WLA Fall Conference Proposals Due Tomorrow, Friday May 9

Last call!

Go ahead and pitch a proposal. We always need more youth content at conference!!

The WLA Programming Committee is now accepting proposals for panels, presentations, and workshops at the 2025 WLA Annual Conference in Middleton, WI! This year’s theme is “Be the Change,” and we want YOU to be part of it.

• Who should submit? Library staff from ALL backgrounds, departments, and experience levels! Whether you work in public, academic, school, or special libraries, your voice matters.

• Session Details: 60-minute breakout sessions | Up to 4 presenters & 1 moderator

• The conference is in Middleton, WI, and runs from October 28-31, 2025

• Submission Deadline: Friday, May 9, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. CST

Be bold. Share your knowledge. Submit your proposal today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXPHJOzJbVsD5fjmX8NToIoGBUCH6nzuveZv3kYhevFPWrOw/viewform

Please feel free to reach out to me, or the programming co-chairs listed on the proposal form, with any questions.

Carol Hassler (she/her)
carol.hassler@wicourts.gov
WLA Annual Conference Committee 2025 Chair
Save the date! The 2025 Wisconsin Library Association conference is October 28-31, 2025 at the Marriott Madison West in Middleton, WI.

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

Great Lakes, Great Read Book Selections Announced

As part of today’s Earth Day commemorations, the Wisconsin Water Library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin Library Association announced the books selected for a basin-wide shared-reading experience, Great Lakes, Great Read.

“The Water Walker” by Joanne Robertson is the children’s selection and the adult selection is “The Best Part of Us” by Sally Cole-Misch.

“The Water Walker” is the story of a determined Ojibwe grandmother, a “nokomis,” named Josephine Mandamin who walks to raise awareness of the need to protect “nibi” (water). Robertson wrote and illustrated the book, which was published in 2017.

Sally Cole-Misch published the novel “The Best Part of Us” in 2020. It explores a family’s ties to an island on an inland lake in northern Ontario, just north of Lake Huron—how those ties are tested both through natural processes and family dynamics.

“The Great Lakes have shaped Wisconsin as we know it. These inland seas provide drinking water and fuel our agriculture, shipping, manufacturing and recreation,” said WWL Senior Special Librarian Anne Moser. “These two books will bring the lakes alive in new and evocative ways. We hope readers will reflect on the lakes and be inspired, become passionate and feel more connected to them.”

WLA Executive Director Laura Sauser said, “All Wisconsinites are encouraged to read these titles, and we also hope to be a catalyst for libraries throughout the upper Midwestern states and Canadian provinces to engage patrons through a range of activities.”

Both selected authors will be featured in a free webinar series happening on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 and 9. All events will start at 6 p.m., CT, and will be open to the public.

In November, the authors will be visiting Wisconsin for a variety of events. Please check the Wisconsin Great Lakes, Great Read webpage later this summer to learn more.

The Great Lakes, Great Read website offers further details on the authors, their books, book discussion questions, an email list signup option and other resources.

Please follow Great Lakes, Great Read on Facebook to get the latest updates, 

This initiative is made possible by an Ideas to Action grant from WiLS. Wisconsin Sea Grant and the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute support the Wisconsin Water Library.

 

# # #

 

Established in 1964 by the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute (WRI), the Wisconsin Water Library (formerly known as the Water Resources Library) is unique among UW-Madison’s many libraries for its collection of 30,000 volumes about the waters of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes. The library’s mission is to collect, preserve and provide science-based resources in support of  WRI and the Sea Grant College Program.

 

The Wisconsin Library Association is a professional organization representing all types of libraries – school, public, academic and special. Its membership comprises more than 1,300 librarians and support staff, library trustees, friends of libraries and business vendors who advocate and work for the improvement of library services for all Wisconsin citizens. .

 

 Link to press release here. 

WLA Fall Conference Proposals Open

Ever think when you are looking at planned programs for an upcoming conference, "Gee I wish they would have a program on this or that?". Well maybe you are the person to propose that program and gather peers from your system, or colleagues you've met across the state to do a program yourselves!

Creating programs for conferences and sharing your knowledge is a great way to grow your professional development, leadership and know-how. And it helps you tailor the kinds of knowledge you think others can benefit from. So go ahead and give it a whirl!

WLA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Nov 5 - 8, 2024 | KI Convention Center, Green Bay

Call for Proposals

Present at the 2024 WLA Annual Conference! Are you passionate about sharing your expertise and innovative ideas with your peers in the library community? We invite you to be part of the 2024 Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) Annual Conference by submitting a proposal to present! 

We are now accepting proposals for presentations, panels, and workshops. Whether you're an experienced presenter or a first-time speaker, we welcome submissions from individuals across all library types and organizations. This includes public, academic, special, and school libraries, as well as individuals from various departments and backgrounds. WLA members and non-members are encouraged to apply.

Presenter Guidelines

• Breakout sessions will run for 60 minutes, 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 Should Submit a Proposal?

• Library professionals from all departments and organizations, including youth services, outreach, adult services, marketing, and technical services.
• Individuals across the organizational hierarchy, including frontline staff, administration, directors, emerging and incumbent leaders, and more.
• People from all backgrounds and identities, including those who identify as BIPOC, neurodivergent, disabled, or LGBTQ+.

Submission Deadline

Please submit your proposal using the online form linked here: https://bit.ly/4a7D9KK by 5pm CST on May 17. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact wla@wisconsinlibraries.org.

 Submit Your Proposal

 

Chris Grabenstein will be the YSS Luncheon Speaker at WLA 2018

photos by Elena Seibert

Here's one reason to attend this year's WLA Conference in LaCrosse, WI on October 23-26, 2018 - Chris Grabenstein will be the YSS Luncheon Speaker!

You can visit his website HERE or read this article from Brightly that he wrote on "Not Just for the Laughs: The Value of Comedy in Middle Grade Reads."

What's Up at WLA Conference Friday Oct 20?

WLA conference planners are UNSTOPPABLE. You must stay for Friday!!  Here's what's in store for youth programs!

8:45- 9:30 am

Connecting with Communities: Digital Marketing and Beyond!!!
Cole Zrostlik, River Falls Public Library

You know people love your library, but where are they when it's time to try your new maker program, meet a local author or attend your after-hours teen program? Harness the enthusiasm of your most loyal library users to attract a broader audience to your programs. Learn how to translate real-life community connections, data, and personal observations into a digital strategy that will engage patrons and save you time, energy and worry. Attendees will learn about writing with personas, short and simple survey data, free digital marketing tools, and to embracing and harnessing the connections of community partners to advocate for their libraries and advertise their programs.

Group Problem Solving with Evidence-Based Case Discussion
Leah Langby, Indianhead Federated Library System, Eau Claire; Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison; Sue Abrahamson, Waupaca Area Public Library

Birth to Three practitioners in Wisconsin developed Evidence-Based Case Discussions to help each other resolve complicated situations with the children and families they serve. The technique is extremely useful for helping untangle knotty library problems as well-it has been used successfully to help librarians feel empowered to address situations ranging from moving forward with a stalled early literacy area to staffing challenges to working with a demanding patron. We will demonstrate how this process works with a real library situation, and send participants home with the tools they will need to implement this powerful technique in their own libraries.

Serving Youth in Juvenile Justice Programs

René Bue, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville; Laurie Bartz, Hedberg Public Library, JanesvilleYouth who are incarcerated spend a lot of time in their cells with little to do. Learn how the program provided by Hedberg Public Library to the juveniles at the Rock County Youth Services Center not only provides entertainment but also an opportunity to learn and grow. You will receive information to take back with you so you can consider doing this type of program at one of the other centers close to your library.

9:40-10:25 am
Fear Not: Coding for the Rest of Us!
Andrea Stepanik, Brown County Library, Green Bay; Gillian Dawson, Brown County Library, Green Bay
Do you cringe at the thought of running coding programs for children and teens? Fear not! Learn how librarians at the Brown County Library have implemented coding events using tech-focused STEM Kits. From Code-a-pillars for toddlers to Coding Escape Rooms and Arduino microcontrollers for t(w)eens, we've got you covered! With options for every budget and ages 3-18, you'll leave inspired to start coding programs at your library!

Reach One Teach One

Ehryn Barthelm, Planned Parenthood of Minnesota; Sarah Joynt, Rochester, MN, Public Library
Join us for an interactive session about the reality of what teens and young adults are thinking about, dealing with and experiencing related to sexual health, sexuality, and gender expression. Learn about some best practices and resources for connecting with teens and providing them with important information about sensitive topics.

10:35-11:20 am

Authors on Authors: An Insider Look at Today's Middle Grade Fiction

Sally Pla, San Diego, CA; Lindsey Becker, Paddock Lake, WI; Darcy Miller, Prairie du Sac, WI
A survey of the latest in middle-grade coming-of-age literature, from the perspective of three debut middle-grade authors with Wisconsin roots. We'll talk about our personal writing journeys, about connecting with kids, and the special importance of libraries to middle graders.

Today is the last day for early bird registration. Don't delay!!

What's Up at the WLA Confernce Thursday Oct 19?

More Youth stuff! Plus keynote, and awards and honors and exhibits and silent auction..and....well, you get the picture. The Dells is the place to be!

7:00-8:30 am
YSS Business Meeting. Be there (yawn) or be sqaure!

10:45-11:30 am

Creating &Telling Tales of Suspense: Enabling Tweens & Teens to Adapt and Tell Urban Legends

Rebecca Oshlag, StoriesGalorious, Batavia, NY; Rachel Oshlag, StoriesGalorious, Batavia, NY
This session will take you through the steps of a three-part series that you can use in your library to assist young adults to locate, easily prepare and tell stories designed to raise the maximum number of goose bumps in their listeners. By the end you will have your own story to tell and take back. You also will be able to set up the workshops for young adults in your library.

Free Is Key - Community, Access and the Public Good

Dawn Wacek, La Crosse PL; Katherine Elchert, Rice Lake PL; Terry Ehle, Lester PL Manitowoc
This panel will explore the gamut of their approaches to fines and fees in libraries. Options to consider include everything from one-day amnesty programs to fully fine free libraries! They'll explore why they fine, why we ought to break free, and how you can make it happen in your library no matter the size. 

1:30-2:05 pm

Using the Five Practices in School-Age & Teen Programming: Including Partner Collaboration & Evaluation

Kymberley Pelky, Oneida Community Library
This session will share ideas on incorporating the five literacy practices in lifelong learning, specifically for school-age and teen programming. The five practices are read, write, talk, play and sing. Along with these ideas, suggestions on how to collaborate with partners will be given for each practice. Finally, ideas on measurable outcomes, assessment, and evaluation will be presented along with handouts for attendees to take back with them to foster their own ways of incorporating these ideas into their programs, services and practices.

What Teens Want Parents to Know about Social Media

Julie Kinney, Marathon County Public Library, Wausau
After attending a program about managing your digital footprint, the presenter went to her Teen Advisory Group and asked them what they thought was important for parents to know about social media and how teens use it. Together, they created a powerpoint presentation that highlights statistics that show parents what teens are concerned about, what they use social media for and what programs they use. This program will look at how the teens contributed information, what they contributed and what the final presentation looks like.

2:15-3 pm

Burr/Worzalla Children's Book and Notable Author/Illustrator Winner

The Children's Book Award Committee of the WLA Youth Services Section examined and evaluated 2016 titles by authors and illustrators with a Wisconsin connection. Come hear about this year's honorees and meet Sarah L. Thomson, the creator of this year's winning title, Deadly Flowers: A Ninja's Tale. 

3:45-4:30 pm

Circulate Anything: How to Increase Access and Circulation with Nontraditional Collections

Minetta Lippert, Dwight Foster PL, Fort Atkinson; Jane Oliver-Purton, Delafield Public Library
American Girl dolls, crafts, science kits, board games, knitting needles and more. Libraries can circulate so much more than just books and movies. Nontraditional collections can boost circulation numbers and enable families to engage in interesting experiences that they might not be able to afford otherwise. Additionally, we will discuss the logistics of implementing nontraditional collections, including cataloging, packaging and counting pieces. What nontraditional collections could you add to your library?

School and Public Library Collaboration

Jennifer Bernetzke, Schreiner Memorial Library, Lancaster; Michelle Uppena, Lancaster Community Schools
Lancaster's school district and public library have worked together time and time again to enrich the lives of the students in their community. From early literacy offerings to second grade field trips to get each student his/her first library card, all the way through high school study hours during finals week, the school and library work together tirelessly to ensure that each student has access to the resources and learning opportunities he or she needs to be successful. Join Lancaster School District's Library Media Specialist and Schreiner Memorial Library's director to learn about some of the collaborations that have developed in their community.

Sing, Sing a Storytime: Integrating Music Into Your Storytime

Lori Bell, Middleton Public Library
After a short introduction outlining the basic research into the importance of music in early literacy development, the majority of the presentation will focus on the practical realities of using music in a storytime. Lori will address the use of technology, instruments, a capella singing, and rhythmic chants, and provide solutions for various scenarios. Participants will leave with resources they can use right away at their next storytime.

4:40-5:25 pm

Libraries Are for Everyone: Creating a Welcoming and Affirming Environment in the Library

Jenni Frencham, Columbus Public Library; Mo Frencham, PPD, Inc., Madison; Jenna Friebel, Oak Park (IL) Public Library
This program will highlight practical ways that a library can become a welcoming and inviting place for the LGBT+ community through policy, collection development, programming, and daily interactions with patrons.

Storytelling 101: Techniques for Telling

Rebecca Oshlag, StoriesGalorious, Batavia, NY; Rachel Oshlag, StoriesGalorious, Batavia, NY
This hands-on workshop, conducted by professional storytelling duo StoriesGalorious, is an introduction to the art of storytelling. It will include basic techniques related to selecting, learning, practicing and telling stories. Opportunities for practice and discussion will be provided. The workshop will end with the identification of various applications of storytelling in libraries.

6:30-7:30 pm
YSS Booktalk and Social

Early bird registration continues until 9/25! Take advantage of great rates for a power-packed conference!

What's Up at WLA Conference Wednesday Oct 18?

SO. MUCH.GOOD.STUFF. Ok, here's the run-down of youth -focused programs but of course there are mounds more (keynote; exhibits; WLA membership meeting; SLIS/SOIS reunions; Foundation Fundraiser Trivia)

10:45-11:30 am
Community Conversation and the Power of Story: Supporting Transgender Youth in Public Libraries
Shauna Koszegi, Sun Prairie PL; Catherine Baer, Rosemary Garfoot Public Library, Cross Plains
Public libraries have become an important venue for community discussions on sensitive topics. By providing education and reliable information, we can foster dialogue and transform our communities. Librarians in a variety of communities are finding success by partnering with schools, local government and organizations. This session will present some of those success stories, providing tools and resources to help you develop successful programming around topics that may be outside of your comfort zone.

Plan Less, Program More! How to Collaborate with Regional Libraries to Bring Larger Scale Youth Programs to Your Communities
Rebekah Palmer, Osceola Public Library; Martha Kaempffer, St, Croix Falls Public Library; Jerissa Koenig, Amery Area Public Library
Youth librarians in small libraries are often solely responsible for planning, promoting, implementing and evaluating youth programs. With time constraints it can be challenging to do this successfully. In an effort to share planning responsibilities and to increase program output, three librarians from small, regional libraries are working collaboratively to offer larger scale youth programs to their communities. Hear how they combined their strengths to bring three Harry Potter parties to their respective libraries.

11:40-1:10 pm

YSS Luncheon with Andrea Davis Pinkney

Andrea Davis Pinkney is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of more than 30 books. She has been named “One of the 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business” by The Network Journal. With more than three decades of corporate diversity experience, including her work as a Senior Editor at Essence magazine, and as the founder of her own African American branded entity at the Walt Disney Company, Andrea is uniquely qualified to impart insights and inspiration on fostering workplace diversity and communicating diversity in popular media. Andrea Davis Pinkney will discuss the role libraries can and do play in creating welcoming and inclusive communities, and how her work as a book creator supports these efforts.

1:20-2:05 pm

LibraryNOW: Library Cards for All!

Joan Johnson, Milwaukee Public Library; Lisa Chatman, Milwaukee Public Schools; Steve Heser, Milwaukee County Federated Library System, Milwaukee; Petra Duecker, Milwaukee Public Library; Victoria Sanchez, Milwaukee Public LibraryDreaming of issuing library cards to your entire school district? Now you can. Hear how 65,100 students received digital cards that give them access to all public library e-resources, simply by using their student ID number. Learn how to collaborate with your school district and library system, craft a data-sharing agreement, design an education program for students and teachers, create a student-friendly brand, and gather data to measure your success.

2:15-3 pm

Coding Initiative Update   Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Department of Public Instruction, Madison

Have you found your coding path? Or are you still searching for an intersection between public libraries and computational thinking? The Coding Initiative in Wisconsin Public Libraries is a multi-year project facilitating the whys and hows of coding for library staff and library users of all ages. This session will highlight the online Coding Pathways tools and feature coding stories from libraries around the state. Coding newbies and veterans welcome!

Publish and Promote: Sharing your Successes and Stories with Children's Services Colleagues
Sharon Verbeten, Editor, Children and Libraries, Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), DePere, WI
Scoring your library successes is one great accomplishment; sharing those stories is even better-for both your library's promotion as well as for the good of the profession. Sharon Verbeten, editor of the ALSC journal Children and Libraries, will discuss best practices for submitting research articles, essays, short features, photographs, interviews and more, to this national peer-reviewed journal as well as to other venues.

Revolutionary Ideas: Fan Days, Cons and Large Scale Interactive Programs
Katie Guzek, Brown County Library, Green Bay; Clare Kindt, Brown County Library, Green Bay; Angela Zuidmulder, Brown County Library, Green Bay
Don't throw away your shot to plan and present a large scale event! Looking for quality over quantity? Planning a signature event? Brown County Library has held several successful large scale interactive programs for teens and adults. Look to local and even national organizations for contributions for a successful event no matter the size of your library or budget! Examples will include fan days for Hamilton, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jane Austen and Library Comic-Con.

Virtual Teen Advisory Boards: Taking Your TAB to the Next Level
Keri Whitmore, Franklin Public Library
Having trouble getting teens to join your Teen Advisory Board? Getting only a couple of kids at your monthly meetings? Go virtual! The Franklin Public Library TAB was struggling to get new members and maintain the membership they had. The solution: we decided to use a virtual social chat app called Viber to communicate. This allowed members to become more informed and active without having to dedicate an hour a month to meetings. This program will present the steps of transitioning from a TAB that meets physically to one that uses a virtual chat app as its main form of communication. It will demonstrate the ease of use of the Viber app and give resources and ideas to make your TAB a more dynamic, creative and productive group, utilizing social media/social chat groups that the teens are already familiar with. Since switching to Viber, the FPL TAB members are volunteering more, doing more community service projects, and are more excited about how they can help the library and how the library benefits them.

3:45-4:30 pm

C'mon, C'mon, Let's Work Together: Cross-Community Youth & Teen Collaborations

Katherine Schoofs, Aram Public Library, Delavan; Emily Sanders, Barrett Memorial Library, Williams Bay  Do you have nightmares remembering team projects from the past? Do you break out into a sweat even thinking of trying to juggle multiple schedules? What if we told you that collaborative endeavors could be both beneficial and, dare we say it, FUN? Join Katherine and Emily as they tell you all about their wonderful, wacky adventures in collaboration

Diversify Me! Incorporating Diverse Titles into Your Collections, Displays and Programming
Jenni Frencham, Columbus Public Library
Literature can provide essential windows (into other worlds) and mirrors (into their own world) for children, yet many of our library collections, displays and programs do not reflect the diversity of today's world. This session will cover simple, effective ways you can evaluate your library's collection for diversity, begin collecting more diverse titles and incorporate those titles into displays and library programs.

4:40-5:25 pm

K-12 Science and Health Education Resources: NLM's Online Playground
Bobbi Newman, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region, University of Iowa, Hardin Library for Health Sciences, Iowa City
This presentation will introduce free K-12 resources from the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Resources span a variety of subjects including biology, health careers, chemistry, environmental health, forensics and medical technology, general health, genetics, health information tutorials and HIV/AIDS.

Ukulele Strum Along  Mariel Carter, Marinette County Consolidated Library Services, Marinette

In this session, Mariel will use her ukulele and three chords to teach librarians to strum simple children's songs and nursery rhymes on a ukulele. Librarians will benefit by learning songs to liven their existing story time sessions and places to find free resources to continue beyond the basics. In addition, librarians will have the tools they need to teach these skills to adult patrons, so that parents and caregivers of young children can be equipped and motivated to continue singing nursery rhymes and songs at home. Participants are welcome to bring a ukulele to play along.

Early Bird registration is on until 9/25. Take advantage and join the fun and learning!

What's Up at WLA Conference Tuesday Oct 17?

First off a great DPI/YSS pre-conference with former WI YSS member Anna Haase Krueger and her MN colleague Tami Lee. For the low, low cost of $40, you get an afternoon (1-5 pm) of thoughtful content AND a robust snack.
Representation, Authenticity and Being Real: Diversity in Youth Services
Kalahari Convention Center

Registration Fee: $40 WLA members/$75 non-members
Maximum 50 registrants

Anna Haase Krueger and Tami Lee, Youth Services Librarians, Ramsey County Public Libraries, St. Paul, MN#WeNeedDiverseBooks...and then some. This power-packed YSS + DPI preconference will take a deep dive into collection development (purchasing, weeding, displaying, promoting, and MORE) and library programming (themes, language, selections, marketing, and MORE). Anna and Tami will share examples and help attendees identify ways to actively make a difference. Preconference participants will also experience hands-on book examination through new lenses of learning. Leave this preconference with a renewed commitment to visibly serving everyone in your local, and global, community.  A robust snack is included in the preconference fee.

Next, all YSS members are also members of a division. If WAPL (WI Association of Public Libraries) is yours, join the leadership meeting from 4-5:30 in the Inspire Room and add your $.02
Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) Leadership MeetinG

Almost finally the WLA Board meets at 6:00 - 8:00 pm. See how we wonks keep the wheels turning!
Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) Board MeetingKalahari Convention Center 

Finally, let's do some serious bowling, courtesy of  WILS, 7:00-9:00pm .
WiLS 4th Annual Fall Classic: Librarians Take the Lanes

Kalahari Upper Deck Lounge & Lanes

Hit the lanes in WiLS' 4th Annual Fall Classic for bowling and socializing with your colleagues and library vendors at WLA 2017! Feel free to bring a group or let WiLS match you up with some teammates. Don't love bowling? That’s okay! We'll have plenty of other games and food so a good time can be had by all. Bowling, shoes, food, and sodas are provided thanks to our generous sponsors – and there will be prizes!

Early Bird registration continues through Sept 25. Take advantage and recharge at the Dells!

WLA Conference Registration Opens

Youth Services staffers unite!

Be an early bird and save big on conference registration and get the good rates on hotel booking!

Registration for the conference is here.

Conference schedules are here.

We hope to see lots of youth folks and YSS'ers Oct 17-20 in the Dells!

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!

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.

Tad Hills on Winning the 2011 Irma Black Award

From School Library Journal Online

By Rocco Staino May 19, 2011

Tad Hills, author and illustrator of the popular "Duck & Goose" series, has another hit with How Rocket Learned to Read (2010, all Random). This story about a dog named Rocket who's taught to read by a friendly bird was also nominated for a Children's Choice Book Award and a Virginia Readers' Choice Award. In our review, SLJ said that "Youngsters will find this addition to Hills's cast of adorable animal characters simply irresistible."

Today in New York City, Hills was presented with the 2011 Irma Simonton Black & James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature by the Bank Street College of Education, in partnership with SLJ. The award invites first and second graders nationwide to vote for a picture book that best uses words and illustrations to tell a story. This year, some 9,550 students from 94 schools participated in the selection process.

Tell us about the real Rocket?

Rocket is a Wheaten Terrier who will be four-years-old on July 18. He's a fantastic dog in every way. He's gentle, sweet, patient, and very cute, and I knew right away that someday, somehow he would inspire a book.

Do you remember how you learned to read?

I don't remember learning to read per se, but I do remember how much I loved being read to. My favorite books included Blueberries For Sal (Viking, 1949) by Robert McCloskey, The Biggest Bear (Houghton, 1952) by Lynd Ward, and the books of Thornton Burgess.

It must be a great feeling to win the Irma Black Award.

I'm so happy to win the Irma Black Award. Since the award is determined by writers, teachers, librarians, and children—people who know and care so much about kids' books—I feel especially honored.

One young Irma Black voter drew a comparison between Rocket and Munro Leaf's Ferdinand the Bull because both liked to nap under their favorite tree. Was that intentional?

I haven't heard that comparison until now, but I do remember that Ferdinand was one of those books I loved as a kid. I still really love that book. I was a very shy quiet kid, and I think I related to Ferdinand. And I think the Rocket character would relate to Ferdinand too.

As you create new books, are ebook formats and apps coming into play?

Digital applications come into play long after I've finished a book, not while I'm creating it. There are ebook versions of my "Duck and Goose" books. How Rocket Learned to Read is available as an ebook but also as an iPad app, which includes not only the book but some great interactive features and animation and a couple of learning games. But when I'm writing or illustrating, I don't think about the story or the pictures in terms of any possible future digital incarnation.

You grew up surrounded by nature. How do you like living in an urban environment like Brooklyn?

I loved growing up in Norwell, MA, where I was able to spend so much time outside wandering around the woods and fields near my home. But I love living in Brooklyn now. I've lived here for more than 20 years—longer than I've lived anywhere else. Sometimes the noise drives me crazy, but my neighborhood is full of interesting people—painters, illustrators, writers, actors, musicians, chefs, and teachers—and we have a pair of cardinals and a forsythia bush in our garden.

Can you share what you have in the works?

Right now I'm working on a second Rocket picture book and a chapter book about two ducks—not Duck and Goose—in search of their heritage.

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping.

How Rocket Learned to Read Wins Irma Black Award

Tad Hills, the 2011 YSS luncheon speaker at WLA, has won the Irma Black Award for his book "How Rocket Learned to Read"

From SLJ online...
By Rocco Staino April 26, 2011

Tad Hills's How Rocket Learned to Read (Random, 2010), a story about a friendly bird who teaches a white dog with black spots to read, is the winner of the 2011 Irma Simonton Black & James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature.

Sponsored by New York's Bank Street College of Education, in partnership with School Library Journal, the award invites first- and second-graders nationwide to vote for one of four picture books that best uses words and illustrations to tell a story. This year, some 9,550 students from 94 schools participated in the selection process.

With the help of SLJ, the total number of voters increased by almost 300 percent from last year—and the number of participating schools and libraries increased by 800 percent.

"As the weeks went by, the children were really interested in the process and couldn't wait for the next book." says first-time participant Margaret Tice, a school librarian at P.S. 139 in Brooklyn, NY. "The children took the voting very seriously and looked over the books again carefully before voting."

Third- and fourth-grade students at the Bank Street School for Children, which is affiliated with the College of Education, nominated four titles as part of a picture book evaluation curriculum that asked students to critically examine the art and words in picture books to determine whether they were relevant to younger children.

This year's nominees included Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown (Little, Brown, 2010), about a young bear who finds a boy in the woods and decides to keep him as a pet; A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black (S & S, 2010), illustrated by Kevin Hawkes, a book that explains why pigs aren't cut out to march in unison; and Dust Devil by Anne Isaacs (Random, 2010), illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, a companion to Swamp Angel (Dutton, 1994) that has Angelica "Angel" Longrider, the "wildest wildcat in Tennessee," looking for a horse powerful enough to carry her until she wrestles a violent storm.

Rocket beat the others for various reasons, including the fact it accurately portrays that learning to read takes time, said one Bank Street student who advocated for the book. Another said he loved the illustrations, his favorite one shows Rocket writing the ABC's in the snow. One student even compared the book to Munro Leaf's The Story of Ferdinand (Viking, 1936), saying that both characters liked to nap under their favorite tree.

The award will be presented May 19 at the Bank Street College of Education during a ceremony that's open to the public. Perri Klass, medical director of Reach Out and Read, a national literacy organization that works with doctors and nurses to promote reading aloud to young children, will be the keynote speaker.

For more information, check out the award's Facebook page and Twitter feed. The hashtag is #IrmaBlack11.

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping.

Don't Miss the YSS Book Discussion at WLA this year!

Are you going to the WLA conference this year? Mark your calendars and start reading for a great program, you won't want to miss. The YSS Book Discussion will be held Thursday (November 4) at 4 p.m. This is your chance to participate in a book discussion led by librarians from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC). Everyone attending should have read either Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (Atheneum, 2010) or Bruiser by Neal Shusterman (HarperTeen, 2010) in preparation for this session. Participants will follow CCBC book discussion guidelines www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/discguide.asp

Please go online to Survey Monkey to indicate your book choice at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3NNRPHB

WLA 2010

Are you registered for WLA yet? Early bird registration ends this Friday.

Register online or download the .pdf of the registration form TODAY!!

Read Up for the YSS Book Discussion

For those of you attending WLA this year, don't forget to check out the YSS book discussion that will be held on Thursday from 4-5:15!!!!

Take this opportunity to participate in a book discussion led by librarians from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC). Everyone attending this session should read either Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (Atheneum, 2010) or Bruiser by Neal Shusterman (HarperTeen, 2010) in preparation for this session. Participants will follow CCBC book discussion guidelines (www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/discguide.asp).

Please go online to Survey Monkey to indicate your book choice at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3NNRPHB