Chat, Network, and Commiserate at the Midday Mingle!

Get together with other Youth Services staff on Zoom to cover the great debates of our field: craft or no craft, theme or no theme, registration or walk-ins, YA or teen, cardigan or hoodie. Dare I ask - coffee or tea?

Mark your calendar:

Topic: This or That? 

Date: Monday, November 10

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Zoom Link

Catch up on our last Midday Mingle here! 

These informal meetups happen quarterly and are hosted by the Youth Services Section of WLA. However, you do not need to be a member to attend. Be on the lookout for another one after winter holidays!  Got a suggestion for a topic? Let us know in the comments or email kalford@menomonee-falls.org.

Let's Mingle!

Our next Youth Services Section Midday Mingle is coming up!

Get together with other Youth Services staff on Zoom to cover the great debates of our field: craft or no craft, theme or no theme, registration or walk-ins, YA or teen, cardigan or hoodie. Dare I ask - coffee or tea?

Mark your calendar:

Topic: This or That? 

Date: Monday, November 10

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Zoom Link

Catch up on our last Midday Mingle here!

These informal meetups happen quarterly and are hosted by the Youth Services Section of WLA. However, you do not need to be a member to attend. Be on the look out for another one after winter holidays!  Got a suggestion for a topic? Let us know in the comments or email kalford@menomonee-falls.org.

WLA Honors YSS Members

Two members of YSS will be honored at the WLA Fall Conference in Middleton at the end of the month.

Alison Loewen, current YSS past chair, will be honored with the 2025 Demco Librarian of the Year Award! Alison has served on the YSS board for the past four years. She is being honored as an innovative collaborator and leader in early literacy within her community and beyond. You can read more about her accomplishments here.

Marge Loch-Wouters, longtime YSS member and recent YSS blog administrator, will be inducted into the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame. She is being honored for her almost fifty years of work on behalf of youth librarians and youth in the state and nationally. You can read more about her accomplishments here. 

Both honors will be given at the WLA Awards and Honors banquet on Thursday evening October 30 at 6:30 pm at the Marriot West conference center. 

For those not attending the banquet, there will be a chance to join some of the honorees at an informal get-together starting at 8:45 pm following the banquet at the Marriott’s bar hosted by Jamie Matczak and Marge Loch-Wouters. We hope to see many youth folks there to celebrate!

Become a PBS KIDS Library Cohort!

 Calling Wisconsin library staff!

🤩 Applications are OPEN for the PBS KIDS Library Cohort!

This exciting virtual experience connects libraries across the state of Wisconsin, blending professional development, hands-on learning, collaboration, and program implementation into one dynamic series.

Why participate?

• SUPPORT early literacy and learning capacity with research-backed resources that encourage playful language development, spark a love of stories, and cultivate compassion.
• DISCOVER resources that  support the process of learning with high-quality, ready-to-use, educational media from PBS KIDS. Gain confidence implementing these ideas in your programs.
• BUILD media literacy skills that integrate digital resources in hands-on programming, that support children in how to think, rather than what to think.
• DEVELOP friendships and connections to library staff and communities across Wisconsin through peer partnerships and collaboration opportunities with local organizations. 

 Learn more about the program and apply here!

⭐ Libraries will receive a $350 stipend to support youth-focused program implementation.
📣 Apply by November 14, 2025. Spots are limited!

Miss the Midday Mingle?

The first YSS Midday Mingle was a blast as we chatted all things storytime with colleagues sharing their top 3 books, songs, tips for first-timers, and more. 

Go ahead and mark your calendar for our next Midday Mingle a lively 'this or that' session covering the great debates of our field: craft or no craft, theme or no theme, registration or walk-ins, YA or teen, cardigan or hoodie.

Topic: This or That? 
Date: Monday, November 10
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Zoom Link

But worry not friends – I've got a recap of our storytime mingle to catch you up and tide you over! 

Image by Lubos Houska from Pixabay

Favorite Storytime Books

• Shh…. We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
• Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman
• Almost anything by Ame Dyckman
• DinoGro by Matthew Myers
• About a dinosaur that grows in water, and grows and grows and grows
• Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous by Keith Calabrese
• Great for right before school is back in session, about being anxious for the first day of school
• Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey
• Any Jan Thomas Books
• Roo Knows Blue by Renee Treml
• about a kangaroo
• Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson
• 100 Mighty Dragons all Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle
  
• Great bit for WI peeps with the knowledge that this is written by a Minnesota author
• Entertaining, silly way to introduce math
• Bob Not Bob by Liz Garton Scanlon
• Great for winter when everyone is sick, about being congested/stuffy, perform it with a stuffy voice, kids find it hilarious
• Bear has a Belly by Jane Whittingham
• Bad Dog by Mike Boldt
• Case of mistaken identity, birthday gift was a pet dog (holds up cat), laments that Rocky does not do things like other dogs (again Rocky is a cat), kids are delighted by it
• Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort
• Lots of chances for animal noises
• Can You Do This? by Megan Roy
• Book has questions that prompt interactive activities for the storytime crowd – can you touch your toes, hop like a bunny, dance, etc. lots of options for movements and getting the sillies out – may need to spread out a bit for some of the actions
• Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs by Eric Litwin
• Teach the song and dance afterwards, good for a music and movement storytime, teaches about sharing with friends, and has ice cream and dinos! Perfect

Image by Moondance from Pixabay

Favorite Storytime Songs

• Tootie Tot
• Icky Sticky Bubble Gum
• Susan Salmador
• Shiny New Shoes Album but also everything
• Jim Gill
• Silly Dance Contest
• Hammer & Saw – has the sounds of those tools
• Laurie Berkner
• Monster Boogie – has a book to go with it
• Rocket Ship Run
• P-I-Z-Z-A to the tune of Bingo
• using a felt pizza and removing a piece with each letter to help the kids keep track

Tonight we have my favorite food.

Yes, friends, we're having Pizza

P-I-Z-Z-A, P-I-Z-Z-A, P-I-Z-Z-A, yes friends we're having Pizza!

• Fruit and Veggies Unite!
• Good active movements song, and chance to be silly – go bananas, go bananas
• Good chance for early literacy tips to caregivers - We’re going to sing a song now about fruits and vegetables. This song has lots of great action words in it like peel, mash, shuck, pop, slice, and squeeze.  Today when you eat lunch or dinner, try using these words again or introducing new words about the foods you’re eating with your child

Image by Martine den Engelsen from Pixabay

Favorite Non-Traditional Props

• Water explorers storytime
• Jar of water, shaving cream, blue food coloring
  
• Thinking how else to incorporate STEM into storytime props 
• Water, sink and float, experiment, guess if it will sink or float
• Bag of water, stick pencils into
• Farmers Market Storytime
• props, costumes, a lot of books with dialog, spray bottles to spray at crowd, hats for interrupting chickens, penguin hats, crow and pitcher costumes
• Rainbow stew
• bowl/pot and the felt veggies and fruit, spoon
• Magic Envelope
• different ingredients or parts of theme, put the stuff in and on the other side is the end product (i.e. pics of seed, water, soil, and on the other side of the envelope is a flower, have them guess what you are making before revealing
• A bus!
• Had a Pigeon storytime and had a person in the Pigeon costume roll up in a bus (not driving though!)
• Discussion of Stretchy Bands
• One participant did not like them, used them once, hard for kids to hold the tension correctly, got a bit wild
• One loves them
• Used at the beginning of music and movement when caregivers and kids are coming in, has them immediately grab the bands and start participating – sets the tone for the rest of the storytime – caregivers as active participants 
• Great for Row Row Row Your Boat, Wheels on the Bus, etc.

Favorite Rhymes

• My Two Hands

My two hands go clap, clap, clap

My two feet go tap, tap, tap

My two hands go thump, thump, thump

My two feet go jump, jump, jump

My one body turns around

and it quietly sits down

• Dinosaur Dinosaur

Dinosaur, Dinosaur

Dinosaur, Dinosaur stomp your feet.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur show your teeth.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur swing your tail.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur show your scales.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur show your claws.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur snap your jaws!

Dinosaur, Dinosaur give a ROAR!

Dinosaur, Dinosaur sit on the floor.

• I'm a Tiny T-Rex

I'm a tiny T-Rex, hatched from my egg

I’ve got tiny arms, and big, stompy legs

I want to make a sound, like a big dinosaur

Are you ready? Here it comes! 1-2-3 …

Meow. 

                    [Repeat with other noises for as long as you like]

You've totally guac this. Image by Katie Alford.

Tips for First Timers

• Keep it simple
• You don’t have to do it like the person who was there before you, make it your own, do what makes you comfortable
• You don’t have to be a great singer, you don’t even have to sing at all, you could exclusively use recorded music
• Remember its about the little people, your audience is the kids, don’t get nervous about the adults in the room, just pretend its all kids and lean into the silly fun time
• Slow down – slow your reading down, take your time, any story can be made interactive, use open ended questions, read a sentence and blank out the last word, have the kids fill in the blank on how the sentence ends
• Find an opening and closing song you love and repeat repeat repeat

Unexpected Storytime Happenings

• Color Our World Storytime – red theme, can you name red things, kids call out the usual things –  apple, fire truck, etc. But one kid calls out BLOOD
• Fire alarm pulled
• Child took their first steps
• Showing off injuries and then everyone wants to show and tell
• This could be incorporated into the story time start – check-in time, everyone show their ouchies, and then its done and you can move on

Books You'd Never Read Again

• Issues reading the Book with No Pictures, seemed like it’d be great, watched B.J. Novak do it, but in reality it went terrible and wouldn’t do it again
• Seconded – overthinking the pronunciations and tripping myself up trying to read it

It's almost time for the Midday Mingle!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Share, Laugh, and Commiserate at the Midday Mingle

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

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

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

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

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

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

Join the YSS Midday Mingle

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

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

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

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

Zoom Link

Got suggestions/requests for our next Midday Mingle topic? Let us know in the comments or email kalford@menomonee-falls.org.

WiLS Ideas to Action Fund Applications Opens April 1

 As seen in Nicolet Federated Library System's Nic News Weekly, February 21, 2025

WiLS Ideas to Action Fund application period opens April 1 The WiLS Ideas to Action Fund provides grants of up to $5,000 so member organizations can bring their project ideas to life. The Fund encourages partnerships and collaborations among WiLS members and with community partners, supports innovative and exploratory new work, and seeds the development of processes, methods, or resources that can be used by other WiLS members. The total amount awarded in 2024 was $37,740. To date, the WiLS Board has awarded over $220,000 to 55 Wisconsin libraries and cultural organizations. For examples of successfully funded projects, see the proposal for Appleton Public Library’s Piano Project or Tomahawk School District’s 2020 proposal to create an eSports club. Have questions about WiLS Ideas to Action Funds? Watch the recording of WiLS' webinar on preparing your proposal or contact them at information@wils.org.

Neon Art Show Program Collaboration

Nick Andrews, director in Elmwood  (population 810) recently shared the following message to the Youth Services listserv in IFLS and Leah Langby shared it with us.  What a great collaboration and fun program!

Nick shares:

I just wanted to share an art collaboration with my local elementary art teacher. They had five classroom's worth of glow-in-the-dark artwork, and a handful of black lights. I had a place to show it all off, the time to help put it all up, and the willingness to spend $60 on LED light strips and glow in the dark balloons. Between the two of us, we planned out where it would go, talked it up to all our school families, and placed all the art and lights. Additional props to the art teacher's kids, who helped me get all the balloons inflated.

Then we had the regular lights off for two hours this evening, and nearly 100 people came through to see the show! (those are excellent numbers for us, I'm really excited )

Partly I'm bragging because I had so much fun with so many of my student artists, but I also wanted to mention how far this went with just a handful of conversations with my local art teacher and a willingness (and capacity) to help turn the library into a gallery.

How All Staff Can Support Storytime

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Recently Jaime Eastman, writing at the ALSC blog, shared some wise words about how all library staff (not just the staff who actually do the storytimes) can support and advocate for storytimes with families. 

Jaime writes:"While our patrons may only see one or two faces in storytime, the reality is that it takes an entire team for our storytimes to succeed. Over the years, there have been many iterations of what supporting storytime looks like. We’ve learned that for it to work, staff must be all in for storytime. How does that work? Let me tell you more."

To check out her tips, please stop here. [All In for Storytime: Tips for Library Staff at Every Level. Eastman, Jaime. ALSC blog. January 2, 2025.]

Upcoming Webinar: Video Game Collections in Libraries, Pt. #2

Hello once more, games-interested library colleagues!

Just sending a reminder that next week Wednesday, December 11th, from 10:00-11:00 am CST (11:00 am - Noon EST), I'll be co-presenting alongside the inimitable Jenna Gilles (Youth Services Associate, Chippewa Falls Public Library) and Jamie Hein (Library Director, Clintonville Public Library) as we continue our series helping guide librarians in how to create robust video game collections in libraries! Here's brief description about what we'll be covering in part #2:

• "So - once you’ve acquired the games themselves for your collection… what then? Have no fear! In this second part of our series, we’ll return to tackle the functional, 'nuts and bolts' methods and best practices of ongoing video game collection management. This webinar will delve into processing recommendations (like labeling, marking, & barcoding), cataloging considerations (e.g., how long should games’ checkout periods be?), displaying the collections to be browsable for patrons (where in the library? How should they be organized? Should you ‘care’ about ratings?), procedural standards for keeping your games ‘safe’ (and easily navigable for staff!) - and more. We aim to illustrate that – with a bit of diligence and learning for staff and patrons alike – the ongoing facilitation of video game collections in libraries ought to be no more burdensome on day-to-day operations than offering any other collection, all while allowing libraries to better meet the needs of entirely new user groups – and increase circulation!"

• For more information (and to add the event to your calendar), head here!

• And if you missed part #1 (about Selection & Acquisition), you can check it out here!

Special thanks to the Indiana State Library for hosting us, and for the American Library Association's Games & Gaming Round Table for co-sponsoring the event! We look forward to seeing folks on December 11th!

Stay groovy, 

~Chris

Chris Baker (he/him/his) Public Library Consultant, Games & Learning Consultant Library Services Team, Division of Libraries and Technology Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 201 West Washington Avenue | Madison WI 53703 608-264-6709 | chris.baker@dpi.wi.gov | dpi.wi.gov

Wisconsin State Park Pass Program Info

 As seen in IFLS Keeping Up with Kids blog , November 20, 2024 issue

Deep dive: Wisconsin State Park Pass program for 2025

The Wisconsin DNR is excited to announce that the Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library program will return for 2025. We would like to invite you and your library to join us again in the new year.

The 2025 Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library program will launch on Jan. 1, 2025, with passes being available for ‘check-out’ throughout the full calendar year. A pre-purchase period for passes for next year will open Wednesday, Nov. 13. Passes will be delivered in mid-December, so they are available for use on Jan. 1.

New in 2025

1. The daily pass distributed through the Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library program has been updated. Starting in 2025, a new pass will be implemented that is specific for this program. The new passes will read “Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library program” and will only be available to participating libraries. The new passes will come as an 8.5×11 flat sheet of 9 passes, so purchase quantities will look different in 2025. Minimum number of passes per purchase is 9. This new pass format will allow for easier shipping and storage of pass inventory.

2. 2025 marks the 12th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System. This milestone will be marked with family-friendly events, fascinating park system history and recreation opportunities for visitors of all abilities and experience levels. Libraries and library patrons are invited to join the DNR in celebrating this anniversary occasion. Digital resources with information on events and state park system history will be available for libraries. If you are interested in more information on how to get involved with the 125th anniversary, please reach out to Sara Bernaski by email.

Other program details:

• Daily passes will remail $5 per pass, this discounted price is only available for libraries.
• Passes can be purchased via credit card, check or invoice.
• Digital resources are available from Wisconsin State Parks Pass Program | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
• Learn more about Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library by visiting Check out Wisconsin State Parks at your Library | | Wisconsin DNR

Wrapping up 2024
Please note that the red daily passes that are currently in use by this program will be phased out of use by the Wisconsin State Park System starting in 2025. Libraries can use the red passes until they are gone.

However, librarians and library staff should be aware that Wisconsin State Park System properties will no longer be selling the red daily passes. Park properties will now distribute a daily pass in a receipt paper format when a customer purchases a daily rate admission. Park system staff are aware that red daily passes are in circulation due to the Check Out Wisconsin State Parks program and may be used by library patrons.
Purchasing and contact info

To purchase passes for 2025, please contact Dawn Hirst via phone or email. Orders can be placed by calling Dawn Hirst at Devil’s Lake State Park at 608-356-8301 Ext.110 or emailing Dawn.Hirst@wisconsin.gov. Please reference the Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library program and include your contact information.

Have the following information ready: contact name, library name, mailing address, phone number, email, number of passes and payment information.

For all other questions about the Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library program, please email Sara Bernaski at Sara.Bernaski@wisconsin.gov.

STEAM Fellows Opportunity

 - As seen on wispublib via Anne Moser. DPI's Chris Baker chimed in and encouraged libraries to apply

Hello!

Do you and/or other colleagues in your district have experience teaching STEM/STEAM? The Department of Public Instruction is looking to hire 15 STEAM fellows (PK-12) who will engage in professional development, collaborate with regional and statewide partners, and implement STEAM-related initiatives in their schools and communities. Fellows will participate in collaborative learning experiences, curate educational resources, develop a plan to locally engage underrepresented students in STEAM education, and share their learning with others. The fellowship aims to foster innovation, equity, and excellence in STEAM education across Wisconsin.

Fellowships highlights:

  *   $2,000 stipend
  *   Grow your own practice with free professional learning
  *   Support others to grow their practice by sharing what you've learned

Click here to learn more and apply (Applications due November 8): 

DPI STEAM Education Fellows Application (ed.note: this may show up attached to my lochwouters account. Just hit "switch account" and put your info in!)

Please, share this announcement with your colleagues.

Thanks and hope you have a great weekend,
Kevin

Science Education Coordinator
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Reminder - WiLS Ideas to Action Grants Still Open

Do you have an idea that needs a boost or one you’d like to begin but don’t have funding? Through the Ideas to Action Fund, WiLS provides grants of up to $5,000 so libraries and cultural organizations can bring their ideas to life.

WiLS seeks innovative or collaborative proposals from libraries and cultural organizations of all types, including public libraries and public library systems, in order to support the good work of the diversity of WiLS members. Here are just a few examples of public library projects funded in recent years:

• Hartland Public Library's Biking Along the Ice Age Trail with the Hartland Public Library (2023)
• Lake Geneva Public Library's Leaves and Sheaves: Papermaking for Art and the Environment (2023)
  
• Kimberly Public Library's Celebrate Native American Heritage (2022)
• Marathon County Public Library's Digitizing Oral Histories and Transcripts (2022)
• La Crosse Public Library's Threads of Tradition: Connecting Hmong Generations Through the Textile Arts (2021)

Your idea could be next! The 2024 Ideas to Action Fund application period is open through June 3rd. The proposal form and reporting are built to be simple and quick so awardees can focus on the success of the work and the benefits to their communities.

Wondering if your project idea is a good fit? Read about the projects funded since 2018. Want more details on how to prepare your proposal? Watch this helpful webinar. Have any other questions or want more information? Drop a line to information@wils.org.

Boost Your Own Professional Development

Image by Manfred Steger from Pixabay

A recent ALSC blog post by the ever thoughtful Jaime Eastman breaks down the many ways you can boost your own professional development outside employer-provided opportunities.

Jaime writes: "Does your job require regular professional development or continuing education? Often, this means mandatory training facilitated by your employer. It covers important topics and may provide useful tools and resources. But what about development that’s just for you?...What if you could explore topics just because they resonate, not because someone said you had to? I firmly believe choosing development opportunities that excite you should be an option. I’ll also admit that might not be your reality right now. Let’s talk about ways to add professional development that really resonates. What sparks your joy?"

Stop here to read all her great suggestions. [Boost Your Career: Professional Development Tips for Library Staff. Eastman, Jaime. ALSC blog. April 2, 2024.]

WI Science Festival Virtual Kickoff Party - You're Invited!

Please see information below about an upcoming informational "Virtual Kickoff Party" regarding the Wisconsin Science Festival. We've had a number of school and public libraries serve as host sites (offering REALLY cool activities!) for the WI Science Festival in the past, and it'd be terrific to continue strengthening our collaborative relationship with the Science Festival moving forward.

If your library might be a good fit for a WI Science Festival host site come this October (or if you're just interested in learning more!), consider registering for the April 25th info opportunity below.

See you there! 

~Chris Baker/ DPI Library Team Consultant

ZOOM INTO SCIENCE WITH #WISCIFEST 2024! 2024 Wisconsin Science Festival Virtual Kickoff Party April 25 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Ready to start making plans for the fall? Just want to learn more? Join us for networking and conversation about the 14th annual Wisconsin Science Festival! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE KICKOFF PARTY Hear from the WSF team and a few special guests about updates for 2024 ·    Learn how and when to submit your 2024 events ·    Grab your lunch and bring your ideas and questions The Wisconsin Science Festival aims to inspire and engage us in the enterprise of science and discovery; to promote innovation and to cultivate the next generation of global citizens. In 2023, more than 41,000 people participated in events throughout 51 counties in Wisconsin. (View the 2023 annual report!) Additional opportunities from our festival partners: If you have content you’d like to share or include in the Wisconsin Science Festival, our friends at Remake Learning Days have a great opportunity for you to test your material or programs with youth and families this spring! See more details on how to include your organization in another great celebration of learning.

Congratulations Monica Treptow

DPI's School Library Media Consultant Monica Treptow was recently named WEMTA 2024 Professional of the Year. WEMTA 2024 Professional of the Year. The award, presented by the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association (WEMTA), recognizes a member of the Association for their leadership and professionalism in the library, media, or educational technology profession in service to K-12 students, teachers, and the community. 

The announcement in Wisconsin Libraries for Everyone included the following information : "In their nomination, the group warmly reflected on Treptow’s amazing contribution to Wisconsin’s schools and librarians, “Monica has been a true leader in the field, bringing together experienced professionals, supporting those new to the role and providing fresh opportunities for continuous professional growth for everyone…. Whether facilitating a meeting of library and technology leaders from Wisconsin’s five largest school districts or working with CESA's to create connections across the most rural counties, Monica truly has impacted all corners of our state.”

We echo these accolades and are thrilled at Monica's award. She has been a tireless advocate and leader for school and public library collaboration on a local and statewide level. She works closely with her DPI public library consultant colleagues on many projects including the statewide collaborative group "Connecting WI Libraries" that supports school library and public library collaboration and networking.  

Congratulations Monica!

You can read more about her award here.

New Email List for Gaming + Learning

A message from Chris Baker:

First off; I want to thank everyone for helping spread the word about our Wisconsin Games + Learning + Libraries Cohort. Only announced late last year, our WISELearn group already boasts 78 members, and has 42 affiliated resources that librarians can explore. The list of resources and valuable discussions will continue to grow throughout the year; you'll want to stay tuned!

• Want to join the group? First, register a WISELearn account; then head here to "Join This Group". You can introduce yourself in our "Greetings; Introduce Yourself to the Group!" discussion thread.

Second; I want to invite everyone interested in periodic updates about Wisconsin's efforts in the Games + Libraries space to join DPI's new Games-Learning-Libraries E-mail List! WISELearn does not currently allow the ability for members to receive notifications about added resources or discussion posts – so this new list will allow me to share immediate updates about important new resources, discussion questions, collaborative opportunities, and information about other relevant games-based projects and initiatives – right to your inbox. 

As the Library Services Team continues to partner with groups like the Play Make Learn Conference and Field Day Learning Games to develop collaboration opportunities (past example linked) for Wisconsin librarians, this email list will the PERFECT way to be kept 'in the know' as soon as information can be made available.

Additionally, the list will serve as an effective troubleshooting and discussion space alongside the WISELearn Group. Even if you've already joined the Games + Libraries + Learning WISELearn Cohort, you'll want to subscribe to this email list; don't miss out! I won't use the list to announce every single new resource added or discussion post created, so you shouldn't expect your inbox to be overloaded*. I'm anticipating this group functioning similar to WisPubLib, but games + libraries focused. To join the list:

1. Send an email to Subscribe-Games-Learning-Libraries@lists.dpi.wi.gov
1. (You don't need to include anything in the email subject or body.)
   
   
2. You will receive an email asking you to confirm that you'd like to subscribe; follow those instructions to complete the process.
   
   
3. I will approve your subscription; then, when appropriate, you can begin contributing & responding to questions and updates by emailing games-learning-libraries@lists.dpi.wi.gov. Emails sent to the group list (including in response to anything I send out) will be shared with everyone subscribed to the list.
   
   

*Note: I'll manage the list carefully to ensure we're only sharing relevant updates about discussions, opportunities, and resources of particular utility to those subscribed.

To pique folks' interest about what types of items I'll highlight with the list, I'll include info here about an excellent ready-made Dungeons & Dragons program resource that was added to our WISELearn group by expert DM Todd Gibbons; thank you Todd, for this stellar resource:

• Dungeons and Dragons Introductory One-Shot: Book of Constructs
• "This is a Dungeons and Dragons module meant to introduce new dungeon masters and players to the game. The module runs about 2-2.5 hours and accommodates a group of 3-8 players. This module does require the Dungeons and Dragons Player's Handbook to play."
  
  
• "The game is formatted like an escape room to introduce players and the DM to the basic mechanics in a condensed amount of time. In the attached folder there are the module pdf, printout maps, props and premade character sheets to make it easy as possible to sit down and start playing. The setting is also open ended regarding the world and lore, so it makes a good introductory game to larger campaign or to insert to an existing one."
  
  

So... what are you waiting for? Join our WISELearn Group, sign up for the email list, and go download the free .zip file to begin working on a D&D program in your library space – today! 

Game on, my friends; I look forward to collaborating with you all! 

Chris Baker, Public Library Consultant, Library Services Team 

Department of Public Instruction 

(608) 264-6709        christopher.baker@dpi.wi.gov