Update on Federal and State Funding for WI's Public Libraries

 

From the Wisconsin Library Association 4/9/25

As we celebrate National Library Week, the [Wisconsin Library] Association continues to monitor the impact of the federal Executive Order involving the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  At the same time, we continue to play a prominent role in advocating for funding for public libraries in the 2025-2027 state biennial budget.  We’d like to provide you with a few updates.

 

IMLS Executive Order 

WLA remains in close communication with our partners at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), leaders within the 15 public library systems around the state, other state library associations, and the American Library Association (ALA).  

 

Last week, the ALA reported that California, Connecticut and Washington state received written notification from IMLS that their grants were cancelled.  Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Wisconsin would join a coalition of 20 states suing over threatening cuts to IMLS, and additional statements were issued by Governor Evers and State Superintendent Jill Underly.  

 

Here's a recent update shared by our colleagues at DPI:

Happy National Library Workers Day & Update on IMLS/Federal Funding

 

Resources & Things You Can Do

While we still are not sure what all of this may mean for federal funding for libraries nationally or in Wisconsin, here are some resources and suggestions for things you can do: 

• New!  The public library systems and their marketing staff have collaborated on a website to share resources.  Speak Up For Wisconsin Libraries 
• DPI Infographic - LSTA Funding:  Where the Money Goes

• Video Testimonials - The DPI is looking to humanize the impact of federal funding on our public libraries by compiling and sharing short video "testimonials.” Click here for more information. 

• Email your library stories to your federal elected officials. Click here for more information and links to online congressional office portals to share your unique, personalized messages.  

• DPI webpage - Tracking Federal Funding: The Effect on Wisconsin
  
  

State Biennial Budget Process 2025-2027

Given the uncertainty surrounding federal funding, our work to support state funding for public libraries is perhaps more important now than ever before. WLA is advocating for several items in the proposed 2025-2027 state budget. For more background on the 2025-2027 biennial budget process, please click here.

• In January, the WLA Library Development Legislation (LD&L) Committee budget team met with legislative leaders and each member of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC), the committee that reviews all state appropriations and revenues. 

• In February, a record number of attendees at the WLA Library Legislative Day shared stories and reinforced the importance of our state budget priorities. 

This month, we are recruiting participants for the four public budget hearings with the JFC taking place around the state. A big thank you to those WLA volunteers who have shared compelling testimonials and, by virtue of sheer numbers, visually demonstrated strong support for public libraries.  Links to event photos and videos of testimonies are here. 

 

There’s still time to join us! All WLA members are invited to attend these public hearings.  Literally standing in a group behind your colleagues who speak earns them 5 minutes of testimony time (as opposed to only 2 minutes allotted for testimony by a person standing alone). Please get in touch with the site captains if you are available to attend one or more of the following hearings.  

 

Monday, APRIL 28 – Hayward

Hayward High School Auditorium

10320 Greenwood Lane Hayward, WI 54843

WLA Site Captains: Katherine Elchert kelchert@northernwaters.org and John Thompson thompson@ifls.lib.wi.us.

 

Tuesday, APRIL 29 – Wausau

Northcentral Technical College

Center for Health Sciences – map/parking

1000 W. Campus Dr. Wausau, WI 54401

WLA Site Captains: Kris Adams Wendt  kawendt@wvls.org and Marla Sepnafski msepnafs@wvls.org.

 

We will continue to share legislative updates as information becomes available. If you have questions, please contact WLA Executive Director Laura Sauser at sauser@wisconsinlibraries.org. 

 

Thank you for your support of Wisconsin's libraries.

Katharine Clark, WLA President

Peter Loeffel, LD&L Chair

Best Practices for Summer Reading Photos

Article written by WVLS Education Consultant Jamie Matczak at jmatczak@wvls.org reprinted with permission from the WVLS (WI Valley Library Services) April 2025 Newsletter

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

With summer approaching, it’s the perfect time to capture some great library photos!

Original, high-quality photography is recommended over stock photos, and has a significant role in a library’s marketing efforts. Summer programs, especially those with performers, are ideal for taking original photos.

Smart phones, tablets, or digital cameras can be used to take photos. While expensive equipment is not necessary, understanding and practicing some tips will help even the most inexperienced photographer take the best photos possible.

Before Taking Photos
Here are some tips before you begin taking photos at library events.

• Photography Policies in the Library: Consult with your municipality on existing policies on photography and public spaces. While a public sign noting the library will be taking photographs during programs that draw large crowds of participants is a positive, transparent gesture, having photo release photo forms kept on file is a better option. Additionally, unless it’s a contest or event that involves food, it’s not best practice to take photos of people eating or drinking. See the following resources on photography policies:
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Sample Form
• Marathon County Public Library Photo/Video Release Policy
• Madison Public Library Photo Release

• Ask for Assistance: Events at the library can be chaotic and crazy. Whether it’s a presenter who is running late or more people show up than you thought, having someone designated on staff to focus solely on taking photos ensures that it happens. If you are the person coordinating a busy event, remembering to take pictures might not happen. If you want to be the main person taking photos, ask for help from other staff during the event.

• Capabilities: Are you aware of the features of the tool you are using to take photos? If you are using a smartphone, how many cameras does your phone have and what do they do? What are your camera’s zoom capabilities, optical or digital? For example, smartphones that have a telephoto lens provide optical zoom, allowing someone to get closer to the subject without sacrificing image quality.  A Google or YouTube video search on your camera or smartphone make and model can provide this information. 

• Phone Icon: Do you know how to access your camera on your smartphone? Can you access it quickly? While this might seem like too basic of a tip, knowing how to access your camera can mean the difference between getting a great photo or missing one.

• Lens: Make sure you periodically clean your camera lens with a cloth or paper towel.

• Set Up: The photos you take in a meeting room for story time in the morning could look different than the photos for an evening program. Before your library event, take a few “practice shots” to get a sense of how your photos might look.

• Location: Where should the photographer be when the library event is happening? Do they have a clear path or view to get photos? Reserving a seat or place for them during an event ensures that heads or hands won’t be in the way of a great picture.

• 
  
  Turn on Airplane Mode: If it’s possible, set your phone to Airplane Mode to avoid calls, texts, and messages popping up while trying to take photos.

Taking Photos
Here are some tips to ensure the most dynamic photos. 

• Be Steady: Photo quality is diminished or photos can be blurry if a camera is not steady. Investing in a tripod, for as little as $20, can make a big difference. If a tripod is not available, holding a phone or camera with both hands and leaning against a wall or something steady for support will help.

• Lighting: Natural lighting for a photo is always preferred to artificial lighting. If the room is on the dark side, use the flash on the camera. Photos could also be taken in “Night Mode.” If outdoors, photos should be taken with the sun behind the camera

• Incorporate the Rule of Thirds: While this guideline does not have to be used for every photo, incorporating the Rule of Thirds can be used to create stronger images. Dividing an image into thirds (using two gridlines), place the subject of a photo on one of the sides instead of in the center of the photo. Turning on the phone’s “gridline” setting can help guide this rule.

• Vary the Orientation: It could feel natural to want to take most photos in portrait or vertical mode. Vary photos by using landscape/horizontal mode or using the square (4:3) mode.

• Action: Action shots are more interesting than shots that are posed. If a camera has a setting to increase its shutter speed, use it. Most camera phones have a burst mode or a way to take continuous shots. This is ideal for taking photos of action or fast-moving subjects.

• Faces and Subjects: Along with action shots, photos of faces are more likely to receive engagement on social media pages. Group photos are great at capturing the overall feel of a library event. Shots of close-ups of one or two people can also capture these moments.

• Get Down: While using digital or optical zoom features on cameras is ideal, there might be times when it is more practical to move closer to the subject or get lower to the ground. Keep this in mind when trying to get photos of kids or low-level subjects.

• Get Up: While many cameras, including smartphones, have either a wide or ultra wide lens, it could be necessary to be higher than subjects to capture group photos. Using a stepstool is a safe and quick way to capture a unique, elevated point of view.

• Turn Around: Sometimes the best photos capture audience reactions rather than the main action. If a performer is eliciting laughter or enthusiasm, turn around to capture those lively expressions.

After Taking Photos

Hopefully there will be plenty of photos to choose from once the library event is over. While it may be tempting to quickly share and post photos to a library’s social media pages, take some time to view and possibly edit them. Keeping a library’s photos organized will ensure easy access when they are needed for the library’s website or newsletter. Delete: When viewing photos, delete ones that are blurry, not usable, or if people have their eyes closed.

Crop: Removing chairs, hands, arms, or objects that are in the way of the subject will give photos a stronger presence.

Edit: In some cases, editing a photo using a filter on the camera or smartphone could be necessary. Editing apps such as Canva, SnapSeed and befunky all have free versions that can be used to enhance photos. Remember that when it comes to editing, less is more.

Organize or Store: Once photos are posted or ready to be shared, they can be organized in files on a computer. Using a storage app such as Google Photos, Dropbox or Snapfish ensures photos won’t be accidentally deleted from a phone. Archived photos should be clearly labelled with the event’s title and date.

You can also watch this short WVLS Digital Bytes video for the tips above delivered by Jamie!

It's a Hit! Musical Bingo!

Musical Bingo is a fun twist on the classic game using song titles in place of letters and numbers. And I can’t recommend it enough as a low-cost and low-prep teen program.

I hosted my first Musical Bingo for teens last summer after seeing a post about it on the Teen Services Underground Facebook page by Megan Reddin. She details how she runs the event (coming up with themes, compiling a playlist, creating bingo cards, and gathering prize options).

Since running the program last year, my teens have requested Musical Bingo over and over again. We have a weekly Wednesday teen program and Musical Bingo has become a regular in our rotation of activities. While I usually get between 15–22 teens a week, I find that Musical Bingo will draw in teens that don’t normally attend or participate in the organized activities. 

Example Musical Bingo sheet

I’m always shocked by the songs they know, and it’s incredibly wholesome when the whole room starts singing along.  Their excitement for Musical Bingo continues to surprise me. After our last game, they asked if they could start compiling a list based on their favorite songs. Absolutely, they can 😊

For our next game, all the song lists will be put together by the teens, and I’ll make the boards and provide the prizes. Naturally, a sing-along will break out and fun will be had by all! 

Let us know if you try it out in your teen programming!

To read more about Musical Bingo, visit the Megan's original post on the Teen Services Underground Facebook group.

Chicks in the Library!

 Chicks in the Library!

One of the best parts of spring at the Middleton Public Library is chick week. It's just like Shark Week, but cuter. For two years now, baby chicks have spent their first week of life at the library, and people love it. Chicks make a wonderful temporary library pet with their sweet chirps and funny antics!

The week includes chicken themed storytimes, chick meet and greets, chicken crafts and more. Before the chicks arrive, patrons vote on literary themed names for the chicks picked out by library staff. It isn't all about the cuteness though. Information is provided about the breeds of chickens, rules and regulations for keeping chickens, and a video all about raising chickens plays on a loop near the brooder. 

To see pictures from the chick photo shoot take a look at Middleton Public Library's Facebook Page.

Let us know what cool things your library is doing these days!

Call for Proposals: 2025 WLA Annual Conference

The WLA Programming Committee is excited to review your program proposals for the next annual conference, to be held October 28-31, 2025, at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton, WI. This year’s conference theme is “Be the Change." The WLA annual conference is an event where everyone can contribute valuable knowledge and connect with others in the library and information community. Conference Proposal Workshop Join us for an online proposal workshop on April 16 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. and May 5 from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. to learn more about the proposal process and get tips for crafting a successful submission. Mark your calendars and join the workshop using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86547797705?pwd=AyeMZBHRyBAmAeEutVGb8GecyDKhEc.1 We are now accepting proposals for presentations, panels, and workshops. Both WLA members and non-members are welcome to apply. Breakout sessions will run 60 minutes in length, with a maximum of four presenters and one moderator. Presenters may be part of up to two breakout sessions. Only proposals for in-person sessions will be considered. Who is encouraged to send us a proposal? People from various departments in library types and organizations (academic, public, special, and school), including youth services, outreach, adult services, marketing, technical services, patron services, programming, etc. People across the organizational hierarchy: patron-facing staff, administration, directors, emerging and incumbent leaders, trustees, etc. People from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and identities, including those who identify as: BIPOC, neurodivergent, people with disabilities, or LGBTQ+. Submission Deadline Please submit your proposal using the online form linked here: https://forms.gle/Vd68vDSG989yc4ns7 by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, May 9. Contact program committee members Daphne Goldfinch and Michelle Dennis with questions. We look forward to receiving your proposals and seeing you in October!

Submit Your Proposal

Visit the Conference Webpage

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 early April listing:

Frances L. Simek (Medford) Memorial Library 

Youth Services Specialist, full-time (full benefits)

This is a first shift position, 40 hours a week, with occasional weekend/evening hours. Duties include planning children’s programming, processing, interlibrary loans, general circulation duties and school visits. Computer and public relation skills are necessary. Library or similar

experience preferred but not required. An ideal candidate will be fun, energetic and love working with children.

https://flsimeklibrary.org/employment/

This position will remain open until it is filled.

Apply in person at:

Frances L. Simek Memorial Library

400 N. Main St.

Medford WI, 54451

or email director@medford.lib.wi.us.

Tips and Into from DPI's April 3 , 2025 Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is now in a cool new format!

The email newsletter is 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 April 3, 2025 edition.  Hello All,

CSLP Newsletter

• Check out the latest CSLP (Collaborative Summer Library Program) Newsletter. This month’s edition is full of information about a new partnership with Reader Zone, an opportunity for you to help develop the shortlist of slogan options for the 2028 theme, the summer nutrition food program for kids, and more!

Charlotte Zolotow Award Ceremony

• Registration is open for the 2025 Charlotte Zolotow Award Celebration. This event will be held at the CCBC from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.
• Please join us as author Hilary Horder Hippely (I Know How to Draw an Owl, 2025 Zolotow winner) accepts her award. All 2025 Honor Books and Highly Commended titles will also be recognized. A reception and book signing will follow the award presentation.
• Online registration is required, and space is limited, so don't delay! This event will be in person only; remote access is not available. 

WiLS Ideas to Action Fund 

• The application period is open! Through this fund, WiLS provides grants of up to $5,000 so libraries and cultural organizations can bring their projects ideas to life. 
• Submit your proposal. The application deadline is June 2nd, 2025.

Federal Funding Cuts Could Threaten the Public Libraries We Love

• Read the DPI ConnectEd Story about how recent executive orders issued by the president threaten the federal infrastructure our libraries rely on. 

Have a great weekend!

Upcoming YSS Webinar on Puppetry

Mark your calendars for our newest YSS webinar on the magic of puppetry in library programming.

Tuesday May 6    

3:00 -4:00pm. 

WLA members: free

Non-members: $25 (at the registration link, 

please use your email and set up a password to register) 

Please register here

ENGAGING, EDUCATING, AND ENTERTAINING

 WITH PUPPETS

Join two experienced librarians as they share the magic of puppetry in library programs! This dynamic presentation will explore how puppets can captivate young audiences, enhance early literacy skills, and bring stories to life in engaging and interactive ways. Learn practical tips for selecting and using puppets, incorporating them into programming, and boosting participation and excitement in your programs. Whether you're a seasoned performer or new to puppetry, you'll leave with fresh ideas to entertain and educate your young patrons!

PRESENTERS: 

Christine Culp

Christine has been a Youth Librarian for 18 years working most of them in the Manatee County, Florida Public Library System.  Her background is in Art and Design and she continues to freelance and share her love of art in library programming.  She started playing with puppets and staging puppet shows early in her career.  She also loved visiting Mister Rogers Neighborhood and was very inspired by his Land of Make Believe.  She wanted to create that magic for the kids I work with.

Mandy O'Brien

Mandy O’Brien has worked as a Youth Services Librarian at the Skokie Public Library since 1999 and was the recipient of the Illinois Library Association's 2022 Youth Services Achievement Award. Before working at SPL, Mandy worked as a magazine editor and still freelances for publishers and educational organizations. She enjoys infusing social-emotional learning and early literacy techniques into her library work and believes puppets are great partners in building relationships with kids (and their grownups)."

YSS Blog Welcomes Two New Contributors

We'd like to take a moment to welcome our two newest blog contributors: Katie Ganser and Katie Alford. 

Katie Ganser

         

Katie Alford

They may look familiar to you. That's because both Katie G. and Katie A. are currently serving on the YSS board as Directors-at-Large. As part of their YSS board responsibilities, they will be writing and sharing blog posts beginning April 7. 

Both will be learning the ropes on the "back-end" of the blog to make sure we continue to improve our content and variety of posts. We are super excited to add their voices and energy. Thanks for joining the team!

Time to Stand Up for Libraries

From ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office April 1, 2025

Yesterday, we got breaking news that nearly all staff at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was placed on administrative leave and, as a result, all processing of grants has been suspended.¹ Within weeks, libraries across the country will experience the impact of this loss of funds. It's urgent that you call your members of Congress right away and urge them to intercede on behalf of your library.

Tell Congress to save IMLS!

Even if you called your elected officials last week, call them again. This news means that library services are at risk of being shut down in the communities who need it most.

Whether in the neighborhood, at school, on a military base, or elsewhere, libraries mean opportunity for everyone in our communities. By cutting off federal support for libraries, the Trump administration is cutting off opportunity for the American people – economically, culturally, professionally, and socially. 

Please know: It's not over yet. ALA is behind our libraries and library workers one hundred percent, and we thank you for fighting alongside us.

For more, see our email from last week below:

After a short recess, all Congressmembers are now back in D.C., and that means it’s time for us to act. We need all library supporters to call their members of Congress and urge them to protect federal funding for libraries by preventing the dismantling of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Call your Congressmembers now!

Less than a week after President Trump issued an Executive Order intended to eliminate IMLS, the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the administration kicked off its attempt to wind down the agency’s functions. The White House named a new interim director from outside the agency, who has indicated his intent to operate “in lockstep with this Administration” in its efforts to gut this critical independent agency.   

This was clearly intended as the first shot across the bow at America’s 125,000 libraries. But public outcry seems to have forced them to at least slow their plans—our tactics are working. Go one step further than sending a letter to Congress: Give them a call, and make sure they listen to you. Our action page gives you all the steps you need to have your say, including a suggested sample script for your call. 
 

Urge Congress to protect IMLS!

Phone calls only take a couple minutes and send a strong message to elected officials that their constituents care enough to take time out of their day to make their voices heard. It’s extremely important in the immediate aftermath of the Administration’s takeover of IMLS that Congress receives a flood of calls opposing its dismantling. 

I challenge you to not only make a call to all of your members of Congress using our easy-to-use action page, but also to share this call to action with three people you know who love libraries as much as you do. Help us keep this momentum going. 

Thank you for showing up for our libraries, 

Larra Clark 
Deputy Director, Public Policy and Advocacy 

P.S. Want a refresher about the Executive Order and IMLS? Check out our FAQ.  

Show up for our libraries by becoming a Supporter of the American Library Association. Your tax-deductible gift will help strengthen our work to transform library awareness to advocacy. 

¹ "Trump Administration Moves to Shutter Library Agency." (The New York Times, 3/31/2025).