Get involved: Candidates for WLA wanted!

As WLA members look forward to our annual Fall Conference, the Nominations Committee begins its preparations for the WLA elections. WLA’s volunteer leaders are a key part of the association’s success. Truly, we could not do it without you. The list below outlines the positions eligible for election this fall. For more information, consult the 2025 Elections page under the For Members tab on the WLA homepage. To nominate yourself or another member, follow the link to submit a nomination. Qualified submissions require a valid membership, contact information, and a brief biographical statement. Nominations are due Monday, October 13th. Questions? Contact Nominations Committee Chair, Rachel Arndt rachel.arndt27@gmail.com Positions Open in 2026 WLA Board of Directors Vice-President/President Elect (3 year term) Secretary (3 year term) Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries WAPL Board Liaison (3 year term) WAPL Vice Chair/Chair Elect (3 year term) Wisconsin Association of Academic Libraries   WAAL Vice Chair/Chair Elect (3 year term) WAAL Secretary (1 year term) Association of Wisconsin Special Libraries AWSL Vice Chair/Chair Elect (3 year term) AWSL Secretary (1 year term) Technical Services Section (TSS) TSS Vice Chair/Chair Elect (3 year term) TSS Secretary (1 year term) Support Staff & Circulation Section SSCS SSCS Vice Chair/Chair Elect (3 year term) SSCS Secretary (2 year term) SSCS Director At Large-Public Library (2 year term) SSCS Director At Large-Special or Academic Library (2 year term) Wisconsin Small Libraries (WISL) WISL Vice Chair/Chair Elect (3 year term) WISL 1st Year Director (3 year term) Youth Services Section (YSS) YSS Chair Elect (3 year term) YSS Director At Large, Two Positions (2 year term) Outreach Services Roundtable OSRT Vice Chair/Chair Elect (3 year term) OSRT Secretary (1 year term) WLA Foundation Board of Directors WLAF Director At Large, Two Positions (3 year term) Make sure you are election ready!  Take time now to check your member profile to make sure you belong to the sections and divisions you desire.  Log in to your profile on the WLA website, click on “My Profile” and scroll through the “About Me” page to the list of sections and divisions listed in your profile.  Want to make a change?  Click “Edit Profile” to add/delete sections and divisions.  Don’t forget to save your work!

Congratulations to our New YSS Board Members

The results are in for the WLA elections for YSS board positions.

Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
Kate Davis, Prairie Lakes Library District

Secretary

Hanna Collins, Slinger Community Library

 

Directors-at-Large 

Lynn Christiansen, Manitowoc Public Library

Katie Ganser, Middleton Public Library

Thanks to all who stood for election this fall. We appreciate you. 

And thanks to all YSS members who took the time to vote in the election.

2025 YSS Board Candidates

It's almost time to vote! Here's a chance to meet your YSS board candidates.

Vice Chair/Chair-Elect (3 year term)

Katie Alford: Hello! I’m Katie Alford, the Youth Services Manager at the Menomonee Falls Public Library. I started my library adventure at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in 2013 as a Reference/Teen Services Specialist. After relocating to Wisconsin, I was hired at MFPL to build teen services from the ground up. It was a great opportunity that included collection development, program planning, volunteer coordinating, social media marketing, school outreach, and the creation of a teen space. I later moved into the role of Youth Services Manager overseeing services to patrons 0 – 18 and their caregivers. Some highlights from my time as YS Manager: Truck Day (in 2023 we had 700 attendees and this summer we had around 1000 – it’s the best day of the year) and coordinating a redesign for our Children’s Library. I’d be honored to serve on this committee and help foster a collaboration and support among libraries across the state.

Vice Chair/Chair Elect (3 year term)
Kate Davis
Hello! I am Kate Davis, the Programming Consultant for Prairie Lakes Library District in southeast Wisconsin. I have extensive expertise in early literacy, youth programming, large-scale programming, collection maintenance, and inclusivity services, among many other practices. I have reviewed books for School Library Journal, participated in the Association of Library Services to Children’s (ALSC) 2022 William Morris Book Evaluation Seminar, currently serve on both ALA’s Mildred A. Batchelder 2025 Committee and a second term on the CLEL (Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy) Bell Award Committee to award distinction to picture books best illustrating early literacy practices. I hold a Master’s of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University.

I’m drawn to the Vice Chair position at WLA because I want to advocate for those working in library youth services by offering them current resources and a place to further their professional talents in an open collaboration. I offer unique perspectives and creative ideas, along with a talent for building relationships, sharing enthusiasm, and providing support. I truly enjoy the camaraderie of committees, especially when there’s a shared passion for uplifting others in our profession.

Secretary (2 year term)

Hanna Collins
Greetings! My name is Hanna Collins and I am proudly serving as the Youth Services Librarian in Slinger, Wisconsin. Hailing from Indiana, I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's in Library Science from Indiana University. Before transplanting to Wisconsin 2 years ago, I served as a teacher and Media Specialist for over 15 years. I was the chair of Indiana's Young Hoosier Book Award Committee and now serve as chair for Wisconsin's Children's Book Award Committee. I have contributed several posts to our YSS Shout-Out Blog and love learning new things from fellow librarians. I'd love to serve as your YSS secretary! I have a great attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. My communication style is clear and concise. I'd love this opportunity to connect more with fellow Wisconsin librarians while serving in this position.

Secretary (2 year term)
Amy Kilkenny

I am currently a Library Assistant at Aram Public Library in Delavan, WI, and an MLIS student at UWM who will be graduating in December of this year. Upon graduation, I want to be a Teen Librarian at my library, which is currently undergoing a major expansion/renovation and will be adding a Teen Librarian position. I currently help the Youth Services Librarian with programming and established and run the library's Teen Advisory Board (with the help of the teens of course!). I'd like to join YSS Board to make more connections in the field and to strengthen my knowledge of youth services in general.

Director-at-Large (2 year term)

Lynn Christiansen:
I hold a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Silver Lake College. I began working at Manitowoc Public Library in 2012 as a Materials Page, and was promoted to Youth Associate in 2017. My primary responsibilities include planning and presenting baby and preschool story times, with a passion for playing my ukulele whenever possible. I consider myself an amateur musician, but the kids really seem to love it! I do a bimonthly program called Family Activity Night for school-aged children. Programs vary from arts & crafts to STEAM challenges and so much more. I treasure my nickname of department MacGyver, as I am always up for finding creative solutions for challenges that arise. Although my participation with WLA has been limited, I would love to get more involved as part of the YSS board. I feel that my professional passions could be applied to working with my colleagues as well.

Director-at-Large (2 year term)
Katie Ganser

Hi everyone! I'm Katie Ganser, Head of Youth Services at the Middleton Public Library. I have worked in libraries for over half my life now, the last 19 years at Middleton. For the past 5 years, I've been working in Youth Services, and I tell people all the time that it's the best job ever! After being part of a great group of Youth Librarians in this year's PBS Kids cohort, I found that making connections and learning from each other brings so much value to our profession. I would love to be part of the YSS board to help foster relationships between YS librarians all over the state of Wisconsin, who are doing such amazing things for their communities. We all have so much knowledge to share with each other and I'm excited for the opportunity to help us all connect, grow, and learn!

YSS Chair's Corner - September 2024

This September YSS board meeting update is from Cathy Pescinski, our YSS 2024 Chair and Teen Librarian at Shawano County Library.

Greetings from YSS! At our latest Board meeting, we started out by talking about some of the resources we use for inspiration in coming up with programming ideas and collection development. I will list some of those at the end of the article. 

Laura Sauser from WLA informed us that we have 9 performers set so far for the Performer's Showcase Tuesday, December 3rd and registration will be opening shortly. Registration is open for registrations so far for the YSS webinar, "Engaging and Affirming Neurodivergent Youth In Community Spaces: The Fellowship" scheduled for Thursday, November 14 at 3:00 p.m. (see link below to register) 

Jeni Schomber from DPI encouraged us to check out DPI presentations at the upcoming WLA conference (BEBS, Teen Internship, DPI What do the Numbers Say, Games, Learning, and Libraries) and Dr. Enderle's State of Education address in the Capitol rotunda where she discusses public libraries in addition to education in Wisconsin. (see link below) Lastly, she participated in the in-person meeting of CSLP where they voted on 2027 Slogan: Mysteries Await at Your Library and 2028 Theme: mythical creatures. She will get the codes for 2025 to the system folks for them to distribute to their consortium folks. 

Linda Jerome (YSS liaison to WLA Board) let us know that Desiree Bongers has stepped down as WLA Board president. WLA Vice President Katharine Clark was appointed to finish Desiree’s term through the end of 2024. WLA has a new membership coordinator - Pam Beam. WLA is going to be kicking off regional events in 2025. The first one will be hosted by the Bridges system with a date to be determined. If your system would be interested in hosting one, please contact the WLA Board. She attended the Connecting Libraries Meeting. It is a quarterly meeting with school librarians and media specialists. They discussed Battle of the Books. (see link below) She will be attending the Wisconsin Out of School Alliance - STEM Advisory Council.

We discussed ways to connect with YSS folks at the WLA conference in Green Bay. Final details are being firmed up and will be sent out soon. 

Lastly, election time is coming up - the fun one! Lol We are still looking for people to help fill positions on the YSS Board. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, any YSS Board member, Laura Sauser at WLA, or Rachael Arndt on the WLA Board for more information. Nomination deadline is October 18th. (again - see link below!)

Link-a-Palooza!

Information sources:

• Facebook pages: Teen Services Underground, Storytime Solidarity, CSLP’s Official Summer Library Programming Group Facebook, We Need Diverse Books, Diverse Reading
• PBS LearningMedia 
• The OT Toolbox - Occupational Therapy Activities and Resources 
• Play to Learn Preschool 
• For storytime: KCLS Tell Me a Story, Jbrary 
• The Very Ready Reading Program - resource available to borrow from IFLS
• Lego Librarian

Engaging and Affirming Neurodivergent Youth In Community Spaces: The Fellowship Webinar: https://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/yss

Dr. Enderle did the State of Education address in the Capitol Rotunda: https://dpi.wi.gov/news/dpi-connected/2023-state-education-address

Battle of the Books

WLA nomination form: https://wla.memberclicks.net/nomination2024

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, or comments about the meeting or any of the activities of the YSS Board. We are here to serve you!

[Note: Want to read the February-August 2024 YSS board minutes? YSS members (after logging in) can access the 2024 YSS board minutes as well as previous years’ minutes at the YSS page of the Wisconsin Library Association website. Do you want to read the minutes but are not a YSS member? Please consider becoming a member by joining WLA so you can stay updated on all the YSS action.] 

Join the YSS Board!

We want you for the YSS Board!

The YSS Executive Board is preparing the ballot for the 2025 WLA election season and invites you to get involved. Whether you’re a current member or new to YSS, you can make a difference by joining the YSS Board.

Nominations are due October 18. To nominate yourself or a colleague, submit the nomination form: https://wla.memberclicks.net/nomination2024#!/

What positions are available?

Director-at-Large (2 spots!): Serve as members of the Executive Board and assist in various YSS activities throughout the year including conference planning. Directors-at-Large serve a 2-year term.

Secretary: Acts as recorder during meetings and assists in various YSS activities. The secretary serves a 2-year term.

Chair Elect: Acts for the Chair in case of vacancy in that office, coordinates activities and meetings with the Chair and plans the YSS booth at the WLA annual conference. This is a three-year position, the first year as Chair Elect, the second year as Chair and the third Year as Past Chair.

How often does YSS meet?
The YSS Board meets online monthly and in person at the WLA conference.

Do I need to be a member of WLA to serve on the board?
To qualify for an elected position, you must be a WLA member in good standing.

What kinds of things does the YSS Executive Board do?
The YSS Executive Board helps to facilitate all the great things that YSS is doing in our state including (but certainly not limited to) YSS Presents webinar series, regional meetups, Children's Book Award Committee and the YSS Shout Out blog.

How do I apply?
If you are interested in becoming a member of the YSS Executive Board, submit the nomination form before October 18th.

Who can I contact with questions?
If you have questions, please reach out to Rachel Arndt, Chair of the Nominating Committee, at rachel.arndt27@gmail.com.

YSS Wants YOU!

With over 300 members, the Youth Services Section (YSS) of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) is the third-largest unit in the organization. YSS is a dynamic and vital group that advocates for professional empowerment, collaboration, and innovative, inclusive, and intentional service. Its members, including public and school library staff, trustees, and supporters, are committed to serving children, young adults, their families, and educators by promoting literacy and quality library services throughout Wisconsin.

The YSS Executive Board is preparing the ballot for the 2025 WLA election season and invites you to get involved. Whether you’re a current member or new to YSS, you can make a difference by joining the YSS Board.

Nominations are due October 18. To nominate yourself or a colleague, submit the nomination form.

What positions are available?

Director-at-Large (2 spots!): Serve as members of the Executive Board and assist in various YSS activities throughout the year including conference planning. Directors-at-Large serve a 2-year term.

Secretary: Acts as recorder during meetings and assists in various YSS activities. The secretary serves a 2-year term.

Chair Elect: Acts for the Chair in case of vacancy in that office, coordinates activities and meetings with the Chair and plans the YSS booth at the WLA annual conference. This is a three-year position, the first year as Chair Elect, the second year as Chair and the third Year as Past Chair.

How often does YSS meet?
The YSS Board meets online monthly and in person at the WLA conference.

Do I need to be a member of WLA to serve on the board?
To qualify for an elected position, you must be a WLA member in good standing.

What kinds of things does the YSS Executive Board do?
The YSS Executive Board helps to facilitate all the great things that YSS is doing in our state including (but certainly not limited to) YSS Presents webinar series, regional meetups, Children's Book Award Committee and the YSS Shout Out blog.

How do I apply?
If you are interested in becoming a member of the YSS Executive Board, submit the nomination form before October 18th.

Who can I contact with questions?
If you have questions, please reach out to Rachel Arndt, Chair of the Nominating Committee, at rachel.arndt27@gmail.com.

It's Time to Vote!

If you are a WLA/YSS member, you should have received your ballot to vote in the WLA election. If you didn't receive it, please reach to to ED Laura Sauser.

The WLA annual election is now live! The ballot will close on Friday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m. 

 

Before you vote, please take a moment to check your member profile to make sure you belong to the sections and divisions you desire.  Log in to your profile on the WLA website, click on “My Profile” and scroll through the “About Me” page to the list of sections and divisions listed in your profile.  Want to make a change?  Click “Edit Profile” to add/delete sections and divisions.  Don’t forget to save your work! 

 

To fill out the ballot, you will need to login to your Member Clicks profile with your Username and Password. If you do not know your Username and/or Password, please email sauser@wisconsinlibraries.org.

 

Follow the steps outlined in the election form, starting with the WLA General Ballot and continuing through the pages. Please note: 

• All WLA members will have the opportunity to vote for the revised WLA bylaws, the WLA Vice-President/President Elect, the ALA Councilor, and the position on the WLA Foundation Board of Directors. 

• In addition, you will have the opportunity to vote for candidates that correspond with the units of which you are a member. For example, if you are a member of AWSL and OSRT, you will see the candidates running for leadership positions in those two units. Note that not all units have positions on the ballot and positions without candidates running for them do not appear on the ballot.   

• Once you complete the Election Ballot (be sure to click "Finish"), you will receive a confirmation email. Thank you for voting!
  

Questions? Please call the WLA office at 608.245.3640 or email sauser@wisconsinlibraries.org.

2023 YSS Candidate Ballot

WLA elections are coming up and YSS has a strong slate of wonderful candidate-members for our YSS board. Today we introduce our slate of candidates for this year's election. Watch for your ballot in the next month or so. And don't forget to vote!!

Chair Elect

Justin Keberlein, Early Literacy Specialist

Kenosha Public Library 

I am an aspiring youth librarian who has just completed the first year of my MLIS at UWM-Milwaukee. I began my library career almost exactly one year ago at the Kenosha Public Library with the intention of working in digital services for adults. However, after six months on desk I learned that my true passion was for children's librarianship, leading me to transfer to KPL's youth and family services. Since the move I've been singing, reading, and planning programs for youth of all ages. As a firm advocate for the transformative potential of youth librarianship, I am dedicated to maintaining the library as a vibrant and inclusive space for patrons from birth onward. Serving on the YSS board would be both an extension of this commitment and an opportunity to learn from and collaborate with fellow board members as we hone our collective skills creating engaging and important content for the array of talented youth service staffers across the state. 

Director at Large

Laci Sheldon, Youth Services Director,

McIntosh (Viroqua) Public Library

Laci Sheldon is a kind, innovative, and responsible leader at McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua. She has served in the role of Youth Services Director since 2021. In her time at McIntosh, she has developed relationships with PBS Kids, Islands of Brilliance, Mexican Folk Art Collective, and Vernon County 4-H to bring education and entertainment to her community's youth patrons and their families. Sheldon administers McIntosh's Library After School Program which has led to in-depth networking within public, private, and home-schooled systems. Sheldon also commits time to furthering her own professional development by participating in the Wisconsin Library Association's Leadership Development Institute and presenting at the American Library Association's 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition.

Director at Large

Peter Blenski

Peter Blenski has been a children’s librarian in the Milwaukee and Waukesha area for over a decade.  He is also the creator of www.legolibrarian.com, a blog that has given free programming and storytime activities to librarians and teachers all over the world.  Peter has also written over 300 published reviews for “School Library Journal” and “Booklist.”  In 2021, Peter served on the Newbery Committee, which gave the highly prestigious Newbery Medal to sci-fi children's book "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera.

WLA Board Liaison

Linda Jerome, Teen Librarian

La Crosse Public Library

Linda Jerome is the teen librarian at La Crosse Public Library where she has worked for more than 30 years. She has been an active member of YSS for over 10 years and has served as the chair of the Children’s Book Award committee and the chair of the YSS board. She also teaches a continuing education course on teen services for UW-Madison’s iSchool. She states, “Being part of the WLA board as the YSS liaison provides the opportunity to share the awesome work being done by our section with our larger library community while also utilizing my experience and enthusiasm to help our organization successfully move through this unprecedented time in our profession.”

Dive into YSS Leadership

The water's fine and you'll have all the support you need to make a difference in WI youth work!

Are you a youth staffer and YSS member with extra spark and a willingness to share what you know with others? Then you would be perfect to work on behalf of keeping children's and youth services great in our state through serving as a Youth Services Section (YSS) board member!

The YSS Board helps to facilitate all the great things that YSS is doing in our state.  Currently, we meet once a month virtually, with an in-person meeting at the WLA fall conference and a short break over the summer. While each position has its specific responsibilities, the wonderful thing about our board is that we all work together to make things happen, from the YSS regional meet-ups to the resurrection of our webinar series. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the YSS Executive Board, email Claire Parrish at claireparrish@ricelakegov.org<mailto:claireparrish@ricelakegov.org> by Monday, August 7 at 5:00pm. You will be asked to provide a short bio, including why you are interested in serving on the board, and a photo. Elections will be held in the fall.

Open Positions:

Chair Elect:   Acts for the Chair in case of vacancy in that office.  Coordinates activities and meetings with the Chair. Plans the YSS booth at the WLA annual conference. This is a three-year position, the first year as Chair Elect, the second year as Chair and the third Year as Past Chair.

Secretary: Is responsible for the minutes of the YSS Board meetings and  appropriate YSS correspondence. Sends agendas and minutes of YSS Board and business meetings to the WLA Executive Director and WLA  President.

Director-at-Large (2 spots!): Serve as members of the Executive Board and are in charge of conference social planning coordination. Directors-at-Large serve a 2-year term.

YSS Wants You! - Run for a Board Position

It’s time to start thinking about YSS Board elections!

Are you wanting to get more involved with the library world? Make professional contacts from around the state? Use your skills or maybe learn some new ones? Looking for a great entry point into library leadership?

The YSS Executive Board helps to facilitate all the great things that YSS is doing in our state. Currently, we meet once a month virtually, with an in-person meeting at the WLA fall conference and a short break over the summer. While each position has its specific responsibilities, the wonderful thing about our board is that we all work together to make things happen, from the YSS regional meet-ups to the resurrection of our webinar series.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the YSS Executive Board, email Claire Parrish at claireparrish@ricelakegov.org by Monday, August 7 at 5:00pm. You will be asked to provide a short bio including why you are interested in serving on the board. Elections will be held in the fall.

Open Positions:

Chair Elect: Acts for the Chair in case of vacancy in that office. Coordinates activities and meetings with the Chair. Plans the YSS booth at the WLA annual conference. This is a three-year position, the first year as Chair Elect, the second year as Chair and the third Year as Past Chair.

Secretary: Is responsible for the minutes of the YSS Board meetings and appropriate YSS correspondence. Sends agendas and minutes of YSS Board and business meetings to the WLA Executive Director and WLA President.

Director-at-Large (2 spots!): Serve as members of the Executive Board and are in charge of conference social planning coordination. Directors-at-Large serve a 2-year term.

Congratulations to Our New YSS Board Members

The WLA election results are in.

Congratulations to our new 2023 board members: 

Chair Elect: Cathy Pescinski, Teen Librarian, Shawano County Library

Director-at-Large :
Jenna Gilles, Youth Services Librarian, Chippewa Falls Public Library
Valerie Spooner, Youth Services Librarian, Rusk County Community Library (Ladysmith)

They will join the 2023 YSS board: Alison Loewen,  Chair; Claire Parish, Past Chair; Secretary, Caitlin Schaeffer; Linda Jerome, WLA Board Liaison; and Directors at Large Murray Johnson and Ashley Borman.

Also a huge thank you to all our YSS members who stood for election this year: Susie Menk, Andrea Bisordi, Brittany Fahrenkamp, Michelle Johnson, Jeanette Rydberg and Jamie Mercer. We hope that you will consider stepping up to run again in the future. YSS is where we build leaders and support for youth services. All are welcome!

Meet Your 2023 YSS Board Candidates - Directors-at-Large

WLA elections are coming up and YSS has a strong slate of wonderful candidate-members for our YSS board. Today we introduce our candidates for the two year position of Director-at-Large. There are six candidates for two open positions. Watch for your ballot in the next month or so. And don't forget to vote!!

Andrea Bisordi, Head of Youth Services, Delafield Public Library

Hi everyone, I’m Andrea. I have worked in libraries for four years now, currently as the Head of Youth Services at the Delafield Public Library. I shifted from the world of education into the world of information professionals a few years back and have taught various subjects in several different environments. While I bring a lot of knowledge from my time teaching, I’ve been supported and helped in the transition to library land by all the amazing librarians in Wisconsin who are willing to share their experiences and expertise. Having a strong state organization is important, and I would like to give back and be a part of keeping it successful.

Brittany Fahrenkamp (she/her), Youth Services/Programming, Hazel Mackin Community Library, Roberts WI

My name is Brittany Fahrenkamp and I have served as the youth services librarian at the Roberts Public Library since 2015. I have a masters in library and information science and a bachelor’s in elementary education. I have experience sitting on organization boards from my time in my local county’s 4-H program and my time as an Interim 4-H program coordinator for Blue Earth County in Minnesota.  I’m excited about the opportunity to get to know members of our YSS community better and to be more involved in YSS projects.  

Jenna Gilles, Chippewa Falls Public Library

 

I have worked in Youth Services since 2009.The keys to my programming philosophy include community and relationship building, positive connections with the self, others, and our surroundings, and helping youth and families develop a positive sense of self-worth and growth. While presenting on panels during webinars and WLA, I have had opportunities to chat with library staff from around the state. I am inspired by the opportunities that library staff offer to engage and transform communities. In addition to the communities in which we work, our community of librarians has given so much to me as well (thanks for letting me steal/adapt all those ideas!). At a time when a growing number of loud groups and individuals want to dictate the resources and services we can provide for our communities, I encourage us to be louder and stronger. YSS serves as a resource to strengthen ourselves as well as offering supports to reflect, rest, and enrich the silliness in our lives. If elected, I look forward to brainstorming ways to support library staff who are often unable to meet in person. I value the collaboration that is already strong in our profession. I want to look for ways to transform and enliven professional development and how we advocate for ourselves. There is much to learn and I am here for it. In addition to libraries, I also love my cats (Sandwich and Chamomile), my teenager, Star Wars, Stranger Things, and fantasy/SciFi. When not at the library, I venture out for live music, the North Shore, Asian dumplings, and the many green or rocky spaces around Wisconsin.   

Michelle Johnson, Library Director, Hammond Community Library

Hello, my name is Michelle Johnson, a new member to WLA as of 2022.  I have been a library director for the past 25 + years and love my job at the Hammond Community Library located in Hammond, WI.  Hammond is a small rural town located about 20 minutes from some larger communities.  The Hammond Community Library is part of a shared library consortium (MORE) and part of the IFLS library system.  I have become more involved, at our system level, and expanding my involvement outside of our system as well.  By being more involved it helps me become a better leader/director at our library and for our community.  It broadens my knowledge and strengthens my commitment to building a better library for years to come.  As Director at Large it would be wonderful to be a part of the Youth Services and to network with others and work to build learning opportunities in youth services. 

Jeanette Rydberg, Youth & Adult Services  Thomas St. Angelo Public Library, Cumberland

After forty years in education, I retired and joined the staff at the Thomas St. Angelo Public Library of Cumberland. I have worked there for five years in adult and youth services.  I have been able to utilize my background in child development and higher education to provide programs for infants through adults at the library. I am most proud of upgrading our collections of adult fiction and non-fiction, large print, youth, and audio books.  I have also worked with our director to create new opportunities for our patrons such as a Countryside Delivery program, installation of an Everbright light board, designed a Maker Space area, and installed a Native Plant garden.  I value collaboration and connecting with others.  I would be honored to be a member of the Youth Services Section board.

Valerie Spooner, Youth Services Librarian, Ladysmith Public Library 

I'm Valerie Spooner and I have been the Youth Services Librarian at the Rusk County Community Library in Ladysmith since 2014. I am a department of one and I do everything from collection development to programming and everything in between. The past few years have taught me how important it is to collaborate and communicate with fellow librarians. My favorite thing to do at the library is bring special guests (usually an animal) to storytime. My favorite thing to do not in the library is enjoy all of the outdoor activities Wisconsin has to offer, but I have to admit that you will usually find me reading and eating something yummy in my down time. Thank you for your consideration.