Power Up proposals now open

Photo by Headway on Unsplash

 Power Up: A Leadership Conference for Youth Services Managers & Staff

Call for proposals now open! 

Submit your idea today: go.wisc.edu/64f8cx 

Power Up 2027 will occur March 22-23, 2027, in Madison, WI. Share your strategies for project management, mentorship, program evaluation, staff morale & retention, advocacy, change management, culturally relevant programming, and more with fellow youth service librarians! Submit your proposal by September 7, 2026, for full consideration.

Conference sessions can take one of several formats, and you are welcome to submit multiple proposals. 

• Lecture presentation: 45-minute presentation + 15 min Q&A
• Panel Discussion: 2-4 presenters focused on one big topic and sharing their experience
• Workshop presentation: One-hour hands-on learning experience
• Programming lightning talk: 5–8-minute mini presentation on or about a successful program

Selected presentation, workshop, and panel sessions will receive one complimentary conference registration. Selected lightning talk presenters will receive a discounted conference rate. 

Roundtable Facilitator 

In addition to general session proposals, we are also looking for roundtable facilitators to help moderate conversations about:

• Fostering positive teen relationships and engagement in the library
• Welcoming and engaging families in the library

Roundtable moderators will prepare discussion questions in advance, introduce the topic, and guide the discussion during a conference breakout session.

Selected roundtable facilitators will receive a discounted conference registration. Submit your application by September 7, 2026, for consideration. 

Roundtable facilitator application: go.wisc.edu/0ic7wx

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Questions? Email ce-info@ischool.wisc.edu

2026 WLA Call for Proposals

 

The 2026 WLA Annual Conference Call for Proposals is officially open! This year’s theme is “Rooted in Community,” and WLA is looking for presenters to share the creative, impactful work happening across our libraries, communities and campuses.

Session proposals for presentations, panels, and workshops from all library types and organizations, across departments and roles at every level, and from people of all backgrounds are welcomed.

Presenting at WLA is a chance to grow professionally, expand your network, and share your work with colleagues across Wisconsin. You’ll build confidence, strengthen your résumé, and spark conversations that help libraries learn from one another. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or trying it for the first time, your experiences can make a meaningful impact on the library community.

Please submit your proposal by 5 p.m. CST on Friday, May 9: https://rebrand.ly/jgqptqj 

Save the date!
The 2026 Wisconsin Library Association conference is October 20-23, 2026
Marriott Madison West in Middleton, WI

 

 

Play Make Learn Conference Proposals Open Now!

Logo from Play Make Learn Website

The 2026 Play Make Learn Conference Call for Proposals is OPEN NOW!!!

 

The Play Make Learn Conference is a place for collaboration and discovery in the design, research and practice of playful learning, games for learning and positive social impact, making and makerspaces, STEAM education, and arts in education. PML creates an inspirational space for preK-12 educators, designers, developers, innovators, librarians, museum professionals, makers, and researchers to tinker together, share knowledge, and celebrate one another’s work.

 

• July 9-10, 2026 | Madison, WI
• Call for Proposals deadline for submissions: March 9, 2026 at 11:59PM Central
• Notifications sent out: April 2026
• Submit Your Proposal Here: go.wisc.edu/PMLsubmit

 

We believe that everyone has unique contributions to bring to the conference. PML aspires to foster a learning community that has a diversity of perspectives and practices. Are you a first time presenter, young person, or practitioner considering submitting for Play Make Learn and need additional support? Reach out to our planning team at: conferences@education.wisc.edu

 

 

WAPL needs you!!

Plans are underway for the 2026 WAPL Conference taking place April 27-29, at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, WI.  

Hosted by the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL), a division of the Wisconsin Library Association, this annual event brings together members of the public library community to share big ideas and learn from each other through interactive breakout sessions and special events.

Submit a Breakout Session Proposal

The application for submitting proposals for breakout sessions is now open, and your expertise is needed to make WAPL 2026 the best conference ever!

The conference theme is Library as Test Kitchen. This means:

• Positioning Wisconsin’s public libraries as leaders in the field by showcasing innovative services and programs that can be scaled to libraries of all sizes.

• Using creativity and persistence to fuel positive momentum for ourselves, our staff, our services, and our communities.

• Identifying ways to overcome the many different challenges faced by public libraries.

While this is a very broad theme, proposals are not required to fit within it.  Innovative proposals on a wide variety of topics are encouraged!

Submit your proposal below or by clicking HERE. 

Proposals accepted until  midnight Friday, January 30, 2026.

WAPL welcomes proposals from libraries of all sizes and from individuals who work in a variety of roles - from front line staff to technical services to programming and more.  As well as proposals from vendors, consultants, trustees, friends, and other library partners.   

Questions? Please contact the WLA Office at wla@wisconsinlibraries.org or WAPL Conference Chair Roxanne Staveness at director@riolibrary.org

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.

Tips and Info from DPI's Feb 27, 2025 Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is chockfull of great resources. If you are a WI youth library staffer and you don't receive this weekly missive in your email inbox, please contact Jeni (jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov) to be placed on the list! 

Here is the February 27, 2025 edition

CSLP Newsletter

• Check out this month's Collaborative Summer Library Program newsletter featuring information about the Summer Reading Kickoff, Brag Tags, Save the Date for Theme and Slogan sessions, and much more!

STARNet Webinar - Summer Fun for All Ages with GLOBE Citizen Science

• March 4^th from 12 to 1 p.m.
• Join STARnet and the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative (NESEC) to round out planning for your 2025 summer library programs. Discover hands-on STEAM activities that can support the Collaborative Summer Library Program (Color Our World) theme. These can be used in active and passive library programs to inspire and prepare patrons of all ages – from kids to seniors – to participate in NASA GLOBE Observer citizen science.
• Register today!

Presentation Proposals Now Being Accepted for Upgrade Conference

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison iSchool is excited to announce Upgrade, a new conference dedicated to exploring the intersection of technology and library services. This two-day event in Madison, WI will bring together library staff from across the country to discuss innovative practices in library technology on October 6-7, 2025.
• We are looking for presenters to offer insights, strategies, and tools that will transform how we serve our communities through technology. Submit your proposal here by March 2, 2025, for full consideration. For more details on session proposals, please visit https://ischool.wisc.edu/continuing-education/upgrade/upgrade-call-for-proposals/.

govDelivery Subscription List

• DPI is transitioning our subscription lists to a new provider, govDelivery. This change will help us improve communication security, accessibility, and overall efficiency. No additional action is required on your part. You will continue to receive the Weekly Reminders and Resources email, just in a different format.
• What You Need to Know
• Uninterrupted Communication: You will continue to receive the DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources email without disruption.
• New Email Address: You may notice a new sender address in your inbox: DPILibraryYouthServices@info.dpi.wi.gov. Please add this to your address book to ensure smooth delivery.
• Branding Changes: Future communications will feature the DPI’s official branding, including our logo and colors.

I appreciate your patience as we work to make this transition as seamless as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. 

Call for Proposals - New WI-based National Conference Announced

Those fabulous folks at UW-Madison iSchool Continuing Education Dept just announced another innovative two-day national conference centered around technology and library service. Upgrade joins their other conference offerings like Power Up: A Leadership Conference For Youth Services Managers And Staff; Lead the Way: Libraries At The Heart Of Community Engagement Conference and Back In Circulation: A Conference For Managers And Staff In Access And Circulation Services. These national conferences offer cutting edge content that libraries in WI can take full advantage of by attending and presenting at them. This conference has great possibilities for strong youth content. Read on!

Upgrade: Enhancing Library Services with Technology

October 6-7, 2025

Pyle Center in Madison, WI

Dr. Brandy McNeil and Dr. Alex Hanna

CALL FOR PROPOSALS The University of Wisconsin-Madison iSchool is excited to announce Upgrade, a new conference dedicated to exploring the intersection of technology and library services. This two-day event in Madison, WI will bring together library staff from across the country to discuss innovative practices in library technology. This conference will focus on cutting-edge topics, including artificial intelligence applications in libraries, effective use of social media for community engagement, and the crucial importance of cybersecurity in protecting our digital resources. We are excited to feature Drs. Brandy McNeil and Alex Hanna as keynote speakers! Please submit your proposal by March 2, 2025. For more information, visit our website. Presenters will be required to present in Madison, WI. Topics may include but are not limited to: AI, virtual reality, cybersecurity and data privacy, media labs and makerspaces, social media, media literacy, podcasts, digital collections, equity, accessible and inclusive technology, and OER. Staff from public, academic, and K-12 libraries of all sizes are welcome to attend. Conference sessions can take one of several formats, and you are welcome to submit multiple proposals!Lecture presentation: 45-minute presentation + 15 min Q&A Workshop presentation: One-hour hands-on learning experience about a tool of your choice Lightning talk: 5-minute mini presentation about a new initiative at your library Roundtable discussion: Lead an in-depth full-group discussion on a topic of your choice. No need to prepare a presentation—just shepherd good conversation! Priority will be given to sessions that include interactive elements and audience participation. Full-length presentation speakers will receive free conference registration; lightning talk speakers and roundtable moderators will receive discounted registration. If you are willing, please include a jpeg photo of yourself that can be uploaded to Sched, our conference agenda app. This can be either a professional headshot or a more casual photo! Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement UW-Madison iSchool encourages presenters representing a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, perspectives, and voices. We aim for conference presenters to be as diverse as the communities we serve. Submissions are welcome from anyone who is interested in presenting, including students, new professionals, first-time presenters, and representatives of allied professions. This conference is an in-person event.

A Round-up of Opportunities and Resources

Thanks to Lori Baumgart at Nicolet Federated Library System in her Nic News Weekly 6/21/24 for gathering  these great tips.


CLELCON24 Proposals are Due Sunday, June 30th

Share your early literacy insights at CLELCON24! CLEL (Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy) is now accepting proposals for the 2024 virtual conference, which will take place Thursday October 3 and Friday October 4. CLELCON24 is a welcoming conference that attracts a national audience, and presenters get free registration. Need some inspiration? Check out 2023's conference schedule. Submit your presentation via this proposal form by 11:59 p.m. by June 30th.

Wisconsin PATCH Teen Consultant Program is hiring

The PATCH Teen Consultant Program is currently hiring youth ages 14 to 19 throughout the state of Wisconsin. PATCH is for anyone who is passionate about adolescent health, learning new perspectives, sharing their opinion as a young person, and working with a group to transform knowledge into tangible community impact. The team meets in person for an annual training in August and then moves to Zoom, where they connect weekly to hear from community experts, hone important skills, give feedback on statewide adolescent health initiatives, and work toward making positive change.
Access the job application here.

 

Ready NOW: Supporting Youth and Families During Crisis Scholarship

Would you like to build community relationships? Do you want to be ready for crises that may affect youth and families in your community? If so, you’ll want to consider participating in the University of Maryland led Ready NOW: Supporting Youth and Families During Crisis initiative.

Project activities for selected library staff begins in September/October of 2024 and continues through the spring of 2025. Staff from 13 libraries across the United States will be selected to work with their state library agency to participate in year two of this initiative. A $2000 stipend to use in support of learning about community and building crisis related services will be provided for selected libraries. Learn more by registering here to attend an information session on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 1 pm CT. If you have any questions, please contact the Ready NOW team at readynow@umd.edu and/or visit readynow.ischool.umd.edu to learn more.

DPI to Highlight Libraries' Inspiring Summer Programming Work

The Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI) is looking to highlight the inspiring work done by our Wisconsin librarians during the summer. If your library or any other library in your network has exciting and/or innovative Summer Library Program (or just taking place during the Summer) events planned (can be all ages!), DPI would love to learn more – so they can shout you out! "Before" and "after" photos are welcome, if available.

Libraries should email Beth Tomev with information and photos; consider using the subject line Summer Events and Summer Library Program Highlights for DPI to ensure they capture them in their inbox.

PBS Wisconsin Seeks Early Learning Manager

PBS Wisconsin Education is looking for a manager to lead the growth of our nationally recognized early learning program.

Do you resonate with the public media mission and have a deep understanding of the role of developmentally appropriate educational media in early learning spaces? Are you a strategic thinker who is excited to manage people, programs, and budgets to achieve the greatest impacts possible? If you answered yes to those questions, we invite you to join the team at PBS Wisconsin Education.

The Early Learning Manager is a new position created to help the PBS Wisconsin Education team scale early learning programs that combine the strengths of our successful work activating national Ready to Learn resources from PBS KIDS with statewide early learning initiatives and priorities through train-the-trainer models developed by our talented team. Visit https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/early-learning-manager-madison-wisconsin-united-states for the full position description and application instructions.

Lake Superior Library Symposium Proposals Open

 

Submit a Breakout Session Proposal for LSLS 2024!  “Persevere: Carrying On Our Mission”   The organizers of the Lake Superior Libraries Symposium (LSLS) invite breakout session proposals for our 12th annual conference to be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at University of Minnesota - Duluth.   This year’s theme, “Persevere: Carrying on Our Mission,” invites attendees to share and strategize on some of the difficulties facing our profession amidst increased financial and societal pressures, new technologies, and a polarized political environment that targets libraries. How do we stay true to the Library Bill of Rights and other core beliefs of the profession? How do you ensure that you are serving differing perspectives of your community? We want to know how you and your colleagues are persevering through these challenges. Possible presentation topics include, but are not limited to, the following: reproductive, gender, and sexuality information patron privacy fighting against censorship and book challenges preventing burnout (staffing shortages, budget shortfalls/stagnation, price increases) avoiding mission creep/defining and living mission and vision emerging technologies, i.e. AI building support for libraries within our communities advocating for ourselves and our patrons Successful breakout session presentations will be applicable to many types of libraries and showcase effective and innovative practices. 60-minute breakout sessions should include 10-15 minutes of question and answer. Panel presentations, particularly those representing a diversity of library types, sizes, and/or locations, are strongly encouraged. All presenters will receive a discounted registration rate of $25. Breakout session presenters should submit proposals at https://forms.gle/2QLmjyqa4PVZysAE9. The CFP submission deadline is Friday, March 22th. Presenters will be notified of acceptance in mid April.     LSLS allows library staff to share their expertise, learn from their colleagues, and network to develop a stronger community of information professionals. Staff from all types of libraries are encouraged to attend. The event is organized and supported by library staff and educators from Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin; for a full list of our supporters, see http://lakesuperiorlibrariessymposium.com/about/supporters/.   For questions about proposals and submissions, please contact Julie Rustad at jrustad@css.edu. A complete listing of speakers, agenda, and costs will be released in late April.   Click here to submit your proposal!

Propose a Program for Upcoming Play Make Learn Conference

Hello once more, library colleagues!

I wanted to remind everyone that the Play Make Learn 2024 Call for Proposals is still open!! Make sure to get your presentation proposal in before it's too late!

As a reminder, the Play Make Learn 2024 conference takes place at the Memorial Union in Madison, WI, on July 18-19^th; the conference is a place for collaboration and discovery in the design, research and practice of playful learning, games for learning and positive social impact, making and makerspaces, STEAM education, and arts in education. PML creates an inspirational space for preK-12 educators, designers, developers, innovators, librarians, museum professionals, makers, and researchers to tinker together, share knowledge, and celebrate one another’s work. Speaking from experience, there's really nothing else like it. 

 

Our conference keeps growing, with more and more librarians attending to share their inspirational work. Please share with your networks and encourage folks to apply. The conference is a terrific space to create ‘serendipitous connections’ (as we like to call them), building attendees’ professional networks and forging new collaborative opportunities. The Library Services Team of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is a proud conference sponsor.

 

• You’re a brilliant librarian or other professional who does creative, cutting-edge makerspace / playful learning / arts integration work… right? Submit a proposal -- and share your exciting ideas with others!

 

The deadline for proposals is February 18^th, 2024, and selection notifications will be sent out in March 2024.

 

See you at the conference! 

Call for Proposals Deadline for submissions: February 18, 2024 Notifications: March 2024

 

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL

You are invited to submit a proposal to present at the 2024 Play Make Learn Conference (PML). The conference is a place for collaboration and discovery in the design, research and practice of playful learning, games for learning and positive social impact, making and makerspaces, STEAM education, and arts in education. PML creates an inspirational space for preK-12 educators, designers, developers, innovators, librarians, museum professionals, makers, and researchers to tinker together, share knowledge, and celebrate one another’s work.   We believe that everyone is an expert based on their own lived experience, and have unique contributions to bring to the conference. PML aspires to foster a learning community that has a diversity of perspectives and practices.   Interested in attending, but not presenting? Keep an eye out for emails announcing registration opening in Spring!

 

Session Themes

Submissions are encouraged in the following strands, but new ideas are also welcome and encouraged. You will be asked to select all themes that apply to your work. Playful learning Games for learning and positive social impact Making and makerspaces STEAM education Arts in education

 

Session Formats

You will be asked to select the session format. Hands-on Workshops (90 minutes, 1-6 presenters) Workshops should actively engage participants, showcasing your work, or methods you use inside or outside the classroom. They may include physical making, playing a game or something else. Session Organizers will be asked for 2-3 learning goals or takeaways they have for participants in the session. Panel Presentation (60 minutes, 2-4 presenters) Panel presentations should have two or more presenters from different projects or organizations. Panels should explore a “big question” or theme relevant to the larger PML community. Session Organizers will be asked for 2-3 learning goals or takeaways they have for participants in the session. Individual Presentation (15 minutes, 1-2 presenters) Presentations will be 15 minutes in length to highlight noteworthy initiatives, ideas, or recent research. Session Organizers will be asked for 1 learning goal or takeaway they have for participants from their presentation. The planning committee will group individual presentations into themed 60 minute sessions with a moderator, who will reach out to coordinate the final format with presenters. Poster Posters provide the opportunity to present innovative ideas, initiatives, and prototypes in both formal and informal learning contexts. There will be a dedicated poster session in the schedule. Arcade Demo This interactive, open-ended session is a chance to show off or playtest a game, ed tech tool, or other innovation. The demos will take place in the conference arcade during a specified time. Break the Mold Session Have an idea that doesn’t quite fit into the formats listed above? Samples include sessions lasting days or weeks asynchronously, sessions within games and so on. What if a session took place in Minecraft? What if participants met outside to explore? What if participants worked collaboratively over the conference to produce a play? Be as creative as you dare for these sessions. If you have questions about an idea before submitting, send an email to conferences@education.wisc.edu. Notes: ● An individual may be proposed as a presenter for multiple sessions. In the interest of providing diverse perspectives any individual will be limited to participating in a maximum of two sessions. Posters and Arcade Demos do not count towards this maximum. ● Sessions should focus on new insights, learnings and innovations of broad interest to the PML community and should not be promotional in nature. If you are a for-profit company interested in showcasing your product to the PML audience, please reach out to conferences@education.wisc.edu for sponsorship opportunities.

 

SUBMIT NOW

 

 

Chris Baker, Public Library Consultant, Library Services Team 

Department of Public Instruction 

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