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2025 Annual Report
A note from our director
Colleen Rortvedt, Library Director
Friends of Appleton Public Library
Hub of Learning and Literacy
Library Cards
Library cards offer community members free access to information and knowledge, supporting learning opportunities and growth at every age; from babies to older adults.
One of our most impressive stats from our first year open in the new building is the number of people who signed up for or renewed their library cards. Just under 31,000 people either signed up for a new card, got a replacement card, or renewed their account since the building opened on February 15. Just over 30% of the people were completely new library patrons. The new building offered us an opportunity to connect previous non-library users with all the library has to offer.
Summer Library Program
Helping support the educational needs of our community is a critical library service. Our summer library program helps to fight summer learning loss by providing easy access to books and a fun and engaging experience-including offering prizes such as a bank vault tour and a City of Appleton Public Works bucket truck ride.
There are other important benefits to participating in summer library programs and they’re not just for children and teens. Our adult program offers lifelong learning opportunities which helps lead to a more
enriching and fulfilling life.
In total, just over 1,868 community members participated in the program.
Collaborative Environment
Friends of Appleton Public Library Capital Campaign
In late 2023, Friends of Appleton Public Library launched the public phase of their Building Beyond Words Capital Campaign. Their goal was to provide $12 million to support the City of Appleton’s investment and ensure the library had the needed features and enhancements to serve and advance the community.
Over the course of 2024, Friends staff, their board of directors, and the Building Beyond Words capital campaign committee worked tirelessly to complete their fundraising goal. They offered unique opportunities for community members to engage with fundraising efforts, such as sharing community stories of impact and working with local businesses to provide eggroll sales. Three local children even hosted a lemonade stand raising $185.
“This project is a testament to the power of community support,” said Nanci Micke, Friends Board President. “We're incredibly thankful to our generous donors who helped achieve our fundraising goal. Our vision was to help our city create a library that will serve many generations to come. It’s amazing to see that become a reality.”
Educate and Inspire Youth
Children's and Teen Spaces
One of our most exciting stories from the last year was the ability new library spaces to transform the way we’re able to serve our community.
Some of our early observations from our first few months open include the increased use of the library by teens and young adults. Typically, these audiences are one of the most difficult to reach. By offering welcoming and flexible spaces, teens are excited to come in and use their library.
We’ve also noticed benefits of the intentional design and placement of the Vira Stoner Flex Box. The space serves as both a gathering and programming space near the Thomas P. Fanning Teen Area. Teens who use the teen area while library programs are taking place in the flex box have been able to engage in the programs and more importantly build relationships with other community members and staff.
Additionally, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of children and caregivers we have been able to serve, thanks in part to the amount and variety of spaces available in our Children’s Department.
This year we were finally able to bring back some of our popular programs because of all of the new space we have. One of those popular programs is our messy Little Learners program. Caregivers love this program because they’re able to keep “the mess” at the library and we love being able to host these programs because we have the flexible (and wipeable) space to do so.
Our play area also continues to be a very popular place for caregivers to bring children. Children have the chance to explore, create, and collaborate with other children in a safe environment.
We’d like to extend a big thank you to the Building for Kids Children’s Museum for helping us transform our play area with their Planet Imagination exhibit during the last few months of 2025.
Creation and Innovation
Artist-in-Residence
Another program we were able to reintroduce to our community after reopening the new library is our popular Artist-in-Residence program. The goal of the program is to celebrate and foster a creative and connected community through local art by providing a space for artists to showcase their work. Our Artist-in-Residence program officially began in 2015. Since then, over 30 artists have shown their work or held sessions through the program.
Each residency lasts three consecutive months. Artists provide three engagement events and display art in the Rick and Sue Detienne Gallery. Thanks to Friends of Appleton Public Library, artists receive an honorarium and funds for program supplies. Additionally, artists receive coordinated workspace and promotion of art and residency through our communication channels.
We have three professional artists who work with us to curate our Artist-in-Residence artists. Our first year back we were able to showcase a variety of artists and art to appeal to a diverse audience, including an illustrator and screen printer, a conceptual artist who works in nature, and a tattooist, oil painter, and photographer.
Food Literacy Programming
When people have basic food knowledge, they feel more confident and in control of their health. That confidence can lead to better eating habits and long-term wellness. Having food literacy also helps address larger community issues like food insecurity.
This last year we were able to experiment with several creative food literacy program opportunities thanks to community partners and the Vira Stoner Flex Box; which offers a flexible environment for hosting this type of programming.
Adults enjoyed programs such as a cooking demo with local chef and restaurant owner Natasha Banks, and an informational session on understanding how sugar cravings work and how to address them with nutritionist Megan Normansell.
Teens enjoyed events such as how to make your own bubble tea with restaurant owner Fannie Xie, and a build your own charcuterie board program with support from Festival Foods grocery store.
Engaged and Connected
No Questions Asked Collection
In late 2025, we established our new No Questions Asked Collection. This collection aims to support and expand health-related resources for our community. It includes a set of materials that focus on addiction, recovery, and mental health.
“This collection aligns with our mission to serve as a welcoming and supportive resource for all community members,” said Colleen Rortvedt, Appleton Public Library Director. “Particularly those who may be hesitant to seek help or those looking to take a first step towards recovery or healing from addiction or trauma.”
Materials are on a shelf at the west end of the upper level and do not need to be checked out or returned. The model, inspired by an American Libraries article, helps people explore and access materials with ease and privacy.
The location also houses the Overdose Aid Kit Box (OAK Box). The OAK Box contains naloxone, CPR masks, fentanyl test strips, and information on local resources. The OAK Box is made possible by Outagamie County Public Health and City of Appleton Health Department.
A big thank you to United Way Fox Cities for providing the funding for the collection, as well as providing print materials for the community to learn more about free resources and services.
“We believe access to help should never come with barriers or judgment," said Lisa Kogan-Praska, President and CEO of United Way Fox Cities. "The No Questions Asked collection reflects that same spirit, meeting people where they are and offering connection to the information, resources, and hope they need. It’s another way our community is saying, you’re not alone, help is here.”
Enriched Experiences
Self-Directed Programs
In 2025, we were able to provide several new and engaging self-directed program opportunities for the community. Self-directed programs are defined as informal and interactive activities patrons can participate in independently without a set schedule.
Our self-directed programs encourage learning and creativity. They invite patrons to explore, reflect, and create without pressure. For those who may not want to attend a structured program, self-directed programs are a low-stakes and welcoming option; a way they can still engage with others and their community.
We offered self-directed activities for community members of all ages, with over 14,000 participants in 95 activities. There was an activity for everyone; from highlighting one of our Artist-in-Residents by
designing your own tarot cards to celebrating
Appleton’s Bird City designation with a bird
sighting board, and more.
Meeting and Study Rooms
Free meeting and study space is usually difficult to find in a community. Our meeting and study rooms continue to be heavily used by our community members, fulfilling a need and reinforcing our role as a community hub.
By providing access to free meeting and study spaces, we are supporting community connection, collaboration, and learning opportunities–regardless of income level. With the new building, we increased access to meeting and study spaces by 100%. In 2025, community members booked our study and meeting spaces just over 12,350 times.
Services and Programs For All
Library of the Year
From the Wisconsin Library Association
In February 2025, after nearly two decades of planning and perseverance, Appleton Public Library opened its new facility.
APL’s achievement is even more remarkable given two relocations during construction. Through these disruptions, staff delivered exceptional service with minimal interruption, relocating programs to parks, schools, nonprofits, coffee shops, and partner spaces. They built new audiences, launched initiatives like the City of Appleton Poet Laureate Program, and piloted pop-up coworking programs with local businesses.
Since reopening, the library’s impact has been profound. In just five months, APL recorded 173,000 visits, 299,283 checkouts, 6,548 new cardholders, and over 5,000 bookings for study rooms, meeting spaces, and creation studios. Its design reflects deep community input and a commitment to accessibility, with a sensory room, gender-inclusive restrooms with adult changing tables, hearing loops, and welcoming spaces like the coworking space and the unconference room.
With its bold vision, resilient leadership, and unwavering commitment to equity and access, Appleton Public Library embodies the best of Wisconsin libraries.
APL’s leadership extends beyond Appleton. As a key member of WiLS, System and Resource Library Administrators’ Association of Wisconsin, and the City Library Collective, APL serves as a model of collaborative, future-focused service for libraries statewide.
Opening Day Collection
During our first six months open, we hosted a special collection of in-demand titles available in-building. A big thank you to our fellow Outagamie Waupaca Library System libraries for allowing us a special exception to resource sharing rules. Check out the top circulating items below.
