Supporting Military Kids at Oshkosh Public Library

Area military families with preschool children have a new set of resources at the Oshkosh Public Library designed to help them face the challenges of deployment, stay connected with loved ones who serve and relieve stress during times of tremendous change and uncertainty.

The program, Wisconsin Public Television Supports Military Kids, is a partnership of Wisconsin Operation Military Kids (4-H), the University of Wisconsin Extension, Wisconsin Library Association and Wisconsin Public Television. Through this program, OPL and other Wisconsin libraries received $500 to purchase books, DVDs and other items that address important issues such as staying connected with family members stationed far from home, expressing feelings, coping with deployments and homecomings and dealing with grief.

The collection of books at the Oshkosh Public Library includes titles such as H is for Honor, The Feelings Book and I Miss You Every Day. In addition to the books and DVDs available at the library, families can visit FamiliesNearAndFar.org, a free bilingual social networking web site designed to help bring military families closer together. Using this site, children and families can:

• Create profiles, art, photos or video and messages that can be accessed by loved ones far from home.
• Find information and activities to ease stress and handle changes before, during and after deployment.
• Link to other resources that provide support and assistance to military families. 

The special collection for military families is available in the lower level Children’s Department at the Oshkosh Public Library. For more information about resources, programs and events for children and families, call 236-5208 or visit www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.