Tips and Info from DPI's August 28, 2025 Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is an email newsletter chockfull of great resources we've come to rely on. 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 August 28, 2025 edition 

Hello All,  Check out these youth services reminders and resources!  WLA Leadership Development Institute – Application Deadline Extended  Applications for the WLA Leadership Development Institute (LDI) are now due by 8 am on Tuesday, September 2nd.   Due to our systems being down most of last week, we have decided to extend the deadline to submit LDI applications.  We apologize for any frustration this may have caused and are extending our application deadline for LDI by one week.  Revised Space Planning Outline and Webinar for Public Libraries  Wisconsin public libraries can access the revised Public Library Space Needs: a Planning Outline and register for the Space to Grow: Assessing Future Library Building Needs webinar.    Tuesday, October 7 at 1:00 p.m.  More information and registration  CSLP August Newsletter  The latest CSLP newsletter includes information about the 2028 Slogan and 2029 Theme, board members and committee chairs, annual survey, call for manual program ideas, and more!  CSLP Summer Symposium – Save the Date  December 4, 2025, 10-3:30 CST   The annual Summer Symposium is coming this year on December 4th. Come hear keynote speaker Dan Santat, and attend breakout sessions about the manual, learning to decorate a space, and dinosaur programming to use in your library.   The link to sign up for this symposium will go live in the coming months.    Jeni Schomber  Public Library Consultant

Creating Middle School Age Mystery Programs

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

In a recent ALSC blog post, Anne Bailie broke down how she began creating mystery programs for tweens and teens at her library. With links, advice and experience, she explores how you too can run a successful mystery program and engage your audience.

Click here to read the post [The Clues to Running a Great Mystery Program. Bailie, Anne. ALSC blog. August 21, 2025]

IFLS Self-Censorship Webinar

IFLS is presenting this webinar in October:

Collection Management Confidence:  Confronting Self-Censorship

Friday October 3, 1-2 pm

REGISTER HERE

The surge of book challenges in recent years has amplified conversations about library policies and procedures.  Intellectual freedom issues have been the focus of staff trainings, discussed in public meetings, and debated in the news media.  With all the big talk about book bans, there’s a quieter dialog happening about library staff self-censorship:  the conscious, subconscious, and even self-conscious choices about purchasing, displaying and doing programming with certain titles.  This judgement-free webinar will define self-censorship and explore ways to manage fear, bias, and tension as a public librarian today.

Presenters:  Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Director, Cooperative Children’s Book Center and Teresa Schmidt, Public Library Administration Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

 

This session will provide 1 contact hour for public library director certification.  The session will be recorded, captioned, and available for 1 year to Wisconsin library workers who request it, and the recording will automatically be sent to all who register.

American Manga Awards Nominees and Winners

Photo by Katie Alford

Manga exploded in popularity in the U.S. over the last 10 years.  While already on an upward trend, demand skyrocketed during COVID.  It's a juggernaut for our Teen collection's circulation statistics, with most of our Manga titles circulating within the last 6 months. That particular section tends to only get weeded due to condition a ordered quickly.

I plan to write about building Manga collections, advocating for it, and how to stay up to date on new manga titles in a later blog post but for now I want to shout out the American Manga Awards.

The second annual awards announced their winner last Thursday (determined by votes from professionals working in an editorial capacity with North American manga publishers). The pertinent ones for Teen collections were:

• Best New Manga: The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All, Volume 1, by Sumiko Arai
 (Yen Press) (Rated T, 13+)
• Best Continuing Manga Series: The Apothecary Diaries, Volumes 12 - 13, by Hyuganatsu, with art by Nekokurage (Square Enix Manga & Books) (Rated T, 13+)
• Best New Edition of Classic Manga: Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, Volumes 1-2, by Asao Takamori and Tetsuya Chiba (Kodansha) (Rated OT, 16+)
• also won for Best Lettering

The Manga Librarian, Ashley Hawkins, wrote a great round up of the nominees with links to reviews for most of the titles. The reviews come from SLJ, Booklist, Manga in the Middle, Anime News Network, and the Manga Librarian herself. I found it incredibly helpful to have all the titles and links in one place.

To the entire round up, stop here. [American Manga Awards: Nominee Review Round Up! Ashley Hawkins. Manga Librarian blog. August 17, 2025.]

Decodable Books

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Parents, educators and librarians are seeking out ways to help kids learn to read and the publishers have taken notice. Gone are the days when the black and white Bob Books and the paper thin phonics books with terrible illustrations were the only options you could offer kids. Welcome decodable books. Decodable books are, "simple texts focused on phonics and phonemic awareness [that are] key for teaching beginning readers how to segment words and blend sounds to form words." 

Decodable books are being created for kids of all ages. Older kids who struggle with reading can find something that is interesting to them, will help them build their reading skills, and will pass what educators are calling "the backpack test" meaning it looks like a book that anyone their age would read. With publishers releasing more and more decodable books, librarians are in the perfect place to help kids find these new, fun, and important titles. Does your library circulate decodable books?

For more information about decodable books, read the Publisher's Weekly article here.

[Cracking Decodable Books. Maughan, Shannon. 8/1/2025. Publisher's Weekly.]
  https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/98327-cracking-decodable-books.html?oly_enc_id=9241D5865112C4T

It's almost time for the Midday Mingle!!

Calling all Youth Services fold to join us tomorrow Monday,  August 25 from 1:00 - 2:00 PM for our first Youth Services Section Midday Mingle!

We're talking about one of our favorite topics—storytime! We'll be chatting about our top 3, from a variety of categories (see below), as we share, laugh, and commiserate about a staple of youth services work. 

Here are the categories we'll be discussing (no pressure to have 3 items for all of the categories—come with whatever you've got!):

• Storytime books
• Songs
• Rhymes
• Storytime outfits
• Books you'd never read again
• Surprising things that happened
• Non-traditional storytime props
• Tips for folks doing their first storytime

Anyone is welcome at the Midday Mingle! You do not have to be a WLA member to attend. Just click the Zoom Link. We can't wait to hear everyone's storytime wins, misses, tips, and mishaps! Everyone has a storyime story!

Another Midday Mingle will be coming in October/November! Do you have suggestions/requests for our next topic? Let us know in the comments or email kalford@menomonee-falls.org.

Tips and Info from DPI's August 21, 2025 Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is an email newsletter chockfull of great resources we've come to rely on. 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 August 21, 2025 edition 

Hello All,   Check out these youth services resources and reminders!  2025 CLELCON Registration is now open  The Colorado Libraries for Early Literacyvirtual conference will take place October 16 and 17, 2025.   For the full schedule, more information, and to register, please see our website here: https://www.clicweb.org/events/2025-clel-virtual-conference-registration/   WLA Leadership Development Institute (LDI) application deadline is this Friday, August 22, 2025!  Taking time for learning and development is critical for anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills and become a top performer.  LDI is about your professional development.  While the program is rigorous and does require a time commitment, your future is worth the investment.     Apply Now  Visit the LDI website  CSLP is excited to announce our 2027 Manual Program Contest!  Submit your program ideas via the submission form for the 2027 theme - Mysteries await at Your Library! We’re looking for programs involving mystery, detectives, discovery, exploring, puzzles, STEM & more!  CSLP Content Editor Amanda Raiche will choose one program from each category (children, teens, and adults) and one contributor of early literacy books and songs that best captures the theme. Program ideas submitted with photos (that the submitter owns the copyright to or are proven copyright-free) have the highest chances of winning.  The winner in each category will receive a $50 coupon for merchandise in our store. You can purchase some great merchandise for 2026's Unearth a Story theme!  Use the submission form to submit your program ideas here. There is no limit on the number of ideas a library can submit, but we're looking for high-quality, creative program concepts over quantity. Submit your ideas now!  Contest runs from August 15 through September 20, 2025.  Questions? Please contact Amanda Raiche (amanda.raiche@cslpreads.org).  Jeni Schomber  Public Library Consultant

WI Readers Advisory Council Applications Open

 From DPI’s WI Libraries for Everyone newsletter:

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

The DPI is now accepting applications for the State Superintendent’s Reading Advisory Council. This group is dedicated to strengthening literacy learning and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. The Council focuses on comprehensive literacy, birth through grade 12.

The DPI welcomes a wide range of voices, including educators, librarians, students, parents and caregivers, school and district leaders, educator preparation representatives, and other education partners.

Council meetings will be held virtually on the second Monday evening of each month, from 4:00-5:30 PM, October 2025 through June 2026.

If you're interested in contributing to this important effort, please complete the application form by Friday, September 5, 2025.

Please read the full post here.

Throw-It Thursday - But I Hate Weeding

Ashley Borman, Technical Services Librarian at the Clintonville (WI) Public Library, is back with another weeding tips - and collection development - column.

Image by Robin Higgins from Pixabay

Have you ever done a weeding project and afterwards had a patron complain that you got rid of too many books? Or do you just feel soooooo guilty every time you cull a pile of books from your library collection? 

If you absolutely hate large scale weeding projects, I recommend making weeding a part of your regular daily or weekly routine. According to the authors of “Making a Collection Count,” weeding a little at a time makes it less noticeable (p. 88). 

It can be easier to manage too. You could have a list that you take out once or twice a week and just go through a shelf at a time. Hibner and Kelly also note that you can visibly see a books condition, find duplicate items, and see available shelf space by regularly walking around and looking at your collections (p.89). 

Whenever I need a break from staring at my computer, I get up and take a walk through a section of the library, keeping an eye out for anything that looks like it’s in rough shape. I will sometimes find duplicate items this way too. It’s an easy way to go through items while also getting a little bit of a break. 

Happy weeding!

Up Your Grant Writing Game

Image by aymane jdidi from Pixabay

WLA Youth Services Section is hosting Up Your Grant Writing Game! A webinar to help youth services librarians finetune their grant writing skills!

Dollars are scarce these days, but great ideas abound!  Learn how to be grant-ready, streamline your story-telling, and prepare a solid budget for successful grant applications.

Thursday, September 18, 2025

3:00 - 4:00 PM

Presenter: Tracy Herold 

Tracy Herold has worked in public libraries for over 30 years. Having received her MLIS at UW-Madison, she started her career in children's librarianship at Chicago Public Library.  Throughout her career, she has launched public Internet access, built a building, implemented an automated sorter, planned for new carpet, moved two facilities and built three bookmobiles.  In her current role as director of Dane County Library Service, she has worked with libraries to help them write successful grants for the Beyond the Page Endowment that supports humanities programming in Dane County libraries in perpetuity.

Register here. The webinar is free to WLA members and $25 for non-members.

Midweek DPI Updates for WI Youth Librarians

Hello All,  Check out these youth services resources and reminders!  Bridging Schools and Communities: Workshop Gathers New School and Public Librarians Serving Wisconsin Youth  The Foundations of Wisconsin Librarianship workshop, held in Wisconsin Rapids, provided essential skills for new school media specialists and public library staff serving youth.   Read the full story on the Wisconsin Libraries for Everyone blog.  Wisconsin State Superintendent Reading Advisory Council accepting applications  The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction invites community members from across Wisconsin to apply for the State Superintendent’s Reading Advisory Council. This group is dedicated to strengthening literacy learning and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.  Council meetings will be held virtually the second Monday evening of each month, from 4:00-5:30 PM, October 2025 through June 2026.  If you're interested in contributing to this important effort, please complete the application form by Friday, September 5, 2025.  Critical Data Storytelling for Libraries - a FREE ALA webinar  1 PM CT on Wednesday, September 10, 2025: Explore how your library can use data stories not just to survive, but to thrive.  In this latest interactive webinar in the Edi and Neal's Book Club series, Dr. Kate McDowell introduces key ideas from her forthcoming book Critical Data Storytelling for Libraries, designed to help all library workers craft ethical, evidence-based narratives for advocacy and impact. Participants will learn how to:   Reach diverse audiences with genuine stories that inform persuasively  Leverage classic and emerging narrative structures for true stories that connect emotionally  Increase the resilience of libraries through mindful approaches to conflict  Register Here  Jeni Schomber  Public Library Consultant

Interactive Movie: The Princess Bride

 

Photo from Middleton Public Library

If you're looking for a big dose of nostalgia, look no further than an interactive movie showing of an old classic. Earlier today our library hosted a family-friendly interactive showing of The Princess Bride. An interactive movie can be as elaborate as you'd like, and is a simple way to step up your regular library movie viewing experience. There were three keys to the success of our movie showing.

1. A fun and active script. Ours included things like "booing" anytime Prince Humperdinck was on screen, "oohing" at the kissing scenes, slapping your forehead anytime Vizzini says, "inconceivable," bowing anytime someone said "As you wish" and so much more. 

Photo from Middleton Public Library

2. Themed props. We did this in two ways. First was a table full of themed snacks. Gummy worms to represent shrieking eels, peanut butter cups for Princess Buttercup, ring pops and peanuts. We also gave out bags of props to be used during the movie. Ours included blow up swords, pixie sticks to act as iocane powder, slide whistles, glow sticks and more. 

3. A group of librarians and patrons who are not afraid to make a bit of a fool of themselves and who want to have a good time! Our group was a mix of people who loved the movie and those who had never seen it before, and everyone had an equally amazing time. 

We got a lot of our inspiration from this blog post from 2014. [The Princess Bride Backyard Movie Night. Purple Patch Parties. September 4, 2014.]  https://purplepatchparties.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-princess-bride-backyard-movie-night.html

Share, Laugh, and Commiserate at the Midday Mingle

Calling all Youth Services folk!  Join us  Monday,  August 25 from 1:00 - 2:00 PM for our first Youth Services Section Midday Mingle!

We're talking about one of our favorite topics—storytime! We'll be chatting about our top 3, from a variety of categories (see below), as we share, laugh, and commiserate about a staple of youth services work. 

Here are the categories we'll be discussing (no pressure to have 3 items for all of the categories—come with whatever you've got!):

• Storytime books
• Songs
• Rhymes
• Storytime outfits
• Books you'd never read again
• Surprising things that happened
• Non-traditional storytime props
• Tips for folks doing their first storytime

Anyone is welcome at the Midday Mingle! You do not have to be a WLA member to attend. Just click the Zoom Link. We can't wait to hear everyone's storytime wins, misses, tips, and mishaps! Everyone has a storyime story!

Another Midday Mingle will be coming in October/November! Do you have suggestions/requests for our next topic? Let us know in the comments or email kalford@menomonee-falls.org.

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

Once or twice a month on weekends, YSS posts round-ups of ads that are sent to us or that we come across. If you have a position opening up and would like to see it on the YSS blog, please forward the job ad link/descriptions to the YSS blog at the email address listed in the header above the day's blog post. 

Here is a mid-August listing:

La Crosse County Library     Youth Services Librarian (full-time)

La Crosse County Library is looking for an engaging, creative librarian passionate about community connections and youth literacy! Please spread the word about our Youth Services Librarian opening, found here: ADMINISTRATION - YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN | Dayforce Jobs

Dawn Tevis

Youth Services Coordinator
La Crosse County Library
lacrossecountylibrary.org

Tips and Info from DPI's August 14, 2025 Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is an email newsletter chockfull of great resources we've come to rely on. 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 August 14, 2025 edition 

Hello All, Check out these youth services resources and reminders! Upgrade: Enhancing Library Services with Technology Conference October 6-7, 2025, in Madison, WI This dynamic two-day conference is dedicated to exploring the intersection of libraries and technology. Hear from leading experts, share best practices, and network with peers. This conference will include topics such as artificial intelligence applications in libraries, effective use of social media for community engagement, best practices for digital collections, and the crucial importance of cybersecurity in protecting our digital resources.  Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and inspire at Upgrade: Enhancing Library Services with Technology 2025! More details and registration athttps://ischool.wisc.edu/continuing-education/upgrade/. Can’t attend in Madison for the full conference experience? Register for thevirtual track and hear from both keynote presenters along with six additional hybrid sessions. Cooperative Children’s Book Center is hiring The CCBC is a unique examination, study, and research library of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is hiring at Senior Librarian/Children’s and Young Adult Literature Specialist. Please see the following link for details: https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/senior-librarian-children-s-young-adult-literature-specialist-madison-wisconsin-united-states  CSLP Launches 2nd National Cohort for Building Community Based Summers (BCBS) Learn More and Apply: CSLP member libraries are invited to learn more about the upcoming CSLP/BCBS cohort and apply by end of business on Monday, August 25, 2025, to be considered for the Fall cohort. Accepted participants will be notified the first week of September.  Questions? Contact bcbs@cslpreads.org   CSLP Annual Survey is open! Collaborative Summer Library Program has created a survey so they can better assess the usefulness of the materials offered by the program on a national level to better serve you. The survey can be found here: https://forms.gle/QW7eHaVMGCfbdbrr6  The survey is open until Friday, September 12, 2025. And now for some interesting statistics from CSLP: Wisconsin libraries logged in to the Color Our World Manual 2245 times since it launched in October 2024. That averages out to 4.8 logins per library (we have 467 libraries and outlets in WI), and 149 logins per each of the 15 library systems.  Jeni Schomber Public Library Consultant