WLA Youth Services Exchange Notes

Our guest blogger today is Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Youth and Special Services Consultant

 

Thank you to the 40+librarians, directors, and library students who attended the Youth Services Information Exchange at the WLA Annual Conference.  It was an energetic and positive preconference with many ideas, strategies, and dreams shared!

Below are the notes from our four break-out discussions concerning the top issues of the day. 

Bringing in non-users/special needs users: 

·         Dreams:  all would be library users; libraries would have resources to offer them, and could create a welcoming environment; populations would recognize what libraries offer; everyone would feel successful using the library; community agencies would communicate and collaborate with the library to serve these groups

·         Realities:  Budget/staff constraints; the many diverse groups with specific needs [start with one group]; recognize that you will never reach everyone; when working to reach non-users, keep reaching your users [and supporters] as well; need to evaluate programs; remember the specific target groups continue to change; recognize the library can’t be everything to everyone

·         Action:  get everyone excited about the possibilities; develop strategic and long-range plans; make sure plans and programs fit your purpose; be open to new developments with unintended consequences [think ahead]; identify assets in the library [e.g. other staff members who may have connections]; empower staff to act; educate all stakeholders:  staff and trustees, funders and elected officials [invite them!]; go where the non-users are, identify trusted representatives [use the HOLA project materials]; assign measureable goals and outcomes to your plans; develop and memorize the elevator speech – be ready to answer the question, “What are you up to?”

·         Reminder--the state special needs plans are still available and they are being redesigned as an online resource.

School and public library partnerships

·         Dreams:  schools would think of public libraries as partners; librarians would understand the needs and pressures teachers face; schools would see librarians as educators with shared goals; teachers would use the libraries

·         Realities:  not enough staff or time (on both sides); red tape dealing with schools (e.g. requirements for flyers); hard to get out of our/their buildings – limited free time; parents ask librarians for help with kids’ work (then parents do it)

·         Action:  thank people with chocolate (e.g. delivered to the teachers’ lounge); talk to teachers and other school leaders (e.g. at the supermarket); find a key person to pave the way; do things that build good will; systems could develop contact lists and distribute them to members; have a table at the school open house; combine summer recreation signup with SLP signup; use the portal as soon as it is ready

·         See notes from WLA Session “It Takes Two.”

 

Early literacy

·         Dreams:  partner with agencies who also serve young children; partner with health systems, doctors, prenatal and well baby appointments include recommendations for using the library; partner with day cares (all sizes, family homes and institutions); partner with retail sites to hand out information; partner with school for Pre-K and 4K information; senior citizens encouraged to read to their grandchildren; partner with those who make home visits; create a calendar for parents of newborns with literacy tips; insert early literacy facts inside bills and mailers

·         Realities:  these all take money and time; outreach means less librarian time at libraries; some systems can help with marketing; market to all staff, not just youth staff (some can’t); social media may be effective

·         Action:  recognize differences between urban and rural libraries; start 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program (state could develop logo and materials, to save local libraries’ time?; e.g. the CSLP model); new program from DPI “Growing Wisconsin Readers” – how to read, what to read (share list of “100 books that should be in every library” – and have the authors noted [their other titles, so kids can find author’s work if a specific title is checked out] – maybe YSS could help with this?); find a “Reach Out and Read” program to work with

Youth Services validation and advancement

·         Dreams:  everyone values libraries and funds them; library is the heart of the community (share, gather, grow); organizations would want to partner with libraries

·         Reality:  library often left out of community table; misperception of the “work” of YS work – people only see the fun, not the work

·         Action:  YS advocacy among library staff (“glitter has a purpose”); other library staff advocate for YS; balance programs/action between babies and grandparents (all generations); YS librarian becomes a library director – understands YS; support the director, keep them informed on the YS world; have career days where people shadow the YS staff; go to Library Legislative Day; invite community leaders to attend and participate in YS events; be present on social media

·         Tessa announced the Youth Services Leadership Institute, planned for September 2013 (then every two years); targeted to librarians who are isolated or need help

 

Thanks to Marcia Sarnowski from Winding Rivers Library System for her careful note-taking. 

 

WLA - Storytelling for a Fall Evening/Battledecks

Five tellers mesmerized an audience of attendees at the WLA Foundation fundraiser on Wednesday night: Betsy Hearne, nationally recognized writer and teller; WLA member Kathy Prestidge; Illinois (and former WI Women Studies librarian) Sue Searing; and local La Crosse tellers extraordinaire Sara Slayton and Terry Visger. They shared personal tales and folktales of strong women in an evening co-sponsored by Wisconsin Women Library Workers.

This was followed by the always hilarious Battledecks competition -  a cross between an impromptu slide deck presentation and American Idol. Ably hosted by Jon-Mark Bolthouse with slide decks by Stef Morrill and Beth Carpenter, the battle was a huge hit for the second half of the evening.  SUrprise last minute contestans Ole and Lena (Pamela Westby and Jan Berg) stole the show and the first prize. A good time was had by all!

Did you attend a session on youth services at WLA? Would you be willing to write up a short summary to share with colleagues across the state (or at the conference!) who couldn't attend? Just email marge@lacrosselibrary.org and I'll get it on the blog!

Image: 'Day 131'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/38451115@N04/4193997844 Found on flickrcc.net

WLA- A Stronghold of Story

Betsy Hearne - reviewer, professor emerita of GSLIS at Champaign-Urbana, writer and storyteller extraordinaire - wove a fascinating talk about the history of women librarians as storytellers, storykeepers and unsung she-roes in librarianship. Both erudite and compassionate, Hearne explored the many ways that stories surround the life and work of women. She spoke movingly of the early library school graduates who brought library services and stories out to remote areas of the west; how the collectors of traditional folk and fairy tales used material that had been gathered by and from women but never credited to them; and the great children's librarian storytellers of the 20th century like Shedlock, Sawyer and Baker who were marginalized in the revival of storytelling that took place later in the century. Her thoughtful talk ended on an upbeat note -  how children's librarians open the world of storytelling and literature to children and the importance of our mission.

This was an inspiring program co-sponsored by both Wisconsin Women Library Workers and YSS.

Image: 'Candle light'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/37989307@N08/3869366195 Found on flickrcc.net

WLA - It Takes Two - School Library Partnerships

A panel of four speakers - Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Youth services Consulatant; Nancy Anderson DPI School Consultant; Jamie Matczak, Nicolet Federated Library System CE Coordinator and Marge Loch-Wouters (that's me), Youth Services Coordinator of La Crosse Public Library - shared concrete information and tips on schools and public libraries working together effectively. Fast-paced, funny, full of mixed metaphors and valuable information, the session had over 70 attendees learning about Common Core, PALS, strategies for collaboration and pressures on both school and public libraries that challenge each but can be worked through. Billed as a "must-attend" session, I think we speakers lived up to the billing. For ideas on working with schools from Marge's part of the presentation, stop by this Tiny Tips for Library Fun blog post

Did you attend?  What did YOU think?

Image: 'where does these footsteps lead to +?'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/44345361@N06/4282241642 Found on flickrcc.net

Eye-Opening Youth Services Idea Exchange

Over 40 library folks interested in youth services library issues gathered in La Crosse on Tuesday for a three hour Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) pre-conference information exchange. Students, system youth consultants, directors, children's and teen librarians had a packed afternoon of information exchange and fun. It was WLA-opening and eye-opening!

The meeting was hosted by DPI's Tessa Michaelson Schmidt and YSS chair Sue Abrahamson and chair-elect Linda Jerome.  Participants learned from Tessa about services and initiatives happening at the state level and ways to stay in touch with colleagues and exchange ideas throughout the year.  Linda and Sue gave an engaging shout-out to being professionally active in association work and paths to leadership offered through WLA.

The second half of the afternoon was spent identifying some large issues and concerns. Of the twelve issues identified, the following were voted as the top issues: public/school cooperation;advocacy for youth; reaching out to and engaging non-users; and early literacy. Small groups discussed each in terms of dreams, realities and action that individuals might take or that DPI, YSS, or system level consultants could take a lead on.

It was an energizing afternoon! More complete notes should surface soon. In the meantime, getting a chance to talk, network, blue-sky and problem solve with colleagues was golden!

Image: 'Hope'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/46078235@N03/5324700785 Found on flickrcc.net

WLA Blog-itude

Are you going to WLA this week in La Crosse? Would you be interested in sharing a short paragraph on a youth program or event for our fabulous blog? 

We'd love to get your report to share with our readership. Lots of folks can't make it and your eyes, ears and mind can open up the world of WLA to people.If the spirit moves you, just email a brief summary or your observations or what you loved best (or least!) about a program or aspect of the conference to me at marge@lacrosselibrary.org and I'll get it up on the blog!

Get to know your YSS board members!

Here’s a fun way to get to know your YSS board members and win an AWESOME PRIZE (how does a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble sound?)! All you have to do is pick up a YSS Board Member Bingo sheet at the YSS booth and then find as many YSS board members as you can (don’t worry, you’ll be able to spot them J). The bingo sheet is made up of fun facts about YSS board members and when you find a board member, they’ll initial the spaces that pertain to them. Once you have bingo, return your sheet to the YSS booth and you’ll be automatically entered into the drawing for the gift card!

Of course, a guaranteed spot to find YSS board members will be at the YSS board meeting on Wednesday at 5:30pm (Radisson Hotel—Minnesota AB) and we encourage all YSS members (and all those who work with youth) to join us for the board meeting and then a YSS happy hour at the groovy Starlite Lounge (only a block away from the Radisson Hotel/La Crosse Center) immediately following the board meeting (approximately 6:30pm). Good times with great people!

Statewide Youth Brainstorming Session

We hope - even if you aren't planning to attend WLA - that you consider joining us in La Crosse on Tuesday Oct 23 from 1-4 pm at a free preconference to brainstorm ways to make youth services in WI great.

 

♦Youth Services Information Exchange
Sponsored by Department of Public Instruction and WLA Youth Services Section

Take part in a special pre-conference hosted by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Youth Services Section (YSS). The Youth Services Information Exchange is open to anyone interested in discussing youth services trends, issues, and ideas for public libraries in Wisconsin. This mega-session will offer attendees the opportunity to share, show, talk, meet, and connect. Discussion topics might include collaborations with school libraries or local agencies, grant opportunities and success stories, program sharing within systems, and professional development on a budget. DPI and YSS hosts will emphasize the structure and role of youth services networks in Wisconsin and how these networks can improve support and leadership to youth services librarians. The preconference conversation will be top-down, bottom-up, and every direction in between. Please join us—your voice matters! (Note: Attendees do not need to be members of YSS)  http://wla.wisconsinlibraries.org/wla-annual-conference/events-conferences/annual-conference/program

 

 

And if you are in town Tuesday, please consider participating in the first ever WI Librarians Build Community project. Begun by ALA, Librarians Build Communities seeks to provide librarian volunteers with an opportunity to use their specialized skills to assist in communities where conferences are held.

 

This year, we invite interested WLA conference attendees to assist the Friends of the La Crosse Public Library weed down their massive overload of books. In La Crosse, people love their library and love donating their books. With the addition of weeded materials, the shelves are overflowing and the Friends, who have recently lost some of their key members, are struggling to swim above the flood of books. The Friends use book sale money raised to fund the majority of programs for LPL patrons.

 

We are looking for your skills as a selector to de-select some of the overflow and decide what books might be passed on to Better World Books. Gather Tuesday. October 23, 10 a.m. to noon at the La Crosse Public Library Friends Book Sale Room. Treats will be available during the project. To register, please contact Marge Loch-Wouters marge@lacrosselibrary.org by Friday, October 12.

Don't Miss These Two WLA Programs

PRECONFERENCE Tuesday, October 23^rd 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

♦Youth Services Information Exchange - FREE
Sponsored by Department of Public Instruction and WLA Youth Services Section

Take part in a special pre-conference hosted by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Youth Services Section (YSS). The Youth Services Information Exchange is open to anyone interested in discussing youth services trends, issues, and ideas for public libraries in Wisconsin. This mega-session will offer attendees the opportunity to share, show, talk, meet, and connect. Discussion topics might include collaborations with school libraries or local agencies, grant opportunities and success stories, program sharing within systems, and professional development on a budget. DPI and YSS hosts will emphasize the structure and role of youth services networks in Wisconsin and how these networks can improve support and leadership to youth services librarians. The preconference conversation will be top-down, bottom-up, and every direction in between. Please join us—your voice matters! (Note: Attendees do not need to be members of YSS)

http://wla.wisconsinlibraries.org/wla-annual-conference/events-conferences/annual-conference/program

 Wednesday, October 24^th 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
♦It Takes Two…Partnerships Between Schools and Public Libraries
La Crosse Center - South Hall

In an environment of shrinking budgets and staff, new mandates and increasing emphasis on school readiness, public libraries can be amazing partners with their K-12 colleagues. Join a panel of seasoned pros and learn about successful collaborations, service models for bringing school and public librarians together, important updates about Wisconsin’s “Read to Lead” initiative and information about the new State Common Core Standards for curriculum. If you are a youth services librarian, you cannot afford to miss this discussion.

 

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Youth and Special Services Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Public Library Development Team, Madison; Nancy Anderson, School Library Consultant, Department of Public Instruction, Madison; Jamie Matczak, Continuing Education Coordinator, Nicolet Federated Library System, Green Bay; Marge Loch-Wouters, Head of Youth Services, La Crosse Public Library, and Blogger at Tiny Tips for Library Fun

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Youth and Special Services Consultant
Wisconsin DPI, Public Library Development

Hey WI Youth Librarians: Win a Trip to WLA

Penworthy’s 20^th Annual

WLA Conference Attendee Sponsorship!

The Penworthy Company is happy to announce our 20^th annual WLA Conference Attendee Sponsorship. Every year, we sponsor a Wisconsin youth services librarian to attend the Wisconsin Library Association’s annual conference, which holds programs to refresh library services, boost professional skills, and help librarians make connections (and have fun!). This year’s conference is October 23-26th in La Crosse.
 
The Penworthy Company makes buying children’s books the pleasure it ought to be^® with an exceptional selection, sturdy Penworthy Prebound Books and a level of personal service you can trust! Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for 30 years, we’re proud to support the librarians in our home state!

The winner will receive a $400 sponsorship to attend the conference, presented at the YSS board meeting at the WLA conference. If you are interested in winning this year's award, please email your name, library name, and phone number to penworthy.bear@penworthy.com. We will randomly select a winner on Ocotober 1st.

Email penworthy.bear@penworthy.com by September 30th for your chance to win!

Top 15 Reasons Thursday at WLA Rocks

Haven't registered yet? Oh my gosh, then here are fifteen more reasons just for Thursday alone to encourage you to join the adventure! All of these have huge youth services components. You simply CAN'T say this year's conference has nothing for you!

7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m
1. Bookin' It 5K Fun Run & Walk   
New Members ROund Tables are sponsoring. Registration is $15, and you get a T-shirt!

8:45-10 am
2. Creating Quality Library Programming for Boys
Discover ways to make boys feel welcome, how to fill your library with the stuff they want and how to take gender out of the planning process. Melissa Carollo, Reference/Teen Librarian, Waupaca Public Library; Katie Kiekhaefer, Head of Youth Services, Community Library (Salem Silver Lake, Twin Lakes)

3. Explore the Wakanheza Project™  
Explore strategies for creating welcoming environments and interactions for children, young people, families, and ourselves. Melissa Binder, Deputy Director, Head of Youth Services, New Berlin Public Library; Kelly Wochinske, Supervisor, Central Library Children's Room, Milwaukee Public Library

4. Why WeLead?   
WeLead proteges and their mentors explain what they learned and achieved while in the program, and why they think YOU should become involved.

10:45-noon
5. Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Children's Book Award  
The Children's Book Award Committee discuss this year's winner and also the books they selected to honor as Outstanding Books.

6. Reach Out and Read: Libraries and Clinics Collaborate on Early Literacy Promotion
Learn how libraries can partner with clinics and hospitals to promote reading at early ages and draw families into libraries. Attendees can brainstorm and share new engagement ideas. Ruth Sias, Reach Out and Read Program; Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, Assistant Profressor of Pediatrics, UW-Madison School of Medicine

7. The World We Live InCome hear about a successful ten-year library/community network that builds youth's awareness of themselves and encourages understanding of our many multicultural societies.

8. It’s Not a Trapeze Act: 20 Tips to Achieve Home and Work Balance
Learn time-saving, mind-saving and family saving tips to create peaceful effectiveness in your job no matter who your clientele is and how big your library - or bigtop. Rhonda Gould, Youth Services and Special Needs Consultant, Lakeshores Library System, Waterford; Marge Loch-Wouters, Head of Youth Services, La Crosse Public Library; Jennifer Thiele, Director, Marinette County Consolidated Library Service, Marinette

2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
9. College Access Programming for Teens
Discover how you can provide college access programming by utilizing free services and resources to hold your own workshops on test preparation, college applications, admissions, financial aid and scholarships.Laurie Bartz, Young Adult Librarian and Diana McDonald, Reference Librarian, Hedburg Public Library; Sharon Hunter, Supervisor, Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs, DPI

10. Prepare to Be Challenged!While most public libraries have some sort of process allowing patrons to challenge works in the library’s collection that they find objectionable, the controversy in West Bend, Wisconsin, provides an opportunity to reexamine this process. Jean Preer, Professor, IU-SLIS, Indianapolis

4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
11. Collaborating for the Common Good: Bringing History to Life @ Your LibraryUsing the example of one public library's experience with the National History Day program, learn how you can create successful collaborations with local schools, teachers and students while promoting library resources and research skills.
nita Doering, Senior Archivist, Linda Jerome, Teen Librarian Cindy Mischnick, Reference Librarian, La Crosse Public Library; Dayce McAndrew, Holmen Middle School

12. Do You Read On Wisconsin?
 Find out about Read on Wisconsin programming possibilities, and share ideas of your own, at this program that will also feature some of the current titles for youth. Megan Schliesman and Merri Lindgren, Librarians, Cooperative Children's Book Center, Madison

13. More Ways to Increase Circulation in Your Youth Department
Statistics show that many libraries are seeing decreases in circulation. Come hear our story about the strategies we've been using that have resulted in a significant increase in our youth circulation. Katrina Collins, Youth Services Manager, Jodi Leslie, Assistant Librarian & Deb Andrews, Assistant Librarian, Neenah Public Library

5:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
14. WLA and WLA Foundation Business Meeting - get the scoop on association news

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
15. Awards Banquet - celebrate your peers!

And rumor has it there's a twitter pub crawl being scheduled for after the banquet. Apparently, this is one party you can't afford to miss whether you tweet or not!

Whassup at Wed WLA Conference?

Need more reasons to get registered for an amazing conference? How about the Wed, Oct 24 line-up of particular interest to those working with kids and teens:

Everything I Needed to Know I Learned from a Teen Book  10:45- noon
Do you know why you should add creamer before you add coffee? Do you know how parasitic wasps saved 20 million lives? What were Winston Churchill’s last words? These questions and more will be answered as we learn fun and useful information found in a most unexpected place: teen fiction. Ruhama Kordatzky-Bahr, Consultant; Linda Jerome, La Crosse Public Library

YSS Luncheon with Joyce Sidman 12:15 -2:00
Joyce Sidman is the author of many award-winning children’s poetry books, including the Newbery Honor-winning Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night, and two Caldecott Honor books: Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems and Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors.

Are You Listening? Audiobooks and Links to Learning 2:15-3:30
News flash: Research shows listening to audiobooks enhances and increases literacy skills! Join the authors of  Listening to Learn: Audiobooks Supporting Literacy and the new SLJ column “ListenIn,” for an entertaining, informative session on selecting and promoting audiobooks to youth, parents & teachers. Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library; Lizette Hannegan, Arlington (VA) Public Schools

Stop Duplicating Efforts: Creating a Unified Community Calendar  2:15-3:30
Tired of holding programs where no one attends because it conflicts with x, y, or z? Sick of hearing people exclaim "I didn't know about that!" after your event is over? If this sounds familiar, your community might benefit from a unified community calendar. Using an online subscription service and widgets, learn how to set up a single calendar for everything that happens in your community.  Anna Haase Krueger, formerly Antigo Public Library; Sarah Repp, Antigo Park, Recreation and Cemetery Supervisor

Stronghold of Stories: Women, Children, Libraries  2:15-3:30
Storytelling is a gendered activity, and women have used it both privately and publicly as a form of self-definition and social action. Librarianship, in turn, is a gendered profession, and, within it, women have been a telling force for balancing tradition and innovation. As we shall explore, their work has crossed boundaries of oral, print and electronic traditions for all ages.Betsy Hearne, Professor Emerita, University of Illinios Urbana-Champaign

It Takes Two…Partnerships Between Schools & Public Libraries 4:15-5:30
In an environment of shrinking budgets and staff, new mandates and increasing emphasis on school readiness, public libraries can be amazing partners with their K-12 colleagues. Learn about successful collaborations, service models for bringing school and public librarians together, important updates about Wisconsin’s “Read to Lead” initiative and information about the new State Common Core Standards for curriculum. If you are a youth services librarian, you cannot afford to miss this discussion. Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI; Jamie Matczak,NFLS; Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Pubic Library


Plus keynote with Lewis Feldstein; programs on Servant Leadership; Letters About Literature; Speed Networking; Taming Tech and Occupy McGyver; the Blackbelt Librarian on safety; New Librarians dishing on the real library world; Leadership; social opportunities (NMRT social hour; SLIS and SOIS reunions - and rumor has it perhaps a YSS cocktail hour); and the one and only WLA Foundation fundraiser with Battledecks, food and drink and fine stroyelling with professional storytellers.

Stop here for all the program details and click on the "Librarians on the Loose in La Crosse" link to your right in our blogroll for more places to go/things to do on the beautiful west coast of Wisconsin!


 

Minds Meet Minds- BOOM! Lend a Hand Too.

Registration has opened up for WLA in La Crosse. First fun programs up to bat for you youth library devotees? On TUESDAY, OCT. 23:

Librarians Build Community WLAVolunteer Opportunity

10 am –noon  La Crosse Public Library 
Begun by ALA, Librarians Build Community seeks to provide librarian volunteers with an opportunity to use their specialized skills to assist in communities where conferences are held. In this, our inaugural year in WLA, we invite interested WLA conference attendees to assist the Friends of the La Crosse Public Library weed down their massive overload of books. In La Crosse, people love their library and love donating their books. With the addition of weeded materials, the shelves are overflowing and the Friends, who have recently lost some of their key members, are struggling to swim above the flood of books. The Friends use book sale money raised to fund the majority of programs for LPL patrons. We are looking for your skills as a selector to de-select some of the overflow and decide what books might be passed on to Better World Books. Treats will be available during the project. To register, please contact Marge Loch-Wouters marge@lacrosselibrary.org by Friday, October 12

Youth Services Information Exchange

1-4:00  Radisson Hotel

Take part in a special preconference hosted by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Youth Services Section (YSS). The Youth Services Information Exchange is open to anyone interested in discussing youth services trends, issues, and ideas for public libraries in Wisconsin. This mega-session will offer attendees the opportunity to share, show, talk, meet, and connect. Discussion topics might include collaborations with school libraries or local agencies, grant opportunities and success stories, program sharing within systems, and professional development on a budget. DPI and YSS hosts will emphasize the structure and role of youth services networks in Wisconsin and how these networks can improve support and leadership to youth services librarians. The preconference conversation will be top-down, bottom-up, and every direction in between. Please join us—your voice matters! (Note: Attendees do not need to be members of YSS).

And after all that exciting mind work, join your early bird conference colleagues at the annual vendor reception from 4-6:00 pm for a time to sip, nosh and chat.

WLA Sneak Peek!

I hope everyone has bookmarked the WLA 2012 Conference blog, Librarians on the Loose in La Crosse. It has tips on local eateries and sights; suggestions for some of the great programs and will be a font of info to keep you in the know about La Crosse and WLA.

I'm excited about this particular post that talks about the exciting WLA Foundation fundraiser featuring storyelling by nationallly know children's author, storyteller and academic speaker Besy Hearne. She'll be joined by librarians from Wisconsin and area tellers who will spin stories for an hour in the historic Pumphouse arts center. Betsy's visit is being sponsored by YSS, Wisconsin Women Library Workers and the WLA Foundation. It will truly be a night to remember!

WLA Conference Time!

The call to conference just went out for the annual conference which will be held in our town, La Crosse WI October 23-26.  It promises to be amazing! 

I understand there are over 90 programs approved and planned. The Youth Services offerings are incredible, starting on Tuesday and running right through Friday.  They include a FREE Tuesday youth services information exchange preconference hosted by DPI's Tessa Michaelson Schmidt; successful programs for boys; the Burr Worzalla award; school-public library cooperation in light of new standards; college access programming; Read-on Wisconsin; tips on using audiobooks from veteran ALA Odyssey Award committee members; our fabulous author luncheon with Joyce Sidman; a co-sponsored program with Wisconsin Women Library Workers featuring author/storyteller Betsy Hearne (followed by the WLA Foundation fundrasier on Wed. night featuring Betsy and state and regional storytellers delighting the audience with tales followed by Battledecks!).

There are even more programs not sponsored by YSS that will delight you - balancing work life, home life and volunteer activities; speed networking; leadership programs; taming technology; servant leadership; using Facebook to highlight books; the blackbelt librarian's safety tips; ways to increase youth circulation; successful collaborating to teach research skills to middle schoolers through National History Day initiaitive...whoa! I could go on but....

Plan to come to this amazing and program-heavy conference and learn, network, laugh and enjoy your beautiful west coast of Wisconsin. And don't forget to visit the conference blog for tips on great spots to enjoy while you're in La Crosse.