The Appleton Library Board meeting on March 18, 2025, highlighted the successful engagement of the community through various programs, particularly the Fox Cities Reads initiative featuring "Firekeeper's Daughter" by Indigenous author Angeline Boulley. The book, which intertwines Indigenous culture with a gripping narrative, has sparked excitement among local teens, with many eager to read and discuss it after meeting the author during her recent visit to Appleton North High School.

Shelby Sebers, the AASD cultural advisor, facilitated the event, allowing students from multiple schools to interact with Boulley, who shared her writing journey and signed copies of her book. Feedback from attendees indicated a strong desire for more author events, showcasing the community's enthusiasm for literary engagement.

In addition to the author visit, the meeting also covered the third year of the sidewalk poetry program, which received 94 submissions from local residents and students. Thirteen poems will be selected for display on city sidewalks, with the final choices announced at the upcoming City Council meeting in April.

The library's community table initiative continues to thrive, providing essential services from local organizations, including Feeding America and Childcare Resource and Referral. These services aim to assist community members with food share applications and childcare searches.

Overall, the meeting underscored the library's role as a vibrant community hub, fostering connections through literature and local resources, with a notable increase in patron engagement reflected in the impressive statistics shared during the session.