlpl.org/winterreads

· Friday, Dec. 1 at 1:30 p.m. in the McLane Room: Kids can enjoy the day off with the movie Ice Age and the start of our Winter Reading Program. Eat popcorn and sign up for Winter Reading for a chance to win a prize.

· Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m. in the McLane Room: Create Button Wreaths during Crafty Kids. Best for ages 4+; no registration required.

· Monday, Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m. in the Mid-States Room: Learn about how caves are formed, cave animals and more during STEAM Night for youth. No registration required.

· Friday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Youth ages 5-12 will learn to paint a fun seasonal scene during Paint-Along. Registration opens Dec. 15 at calendar.fdlpl.org.

· Saturday, Dec. 30 at 11 a.m. in the McLane Room: Join the Noon Year’s Eve Party, where you’ll enjoy a dance party, make party hats and noisemakers, take photos, and ring in the “noon” year with sparkling grape juice. No registration required.

Teens, meanwhile, have plenty planned as well:

· Sunday, Dec. 10 through Saturday, Dec. 16: Register for a Browser’s Cache bag, complete with a checked-out book and more, that can be picked up later in the month. Theme: Winter Tales

· Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 4:30 p.m. in the Mid-States: Drop into Anime Afternoon to see a few episodes of anime and enjoy a few snacks. Cosplay is welcome.

· Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 4:30 p.m. in the Mid-States Room: Create Shrinky Dink Snowflakes during Full STEAM Ahead. No registration required.

· Thursday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. in the Teen Area: Ever wanted to try out Magic the Gathering but don’t know where to start? Join other teens for a beginner session, where we’ll go over basics and try out some pre-made decks. No registration required.

Fond du Lac Public Library operates two locations: the Main Library at 32 Sheboygan St. in downtown Fond du Lac, and the Buechel Branch at 1132 E. Johnson St. near Festival Foods. The main library is open daily: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Chapter 52 Bookstore at 52 Sheboygan St. is open Monday through Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the Buechel Branch is open weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.