Looking ahead with Larry: Aug. 2
By Taylor Hale
PORTAGE COUNTY – Portage County Public Library Director Larry Oathout sat down with Portage County Gazette staff to give a monthly update on local library operations. This month Oathout talked about a new mural coming to Almond and an upcoming staff training day.
New mural coming to Almond Branch
Oathout said area artist Amy Zaremba will be painting a new mural on the outside wall of the Almond Library during the week of Aug. 2. The project is part of Create Portage County’s Paint The County program.
“They wanted to find some blank walls and put some murals on them, so this was a great fit,” Oathout said.
The project is expected to be complete by Aug. 6. The mural features a tractor rolling down a Wisconsin field, with blue skies overhead.
Staff in-service day
Oathout said all Portage County Public Library branches will be closed on Aug. 9 for staff training and team building.
“I approached the board and asked if we could do an all-day training,” Oathout said. “Back in 2019, we did a session where we talked about reader advisory and how to help people find the things they actually want. Whether that be books or CDs or movies.”
Oathout said this year will focus on internal communication and personal skills. Normal library hours will resume on Aug. 10.