Throw-It Thursday (Special Saturday edition): When Disaster Strikes

Ashley Borman, Technical Services Librarian at the Clintonville (WI) Public Library is back with her monthly column. This column typically runs on the third Thursday but this special edition is timely to many of the WI communities affected by the severe weather last week.

What does your library do when you endure a local disaster? Since last week, this has become a pertinent question for many libraries in my area. While my library is safe, many around us have been affected by recent flooding after numerous days of severe storms. Houses have been destroyed and material possessions have been lost.  The terrible thing about floods is that they are oftentimes not covered under renters’ or homeowners' insurance. According to the FEMA website, “flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both” (https://www.fema.gov/flood-isurance). What does your library do when someone comes in and tells you they have lost everything, including the library items they had checked out?

This is the road I live on in Clintonville, WI. Monday night, April 13, it was under water by the river

The water finally receded on Wednesday (resulting damage photo taken Thursday, April 14th). 

If you have a policy in place for disasters (whether someone loses their house in a fire or flood or what-have-you), good for your library! If you don’t, what would you do? We have had patrons who have lost everything in house fires before. When this happens, usually their insurance will cover the cost of replacing materials. In the odd case where that didn’t work, we have waived the fees for those damaged materials. Since most people don’t have flood insurance, we will do the same for anything that is damaged beyond use due to the flooding our communities are currently facing, as well. Families typically have bigger worries than how to pay for their library materials after something so devastating, and we don’t want to cause them any more stress. We will eat a few hundred dollars' worth of materials if we must (just consider it another type of weeding!)

*If you are in an area that has been affected by the recent severe weather we have been seeing across the country, my thoughts are with you. Good luck on getting things fixed up and back to normal as quickly and safely as possible. ~Ashley

Tips and Info from DPI's April 23, 2026 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 April 23, 2026 edition:

Weekly Resources & Reminders Hello All,  Check out these Youth Services Resources and Reminders!   Happy National Library Week!  View the Bureau of Libraries National Library Week announcement from Wisconsin State Librarian Ben Miller.  Wisconsin Science Festival: Science in a Bag  The Science in a Bag library application form is now open. This program provides free, take-home STEAM kits to libraries all across Wisconsin. Full of engaging, accessible activities that spark curiosity and creativity, these kits help bridge the bridge gaps in access to educational resources, support lifelong learning, and reinforce the library’s role as an inclusive community space where science and exploration are available to everyone. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2026. Quantities are limited, so apply soon!  America 250 Resources at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction  America 250 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and offers a meaningful opportunity for educators to explore our nation’s history, ideals, and ongoing story with students.  Although primarily for the classroom setting, the America 250 page provides resources and materials that public libraries may use for engaging with this historic milestone.   University of Kentucky Storytime Survey  Researchers at the University of Kentucky School of Information Science are inviting you to take part in an online survey exploring if, how, and why public library staff incorporate content such as books, songs, and other activities related to community, diversity, and belonging into their children’s storytimes.  They are interested in hearing from library staff who have experience with this type of children’s programming, as well as library staff who do not have experience with this type of children’s programming. The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete. If you agree to participate, please complete the survey at: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5ihWIS34KAMeQho  Jeni Schomber Public Library Consultant The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events.  Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

Foundations of Wisconsin Librarianship Workshop

Registration is now open for the Foundations of Wisconsin Librarianship: Essential Skills for Library Media Specialists and Public Library Staff Serving Youth workshop. 

Photo from dpi.wi.gov

This workshop is specifically structured to be most beneficial to public library staff newly (three years or less) serving youth in Wisconsin libraries and introduces essential skills, resources, and strategies for working in public libraries and collaborating with school libraries. Attendees will be joined by school library media specialists, with time set aside for each group to convene separately, focusing on their institutional role. The groups will also join together to begin networking and building relationships for future collaborations.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is hosting this workshop at Hotel Marshfield, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, from 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, through 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026. There is no registration cost, and most meals will be provided. Attendees, or their library, will be responsible for mileage, two nights lodging, and one evening meal. Participants who successfully complete the full workshop will receive a $100 stipend. 

Space is limited to 25 public library attendees.

Tentative Topic Sessions:

• Resources Spotlight (collection development)
• Programming 101
• Early Literacy, Brain Development, and Storytime 101
• Compassion Resilience
• Building Community Based Summers
• BadgerLink for Public Libraries
• Games and Play Learning

Registration will close on Monday, May 4, 2026. Participants will be notified of their attendance status by May 11, 2026, and they will need to confirm their attendance by May 20, 2026.

Tips and Info from DPI's April 16, 2026 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 April 16, 2026 edition:

 

Weekly Resources & Reminders

 

Hello All,  Check out these Youth Services Resources and Reminders!

National Games and Learning Project: Call for Participation  Are you passionate about games-based programs and collections in public libraries? Are you a motivated Wisconsin library staff member with experience offering games-based library services? If so, you can help us shape the future of Games-based Library Services nationwide! The National Games and Libraries Fellowship is seeking 5-6 enthusiastic Wisconsin public library staff members to participate in a yearlong fellowship. Visit the Call for Participation for more information and access to the application.  WiLS Ideas to Action Fund  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. Visit the WiLS Ideas to Action  page for more information. WLA Youth Services Section Midday Mingle: Collection Complications Join the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) Youth Services Section (YSS) Midday Mingle on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. to talk about troubleshooting collection development at your library. You do not have to be a WLA or YSS member to participate. The Monday Mingle is open to all! Join using the Zoom link.   Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Social Media Toolkit  The CSLP 2026 Unearth a Story Social Media Toolkit is now available as part of the CSLP Manual. Template links to the Canva Social Medial Toolkit, along with ready-to-use PNG versions, when you login with your CSLP Manual Code. You can access all the images by downloading a ZIP file, or by individually saving images. Please check with your Library System Youth Services Consultant for the Manual access code.   Bluey Storytime Month  Celebrate Bluey Storytime Month this July with fun activities like book bingo, word match, word scramble, and more. Download your free activity kit and printable event poster now.   BadgerLink Bulletin Celebrate Earth Day with Britannica. Check out these Britannica resources, interactive media, and activities. View the Full Story.

Jeni Schomber Public Library Consultant The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events.  Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

Image by Satheesh Sankaran from Pixabay

YSS posts round-ups of ads that are sent to us or that we come across. If you have a position opening up and would like to see it on the YSS blog, please forward the job ad link/descriptions to the YSS blog at the email address listed in the header above the day's blog post. 

Now Hiring: Discovery PLAYce Manager at Beloit Public Library

Beloit Public Library is seeking a Discovery PLAYce Manager to help shape and lead Discovery PLAYce, a new early learning and family engagement destination designed to support play-based learning, school readiness, and meaningful caregiver-child interaction.

This new position will lead programming, guest experience, outreach, and partnerships, helping bring Discovery PLAYce to life as a welcoming, engaging resource for children and families in Beloit. We are looking for a creative, collaborative, and community-centered professional with a strong understanding of early brain development and the developmental stages of children ages 0–6.

This is a full-time position with an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, and four weeks of paid vacation. The deadline to apply is midnight on Sunday, April 19. 

Discovery PLAYce Manager

Salary: $59,000

Location: Beloit, WI

Job Type: Full-Time (exempt)

Department: Beloit Public Library

Closing: 4/19/2026

Learn more about this position: https://beloitlibrary.org/about-us/employment/

Learn more about Discovery PLAYce: www.discoveryplayce.org

Part-Time Youth Services Librarian (28 hours a week)

 Oak Creek Public Library in Oak Creek, WI is seeking a part-time Youth Services Librarian.  The ideal candidate will match the energy and enthusiasm of our community and bring an innovative spirit to the Youth Services Department. Other desirable talents include the ability to provide a high quality, research-based, early literacy learning experience for caregivers and children, from birth through 8^th grade. This forward-thinking, creative, and adaptable librarian will promote a love of learning, reading, and help foster future school success among the children they encounter in our library.

The Youth Services Librarian reports to the Youth Services Manager and is responsible for providing library services to children and families in and outside of the Library.  This position provides excellent customer service to library patrons, assists patrons and staff in meeting their reference and informational needs, plans and conducts programs with a focus on children and their caregivers, promotes youth services to the community, manages assigned library collections, participates in the day-to-day operations of the library, and administers other library services as assigned. Programming assignments include Toddler Story Time, Middle School programs, and STEAM Labs for upper elementary students, along with outreach visits and no school day programs.

The Oak Creek Public Library is a part of the Milwaukee Federated Library System. It is located in one of the fastest growing and most vibrant communities in Southeastern Wisconsin, right in the heart of Drexel Town Square. The current library opened in 2015 and includes a beautiful Youth Services Department, including state-of-the-art technology and ample spaces for programming opportunities. Annually, the library serves 200,000 and circulates 325,000 items.

To apply for this job, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oakcreekwi/jobs/5307063-0/youth-services-librarian-part-time.

Completed applications, including a cover letter and resume, are due Friday, May 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Paper applications will not be accepted. 

 

ELIGIBILITY

Candidates must have a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution (or within 9 credits of completion). Degree must be obtained within 6 months of hire. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply! Candidate must have at least one (1) year of experience in library operations (public library experience preferred) with experience, knowledge or training related to youth services. Good communication skills and strong customer service skills are required.

WAGES & SCHEDULE

This is a part-time, non-exempt position with a starting wage of $28.425 per hour. The current work schedule is Monday: 8:30am-5:00pm/11:45am-8:15 pm (pm shift about once a month for programming); Tuesday: 4:15pm-8:15pm; Wednesday: 8:30am-5:00pm; Friday: 8:30am-5:00pm/9:45am-6:15pm, Saturday: 8:15am-4:15pm (Friday and Saturday shifts are on a rotation). These hours may change to suit the needs of the library. Programming assignments include Toddler Story Time, Middle School programs, and STEAM Labs for upper elementary students, along with outreach visits and no school day programs.

Summer Youth Library Assistant (LTE) - George Culver

The George Culver Community Library, located in Sauk City, WI, is hiring a part-time, Limited Term Employment (LTE) Summer Youth Library Assistant. We are a community-focused library dedicated to providing our patrons with diverse resources, technology assistance, and top-notch library services. If you are passionate about the library, detail-oriented, and enjoy working with youth, this is the job for you!

This position will be a primary support for our Youth Summer Reading Program, including supporting registration and promotion of the program; implementing programming for children, infant to teen, and their families and caregivers; developing and maintaining the youth library collections; creating displays and interactive materials for the library; and collaborating with adult and teen volunteers to assist with the Summer Reading Program.

This is a part-time Limited Term Employment (240 total hours) position during the summer reading program, from mid-May to mid-August. This position will work approximately 16 hours a week, including some weekends depending on programming schedule, with a pay rate of $15.00/hour. This position is not eligible for benefits.

To view the full job description, visit our website: https://www.saukcitylibrary.org/were-hiring-part-time-summer-youth-library-assistant

To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and two to three references to:

Kylee Bear, Director

kylee@saukcitylibrary.org

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed as received, with a priority deadline of Friday, April 24, 2026.