A grant from the Appleton Public Library Foundation has allowed the purchase of the BBC Time-Life Complete Plays of William Shakespeare in DVD format. It is the first time that film of all 37 plays has been available for checkout at the library. Each play in the series has been added to the collection and resides with the DVDs on the first floor. Discs may be checked out for a 1 week period.

These films feature the preeminent production of every Shakespeare play written in performances that would otherwise be seen only by the theater elite in London or New York. The actors are among Britain's most distinguished theatrical talent such as Anthony Hopkins, Michael York and Derek Jacobi. In these BBC productions they make the speeches and action come to life.

Having these plays available to patrons of the library is a tremendous asset as few would argue that Shakespeare has had a profound influence on every generation since his work was first published 400 years ago. Most people do not realize just how many of the words and expressions we use everyday originated with the Bard.