WAPL Wowza

Have you seen the fabulous line-up at the WAPL(Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries) Conference? There are so many programs for youth librarians--way to go planners! It's beyond marking your calendar now, it is time to register for the conference--May 9-11 at the Holiday Inn-Stevens Point. For members, the cost if you pre-register is only $75, which is a bargain when you consider all the excellent ideas and inspiration you can garner from your colleagues from around the state and beyond.

Here are some of the programs that make a youth services librarian's heart sing. Not all of these are specifically for youth services folks, but they are very relevant. It makes me wish there were several of me so I could go to all these sessions!

Books Build Better Brains: Libraries and Clinics Collaborate on Early Literacy Promotion: Learn basic concepts of early brain and child development, and learn how libraries can partner with clinics and hospitals to promote reading to young children and draw families into libraries. Prepare to hear about innovative projects and to brainstorm and share your own ideas. Presented by Dipesh Navasaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD; Ruth Sias, MLS

Exploration Station: Exploration Station is a curriculum-based program that pairs 3-6-year-olds and their caregivers together as a team to explore activities in literature, math, science and writing each week. Learn about the curriculum, and about how to introduce lab activities into your library's programming. Presented by Ashley Thiem-Menning, Appleton Public Library

One Help Desk for All: Learn about one library's experience rethinking, redesigning, and combining the youth reference and adult reference desks into a single point of service. Pros, cons, scheduling, training, construction, budget, and public response will all be covered. Presenters: Terry Ehle and Chris Hamburg, Lester Public Library--Two Rivers

Technology with Kids and Teens: Panel discussion about integrating technology into youth services programming, readers advisory, and literacy services. Learn about flash animation, iPads in storytime, and more! Presenters: Ashley Bieber, Rice Lake Public Library and Shannon Barniskis, Lomira Public Library, possibly more

Have You Heard? Wondering what great new websites you may have missed? Helpful and fun sites that you may not have heard of yet (not specifically youth-related). Presenters: Tasha Saecker, Beth Carpenter, Joy Schwarz, Stef Morrill

African American Body Image in Children and Young Adult Publishing Taking a closer look at recent literature for young people about African Americans, and examining the ways body image issues of weight, skin tone and hair type are addressed--or not. This workshop will give insight about what non-white ethnicities in the US are facing every day. Presenter: Amanda Burns

All the World's A Stage, or, Are You Ready for the Prime Time? Get over your fear of public speaking for adults with a little training and preparation. You'll learn the essential elements of effective presentation and have an opportunity to practice some of those elements. Presenter: Kelly Krieg-Signman, LaCrosse Public Library

Using the 2010 Census to Improve Services to Immigrants: Use the 2010 Census data to make the case for services to the immigrant population. Information about where the immigrants come from and average age will help determine the content of world language collections and programming. Presenters: Rene Bue, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, and someone from the Applied Population Lab

Stealth Programming: Success in Challenging Budget Times "Stealth Programs"are nontraditional programs that take some initial planning but then take relatively little staff time and money, and bring in lots of families again and again. Discover ways to get outside the programming box to create vital initiatives to complement more traditional programs. Presenters: Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library and Amanda Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library

Productivity Idea Exchange: Ever feel like time is getting shorter while your to-do list just keeps getting longer? This is your chance to get some new ideas for organization and productivity while sharing ideas of your own. Presenters: Stef Morrill and Angela Milock

Tough Talks in Tough Times: This session addresses the most challenging part of your job: communicating bad news about change, motiviating employees, and keeping your sanity in a difficult environment. In this session, you will learn a 5-step process to handle difficult situations with integrity and respect.

Attending International Book Fairs--for Free or Almost Free: Do you want to improve your Spanish collection but don't know where to begin? Is your library's conference budget so small that you don't think you could ever attend an international conference? Come learn how you can attend the LIBER and FIL book fairs in Spain and Mexico at little or no cost to your library. Presenter: Rene Bue

See what I mean??? A LOT!

I hope to see you at the conference!