Wednesday, March 27, 2024

What's Up at WAPL for Youth Folks?


The annual WI Association of Public Librarians (WAPL) conference is scheduled May 1-3 at the Stevens Point Conference Center. There are some great programs for youth staff and, of course, chances to mingle and talk with colleagues throughout the conference.

Early bird registration ends this Friday (3/29) , and online registration ends April 12. Don't delay, register today!

There are authors galore doing keynotes and luncheon speaking.

There are lots of sessions to help you in your work listed on the schedule from community reads, management know-how; reflecting on our work; using Instagram Reels for your marketing; public generated art at the library; preparing for book challenges; doing big things in a small community; leadership tips; gaming; doing more with less; diversifying your children's collection; programs for families experiencing homelessness; behavior policies; 
https://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/wapl-conference-2024

Check out these youth oriented sessions and events too!

THURSDAY, MAY 2

What is Science-Based Reading and Why Should Wisconsin Public Libraries Care?
    10:30-11:30 am
In July 2023, Wisconsin Legislature enacted Act 20, a bill relating to reading instruction in public and private schools. What does this mean for public library staff serving youth and their families? Through intentionality in programming, such as story times, and in curating well-rounded collections, public libraries are already providing opportunities to meaningfully support the goals of Act 20. This session will provide both an overview of Act 20, including the definition of science-based early reading, and practical tips for supporting children and their families as literacy partners, as well as highlighting the ways in which libraries continue to empower youth and families as they embrace the joy of reading through choice and access. Speakers: Jeni Schomber, Stacy Gray

Knowledge is Power: Great Lakes Literacy through Reading
    10:30-11:30 am

Just 3% of the water on earth is freshwater and 20% of that is in our Great Lakes. And water is life. Unfortunately, there is a huge knowledge gap about the wonders of this precious resource and the challenges it faces. And it’s hard to care about something you know nothing about. The statewide 2024 Great Lakes, Great Read community read program is designed to close that knowledge gap. This session will introduce you to this jewel of a resource and inspire you (and your library community) to the stewards of our Great Lakes – through reading!! Speaker: Anne Moser

Power to Public Media: Using PBS Resources in Your Library
    1:15-2:15 pm
The power of public media is that it has been a catalyst for helping children learn key early learning skills like math, science, and reading, right from their homes. Libraries can leverage these research-based, high quality, free resources to create dynamic learning experiences rooted in play. Dive into this engaging session to discover the transformative power of PBS and how easily you can integrate PBS Kids content into your learning space. PBS Wisconsin Education library ambassadors, coming from rural and urban libraries, bring their expertise offering practical insights and a treasure trove of ready-to-use resources to elevate your library programming. Speakers: Jamie Mercer, Kristen Caldwell, Samantha Schoville

The Personal Toll of Book Challenges: Making Peace and Caring for Yourself
    1:15-2:15pm

Book challenges in school and public libraries reached a record high in 2023, according to data released by the American Library Association. Much has been shared about what librarians need to know when dealing with challenges to their library collections and threats to their professionalism. What is less often talked about is the personal toll this takes on public librarians, including additional stress and altering curation practices, resulting in soft censorship. Join Sara Gold and Monica Treptow for a discussion on strategies for self-care during and after a challenge experience. In addition to learning how to create a circle of support, the session will address how to navigate the dynamics between personal feelings and professional responsibilities of education and librarianship. Speakers: Sara Gold, Monica Treptow

Building Strong Families and Thriving Communities through Family Support
    2:30-3:30 pm

A two-for-one session! Expand your knowledge of both Help Me Grow and the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program®. Every parent needs information and support at some point along their parenting journey. Learn how both free resources can benefit the families in your community. Help Me Grow's goal is to ensure equitable access to services for all families and presenters will focus on care coordination and collaborating with community resources. The Triple P Program gives parents simple and practical strategies to help them build strong, healthy relationships and confidently manage their children’s behavior. Thriving communities begin with thriving families! Speakers: Natalie Popple, Jessica Schneider, Jackie Schommer

YSS Social
    7:30 pm- 9:00 pm
Join us for an informal social with YSS members and other youth folks.


FRIDAY MAY 3

Popping Pop Culture Programs
    8:30-9:30 am

Do you need new ideas so your library stays "groovy"? Want to mix up your youth programming with something totally "rad"? Join us as we dive into some of the pop culture children's programs and how you can do them at your library. Some pop culture programs lend themselves to incredibly expensive events while... Speaker: Jessica Hodges

Games, Learning, and Libraries: Harnessing the Power of Play in Wisconsin
    8:30-9:30am

If libraries hope to remain both relevant and forward-thinking in the eyes of our communities, it's crucial that our institutions evolve, respond, and adapt to modern media interests and innovative learning pathways. Gaming (including video gaming, board gaming, TTRPGs, card gaming, etc.) continues to explode in popularity, demonstrating the unique value that interactive media holds -- both as a recreation, and within the learning sciences. This presentation will highlight the numerous games-based library initiatives occurring in our state, explore the extraordinary learning/literacy benefits unique to gaming, invite interested librarians to grow their knowledge within the space -- and get involved themselves! Speaker: Chris Baker

A Conversation with 2023 WLA Burr/Worzalla Winner Al Graziadei
    9:45-10:45 am

Meet author and 2023 WLA Burr/Worzalla Winner Al Graziadei. Al will tell us about their path to becoming an author, the success of their first novel, "Ice Breaker," and their next book. This session will be followed by a book sale/signing with the author.

Analyzing Your Collection: Tools to Diversify & Maintain Your Children’s Collection
    9:45-10:45 am

Creating a diverse children’s collection is an important role for library staff. Interested in analyzing your collection, but don’t know where to start? In this session, the presenters will discuss how to develop a critical lens with which to review books. This will empower you to build an authentic and inclusive library collection that counters bias and promotes cultural pluralism. Additionally, the presenters will provide free resources and tools which can analyze your collection for you, suggest books, and assist you with making informed purchasing decisions. Finally, the presenters will show you how to track your collection’s diversity on an ongoing basis. Speakers: Kristie Hauer, Amy Rae Weaver, Hannah G Zima

Powering Up Early Math in Young Child Programming
    9:45-10:45 am

Early math skills are among the strongest predictors of later school achievement and integrating them into your young child programming may help support your community’s school readiness efforts. This breakout will cover a variety of different early math competencies you can easily incorporate into your library programs for young children. Participants will also explore interactive strategies to engage children and caregivers with these skills while fostering a growth mindset, and better understand how early math skills are approachable for everyone through interactive discussions and moments of self-reflection. Speaker: Jacqueline Kociubuk

Depositing Joy: Programming and Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness
    9:45-10:45am

Are you struggling to pinpoint an outreach program model that works for families experiencing homelessness in your community? Do you dream of allowing families to learn and explore when it’s convenient for them and familiarizing them with library resources, thus eliminating social barriers to library usage? Learn how one library established strong partnerships with emergency family shelters by offering tailor-made passive program boxes and deposit collections of diverse, popular and age-appropriate materials. Attendees will learn how to replicate this model; three themed program-in-a-box project ideas will be provided to inspire attendees and help them get started on their own programs. Speaker: Megan Nigh

Using Early Literacy Learning Techniques with High School Students
 11:00 am -noon

This presentation aims to help adult educators use early literacy teaching techniques to build positive relationships with high school students and enhance their learning outcomes. We will define early literacy, how its influences show up in teenage learners, and how it can promote students’ social-emotional learning. The Presenter will share a slide show documenting a recent example of an effective early literacy strategy applied to high school students in grades 9 – 12 to foster interest, engagement, and better subject comprehension. Speaker: Amanda Ehlert







No comments: