Fond du Lac Public Library announces upcoming programs

Artist Deborah Brooks explores climate change and the natural world in an exhibit during September at Langdon Divers Gallery at the Fond du Lac Public Library.

Explore the vibrant, lush world of Deborah Brooks through her exhibit in the Langdon Divers Community Gallery.

Through her work, Brooks will consider both the natural world and the impact of climate change on it via “In the Thick of It” from Thursday, Sept. 5 to Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Brooks draws inspiration from the natural world and human experience, reflecting on her formative years along the Southern California coast. Her travels to places like Australia and Morocco fuel her quest to explore the shapes and colors of large leafy plants.

Using oil paint, she captures fleeting moments of light on leaves, embodying themes of impermanence and change. Through curiosity and experimentation, she begins with an intention but lets the paint guide her as she builds layers of color and mark.

While her paintings appear naturalistic, they employ techniques from abstract art. Her careful observation and understanding of color and design inform her work, aiming to elevate botanical references and invite viewers to engage with the underlying narratives.

The series “In the Thick of It” examines the changing natural world and its impact, influenced by climate change.

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.

Create tiny dioramas at Cut & Paste Club in the Idea Studio at the Fond du Lac Public Library.

Enjoy creating? Stop down to the Idea Studio on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. for the regular Cut & Paste Club meetup as participants are invited to create tiny dioramas.

Cut & Paste Club is for anyone who is interested in making and learning about collage and mixed media. Collage describes both the technique and the resulting work of art in which pieces of paper, photographs, fabric and other ephemera are arranged and stuck down onto a supporting surface.

The Idea Studio has a large collection of used and recycled books, magazines and other craft items that will be available to use for this project. Participants in the program may feel free to bring any extra materials or supplies to use for their own tiny diorama.

Open to anyone but youth under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No registration needed.

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.

Help young children develop a love of reading with Fall Reading Workshops at the Fond du Lac Public Library.

Kids and families can kick off fall with fun and educational programming available from the Fond du Lac Public Library. From a new chess club to artsy activities to informational events, the library will have something for everyone this month.

Starting in September, the library will team up with the Fond du Lac Literacy Coalition to bring the first in a series of Fall Reading Workshops for parents and caregivers. Each of the three monthly sessions will focus on a new topic around the theme of preparing young children for future success in school through literacy. These will be simple, practical strategies that anyone can undertake.

The first session, Tomorrow’s Readers: How to Read with Kids, will be held Monday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. in the Discovery Room. Caregivers and other adults with children in their lives are invited to learn about early childhood development and the importance of reading with kids. Participants will be advised on how to select developmentally appropriate books and receive tips on how to have the best reading experiences with kids. No registration necessary. The next sessions in the series will be held Oct. 23 and Nov. 20.

Other youth activities planned during September include:

· Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. in the Discovery Room: Drop in to Homeschool Meet-up to connect with other homeschooled students and get to know library resources better.

· Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the McLane Room: Drop into the first meeting of the FDLPL Rook Club. Chess players of all ages and abilities are invited for friendly gameplay; experienced players are encouraged to assist newer players.

· Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the Discovery Room: Visit Crafty Kids to make your own soup can pencil holder. No registration required.

· Monday, Sept. 16 at 4:30 p.m. in the Discovery Room: Join Maker Mondays to create a flashlight with everyday items. No registration required.

· Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Discovery Room: Families considering homeschooling for their children may visit Homeschooling 101 to hear from the Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association. The program will include an overview about homeschooling in Wisconsin, information about the association, and more. No registration required.

· Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m. in the Discovery Room: Visit with a trained therapy dog and practice your reading skills during Paws to Read. No registration required.

· Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.: Youth ages 5-12 will learn to paint a fall bear during Paint-Along. Register now at calendar.fdlpl.org.

Teens, meanwhile, have plenty planned as well:

· Monday, Sept. 9 through Sunday, Sept. 15: 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: Our Heroes Academia.

· Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 4:30 p.m. in the Discovery Room: Drop into Anime Afternoon to see a few episodes of anime and enjoy a few snacks. Cosplay is welcome. No registration required.

· Thursday, Sept. 5 at 4:30 p.m. in the Teen Space at the library: Want to try out Magic the Gathering but don’t know where to start? Join this Mischief & Magic beginner class to learn the basics and try out some pre-made decks. No registration required.

· Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. in the Discovery Room: Drop into Play with Your Food this month to learn how to spice up some food and beverages. No registration required.

· Thursday, Sept. 19 at 4:30 p.m. in the Teen Space: Get ready for a tabletop roleplaying adventure during Ready, Set, Roleplay. Bring your own Level 1 character or use one provided. All experience levels welcome. For grades 6-12. No registration required.

Al Jarreau, obituary writing, and oral histories: triple helping of history programs planned in September at the Fond du Lac Public Library.

Love history? Visit the Fond du lac Public Library during September to learn about local history, discover how to collect oral histories, and best practices for recording a life story.

On Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m., hear from local author Kurt Dietrich about the subject of his new book “Never Givin’ Up: The Life and Music of Al Jarreau.” Jarreau, a musician born in Milwaukee who went to Ripon College, later moved to the West Coast, where he won six Grammy awards, in three different categories, and became one of the most revered musicians of his generation. This lecture follows Jarreau’s life, career and music, complete with musical examples.

No registration necessary. The presentation will be held in the McLane Room, or watch it live on Facebook @FDLPL. History at Home is held monthly, covering topics of local and regional interest.

Curious how to collect your own history? Join “Let’s Talk Oral History” on Monday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. in the McLane Room to learn about using oral histories to collect stories in the world around you. No registration needed.

Then, on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. in the McLane Room, join Hands on History to learn how to write obituaries. Obituaries are powerful tools to convey a life’s story; this will be an interactive workshop to help participants prepare for this task. Registration required; register at calendar.fdlpl.org starting Sept. 12.

Become prepared for the menopause transition during 2-part program presented by SSM Health at FDL Public Library.

Menopause is a natural biological process. It marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and menstrual cycle and occurs very slowly over a period of seven to 10 years on average. There are some telltale signs when the process begins, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness due to hormonal shifts.

Many women can mitigate initial side effects through lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, and stress management techniques. However, if symptoms are impacting quality life, there are many treatment options available that can help women navigate this natural stage of life.

Thanks to a two-part education series by SSM Health physicians at the Fond du Lac Public Library, women can celebrate healthy aging by learning about the menopause transition.

Part one – “The Menopause Transition Unveiled” – will feature information from Sara Riegert, MD, an SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic obstetrician/gynecologist, on Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m. in the McLane Room. Dr. Riegert will cover the science behind menopause, the differences between perimenopause and menopause, symptoms and their effects, and wellness during perimenopause.

Then, in Part two – “Crafting Your Midlife Experience” – Heather Schmidt, DO, an SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic family medicine and integrative health physician – will focus on holistic wellness, midlife self-discovery, discovering community support, and celebrating healthy aging by embracing wisdom, resilience, and newfound freedom. Dr. Schmidt will cover these topics on Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. in the McLane Room.

No registration is required to participate in these free sessions.