CSLP Learning Opportunity: Building Community-Based Summers.

Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) is partnering with Building Equity-Based Summers (BEBS) to offer an exciting learning opportunity for library workers at CSLP member libraries nationwide. You are invited to apply to participate in a sequence of four online learning sessions called Building Community-Based Summers.

The four-part BCBS course (participants will be expected to attend all four sessions) will be offered in spring 2025 on the following Wednesdays:
March 19, April 2, April 16, April 30 at 11:30 am - 1:30 pm CT

Participants will be part of a national cohort doing intensive, intentional work together. Considering potential demand, prospective participants are advised the application may be competitive.

Before applying, read “What is Building Community-Based Summers (BCBS)?” on the CSLP website. The link to apply is also on that page.

Applications are due by Monday, February 3 at 9:00 am Central Time.
All applicants will be notified of selection by EOB on Friday, February 14.

BEBS is an IMLS-funded national initiative designed to empower library staff to serve all individuals and populations in their community equitably by providing knowledge and confidence through shared learning experiences.

PLEASE NOTE: this is a national cohort and is a separate opportunity not directly connected to the Wisconsin cohort of libraries who will be participating in the BEBS framework starting this month.

Jeni Schomber 

Public Library Consultant 

Library Services Team 

Division for Libraries and Technology 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 

608-266-2749 

jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov 

Free ALSC Webinar Discussion on EDI

Building Belonging: EDI Strategies for Children's Services and Beyond

• Tuesday, December 9
• 11am-noon
• Free

Register here

Join us for an engaging panel discussion on fostering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion among library staff. Designed for children's services managers, this session will offer actionable insights and real-world examples of successful EDI initiatives in libraries.

Our panelists will share strategies on how to:

·  Collaborate with library employees to reflect their voices and needs in policies and services.

·  Train staff in culturally responsive practices to better serve diverse communities.

·  Launch low-cost, resource-efficient EDI efforts within your team.

Panelists

Jennifer Gibson is Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives St. Louis County Library. In this role she develops the organizational strategic plan, develops & oversees diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, & performs grant writing and grant administration for St. Louis County Library and St. Louis County Library Foundation. Jennifer was a 2022 Library Journal Mover & Shaker and a 2011 ALA Spectrum and ARL Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Scholar. In 2023, she founded the Missouri Library Association’s first diversity committee, the You Belong Committee. She is also leading a statewide initiative to retain a diverse library workforce called the You Belong Scholar Program, which was recently funded by the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Grant Program. Jennifer holds an MLIS from San Jose State University, a JD from Pepperdine University, and a BA in Geology from the University of Southern California. She serves on the PLA Measurement Evaluation & Assessment Advisory Group and on the POV on PBS Library Board.

April Roy is the Director of Employee Success at Kansas City Public Library. April is certified by Cornell University in Conflict Resolution and Employment Law Mediation.  During her career of over 20 years, she has served as a Children’s Librarian, Branch Manager and Programming Director. After transforming service using trauma-informed practices at the L.H. Bluford Library, she was awarded the prestigious I Love My Librarian Award. Her work included a partnership with The University Health System for training, resources, and programming.  She is a Trauma Informed Care Ambassador, Trauma Informed Culture Trainer, and is certified in Mental Health First Aid for adults and teens. April has had the joy and honor of serving on the Caldecott Book Award Jury, Coretta Scott King Book Award Committee, and Chairing the ALA Children’s Notable Books Committee. She is currently Co-Chair of the ALSC Research Committee. April never turns down a chance to use a microphone to advocate for libraries and librarians. When she is not working, she enjoys road trips and spending time with her theatrical daughter and her three lovely cats.

Ashley Bieber (she/her) is a Library Development and Early Literacy Specialist at Minnesota State Library Services within the Department of Education. After 25 years of working in public libraries and 10 years as a children’s and teen librarian, she delights in being able to support youth services library staff across the state. She is passionate about encouraging youth services library workers to recognize and embrace their leadership abilities and works continuously with her colleagues and a BIPOC Advisory Committee of library workers on racial equity initiatives for the state.  

Tips and Info from DPI's Nov. 14, 2024 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 information from the Nov 14, 2024 editionHello All,

Lots of great resources this week!

CSLP Summer Symposium

• Registration for the Collaborative Summer Library Program's annual virtual Summer Symposium is now OPEN!
• Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• 10:00 am – Welcome & Keynote: “You Belong in Libraries” with Mycal Threets!
• 11:45 am – “From Planning to Palette to Posting: Summer Reading Marketing with Cari Hillman (OH) & Katie Rothley (MI)
• 1:00 pm – “A Rainbow of Opportunities for Creative Programming” with Katie Brunner (CO) and Amanda Raiche (ND)
• 2:30 pm – “Coloring Our World Green: Sustainability and Summer Reading” with Keturah Cappdonia (NY) and Haleigh Mikolajczky (NY)

Building Equity Based Summers (BEBS) Cohort starting in January 2025

• Wisconsin is participating in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant-funded national initiative Building Equity Based Summers (BEBS). 
• The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Library Services Team is looking for six public libraries to participate in the 2025 BEBS Cohort. BEBS participants will work with co-facilitators Jeni Schomber, DPI Public Library Consultant, and Kelly Wochinske, Milwaukee Public Library, Public Area Service Manager - Youth, Education, and Outreach, and each other to consider summer programs and services  through an equity-based lens.
• The application is open through Friday November 22, 2024. This is expected to be a competitive process and not all applications will be selected.

Call for Applicants: BadgerLink Advisory Group

• Apply to join the BadgerLink Advisory Group! We are seeking 10 new members to serve two-year terms beginning Spring 2025. Applications accepted through December 13, 2024. Review and selection finalized by January 17, 2025.

WLA YSS (Youth Services Section) Performers Showcase

• Get a jump start on plans for your summer reading program!  The 2024 Virtual Performers Showcase, presented by the WLA Youth Services Section, will connect performers with members of the Wisconsin library community through live virtual demonstrations and marketing materials offered by magicians, puppeteers, storytellers, musicians, and anyone who presents library programs for children, youth, teen, and family audiences. 
• Registration is $20 for WLA members and $40 for non-members. A digital recording will be made available to registered attendees for 60 days after the event. Registration closes November 25, 2024.

New! Ask Me Anything: Youth and Teen Services

• Do you have questions about serving youth and teens at your library? I'm here to support you! Ask me anything about best practices for programming, engaging with children and families, collection development, and more. Your insights and questions are invaluable, so don't hesitate to reach out on the Ask Me Anything form. 

Bumble Bee Brigade

I receive a monthly newsletter from the Bumble Bee Brigade (WI Department of Natural Resources) and wanted to leave you with this final bit of information heading into the weekend...

• ...ways you can celebrate this fall season is by doing a bit less work for your yard and a bit more for wildlife by leaving the leaves! Leaves, brush piles, plant stems, and old flower heads aren’t trash – they’re the winter home for many of the animals we care about. New queens bumble bees, or gynes, rely on fallen leaves, brush, and similar habitat to survive the winter. Fallen leaves also provide habitat and food for other insects, which in turn provide food for birds and other wildlife (Xerces Society). 
• A thin layer of leaves is also healthy for the yard. They can suppress weeds, keep in water, insulate perennial plants from temperature extremes, feed beneficial microbes, and put nutrition back into the soil. One farmer’s almanac even called them ‘falls most abundant crop’ (Almanac).

Have a great weekend!

Jeni Schomber 

Public Library Consultant 

Library Services Team 

Division for Libraries and Technology 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 

608-266-2749 

jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov 

Developing Equitable Summer Services Opportunity

Wisconsin libraries have the opportunity to be part of a national initiative to develop equitable summer services. 

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Library Services Team is looking for six libraries to participate in the 2025 Building Equity Based Summers(BEBS) Cohort. The BEBS initiative is funded through an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant.

Each participating library will be represented by a team of two staff members. Libraries are encouraged to have staff from across departments and can include Youth Services, Adult Services, Programming, Outreach, or Administrative staff. 

BEBS participants will work with co-facilitators Jeni Schomber, DPI Public Library Consultant, and Kelly Wochinske, Milwaukee Public Library, Public Area Service Manager - Education and Outreach, and each other to consider summer programs and services through an equity-based lens. BEBS will empower library staff to weave equity into their summer services and programming by exploring how equitable their current programs are, whether equity goals are being achieved, and what impact summer programs are having on those community members needing them most. 

The goals of BEBS are:

• To provide a shared language of equity
• To provide library staff with the knowledge and confidence to create equitable summer services and programs
• To promote equity across communities served by their library

Participants will work to evaluate:

• The Why of Summer Services and the Why of Equitable Summer Services
• Letting Go of Tradition
• Connecting with Community Voice for Equitable Summer Services
• Summer Services Impact: What Does Success Look Like

Participation in the BEBS initiative will require all team members to:

• Attend a one hour cohort orientation meeting on January 16, 2025
• Attend eight Learning Sessions starting January 30 and running through May 8. Sessions are every other week on Thursday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Work within your library and community to begin to consider and assess your existing planned summer programs and services through an equity lens.

If you are interested in being part of the first year of this project, complete the following application by close of business on Friday, November 22, 2024: Download 2025 BEBS Cohort Application

This is expected to be a competitive process and not all applications will be selected. The Library Services Team is looking to build a diverse cohort, which represents all library and community sizes, various geographic areas and demographic community compositions. Applicants will be notified of selection status by Monday November 25, 2024. 

Please contact Jeni Schomber (jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov) or Kelly Wochinske (KLWochi@milwaukee.gov), with any questions.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Jeni Schomber 

Public Library Consultant 

Library Services Team 

Division for Libraries and Technology 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 

608-266-2749 

jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov 

Ideas to Create an Equitable SLP

Interaction Institute for Social Change

In a recent ALSC blog post, Gabby Stoller reflected on the importance of creating a more equitable SLP and shared two changes they instituted at their library to create a more welcoming SLP.  

Changing up SLP's can be scary. How will your community react? Gabby reports the changes her library undertook were positively received by her community. 

To read about her changes, please click here. [Is Your Summer Reading Program Equitable? Stoller, Gabby. ALSC blog. May 4, 2024.]

Using eARCS for Collection Development

A warm welcome to Hanna Collins who joins our contributors as the newest YSS blogger. Hanna is the Youth Services Librarian at Slinger Community Library. Previously, she was a School Media Specialist in Indianapolis for 13 years. She received her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Ball State University and a Master’s in Library Science from Indiana University. She lives in Milwaukee with her husband and dictatorial cat. 

In this post, Hanna walks us through preview sites for upcoming books.

Many librarians have heard of Edelweiss and NetGalley, two websites that allow publishers to offer preview copies of upcoming books. Are you utilizing these free tools to help with collection development at your library?

I began using Edelweiss and NetGalley several years ago as a school Media Specialist in Indiana. As I served a diverse population, I was anxious to find out about upcoming titles that featured kids that looked like my students. On Edelweiss, I could easily narrow down results by category to feature juvenile fiction and nonfiction. NetGalley allowed me to set preferred categories and easily view new titles.

Categories on Edelweiss allow me to see popular titles

Now as a Youth Services Librarian in Slinger, I can use both platforms for more collection development. Some titles are immediately viewable using the website, but most require an approval process. After giving information about your professional credentials, you are able to request titles, which are sometimes approved immediately or within a day or two. As an avid Kindle reader, I appreciate that I could set up both accounts to deliver titles directly to my device.

Sample downloading prompt on Edelweiss

Both platforms ask that you leave an honest review in exchange for the preview copy, though it does not seem to be a requirement. It’s a great way to become more knowledgeable about the publishing world and what’s upcoming in your field. On a personal level, it’s also fantastic to get to read new titles before anyone else! Who wouldn’t like to get an advanced copy of the new Jerry Craft or Angie Thomas book?

Sample Review on Edelweiss

Most of the books I have loved and I’ve ordered many for my library. However, it’s also been helpful in identifying books that would not suit our collection. Several titles I have passed over after previewing on one of the platforms. I’ve left honest reviews and have still been granted access to other titles from the same publisher.

Edelweiss also offers access to catalogs, which have been immensely useful. Some catalogs even offer full-access previews to picture books. It has made me even more knowledgeable about current trends in children’s literature, even if I don’t end up purchasing titles for my library.

Inside a HarperCollins catalog on Edelweiss

A bonus feature for NetGalley is its app! Much like the Kindle app, you can send both ebooks and eaudiobooks straight to your device. You can also ‘favorite’ publishers and become auto-approved after you’ve left feedback.

In short, NetGalley and Edelweiss have been powerful tools I use daily at my job. I have become more knowledgeable about trends in children’s and young adult books, allowing me to make informed decisions about what to purchase

Just Wondering - Holiday Books

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

In this month's column by Manitowoc (WI) Public Library Youth Librarian Susie Menk, she is thinking about EDI and our holiday book collections. And she's wondering....what do you think?

Libraries across the board are focusing on equity, diversity and inclusion.  But how does that work when you are cataloging holidays?  Our library separates holiday books (mostly picture books) out from our regular collection.  

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine’s Day, Easter—these are mostly Eurocentric holidays.  What about holidays, festivals or celebrations from other cultures?  Is it equitable to have stickers on the Eurocentric holidays and not on other books?  What about Diwali or Kwanzaa or Ramadan?

I am thrilled that publishers are releasing more and more books that highlight festivals or holidays or celebrations from other cultures. But, my question is, where to catalog them?  We have shelves full of Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween books, but where do I place the 4-5 books on Kwanzaa or Diwali?  Should we give them their own category?  Should we lump them together in general holidays?  Is there a way to catalog them or put stickers on them to make them more visible to the public? Where do books like “Star Festival” by M. Hadley or “Chinese Kite Festival” by Rich Lo get placed?  What about books that talk about Mid-Autumn Festival or Day of the Dead celebrations?  Do these books go in the general picture book collection or do they deserve shelf space in a holiday or celebration section and receive equal recognition?

So I’m wondering….how does your library handle cataloging non-Eurocentric holiday books?

How Has Diversity in Young People's Books Fared?

Edith Campbell posted a fascinating comparison graph and discussion recently on her Cotton Quilts blog. She was interested to see how much more diverse youth books have become since the "We Need Diverse Books" movement began in 2014. Using CCBC statistics she compared the numbers from 2014 to 2021. 

She has created an eye-opening graph and analysis. 

To read the full, fascinating post, please stop here. [Diversity 2014-2021. Campbell, Edith. Cotton Quilts blog. September 19, 2022]

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Encanto and Culturally Informed Programming FREE Event - May 22!

Disney's Encanto is a natural fit for library programming. The film has catchy songs, beautiful, bright colours and a very relatable plot for anyone who's felt left out or misunderstood. It's also carefully researched and full of beautifully specific Colombian cultural details.

Join Senorita Rosie, a dynamic children's librarian, Colombian, and native Spanish speaker. In this event she'll be talking about the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Libraries and how we can provide programming that's as culturally informed as it is relevant!

#LibraryLife #LibrariesTransform #Encanto #ChildrensLibrarians

This event will take place on Sunday, May 22 at 1pm CDT via Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/events/347576374064820?active_tab=about

Call for Facilitator Applicants

As seen on wispublib listserv:

As part of the 2022 LSTA-funded project Libraries Talk About Race, the Wisconsin IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Action) Team invites library staff to apply to participate in virtual Facilitation Training, which will occur February 3.  

 

Facilitation Training is a 2 hour training provided by The People Company.  The goal is to prepare a group of Wisconsin library staff to facilitate group discussions about race.  Several of those trained will have the opportunity to facilitate discussions with other library workers about upcoming webinars (in February, March, and April of 2022).  The training will prepare participants to:

• Understand their personal facilitation style and adapt their style to different facilitation situations.
• Apply strategies for effective and inclusive large group facilitation where thoughtful, critical dialog can occur.
• Manage group dynamics that may arise in a large group facilitation setting in a way that maintains a trusting, respectful environment.

If you are interested in applying, please take a look at the INFORMATION SHEET, and APPLY for your spot by Wednesday, January 5.  Selected participants will be notified by Monday, January 10.

If you have questions, please contact:

Shauna Koszegi, Southwest Library System (skoszegi@swls.org)

Mark Jochem, South Central Library System (mjochem@scls.info) 

Leah Langby, IFLS Library System (langby@ifls.lib.wi.us) 

 

Looking to Make Your Tech More Accessible?

ALA's Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Committee on Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers has produced their newest monthly toolkit and it's amazing! 

This longstanding ALSC committee has been leading the way for decades long before the pandemic highlighted how critical the need is to expand our thinking and service. Recently they began producing free, monthly toolkits to help libraries serve their underserved populations better. Chockful of resources, booklists, hints and practical suggestions, these toolkit google docs are extremely helpful. Their newest one, created in collaboration with ALSC's Children and Technology Committee, is all about providing equitable access to technology for youth.

In a recent ALSC blog post they write: "February’s Toolkit focuses on accessibility to technology and its impact on children. With the onset of COVID-19, gaps in the digital divide became chasms. The inequities that technology – or lack thereof – created became impossible to ignore. 

When librarians transitioned to providing online programming, it became all the more apparent that large swaths of children were missing out on crucial learning opportunities. The materials in this toolkit both address internet inequity and provide resources that introduce children to technology or offer low-tech options for programs.

What you will find in this toolkit:

• Picture books, early chapter books, and middle grade books for children of various ages and their caregivers.
• Professional resources such as articles and books that provide research-based information and ideas for addressing technology gaps.
• Materials you can purchase for your library’s children’s room and to use in your library programming that are low-tech or no-tech.
• Recommended webinars that target digital equity." 

To access the blog post with more info and the link to the doc, please stop here.

Tell Them What You Want, What You Really, Really Want...

Please consider taking the following input survey regarding a future continuing education event related to Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity. The survey deadline is December 15th.

If you have questions, please contact Cole Zrostlik: cole@wrlsweb.org

Are You Ready for Project READY?

Project READY is a free online curriculum for library staff covering topics of race, equity, and access. 

The Library Team is excited to offer public library youth services and school library staff in Wisconsin the opportunity to participate in Project READY virtual learning cohorts. 

For full details, view the information session (8 min), online application form, and Are You Ready for Project READY? blog post. The deadline is October 31, 2020.