Oak Creek Library, Sikh Temple Of WI To Unveil New Book Collection

Press release from the City of Oak Creek:

04/02/2022 9:00 AM

On Saturday, April 9, the Oak Creek Public Library and the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin will host an open house to share a new Sikh Book Collection available to the public. Light refreshments will be available throughout the open house from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a brief speaking program at 11:00 a.m.

Library Director Jill Lininger states, “In consultation with representatives from the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, librarians have put together a collection of items that will aid patrons in their learning about Sikh culture and practices. While the tragic events of 2012 were a trying time for the Oak Creek community, the library has strived to help by making educational programming available to the public. We are hopeful that the Sikh Book Collection allows for deeper understanding of the diversity that makes our community vibrant and our democracy strong.”

Details for the event are as follows:

WHAT: Open house at the Oak Creek Public Library

WHEN: Saturday, April 9, 2022. The open house will run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., speakers will share brief remarks at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: The Quiet Reading Room and Adult Non-fiction Collection of the Oak Creek Public Library, located at 8040 S. 6th Street in Oak Creek, WI 53154

WHO: Speakers for the 11:00 a.m. program include Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, Mayor of Oak Creek Dan Bukiewicz, Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School Board President Frank Carini, Sikh community leader Dr. Kulwant Dhaliwal, Oak Creek Library Director Jill Lininger, and former U.S. Attorney James Santelle.

RSVP: This event is open to the public, including members of the press; individuals can RSVP at oakcreeklibrary.org/rsvp or contact Sarah Corso at scorso@oakcreekwi.gov

The collection will include books written by Sikhs and written about the Sikh faith, the fifth-largest organized religion in the world. Additionally, educational resources produced by the Sikh Coalition, the nation’s largest Sikh civil rights organization, will be available for the public. As the 10-year anniversary of the 2012 deadly mass shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin approaches this August, these and other events to raise Sikh awareness among the public remain critical to highlighting the faith, culture, and resilience of the Sikh community in Wisconsin and across the country.

To find out more about this event and other programs the library has to offer, visit http://www.oakcreeklibrary.org/events, contact our staff in person at 8040 S. 6th St., or speak with us over the phone by calling 414-766-7900.

This press release was produced by the City of Oak Creek. The views expressed here are the author’s own.