Podcasts
FDL County Board Candidates Forum
March 12, 2008
 Fond du Lac Public Library co-sponsored a FDL County Board Candidates Forum with the League of Women Voters on Wednesday, March 12. Each candidate was given 3 minutes to describe what they believe is the most important issue facing the County. After each candidate spoke, audience members were able to address questions to specific candidates.
Click here for the list of candidates for the April 1st County Board and City Council election.
Langdon Divers Memorial Celebration
March 9, 2008
A memorial celebration was held March 9 at Fond du Lac Public Library for Langdon Divers, local historian, boating enthusiast and former columnist for the Reporter who passed away at the age of 105 years old last December. The community art gallery at the library is named in honor of Langdon.
After an introduction by Library Director, Ken Hall, City Manager Tom Herre speaks. Other speakers who shared stories of their friendship with Langdon include Karin Whealon, Tom Grebe, Earl Jewett, Donald Kenyon, and Mike Mentzer of the Reporter.
Great Decisions 2008
Great Decisions is an annual lecture/discussion series featuring expert speakers on current foreign policy issues outlined by the Foreign Policy Association. Programs will be presented at the Fond du Lac Public Library 7 p.m. Tuesdays throughout February and March, with one Wednesday program on Feb. 13.
The programs are free and are held in the lower level meeting room of the library. Discussion books are available for checkout at the library for those who want to read ahead for each program. A small number of books are available for purchase in the library at a discount thanks to a gift from the Friends of the Library underwriting much of the cost. Following is a list of the programs, which will be available for listening:
- February 5: Iraq End-Game
Clarence Davis
What will be the end-game for the U.S. in Iraq? How will U.S. decisions about continued engage-ment affect Iraq itself, and the Middle East?
- February 13: European Union at 50
Wolfgang Schmidt
Having reached the 50th anniversary of the great experiment in European integration, is it time to take stock of the united Europe?
- February 19: Russia
Clarence Davis
During his two terms as president, Vladimir Putin has attempted to remake Russia into a major, independent world power. With a 2008 Russian presidential election expected, what course will Russia take?
- February 26: Talking to our Enemies
John E. Katzka
How should the U.S. deal with countries like Cuba, North Korea, and Iran? What ap-proach should the U.S. take with groups like Hamas and Hesbollah?
- March 4: U.S. Defense & Security Policy
John Nichols
The U.S. military is adopting new policies and methods for defending the U.S. and its interests abroad. What should U.S. priorities be?
- March 11: U.S.-China Trade Policy
Martin Farrell
Could the large and growing trade imbalance with China have an adverse effect on the U.S. economy? What role does the under-valued Chinese currency play?
- March 18: Latin America: Shift to the Left?
Anna Kapelusz Poppi
What factors have prevented the U.S. and Latin American countries from forging
strong relationship?
- March 25: Private Philanthropy
Dr. John and Barbara Lent
Can private donors be more effective than governments in tackling world problems? The Lents will discuss their work improving health care in Rosita Nicaragua.
Nine Shift: Work, Life and Education in the 21st Century
October 10, 2007
William A. Draves, co-author of the book Nine Shift : Work, Life and Education in the 21st Century, charts the parallels and implications as technology transforms the economy, and the economy changes how we live. We are experiencing the same exciting transition as our great grandparents did 100 years ago. Listen to hear the uncanny parallels between today and 100 years ago. Then discover each of the major nine shifts currently taking place and find out the implications of each shift for work, life and education. This was a free program courtesy of Fond du Lac Public LIbrary, UW-Fond du Lac, and William A. Draves.
Peg Lautenschlager on Public Access to Information
May 7, 2007
Former Wisconsin Attorney General Peg  Lautenschlager, the featured speaker at the Annual Friends of the Fond du Lac Public Library Meeting May 7, discusses Public Access to Information, providing an overview of state and federal laws which afford ordinary citizens the opportunity to obtain government documents and receive notices of governmental meetings. In her roles as a state legislator, a United States Attorney, and as Wisconsin Attorney General, she has been an outspoken advocate of open government. She was honored teh same month by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council as the Political Openness Advocate of the Year.
Preserving the Freedom to Read
March 29, 2007
 Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan, from UW-Milwaukee School of Information Science, leads a discussion of the censorship in Wisconsin from a historical perspective. What has changed in the way groups or individuals attempt to censor public information? How can we preserve freedom of information and ideas?
Click here to download a PDF of the slides from this PowerPoint presentation.
We would like to thank our corporate partners for Fond du Lac Reads 2007: Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac Reporter, Action Publications, and Linstrom's Catering.
Great Decisions 2007
Great Decisions is an annual lecture/discussion series featuring expert speakers on current foreign policy issues outlined by the Foreign Policy Association. Programs were presented at the Fond du Lac Public Library throughout February and March in 2007.
Following is a list of the programs, available for listening:
- February 7: War Crimes
Amb. David Scheffer, Northwestern University
The creation of the International Criminal Court has established a new venue for investigating and prosecuting war crimes, despite a lack of U.S. participation. Will the non-participation of the U.S. weaken the power of the ICC? What challenges are faced by the ICC in punishing war criminals?
- February 13: Climate Change
Prof. Victor Phillips, UW-Stevens Point
How much are human practices contributing to substantial and irreversible changes to the environment? What effect are changes to the climate having in different areas of the planet? What response can the international community adopt to lessen the impact of dramatic climate change?
- February 20: Mexico
Prof. Ana Maria. Kapelusz-Poppi, UW-Oshkosh
The results of Mexico's presidential election were nearly too close to call, how will this result affect the new Mexican administration's policies? Can Felipe Calderón successfully reform Mexico's policies on energy, trade and border security and strengthen relations with the United States?
- February 27: Migration
Prof. Elizabeth Covington, UW-Madison
The movement of people across international borders can be initiated by conflict, economic reasons or the chance to achieve political freedoms. Migration issues have taken center-stage in the U.S. and EU, as citizens increasingly worry about job security and terrorism. What are the advantages and disadvantages for countries that are affected by migration?
- March 6: South Africa
Prof. Heinz Klug, UW-Madison
South Africa is the most developed country in Africa and has been an active leader on the continent, yet it still struggles with major issues in the post-Apartheid era. What are the political challenges facing South Africa? What impact is the AIDS epidemic playing on South Africa's economy and society?
- March 13: Middle East
Ali Reza Abootalebi, UW-Eau Claire
Although the U.S. will remain closely engaged in Iraq during the next year, other factors have emerged to challenge stability in the region. Iran's nuclear program, the outcome of the conflict in Lebanon, and Israeli-Palestinian negotiations will all play a key role. How will these issues shape the Middle East?
- March 20: Central Asia
Dr. Clarence Davis, Marian College (Retired)
Rich in energy supplies and strategically located, the five countries of Central Asia attract attention from the Middle East, China, Russia and the United States. How will international competition for energy supplies affect each country? What are U.S. interests in the region?
- March 27: Children
Lawrence LeBlanc, Marquette University
Ensuring the safety and proper development of children is the stated goal of the global community, yet in some countries, children are exposed to unsafe labor practices, human trafficking, and participation in combat. What role do private donors, governments and international organizations play in ensuring health care, education and safety for the world's children?
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