Tips and Info from DPI's April 9, 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 9, 2026 edition:

Weekly Resources & Reminders

 

Hello All,

Reimagining Information Literacy: A National Forum  Empowering Educators, Librarians, and Learners for a Knowledge-Driven Future. Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reimagining Information Literacy is an opportunity for librarians, educators, and researchers to gather to reflect on the importance of information literacy. Variously understood as digital, visual, media, textual, and/or technological literacy, this forum approaches information literacy as an umbrella that is inclusive of all types. Register for free.   WiLSWorld Shorts WiLS is inviting you to attend a very special WiLSWorld Shorts, featuring Kirsten Cappy, Executive Director of I’m Your Neighbor Books, on Friday, April 17th at 1:00 pm CT! In this time of unbelonging for our Immigrant and New Generation communities, how do we build belonging for all of our communities? The nonprofit I’m Your Neighbor Books utilizes SEL tenets and the immigrant characters in K-12 books to help readers explore their place in the world and their responsibility for making this nation less “unkind.” Including recommendations for books that address detention, deportation, and the healing power of families, Executive Director Kirsten Cappy will share the free and grant-supported resources I’m Your Neighbor Books offers. With books in our hands, this nonprofit feels we can find a way to “be more human.” Register for the webinar. Can't attend live? Register to receive a link to the recording. For questions, please email us at coop@wils.org  PBS Wisconsin Education: A Love of Learning Workshop Invitation  Please join your colleagues from library systems in central WI at PBS Wisconsin's A Love of Learning workshop on May 7, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:15 p.m., at the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point. If you work in or with a public library or library system in Wisconsin in a role serving learners in grades 3-12 (ages 8-18+), we would love for you to join us for this workshop + meet-up to connect with colleagues and learn about free multimedia resources you can use.

Jeni Schomber Public Library Consultant The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events. They are provided for your consideration only. Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

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

 

 

Wisconsin Science Festival Virtual Kickoff Party

 

2026 Wisconsin Science Festival Virtual Kickoff Party April 16 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Ready to start making plans for the fall? Just want to learn more? Join us for networking and conversation about the 16th annual Wisconsin Science Festival! Click here to register for virtual kickoff party! Hear from the WSF team and a few special guests about updates for 2026 Hear about this year's festival feature Learn how and when to submit your 2026 events Grab your lunch and bring your ideas and questions Win prizes! The Wisconsin Science Festival aims to inspire and engage us in the enterprise of science and discovery; to promote innovation and to cultivate the next generation of global citizens. In 2025, over 53,000 people participated in events throughout 56 counties in Wisconsin. (View the 2025 annual report!) Additional opportunities from our festival partners: If you have content you’d like to share or include in the Wisconsin Science Festival, our friends at Badgerland Learning Days have a great opportunity for you to test your material or programs with youth and families this spring! See more details on how to include your organization in another great celebration of learning. Help us make this year’s Wisconsin Science Festival even more impactful! We’ve put together a short pre-festival survey to better understand your needs, ideas, and what support would make hosting your event even smoother and more fun. Your feedback helps shape the experience not just for you, but for communities across the state. It only takes a few minutes, and it makes a big difference. Thanks for being such an essential part of the festival!

Midday Mingle: Collection Complications

The next Midday Mingle is on the horizon!  

Join us on Monday, April 20 at 1:00 PM as we talk about troubleshooting collection development:

• Taking flak from patrons about books you’ve weeded?
• Having trouble finding new sources since Baker & Taylor closed?
• Desperate for tips on dealing with difficult, yet popular, collections?

Whatever collection problems you’re dealing with, come share them and we’ll brainstorm solutions together!

Youth Services Section Midday Mingle: Collection Complications

Monday, April 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM

Zoom link  

You do not have to be a YSS or WLA member to participate. The Midday Mingle is open to all!

Tips and Info from DPI's March 26, 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 March 26, 2026 edition:

Hello All,  Check out these youth services resources and reminders!  BadgerLink Bulletin – TeachingBooks for Libraries  Attention, librarians of all types! Check out TeachingBooks Monthly Lesson Ideas to easily share fascinating multimedia titles for young readers in your newsletters, social media, and instructional and programming plans. Explore TeachingBooks for Libraries for jumping-off points that deepen discussions, inspire reading interest, and support connections to books and authors for young readers.   Wisconsin Science Festival Virtual Kickoff Party  This virtual party is a great way to learn more about what participating in the festival really means, get the scoop on the featured topic for the year, meet other STEAM enthusiasts, win prizes at trivia, and more.  Join us, April 16th at 11:30am, as we kick off the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival!  Register for the Kickoff Party.   CSLP Newsletter  Check out the latest Collaborative Summer Library Program newsletter full of great information and resources, including voting to name the Mysteries Await at Your Library 2027 mascot, a BCBS National Cohort announcement, Dinosaurs 101 for Librarians webinar, the final Wordsmithing session, Manual highlights, and more!  Northeast Science Camp for Librarians  Save the Date for the 2026 Northeast Science Camp for Librarians! We are excited to announce this year’s Northeast Science Camp for Librarians will be held on June 8-10, 2026, at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire. Science Camp is an engaging and affordable 2 ½ day immersion into science topics, offering opportunities for library workers and library students interested in science, health sciences, and technology to learn, meet, and network in a fun, laid-back atmosphere. Registration opens April 17, 2026. Visit Northeast Science Camp for Librarians for more information.   Jeni Schomber  Public Library Consultant  The DPI does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events. They are provided for your consideration only. Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov