Tips and Info from DPI's Feb 20, 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 20, 2025 edition

Hello All,

National Reading Program Grants - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

• The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) is awarding funding to reimburse non-profit organizations for book fees for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL). 
• Applications are open and will be accepted on a rolling basis, until funding runs out, or by March 28, 2025, whichever comes first. 
• You will need the following to apply: Proof of affiliation with DPIL or willingness to become a local program partner; and proof of non-profit status.

Teen Inclusive Internship application - deadline to submit is Friday, February 21, at 4 p.m.

• The Department of Public Instruction has opened the competitive application process for $2,500 grants for up to seven Wisconsin Libraries to fund library internships for local high school juniors or seniors to be completed between June 1st, 2025, and August 31st, 2025.
• Each library will be awarded up to $2,500 to recruit and hire an intern, in compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws and minor workers laws, and in collaboration with the library’s human resources and finance staff.
• The application period is open and will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21st.The informational webinar presentation slides and scoring rubric are available for your review and can also be found on the DPI Youth Services webpage under the Teen Inclusive Internship Program dropdown menu.

Wisconsin Science Festival - Virtual Kickoff Party

• Ready to start making plans for the fall? Just want to learn more? Join the kickoff party for networking and conversation about the 15^th annual Wisconsin Science Festival.
• Click here to register. 

CCBC Choices 2025 - Cooperative Children's Book Center

• CCBC Choices 2025, recommending 251 books published in 2024 for children and teens from birth through high school age, is now available!
• CCBC Choices 2025 is a digital publication. Entries for each book include full bibliographic citation, annotation, age recommendation and cover image, and a link to the book’s entry in the CCBC-Recommended Book Search database, where custom lists can be created. The publication also includes an introductory essay and name/title index. A citation list (bibliographic information only) of CCBC Choices 2025 is also available on the CCBC website.

WebJunction FREE Resources:

• Easy as ABCD: Using asset-based community development as a lens for authentic relationship-building
• This is a great resource when considering your Summer Library Programming! Many organizations and professions based in a social service model, including libraries and librarians, may find themselves unconsciously defaulting to a deficit mindset. This directly impacts how we approach partnerships, services, and programs for individuals and organizations from systematically excluded communities. (Excerpt from the article)

Have a great weekend!

Tips and Info from DPI's Feb 13, 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 are some of the highlights from the February 13, 2025 edition:

Money Smart Week (April 5-12, 2025) Kids Read Program

• Wow! All of the free books have been claimed!  
• The Money Smart Week Kids Read program, targeted at kids ages 5 to 8 years old, is an enjoyable way to introduce financial responsibility to youth through programming at your library. You can still participate in Money Smart Week by doing programing using a copy of Deena's Lucky Penny from your library collection. 

Teen Inclusive Internship application

• The Department of Public Instruction has opened the competitive application process for $2,500 grants for up to seven Wisconsin Libraries to fund library internships for local high school juniors or seniors to be completed between June 1st, 2025, and August 31st, 2025.
• Each library will be awarded up to $2,500 to recruit and hire an intern, in compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws and minor workers laws, and in collaboration with the library’s human resources and finance staff.
• The application period is open and will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21st. The informational webinar presentation slides and scoring rubric are available for your review and can also be found on the DPI Youth Services webpage under the Teen Inclusive Internship Program dropdown menu.

Play Make Learn Annual Conference

• Call for Proposals - You can visit our website here to learn more and to access the application. The deadline to submit is March 7th, 2025 
• REGISTER HERE. You can view the different registration rate options at that link; Early Bird Rates are currently being offered.

WebJunction - FREE content for public libraries in Wisconsin

• Rooted in connection: Libraries designing for belonging and community 
• Despite living in an age of unprecedented digital connectivity, people are feeling the increasing effects of loneliness and isolation. These challenges extend beyond individuals, weakening the health, resilience, and trust of entire communities. The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 report, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, reveals that loneliness can harm our health as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. While the impact is profound, there are clear and achievable solutions within our reach. Read how libraries can bring intentionality to designing programming and services that deepen engagement and create environments where everyone feels they belong. 

WebJunction - Embracing Neurodiversity: Cultivating an inclusive workplace for neurodivergent staff

• Tuesday, March 4, 2025 ◆ 2:00 pm Eastern ◆ 60 minutes 
• Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/embracing-neurodiversity.html  
• Work environments that are made up of people who think differently bring more ideas and perspectives to the table. In fact, research consistently shows that diverse teams are better at problem solving, are more innovative, and are more effective. As our workplaces become more diverse, it becomes everyone's responsibility to learn how to embrace differences. In this webinar, you will gain an understanding of the term 'neurodiversity' and learn about the strengths of those who are neurodivergent. In addition, attendees will learn about ways they can support inclusion of neurodivergent colleagues to help create a more supportive and welcoming environment for all. 

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. 

Have a great weekend!

 

DPI Teen Internship Applications Open

The Department of Public Instruction has opened the competitive application process for $2,500 grants for up to seven Wisconsin Libraries to fund library internships for local high school juniors or seniors to be completed between June 1st, 2025, and August 31st, 2025.

This grant has multiple goals: 

1. The goal for the Wisconsin Teen Internship, based on the PLA Inclusive Internship Initiative (III), is for libraries to offer paid, mentored internships to high school-aged students from diverse backgrounds, allowing them to experience the work of librarianship firsthand and explore how to use their talents and perspectives to impact their communities.
2. Teen interns will increase skills working on a connected learning project. They will also more fully understand the scope of library work and be able to identify how their interests and skills match that work.
3. Library mentors will develop leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
4. Participating libraries will better understand how to engage and support students while also creating career and programmatic pathways to increase diversity in the field.

Each library will be awarded up to $2,500 to recruit and hire an intern, in compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws and minor workers laws, and in collaboration with the library’s human resources and finance staff.

The application period is now open and will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21st. The informational webinar presentation slides and scoring rubric are available for your review and can also be found on the DPI Youth Services webpage under the Teen Inclusive Internship Program dropdown menu.

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 

Registration Now Open: Teen Inclusive Internship Informational Webinar

Registration is now open for the 2025 Teen Inclusive Internship Program webinar. This webinar will introduce attendees to the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funded Wisconsin Teen Inclusive Internship Program.

Last summer, six Wisconsin public libraries participated in the program receiving funding to recruit and hire paid summer teen interns that reflected the diversity of their communities. The interns highlighted and showcased their skills, interests, and experiences by developing and implementing a community focused Connected Learning Project under the guidance of librarian mentors. Participating library mentors learned how to engage and support teens while also creating career pathways to increase diversity in the field of librarianship.

“This is a relatively risk-free way for public libraries to explore an internship and make connections with the teens in their communities.” - 2024 Mentor

For more information on how your library can apply to become one of the participating libraries in this year’s Teen Inclusive Internship Program, register to attend the upcoming informational webinar:

Thursday, February 7, 2025, at 10 a.m.REGISTRATION LINK

In this 2025 Teen Inclusive Internship Informational Webinar, participants will learn about the program’s goals, what is expected of the library, the mentor, and the intern, and how to apply for the program. Up to $2500 in funding is available for each of the Wisconsin public libraries chosen to participate in the program that runs from June 1 to August 31, 2025. This is expected to be a competitive process and not all applications will be accepted into the program.

Presentation slides will be made available to registrants.

Important Dates:

• February 7, 2025 - Informational Webinar at 10 a.m.
• February 7, 2025 - Application open at 1 p.m.
• February 21, 2025 - Application deadline at 4 p.m.
• March 3, 2025 - Applicants notified of award status

For more information or questions, please reach out to the DPI’s Library Services Team Public Library Consultant Jeni Schomber at jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov.

Teen Inclusive Internship application is open!

Five Wisconsin public libraries will be chosen to participate in an LSTA grant-funded program to offer paid summer 2024 internships to recruit and hire teens that reflect the diversity of their communities. The teen interns will bring their skills, interests, and experiences to the library by working on a Connected Learning Project. Participating libraries will learn how to further engage and support teens while creating career pathways to increase diversity in the field of librarianship.

Wisconsin 2024 Teen Inclusive Internship - the application is now open. The deadline for libraries to apply is Friday February 23rd, 2024.  

• Application
• Scoring Rubric
• Presentation Slide Deck
• Webinar Recording 

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 

Inclusive Internship Toolkits Available

With the upcoming webinars (registration is now open for these: Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 10 a.m. Registration Link or Friday, February 9, 2024, at 1 p.m. Registration Link) that DPI is sponsoring on how to apply to become one of the libraries participating in this year's Teen's Inclusive Internship Program, the following news provided by NFLS Nic News Weekly from their January 12 newsletter may be of interest:

FREE Inclusive Internship Toolkit: A practical guide for teen internships

Summer internships can be a great way to reach new audiences, develop new connections, and provide leadership opportunities for staff. If you are planning on hosting a teen intern this summer, or are curious and don’t know where to start, PLA’s Internship Toolkit is a start-to-finish guide to implementing an internship program at the library. Based on PLA's Inclusive Internship Initiative (III), the free, downloadable toolkit includes templates, best practices, and case studies to make your program a success.

Learn more about the Inclusive Internship Initiative here.

Teen Inclusive Internship Informational Webinar - Registration Open

Registration is now open for the 2024 Teen Inclusive Internship Program webinar. This webinar will introduce participants to the LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) funded Wisconsin Teen Inclusive Internship Program.

The program is a continuation of the 2023 Teen Internship pilot program. In the summer of 2023, five Wisconsin public libraries offered paid summer internships using LSTA grant funding to recruit and hire teens that reflected the diversity of their communities. The teen interns brought their skills, interests, and experiences to the library by developing a Connected Learning Project. Participating libraries learned how to engage and support teens while creating career pathways to increase diversity in the field of librarianship.

For more information on how your library can apply to become one of the five participating libraries in this year’s Teen Inclusive Internship Program, register to attend one of two informational webinars being held. Please register for only one date:

• Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 10 a.m. Registration Link
• Friday, February 9, 2024, at 1 p.m. Registration Link

In this 2024 Teen Inclusive Internship webinar, participants will learn about the program’s goals, what is expected of the library, the mentor, and the intern, and how to apply for the program. Up to $3,000 in funding is available for each of the five Wisconsin public libraries chosen to participate in the program that runs from June 1 to August 31, 2024.

This webinar will be recorded and available for those unable to attend the February 8 or February 9 webinar.

Important Dates:

• February 8, 2024 - Informational Webinar at 10 a.m.
• February 9, 2024 - Informational Webinar at 1 p.m.
• February 9, 2024 - Application open
• February 23, 2024 - Application due
• March 1, 2024 - Applicants notified of award status

For more information or questions, please reach out to the DPI’s Library Services Team Public Library Consultant Jeni Schomber at jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov.

Save the Date - Teen Internship Informational Webinar

Starting in February, two informational webinars will be held for Wisconsin libraries to learn more about the 2024 Teen Inclusive Internship.

The program is a continuation of the 2023 Teen Internship pilot program. In the summer of 2023, five Wisconsin public libraries were able to offer paid summer internships using LSTA grant funding to recruit and hire teens that reflected the diversity of their communities. The teen interns brought their skills, interests, and experiences to the library by working on a Connected Learning Project. Participating libraries learned how to engage and support teens while creating career pathways to increase diversity in the field of librarianship.

If your library would like to apply to become a participating library in the upcoming teen internship program, save the date to attend one of two informational webinars held Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 10 a.m. OR Friday, February 9, 2024, at 1 p.m. The registration link will become available on January 4, 2024.

In this 2024 Teen Inclusive Internship webinar, participants will learn about the goals of the inclusive internship program, what is expected of the library, the mentor, and the intern, and how to apply for the program. Up to $3,000 in funding is available for each of five libraries to participate in the program from June 1st to August 31st, 2024.

The webinar will be recorded and available for those unable to attend the February 8 or February 9 dates.

Important Dates:

• January 4, 2024 - Registration opens for Informational Webinar on February 8 OR February 9, 2024
• February 8, 2024 - Informational Webinar at 10 a.m.
• February 9, 2024 - Informational Webinar at 1 p.m.
• February 9, 2024 - Applications open
• February 23, 2024 - Applications due
• March 1, 2024 - Applicants notified of award status

For more information or questions, please reach out to the DPI’s Library Services Team Public Library Consultant Jeni Schomber at jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov.

Just Wondering - Coping with Staff Shortages

In this month's column by Manitowoc (WI) Public Library Youth Librarian Susie Menk , she is thinking about summer and how to cope with shortages caused by staff turnover and COVID absences. And she's wondering....what do you think?

So… summer reading programs are winding down.  School is just around the corner.  How are you doing?  Did you enjoy the summer or was it just something to get through?

How were your attendance numbers this summer?  Did you feel excited to see so many faces like I did?  Many of our programs had huge numbers—much higher than last year. Maybe even back to pre-COVID numbers?

I think our youth department did a better job of keeping the programs manageable this year.  We did fewer programs but they were high quality and the patrons seemed to really enjoy them. 

Staffing was our biggest issue this summer.  We were short a full-time person and we had another round of COVID go through the staff.  We did, however, have two fantastic interns.  They were able to quickly jump in with prepping craft bags, helping with storytimes, photocopying and assembling materials for handouts, making signs and filling book displays. 

There are many libraries who have tight budgets, us included.  A few years back we found a program called WAICU.  WAICU is Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.  They offer internships to students in various fields. We were fortunate to get an intern from this program for the last few years.  This program targets non-profits.  Non-library local foundations work together with this association to host an intern for a non-profit.  The non-profit gets the benefit of an extra staff person, but the local foundation and WAICU cover the costs.  In addition, the interns that complete the program earn a scholarship.   It’s a win-win situation.

Interns who participate, work 400 hours over the course of the summer.  They keep journal entries and do a meet up with a WAICU staff member.  We were super excited to have our 2021 intern back for a second year. Even better, there is the possibility of having her back for a third year!  It helped so much to have an intern who knew our program.  We only had to do a little refresher training and she jumped right in.  We used a spreadsheet to track her activities.  At the end of the summer she got to take a copy of the spreadsheet along to add to her portfolio. 

If you haven’t heard about WAICU please check them out here.  During the summer months they can be an invaluable resource!

Internship in Paris

For all you Francophiles out there--Ooh la la!

The American Library in Paris seeks a dynamic, creative and enthusiastic Children's and Young Adult Services intern who has a passion for programming, outreach services and literature.

The American Library in Paris, established in 1920, is the largest English-language library on the European continent, serving more than 2,500 members of all nationalities, about half of them American. Its Children’s and Young Adult department serves children and their families from birth through high school, as well as local teachers. The department contains more than 12,000 children’s books, DVDs, and audio materials.

The intern will report to the manager of children’s and young adult services, and will work closely with other interns and volunteers on the youth services team, in

            Helping to plan and present programs for children and teens
            Assisting with collection development, including reviewing books and other materials in the existing collection and general collection maintenance tasks (shelving,

sorting, labeling, etc...)
Providing customer service at the Children’s Library service desk
Creating and supplementing book displays

            Providing support for children’s programming
            Helping with a new English-language outreach program to local schools

The selected intern will work for the duration of the academic year, September-October through May-June, approximately 25 to 30 hours per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sunday afternoons.

This is an unpaid position. Benefits include: vacation, medical and personal leave, meal vouchers, and a modest honorarium not intended to cover living expenses.

Candidates must have a bachelor-level university degree and strong knowledge of English- language literature for children and young adults. Creativity and public speaking and storytelling skills are essential, as is experience working with children and teens. Strong customer service, organizational and long-range planning experience is highly desirable. Knowledge of French is a plus!

Applications are being accepted now.   Finalists will be interviewed by Skype or telephone during the month of August. Please send a one-page cover letter and brief resume to Celeste Rhoads, Manager of Children’s and Young Adult Services, The American Library in Paris, 10 rue du Général Camou, 75007 Paris, France.  For further information on this opportunity contact Dr. Betty J. Turock, Professor and Dean Emerita LIS bjturock@me.com or 732-742-6579.

For more information about the American Library in Paris, see the website: www.americanlibraryinparis.org