Tips and Info from DPI's May 15 , 2025 Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is an email newsletter chockfull of great resources we've come to rely on. 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 May 15, 2025 edition  

Hello All,

Check out these valuable youth services resources and reminders!

Getting Started with Building Community-Based Summers

• This FREE WebJunction course will provide you with the foundational ideas behind Building Community-Based Summers (BCBS) and give you what you need to get started or to continue building best practices.
• You will need to sign in or create a FREE account to access this 1 hour self-paced course. 

Color Our World Resources - Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)

• PSA videos in English and Spanish are now available.
• Standalone Printables - forms, bookmarks, reading logs, activity sheets, and more - are available in Chapter 8 in the online manual. Check with your Library System Consultant for the access code.
• Looking for ideas or want to share what works for your library? Join the Official Summer Library Programming Group on Facebook. It’s a private group where ideas are shared, templates are created, and brainstorming happens. 

BadgerLink Bulletin

• Prepare for Summer Reading with BadgerLink Resources. Summer is already around the corner! Check out these BadgerLink resources for activities, programming ideas, and more to keep kids reading all summer long.
• View the story here.

WiLS World shorts: Roll for Initiative! Wisconsin Adventures in the Library

• Proven education foundations and dragon-slaying go hand in hand! Wisconsin Adventures combines the myths and legends of Wisconsin’s past with the deep learning opportunities of fantasy role-playing games.
• Join WiLS and Wisconsin Historical Society’s Manager of PK-12 Education Initiatives Kurt Griesemer on Friday, May 23rd at 1:00 pm CT to hear about how you can engage new audiences, connect players with Wisconsin and its history, and build community and literacy skills with Dungeons and Dragons and Wisconsin Adventures.
• Register here.

Have a great weekend!

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!

 

Tips and Info from DPI's Jan 30, 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 January 30, 2025 edition:

 ALA Youth Media Awards

• In case you missed it, check out the winners and honors from this year's ALA Youth Media Awards announced on Monday, January 27, 2025. Press Release

Color Our World 2025 CSLP Pinterest Board

• Check out the CSLP Pinterest Board for inspiration for the Color Our World summer program. Decorating ideas! Craft ideas! Displays! Programming for children, teens, and adults! And so much more!

STARNet webinar: Summer Fun for All Ages with GLOBE Citizen Science

• Tuesday, March 4 at 12:00 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 either the Collaborative Summer Library Program (Color Our World) or iREAD (Level up at your Library with games and puzzles). 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. This webinar will take place at 11:00 am Mountain Standard Time.
• Register Today

Children's Book Week

• As part of the longest-running national celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading, schools, libraries, and bookstores will celebrate Children’s Book Week on May 5-11 and on November 3-9 from coast to coast in all 50 states.
• Sign up to participate and receive two free posters. 

WebJunction

• WebJunction equips library staff with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to power strong libraries that are the heart of vibrant communities. WebJunction is FREEE and open to all libraries to use. 
• Check out the Course Catalog. You will need to create a free account to enroll in a course.

Talking with Kids about Race and Racism at Oakland Public Library

Panelists at Oakland PL

Miriam Medow of Oakland Public Library just hosted a fabulous panel discussion on talking with kids about race and racism.  Might this be of interest in your own community?
Read more about it here!