Tips and Info from DPI's Feb 20, 2025 Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is chockfull of great resources. If you are a WI youth library staffer and you don't receive this weekly missive in your email inbox, please contact Jeni (jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov) to be placed on the list! 

Here is the February 20, 2025 edition

Hello All,

National Reading Program Grants - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

• The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) is awarding funding to reimburse non-profit organizations for book fees for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL). 
• Applications are open and will be accepted on a rolling basis, until funding runs out, or by March 28, 2025, whichever comes first. 
• You will need the following to apply: Proof of affiliation with DPIL or willingness to become a local program partner; and proof of non-profit status.

Teen Inclusive Internship application - deadline to submit is Friday, February 21, at 4 p.m.

• The Department of Public Instruction has opened the competitive application process for $2,500 grants for up to seven Wisconsin Libraries to fund library internships for local high school juniors or seniors to be completed between June 1st, 2025, and August 31st, 2025.
• Each library will be awarded up to $2,500 to recruit and hire an intern, in compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws and minor workers laws, and in collaboration with the library’s human resources and finance staff.
• The application period is open and will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21st.The informational webinar presentation slides and scoring rubric are available for your review and can also be found on the DPI Youth Services webpage under the Teen Inclusive Internship Program dropdown menu.

Wisconsin Science Festival - Virtual Kickoff Party

• Ready to start making plans for the fall? Just want to learn more? Join the kickoff party for networking and conversation about the 15^th annual Wisconsin Science Festival.
• Click here to register. 

CCBC Choices 2025 - Cooperative Children's Book Center

• CCBC Choices 2025, recommending 251 books published in 2024 for children and teens from birth through high school age, is now available!
• CCBC Choices 2025 is a digital publication. Entries for each book include full bibliographic citation, annotation, age recommendation and cover image, and a link to the book’s entry in the CCBC-Recommended Book Search database, where custom lists can be created. The publication also includes an introductory essay and name/title index. A citation list (bibliographic information only) of CCBC Choices 2025 is also available on the CCBC website.

WebJunction FREE Resources:

• Easy as ABCD: Using asset-based community development as a lens for authentic relationship-building
• This is a great resource when considering your Summer Library Programming! Many organizations and professions based in a social service model, including libraries and librarians, may find themselves unconsciously defaulting to a deficit mindset. This directly impacts how we approach partnerships, services, and programs for individuals and organizations from systematically excluded communities. (Excerpt from the article)

Have a great weekend!