Sneak Peek at Friday Youth-Centric Programs at WLA

YSS is sponsoring a number of great sessions at WLA this fall and we want to pump you up! We will be sharing tidbits between now and Oct 26 when the conference starts at the Potowatomi Hotel and Conference Center. Registration is now open! Early bird registration runs through Oct. 7.

Friday is another must-be-there day for youth folks. So many sessions in this half-day-last-day morning that will wow you.

Duking it Out: Summer Learning vs. Summer Reading Program   8:30-9:15
Discover how to create even more effective engagement with kids and families through transforming your approach to a traditional library staple: SRPs. Sonja Ackerman -school media specialist, Leah Langby -system youth consultant and Sue Abrahamson -front-line librarian will explore how to go beyond counting reading to engage your community in activities that create a literacy rich exploration experience. This session is perfect for directors and staff considering the possibility of enriching and enhancing kids summer experience with the library.

Water Science is Child’s Play    8:30-9:15
In his books “Last Child in the Woods” and “The Nature Principle,” journalist Richard Louv has written extensively about how young children develop either an affection for, or suffer from phobias of, the natural world. He posits that the preschool and early elementary years offer a critical window to reach children with age-appropriate messages about ecosystems. Public libraries and programs like Head Start and early learning programs in 4K are natural places where these messages can be shared. Libraries especially have a unique role in engaging in and offering informal education on many topics, including many in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) related areas. Wisconsin Water Library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has some new tools to help. After several years offering water-themed story times to interested librarians and preschool teachers, the library has developed STEM Kits on a variety of water science theme that can be checked out and delivered using the Library Delivery Network. During the session, you will learn how to Jump like a Frog!, test for buoyancy, wear a blubber glove and learn to think like a scientist.

Power of the Teen Voice    9:30-10:15
Wisconsin authors Melissa Gorzelanczyk (ARROWS) and Liza Wiemer (HELLO?) will share how YA novels provide an outlet to explore topics such as diversity, family dynamics, relationships, sexuality, coping with loss, and grief, both through fantasy and contemporary fiction. The authors will give librarians specific tools to help readers discover new books based on key words and interests.

Library as Youth Art Gallery    10:45-11:30
Celebrating libraries as a place to make and be inspired, librarians around WI are providing space for youth art exhibits year round, as well as in March during Youth Art Month. Join panelists Sarah Cournoyer, Kerry Pinkner and Nicole Ozanich  who currently host these galleries to find out what a gallery or exhibit entails - from making connections with art teachers, to coordinating space and publicity, tapping into local talent, bringing in homeschoolers, and coordinating programming to complement these galleries.

Workshop to Writers: How to grow a teen/tween writing group     10:45-11:30
Learn how to encourage the next generation of great writers in your own community. Through an initial Teen/Tween Writing Workshop led by a local author, The Columbus Public Library has created an active monthly writing group where teens and tweens share their stories and encouragement while improving their creative writing skills. Jenni Frencham and Valerie Biel

To see all the WLA conference posts:
Stellar School Age Services Preconference
Wednesday Conference Programs
Burr Worzalla Award Winner
Bill Konigsburg Interview
Luncheon Speaker Bill Konigsburg
Thursday Youth Events
Konigsburg Book Discussion
Social Events at WLA