It's a Wrap - WWWC17!

Wisconsin is lucky to have one of the best all around public library conferences around - the Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference.

Founded five years ago by Jamie Matczak of the Nicolet Federated Library System, the conference has grown in popularity and sponsorship. All seventeen Wisconsin Library systems now co-sponsor the 2.5 days of free, armchair CE.

Yes, free and armchair. The weather outside may be frightful but WWWC17 lets you tune into 8-10 sessions daily and get your learning on. Jamie is ably assisted by SCLS' Jean Anderson, IFLS' Leah Langby and a handful of other system peeps who assist in hosting these amazing days (January 24-26).

Wait. What?!?!  You missed out on the sessions this year?

No worries, the archived recordings let you experience national and state speakers at your convenience.

So what are you waiting for? Come on and get your CE on!

Every Library seeks inspiring stories!

Who better than to share inspiring library stories than Youth Services librarians?  Every Library is a library advocacy group and this potential book is a fundraising opportunity for them.  Learn more here!

Minecraft and Perler Beads

I don't know about you, but the prevalence of Minecraft mania in my library is steady and unabated in enthusiasm.  However, I do not have the capacity at my library to host an actual "playing of Minecraft" event.  Thus, I have been scouring the internet for new and creative ways to harness that enthusiasm in a crafty way.  And I found THIS!  Yes, someone out there in the wonderful world of the web has created Minecraft Perler bead designs.  And then SHARED their genius with the rest of us!  So, here they are, patterns for Perler beads inspired by Minecraft.  Could be used as a stand-alone program or as part of a Minecraft party!

From Minieco.co.uk

Monona Celebrates Books!

2016 Graduates of Monona's 1000 Books program

“We’re not teaching children how to read. We’re giving them the skills so that they will be ready to learn how to read,” said Karen Wendt, Youth Services Coordinator, Monona Library.

Monona Library hosted its 2nd annual Early Literacy "Play, Grow, & Read Party" along with its 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Graduation Party on January 22nd. It was a great success even though the event happened during a Packers playoff game!

Karen and her staff spend quite a bit of time marketing the 1000 Books program to insure its success.  Making connections with the 4K program at the schools and local childcare facilities that serve young children is one valuable avenue to promote the program.  Karen presents at staff meetings and parent events and distributes bookmarks to all 4k children. She recommends talking to everyone in the children’s area about the program.

All this hard work paid off with a successful event that was covered by the Wisconsin State Journal!  The article discusses 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program at Monona, which is sponsored by the Monona Library Foundation & Friends of Monona Public Library, along with details about the party. Karen’s awesome quote from above is from the article. It is also mentioned that other libraries host similar early literacy programs.

Thank you Karen and Monona Library for the getting the word out about the fun but important work libraries are doing!

Meet the Board: Emily Heideman, Member at Large

It's always a pleasure to get to know new board members and we like to give you a chance to get to know them, too, so that you can say hello if you see them at a conference like WAPL (coming up before we know it) or WLA (in the Dells next Fall).

Today, we're featuring Member at Large, Emily Heideman.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am the Teen Services Librarian at the Waupaca Area Public Library. I enjoy reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with my family and fur-babies. My husband and I recently welcomed our first little one this past August.

What’s your favorite thing to eat while reading?
Dark chocolate or hot cocoa with whipped topping

What is your favorite genre? Which genre would you choose to go outside your comfort zone?
I’d have to say that my favorite genre is probably fairytales…more specifically, fractured fairytales, or retellings. Gregory Maguire has been a longtime favorite author of mine because of the amazing things he does with fairytales. I do also really love nonfiction.

What was your favorite book or story as a child?
Mr. Popper’s Penguins. My parents used to read it to my siblings and me at bedtime.

How do you break the ice with teen patrons?
I usually chat them up. I try to find out what interests them and ask genuine questions about their interests. It’s always exciting when teens come back and tell me about the new Yu-Gi-Oh card they traded for or what trophy they unlocked on PS3. Not only does this help them warm up to me, but it also helps me get to know the things teens are into. I know way more about role-playing card games now than I ever imagined I would ever know.

Meet the Board in Person

It's also nice to know who your elected representatives are on the YSS Board because they are just like you and me. If you'd like to meet them in person, you're invited to the YSS Member Retreat:

Friday, January 27 1:30-4:00 PM
Waupaca Area Library
107 S. Main Street
Waupaca, WI 54981
Cost: Free!

During this time, YSS members are invited to come meet the board, to discuss YSS plans for the year and to connect with other YSS members. The board in turn would like to give members an overview of the resources available through YSS and to hear from you, the members, as to how YSS can best support you throughout the year.

Follow this link to register: http://bit.ly/2hVMEWq

Please plan to bring an informal book talk about a youth book you are currently reading or crazy about!

Have a colleague that isn't a member yet? Invite them along and they can see what YSS is all about!

Annnnnddd the Youth Media Award Results Are In!

American Library Association announces

2017 youth media award winners

ATLANTA- The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, video and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

A list of all the 2017 award winners follows:

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:

“The Girl Who Drank the Moon,” written by Kelly Barnhill, is the 2017 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Algonquin Young Readers, an imprint of Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, a division of Workman Publishing.

Three Newbery Honor Books also were named: “Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan,” written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division; “The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog,” written by Adam Gidwitz, illustrated by Hatem Aly and published by Dutton Children's Books, Penguin Young Readers Group, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC; and “Wolf Hollow,” written by Lauren Wolk and published by Dutton Children's Books, Penguin Young Readers Group, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:

“Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat,” illustrated by Javaka Steptoe is the 2017 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Javaka Steptoe and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

 Four Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Leave Me Alone!” illustrated and written by Vera Brosgol and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership; “Freedom in Congo Square,” illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and published by Little Bee Books, an imprint of Bonnier Publishing Group; "Du Iz Tak?" illustrated and written by Carson Ellis, and published by Candlewick Press; and "They All Saw a Cat," illustrated and written by Brendan Wenzel and published by Chronicle Books LLC.

Corretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African-American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:

“March: Book Three,” written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, is the King Author Book winner. The book is illustrated by Nate Powell and published by Top Shelf Productions, an imprint of IDW Publishing, a division of Idea and Design Works LLC. 

Two King Author Honor Books were selected: “As Brave as You,” written by Jason Reynolds, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; and “Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan,” written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:

“Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat,” illustrated by Javaka Steptoe, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is written by Javaka Steptoe and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Three King Illustrator Honor Book were selected: “Freedom in Congo Square,” illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and published by Little Bee Books, an imprint of Bonnier Publishing Group; “Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan,” illustrated and written by Ashley Bryan, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; and “In Plain Sight,” illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, written by Richard Jackson, a Neal Porter Book, published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award:

“The Sun Is Also a Star,” written by Nicola Yoon, is the Steptoe author award winner. The book is published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement:

Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton.

 Dr. Bishop is a winner of numerous awards and has served as a respected member of many book awards committees over the course of her long and distinguished career. Her influential writing, speaking, and teaching articulates the history and cultural significance of African-American children’s literature. Her globally cited work, “Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors,” has inspired movements for increased diversity in books for young people, and provides the basis for the best multicultural practice and inquiry for students, teachers, writers and publishing houses.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:

“March: Book Three,” created by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, is the 2017 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Top Shelf Productions, an imprint of IDW Publishing.

Four Printz Honor Books also were named: “Asking for It,” by Louise O’Neill and published by Quercus, a Hachette Company; “The Passion of Dolssa,” by Julie Berry and published by Viking Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers; “Scythe,” by Neal Shusterman and published by  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster’s Children’s Publishing; and “The Sun Is Also a Star,” by Nicola Yoon and published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:

“Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille,” written by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Boris Kulikov and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, wins the award for young children (ages 0 to 10).

“as brave as you,” written by Jason Reynolds and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, is the winner for middle grades (ages 11-13).

“When We Collided,” written by Emery Lord and published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books is the winner for teens (ages 13-18).

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:

“The Queen of Blood,” by Sarah Beth Durst, published by Harper Voyager, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

“The Regional Office is Under Attack!” by Manuel Gonzales, published by Riverhead, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

“In the Country We Love: My Family Divided,” by Diane Guerrero with Michelle Burford, published by Henry Holt and Co.

“Buffering: Unshared Tales of a Life Fully Loaded,” by Hannah Hart, published by Dey Street, an imprint of William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.

“Arena,” by Holly Jennings, published by Ace Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

“Every Heart a Doorway,” by Seanan McGuire, a Tor Book published by Tom Doherty Associates.

“Romeo and/or Juliet: A Choosable-Path Adventure,” by Ryan North, published by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

“Die Young with Me: A Memoir,” by Rob Rufus, published by Touchstone, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

“The Wasp that Brainwashed the Caterpillar,” by Matt Simon, published by Penguin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

“The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko,” by Scott Stambach, published by St. Martin’s Press.

Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children's video:

Ryan Swenar of Dreamscape Media, LLC, producer of “Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music” is the Carnegie Medal winner. Adapted from Margarita Engle’s book, a girl in 1930s Cuba aspires to play the drums, a privilege afforded only to boys. Based on the life of Chinese-African-Cuban Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, this story demonstrates how the power of persistence can break barriers, shatter expectations, and make one’s dreams a reality

Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.

The 2017 winner is Nikki Grimes, whose award-winning works include “Bronx Masquerade,” which won the Coretta Scott King Author Award in 2003, and “Words with Wings,” the recipient of a Coretta Scott King Author Honor in 2014. In addition, Grimes received the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award in 2016 and the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 2006.

Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults:

The 2017 winner is Sarah Dessen. Her books include: “Dreamland,” “Keeping the Moon,” “Just Listen,” “The Truth about Forever,” “Along for the Ride,” “What Happened to Goodbye?” and “This Lullaby,” all published by Viking Children's Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, a Penguin Random House Company.

2018 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award recognizing an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children's literature, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site.

Naomi Shihab Nye will deliver the 2018 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. The daughter of a Palestinian father and an American mother, Naomi Shihab Nye grew up in St. Louis, Jerusalem, and San Antonio, Texas. The author and/or editor of more than 30 books for adults and children, her latest for young people, “The Turtle of Oman,” was chosen as a 2015 Notable Children's Book by the ALA. She has received four Pushcart Prizes, was a National Book Award finalist, and has been named a Guggenheim Fellow, amongst her many honors.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children’s book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States:

“Cry, Heart, But Never Break” is the 2017 Batchelder Award winner. Originally published in Danish in 2001 as “Græd blot hjerte,” the book was written by Glenn Ringtved, illustrated by Charolotte Pardi, translated by Robert Moulthrop and published by Enchanted Lion Books.

Three Batchelder Honor Books also were selected: “Over the Ocean,” published by Chronicle Books LLC, written and illustrated by Taro Gomi and translated from the Japanese by Taylor Norman; “As Time Went By,” published by NorthSouth Books, Inc., written and illustrated by José Sanabria and translated from the German by Audrey Hall; and “The Ballad of a Broken Nose,” published by Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, written by Arne Svingen and translated from the Norwegian by Kari Dickson.

Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:

“Anna and the Swallow Man,” produced by Listening Library, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Groups, is the 2017 Odyssey Award winner. The book is written by Gavriel Savit and narrated by Allan Corduner.

Three Odyssey Honor Audiobooks also were selected:

“Ghost” produced by Simon and Schuster Audio, written by Jason Reynolds and narrated by Guy Lockard; “Dream On, Amber,” produced by Recorded Books, written by Emma Shevah and narrated by Laura Kirman; and “Nimona,” produced by HarperAudio, written by Noelle Stevenson and narrated by Rebecca Soler, Jonathan Davis, Marc Thompson, January LaVoy, Natalie Gold, Peter Bradbury and David Pittu.

Pura Belpré Awards honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:

“Lowriders to the Center of the Earth,” illustrated by Raúl Gonzalez, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book was written by Cathy Camper and published by Chronicle Books LLC.

Two Belpré Illustrator Honor Books were named:

“Esquivel!: Space-Age Sound Artist,” illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh, written by Susan Wood and published by Charlesbridge.

“The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes,” illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.

"Juana & Lucas,” written by Juana Medina, is the Pura Belpré Author Award winner. The book is illustrated by Juana Medina and published by Candlewick Press.

One Belpré Author Honor Book was named: "The Only Road," written by Alexandra Diaz and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers/A Paula Wiseman Book.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children:

“March: Book Three,” written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin and illustrated by Nate Powell, is the Sibert Award winner. The book is published by Top Shelf Productions, an imprint of IDW Publishing, a division of Idea and Design Works LLC.

Four Sibert Honor Books were named:

“Giant Squid,” written by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann, a Neal Porter Book, published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership; “Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story,” written by Caren Stelson and published by Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.; “Uprooted: The Japanese American Experience During World War II,” written by Albert Marrin and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC; and “We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler,” written by Russell Freedman and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience:

“Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor,” written by Rick Riordan and published by Disney Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group, and “If I Was Your Girl” written by Meredith Russo and published by Flatiron Books, are the 2017 recipients of the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award, respectively.

Three Honor Books were selected: 

“When the Moon Was Ours,” written by Anna-Marie McLemore and published by Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press; “Unbecoming,” written by Jenny Downham and published by Scholastic Inc. by arrangement with David Fickling Books; and “Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community,” written by Robin Stevenson and published by Orca Book Publishers.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book:

“We Are Growing: A Mo Willems’ Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! Book,” written by Laurie Keller. The book is published by Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group.

Four Geisel Honor Books were named: “Good Night Owl,” written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli and published by Disney Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group; “Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run! An Alphabet Caper,” written and illustrated by Mike Twohy and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; “Go Otto Go!” written and illustrated by David Milgrim and published by Simon Spotlight, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division; and “The Infamous Ratsos,” written by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers and published by Candlewick Press.

William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:

            “The Serpent King,” written by Jeff Zentner, is the 2017 Morris Award winner. The book is published by Crown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a Penguin Random House Company.

Four other books were finalists for the award: Girl Mans Up,” written by M-E Girard, published by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; “Rani Patel in Full Effect,” written by Sonia Patel, published by Cinco Puntos Press; The Smell of Other People’s Houses,” written by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a Penguin Random House Company; and “Tell Me Something Real,” written by Calla Devlin, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: 

“March: Book Three,” created by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, is the 2017 Excellence winner. The book is published by Top Shelf Productions, an imprint of IDW Publishing.

Four other books were finalists for the award: “Hillary Rodham Clinton:  A Woman Living History,” by Karen Blumenthal and published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; In the Shadow of Liberty: The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents, and Five Black Lives,” by Kenneth C. Davis, and published by Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; “Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune,” written by Pamela S. Turner, illustrated by Gareth Hinds and published by Charlesbridge; and “This Land Is Our Land: A History of American Immigration,” written by Linda Barrett Osborne and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children’s experts, the awards encourage original and creative work.  For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables, please visit www.ala.org/yma .

Start Planning Free Comic Day Activities Now

Saturday May 17 is the big day! And it's not too soon to start planning for a day that puts kids and comics together. This Teen Services Underground post has great ideas to make this day a monster success!

Library Extension for Chrome

Chrome now has a Library Extension.  The premise is this: Chrome users install the extension and use it to view local library holdings while on sites such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.  This allows patrons access to the plethora of reviews and information that bookseller and book review sites offer, while simultaneously viewing if those items are available at a local library.  It's pretty ingenious!  This is a great tool to share with your patrons, or to highlight on your library's website.  For more information, check out THIS  Lifehacker article.

You're invited!

The La Crosse School District and La Crosse Public Library are very excited to welcome you all to an evening with award-winning author, Jason Reynolds!  (Shout out to Linda Jerome for her work in bringing Jason to Wisconsin!)

Thursday, March 16 @ 6 p.m.

La Crosse Public Library

I assume you've all read at least one of his fabulous books, but if not, I highly recommend Ghost, about a young teen who is a naturally talented runner without formal training who finds his team and his coach by happenstance one day.

We hope some of you might be able to road trip to us--maybe even with some of your local teens, to see Jason in person, hear about his process and get your favorite books signed.

See "Oscars" of Youth Literature Monday Jan. 23!

If you get excited about the "Oscars" of children's and teen literature and media awards (Caldecott, Newbery, Coretta Scott King, Printz, Odyssey, Geisel, Carnegie, Sibert, Belpre, Carnegie and more more more), you can catch the live award announcements webcast on Monday January 23 at (yawn) 7am CT. You can live stream online at the I Love Libraries Facebook page or online with real time closed captioning at the ALA site. 

It's fun to join the audience at ALA Midwinter in Atlanta (where we hope also to be celebrating a Packer victory from the night before) as the crowd reacts to the hard work of the many ALSC, YALSA, and other committees from various ALA divisions who have read, viewed and listened so hard to pick the best of print and nonprint literature for youth. Plus, the twitter feed for #yma17 and #alamw17 usually explodes with tweets during the press conference so that's a blast too!

After the broadcast, you can access full lists and citations for all the winners at the same site; catch an archive of the surprisingly short press conference and access past lists of winners.

Need Program Inspiration?

Wikimedia Commons

Check a wacky and unusual holiday calendar!  A post on the Storytime Underground Facebook page reminded me of these useful tools in program planning.  I looked at these calendars more before the explosion of blogs and Pinterest.  Even if you don't host a program on the holiday, the calendars provide a list of topics that can inspire a program or display.  Then you go to Pinterest to find the activities!

January 18th is Winnie the Pooh Day.

Wacky Holiday Calendars
The Soccer Mom Blog
Days of the Year
Holiday Insights

Youth Services Track at Wild Wisconsin Conference January 25

The Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference is a state-wide virtual conference offered Jan. 24-26, 2017, and developed by the Nicolet Federated Library System and supported by 15 other library systems in Wisconsin.

Several 60-minute web presentations, focusing on public libraries, will be given over three blustery days in January.   

We welcome anyone, in any library, of any size, to participate in our  5th annual web conference!  

There is even a track of programs specifically geared towards Youth Services Librarians. See the line-up and register HERE. 

Meet the Board: Member at Large - Susie Menk

 Susie Menk, Youth Librarian, Manitowoc Public Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
 Hi! My name is Susie Menk and I am a librarian in the Children’s Department at the Manitowoc Public Library in Manitowoc, WI.

What’s your favorite thing to eat while reading?
I love snacking on nuts when I’m reading!

How would you define your library programming style?
I love programs that are interactive with the kids and/or parents. I did a 1000 Books before Kindergarten party this past summer and set up stations. It was so much fun walking around and watching the kids and then interacting with the parents and sharing the early literacy skills and why they’re important.

What is the last series that you read with your eyes and/or your ears?
I recently finished listening to “The Glass Gauntlet” which is the second book in “The Blood Guard” series by Carter Roy.

If you had to tell a story or a folktale, which one would you tell?
I recently did the story “Caps for Sale”. It works so well for story telling since there are plenty of actions for the kids to imitate.

Share an awesome library moment with us.
We had a sixth grade class in to the library for a tour and a program. We did some explaining of the library catalog as well as touring our teen area and backrooms. In one of the thanks you’s from the students, one boy wrote “I learned a lot. You definitely convinced me to get a library card.” Awesome!

What’s your go-to storytime song?
I love using “A Ram Sam Sam” or Laurie Berkner’s “These Are My Glasses”.

What’s your favorite part of being a librarian?
My favorite part of being a librarian is sharing my love of the library with others. I love it when I get a chance to get out in the community and talk about all the wonderful assets a public library has. It always amazes me how little people know about what libraries have to offer.

Meet the Board: Member at Large - Caitlin Schaffer

Caitlin Schaffer, Youth Services Librarian, Oconomowoc Public Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
When I started library school, I immediately felt like I had found my people. I enjoy pop culture, occasional crafting, hot beverages and craft beer, being social but not TOO social, and traveling. My favorite library patrons are tweens and teens, and I can’t live without singing, reading, cats, and aunt-ing.

How did you get involved with WLA and the Youth Services Section?
I was sought out and asked if I was interested. Probably because someone told someone else that I don’t say no. : ) And it’s Wisconsin! We have some of the best libraries in the country. I couldn’t imagine being a librarian here and NOT being a part of this group.

What’s your favorite thing to eat while reading?
Coffee.

If you could have any book character as a best friend, who would you choose and why?
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. We would be a great mix of sass and perfect, round butts.

How would you define your library programming style?
Hectic. But lovable!

What is the last series that you read with your eyes and/or your ears?
I’m all caught up with the Jackaby series, by William Ritter. It’s Superwholock in a book!

What is your favorite genre? Which genre would you choose to go outside your comfort zone?
Fantasy/high fantasy. I would go out of my comfort zone with cookbooks or travel books. Just read one cover-to-cover instead of just the bits I need.

Tell us about a memorable experience at WLA or WAPL.
I was still in library school when WLA Annual was in La Crosse. At this particular conference, you had the option of participating in a Tweet Crawl at the local…establishments. A few other SLIS students and myself figured we SHOULD do this, as a networking thing, but it was definitely odd knowing how to proceed while drinking with people you wanted to employ you. But it was great! And I still have my WLA drinking glove as a memento.

What was your favorite book or story as a child?
I devoured EVERYTHING, but I particularly remember Richard Scarry, Little Golden Books, and Archie comics.

If you had to tell a story or a folktale, which one would you tell?
Robert Munsch’s Paper Bag Princess

What’s your method for getting distracted kids (of any age) back on track during a program?
With big kids I just get loud and let them do crazy things to me. With little kids I get super quiet and intense. It seems to work 75% of the time.

Where do you get inspiration for your work?
Other librarians!

Share an awesome library moment with us.
Getting the kid who always comes in to use our computers to play Roblox (according to teachers he doesn’t have the best family situation at home) to FINALLY start coming to programs! To the point where he now helps me prep programs and always asks what we have going on in the library that day.

What do you like to do in your free time to recharge?
I wish I could say something meaningful, but nope. I binge on Netflix and bad movies and bother my cat.

Which author, living or dead, would you most like to have over for dinner?
I want to watch J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis go toe-to-toe as best frenemies. I wouldn’t even talk. I would just watch.

Which book(s) have your read and re-read and read again?
I actually don’t re-read, as a rule. I’m tempted to pick up The Book Thief again, though.

How do you break the ice with teen patrons?
Smile, say hello, say who I am and that I’m available to help, then give them space.

What’s your go-to storytime song?
Icky Sticky Bubblegum or the ol’ Banana camp song.

How do you enhance your Readers Advisory skills?
Pair up with another librarian and do lightning book talks for classrooms and book clubs at nearby schools! If you can reel ‘em in by being brief, then you’ve got ‘em, my friend.

What’s your favorite part of being a librarian?
I am never, NEVER bored, nor do I sit in an office all day. There are always challenges. There are always shifts in view and meaning. I’m doing exactly what I should be doing, and I feel like this will eventually lead to me living to a ripe, old age or something.

Be the Program at WAPL!

Pixabay image

The WI Association of Public Librarians annual conference is coming up April 26-28 in Stevens Point.

YSS always has some great programs there and that's where YOU come in. Our members create the best content and here is your chance to propose a youth-centric session that let's you share your expertise as a sole speaker or put together a panel of peers to present!

If you want YSS to sponsor your program (you need a WLA unit to sponsor you), simply send your proposal title, description and speakers to the YSS board by Friday January 27. You can email it to YSS chair Terry Ehle, tehle@lesterlibrary.org and the board will get back with a yes or no before the deadline listed below so you have time to submit your proposal.

Need more details? Last month conference chair Virginia Roberts sent out the following:
The WAPL Conference Planning Committee invites program proposals for the Spring Conference, to be held April 26-28, 2017, at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. 

Proposals for presentations, panels, workshops and business meetings are welcome.  Sessions will run either 45 or 60 minutes in length.  Every WLA unit has a special perspective to offer and we encourage you to be part of our 2017 WAPL Conference.  If you, as a WLA member, have a great program idea, don't wait to be asked to present it, submit a proposal yourself!  The more ideas and diversity of topics, the more rewarding this learning opportunities will be for all. 

Please use the Program Proposal Form to submit a program. 

Deadline for proposal submissions is: February 3, 2017.  You will be notified of the program's acceptance or rejection no later than February 24, 2017. 

The YSS board can hardly wait to hear from you! 

Demystifing Youth Services Counts and Definitions on the Annual Report

That time of year has arrived. Yes, it's annual report time! As you compile Youth Services statistics for the report, there are two documents that will help clarify and demystify what you want to report posted on the WI Department of Public Instruction website.

The first document is Definitions and Examples which covers information about YS-related data included in the annual report.

The second document A Closer Look at Literacy Offerings does a terrific job explaining and illustrating just what comprises a literacy offering and how to count it and associated programs. It will make your job easier.

Major kudos to the folks on the Public Library Development Team and Tessa Michaelson-Schmidt, our Youth and Inclusive Services Consultant at the WI Department of Public Instruction, for their work on taking the mystery out of how to define and count the important work we do in Youth Services throughout the state.

Storytimes for Social Justice from Storytime Underground

Have you all seen the Blog Challenge being hosted by Storytime Underground?

Storytimes for Social Justice

"As youth librarians we have a lot of influence and a large captive audience of small children, and now more than ever it is vital that we do our part to make the world a better place. We offer services to make our communities — ALL members of our communities, from those we see to the marginalized faces that don’t use the library, — feel represented, welcomed, and appreciated.

Write a post on your own blog using this image, share with the hashtag #StorytimeJusticeWarrior, and
post a link in the comments on the SU blog page.  If you don’t have a blog, we are happy to host guest posts! Get in touch via email at storytimeunderground (at) gmail (.) com and we will share your post on this site."

http://storytimeunderground.org/2017/01/02/storytime-for-social-justice-blog-challenge/ 

GIF Mania!

Who doesn't love a good gif?  Recently, the US National Archives spearheaded an effort to share historical moments in the form of gifs.  With the help of GIPHY,  the National Archives has created a library of some 150 gifs, highlighting everything from Elvis and Nixon to astronauts to libraries.  Now, if you are like me happen to be slightly less witty and relevant in the social media realm than you would like to be, I would encourage you to make use of this fabulous gif collection.  In particular, I love these:


via GIPHY

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

Check out the whole collection HERE.  Happy gif-ing!

Dance! Dance! Dance!

Have you ever finished a program and thought I needed that as much as the kids?   That was my feeling after our dance party yesterday.  Dancing for 30 minutes was a great stress relief!

Now I'm thinking I need to add dance parties to the regular schedule and not as a special storytime break activity.  They are easy to plan.  There's lots of fantastic librarian curated playlists to get you started.  And they help promote your music collection!

Playlist 
"Hello Hello" by Miss Nina 1:26
       
"Dance, dance, dance" by The Beach Boys - (lyrics) 2:11

"I Really Love To Dance" by The Laurie Berkner Band 2:28

"Happy" (from Despicable Me 2) [Ballroom Version] by Pharrell   Williams 3:55   

"Jump, Jump" by Joanie Leeds and The Nightlights 1:44

Get out the shakers

"Let's Shake" by Dan Zanes 2:46

"The Freeze" by Greg and Steve 2:13
           
"The Airplane Song" by The Laurie Berkner Band3:16

Get out the scarves
       
"Shake Your Scarves" by Johnette Downing 1:54

"Goodbye, Goodbye" by Joanie Leeds and The Nightlights 2:00

Lessons Learned from Play & Read Groups at La Crosse Public Library

Submitted by Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library and Rebecca Sutherland, AmeriCorps

submitted

La Crosse Public Library Play & Read (part of a collaboration between AmeriCorps Serve Wisconsin and the Department of Public Instruction) successfully facilitated six (6) Play & Read groups with 2-6 children in each group. Through stories, songs, crafts, and play each group learned early literacy skills, such as letter recognition and phonemic awareness, and concepts, such as colors and shapes.

A few things we learned along the way:

• Start with what they know! Name sticks were a regular part of each of our groups as a soft landing project. The kids would come in and work with their grownups on matching clothespins with letters on the ends to corresponding letters that spelled out their name on a colorful paint stick.
   
• Sensory bins keep us busy and engage our fine motor skills! The kids loved sorting and searching for colors and shapes in buttons, beans, shredded paper, and even snow! These sessions were always difficult to wrap up, in a good way.
   
• Boxes are the best! Our Found Object lesson led to trains, towers, tunnels, and more all made from boxes provided by area businesses. Paired with books like Meeow and the Big Box and This is Not a Box, it made for a very creative time.
   
• Offer odd hours! Two of our groups met in the evenings between 5:30 and 7pm. Late for many families, but those who made it were happy for the late times. Due to odd working hours they would have never made the other groups.
   

In addition to the Play & Read groups, we were able to do outreach story times to local day cares, head starts, and preschools. In total, we brought storytimes to 15 centers along with the farmer’s market over the summer months. Through the Play & Read project we were able to reach hundreds through our outreach efforts and programs. We continue to offer our outreach story times and have a growing relationship with community partners in reaching families with opportunities for learning together.

Rhinelander Children's Book Fest

News from Kris Adams Wendt, WVLS System Public Library Consultant:

Gosh, I can hardly believe that Children’s Book Fest is celebrating its 30^th birthday this year!  Speaking as one of its “founding mothers” in 1987, it seems like only yesterday that Book Fest was a wee little thing cuddled up with its blanket while we read picture books together in the Rhinelander District Library Children’s Dept….and now several generations of children have benefitted from their public and school librarians gathering to learn about outstanding books for children and young adults before choosing the “best from the rest.”

·       Rhinelander Children's Book Fest March 7 Information and Registration form. (1.5 CEUs for CCBC Book Talk)

·       Rhinelander Children's Book Fest March 8 Information and Registration form. (2 CEUs for CCBC Book Talk)

Northern Wisconsin librarians, teachers, parents and members of the general public who are interested in learning about the best books for young people are invited to attend Children’s Book Fest 2017, a two-day conference held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 135 E. Larch St., Rhinelander, Wisconsin on March 7 and 8.

       

Children’s literature specialists from the nationally acclaimed Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) in Madison, Wisconsin will discuss books for children and young adults at an evening presentation on Tuesday, March 7 as well as at a day presentation on Wednesday, March 8.

Both sessions will include a CCBC exhibit of the best books from the year 2016 for young readers.  The program on both days features CCBC staff discussing current trends in children’s literature and an enjoyable book talk presentation highlighting some of the best books of 2016. Each year librarians from the CCBC publish CCBC CHOICES, an annual list of CCBC-recommended books for children and teens.  Book Fest participants will receive a free copy of the CCBC CHOICES booklet as part of their $10 registration package.

       

All registrations must be received no later than March 3.  For more information, please contact Rhinelander District Library Children’s Librarian Tom Hurlburt at hurlburt@rhinelanderlibrary.org or 715-365-1070 ext.1073.

       

This is the thirtieth year that Headwaters Reading Council, the School District of Rhinelander and the Rhinelander District Library have invited the Cooperative Children’s Book Center staff to bring the newest and best books for young people to Northern Wisconsin.

               

Postscript regarding CEUs for Rhinelander Children’s Book Fest

WVLS Director Marla Sepnafski has approved the following learning objectives for WVLS colleagues wishing to include CEUs for the CCBC lecture at Children’s Book Fest:

·       Participants will learn about current trends in children’s and YA literature.

·       Participants will learn about the most highly reviewed books of 2016 and integrate that knowledge to collection development.

If you are a public library director who is planning to add this event to your certification portfolio submitted to Marla at WVLS, please make a note of this email for your files.

PLEASE NOTE:

·       Children’s Book Fest is run by volunteers from three organizations with numerous responsibilities over the two-day event attended by registrants from many different public library systems and school districts. 

·       If you are a public library director interested in picking up CEUs, but are not from WVLS territory, you will need to confirm that WVLS learning objectives and assigned CEUs will be approved by your own public library system’s certification monitor.

·       Anyone seeking verification of attendance (for CEU, registration cost reimbursement or any other documentation purposes) may come prepared with a pre-printed statement or a photocopy of their registration blank for whoever is at the registration desk to quickly initial and date.  However, WVLS does not expect Children’s Book Fest volunteers to otherwise take any responsibility for generating or monitoring CEU validation.  Nor should any other public library system or school district.

WVLS GRASSROOTS GATHERING

On Wednesday afternoon, March 8, you’re invited to stick around and join the annual WVLS Grassroots Gathering discussion from 1:30 to 3 PM. This is an opportunity for school and public librarians to get together, network and learn from each other.  If attending the Grassroots Gathering, please send a response to Kris Adams Wendt at kawendt@wvls.org by March 3!

Annual grassroots meetings are held in each of Wisconsin’s 17 public library systems. They are a means by which public library system youth services consultants like me gather data and feedback from their member libraries to not only inform our system service and program decisions, but also to generate a report to DLTCL and the state youth services consultant. It is hoped that again piggybacking it with the Children's Book Fest Wednesday program will provide more school librarians with an opportunity to attend, as well as save time and gasoline.  The WVLS Grassroots Gathering is now part of a series of Youth Services Information Exchange (YSIE) get-togethers.  We welcome public youth and K-12 librarians from all public library systems to the table!