This Message Brought to You by WLA and WEMTA!

In the spirit of work at the national level through ALA’s State Ecosystem Initiative and the new Public Library & School Library Collaboration Toolkit done through collaborative efforts of AASL, YALSA, and ALSC, WEMTA, WLA, and DPI are working together to support and foster communications and collaborations among Wisconsin public and school librarians in order to better support the communities we serve. Each quarter we will share a resource, strategy, or example with you that could be used as a talking point in your community. Please use these ideas to initiate or continue to build relationships with public and school librarians.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH ASCHOOL/PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLABORATION

There are many ways that we can initiate partnerships and networking with our school and public library colleagues. One excellent way is capitalizing on already existing national efforts with high visibility and support materials. To get started or refresh your collaborations, the Public Library and School Library Collaboration Toolkit, developed by AASL/ALSC/YALSA Interdivisional Committee on School/Public Library Cooperation, suggests: “The American Library Association (ALA) hosts various initiatives relevant to both school and public libraries, offering opportunities to partner and share resources:   

• ALSC’s Every Child Ready to Read initiative is relevant for preschool and elementary schools, as well as public libraries year-round
• Teen Read Week and Teen Tech Week are national celebrations that occur annually
• National Library Week is held every April, which is also School Library Month
• September is Library
• Card Sign-up Month
• Additional ALA events occur throughout the year

If you have already planned activities, consider suggesting a joint flyer that promotes opportunities at both locations. Joint promotion shows patrons that the public library and school library are extensions of each other. Promoting each other’s events is a simple way to start a partnership and can evolve into co-hosting events.”

You can find more information about hosting collaborative events in the Toolkit (pp 22-33). Both WLA and WEMTA value the partnerships of all type of libraries. There are several of these partnerships happening around the state right now! Want to share how you have partnered and potentially be spotlighted in an upcoming Tidbit? Fill out THIS FORM and share your ideas!  

This message brought to you through the collaborations of Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association (WEMTA), WisconsinLibrary Association (WLA), and DPI School and Public Libraries. If you are interested in working on future tidbits or have other suggestions for collaborations, please contact Marge Loch-Wouters (WLA) or Michele Green (WEMTA).