America's Awesome Kids from PBS

As the United States turns 250 years old, PBS is encouraging us to "learn about the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our fellow Americans and to appreciate what we have in common." They have created America's Awesome Kids featuring stories of kids from around the United States.

You can checkout America's Awesome Kids here.

[America's Awesome Kids. pbskids.org. Accessed 6/15/2026.]

Power Up proposals now open

Photo by Headway on Unsplash

 Power Up: A Leadership Conference for Youth Services Managers & Staff

Call for proposals now open! 

Submit your idea today: go.wisc.edu/64f8cx 

Power Up 2027 will occur March 22-23, 2027, in Madison, WI. Share your strategies for project management, mentorship, program evaluation, staff morale & retention, advocacy, change management, culturally relevant programming, and more with fellow youth service librarians! Submit your proposal by September 7, 2026, for full consideration.

Conference sessions can take one of several formats, and you are welcome to submit multiple proposals. 

• Lecture presentation: 45-minute presentation + 15 min Q&A
• Panel Discussion: 2-4 presenters focused on one big topic and sharing their experience
• Workshop presentation: One-hour hands-on learning experience
• Programming lightning talk: 5–8-minute mini presentation on or about a successful program

Selected presentation, workshop, and panel sessions will receive one complimentary conference registration. Selected lightning talk presenters will receive a discounted conference rate. 

Roundtable Facilitator 

In addition to general session proposals, we are also looking for roundtable facilitators to help moderate conversations about:

• Fostering positive teen relationships and engagement in the library
• Welcoming and engaging families in the library

Roundtable moderators will prepare discussion questions in advance, introduce the topic, and guide the discussion during a conference breakout session.

Selected roundtable facilitators will receive a discounted conference registration. Submit your application by September 7, 2026, for consideration. 

Roundtable facilitator application: go.wisc.edu/0ic7wx

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Questions? Email ce-info@ischool.wisc.edu

The reality of LGBTQ+ Publishing Today

Photo by Raphael Renter | @raphi_rawr on Unsplash

Happy Pride month friends! Or, is it? While we celebrate Pride this month, authors of queer books are struggling. In an article for Bookriot Danika Ellis says, "it's clear that five years of unrelenting and escalating censorship has brought us to a breaking point." Publishers are rejecting more LGBTQ books because sellers can't sell them. Sales of previously published books are dropping. Authors have stopped writing about queer characters for fear of book challenges. And, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the struggles that have overrun the entire book industry.

But, while it seems bleak, there are things we can do.

1. Share the stories of queer joy.

2. Join the fight! Get involved. Attend meetings to show your support. Become an advocate.

3. Support queer book stores.

4. Put up Pride displays, and even better, include LGBTQ+ books in all of your displays. 

What is your library doing to support Pride in your community?

Games-based Library Services Nationwide Survey

Are you providing game based programs, services, and collections at your library? If so, read on for details about a nationwide survey of games-based Library Services from Chris Baker at Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and take the survey!!

Photo by Branden Skeli on Unsplash

 Hello, esteemed library colleagues!

After months of planning and thoughtful collaboration, the Wisconsin State Library Agency and the Washington State Library (in partnership with many others) are proud to officially kick off the first-ever nationwide surveying of Games-based Library Services – a key component of our National Games & Libraries Project (funded by an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant for Libraries).

Our comprehensive survey will result in a thorough and unprecedented “snapshot” of Games-based Library Services [GBLS] being offered nationwide throughout multitype libraries: public & school, academic, special, state libraries & consortia HQs, etc. Please help contribute to this invaluable research by filling out the survey yourselves and/or sharing it with your relevant library colleagues and networks!

Note: We ask that all libraries complete this survey (whether they offer GBLS or not). All contributed data will be useful, so share far and wide!

There are a few important notes we’d like to highlight before folks begin the survey:

• The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. ⏱️
• To keep our data clean and useful, we ask that only one person per each library, branch, institution, etc. submit a response. If needed, please gather information from colleagues beforehand so your answers reflect your individual institution as a whole. ✅
• Before starting the survey, we’d ask you to have access to your library’s program attendance and Integrated Library System (ILS) collection data at-hand, as we are seeking certain relevant data points related to Games-based Library Services. 📈
• Please use your own discretion to choose responses to our questions that would best represent your location / institution (we understand that different libraries and library institutions throughout the country might use different names / terms state-by-state). 🎯
• Your responses are confidential. The only identifying information we collect is your institution’s ZIP Code, which will be used solely to help us understand geographic distribution and create a national heatmap of GBLS activity. 🔒
• Participation is voluntary and you may skip any question that allows skipping (note that many responses are mandatory). Provided participant contact information (if given) will be used to select gift card raffle winners. 🎉
• This project was made possible in part by generous funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant LG‑256639‑OLS‑24. 📚
• The National Games & Libraries Project [NGLP] is being co-sponsored by the ALA GameRT (the American Library Association’s Games & Gaming Round Table) and COSLA (the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies). 🎮

We anticipate the survey remaining open until mid-July. But… why wait!? Complete it ASAP to help us start building an early picture of nationwide Games-based Library Services!

If you have questions about the survey or the project, please contact Chris Baker (Games & Learning Consultant / Public Library Consultant; Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction) at Chris.Baker@dpi.wi.gov. 🙏 So – without further ado.... 

🎲 🕹️ NGLP Games-based Library Services Survey  🕹️  🎲

We want to thank everyone ahead of time for filling out the survey and sharing it with your colleagues and networks. We look forward to sharing the results of our survey with the nationwide library community this Fall!

Stay tuned -- and stay groovy, ✌️

~Chris Baker

 

Chris Baker (he/him/his) Public Library Consultant, Games & Learning Consultant | Bureau of Libraries Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 201 W Washington Ave | Madison, WI | 53703 608-264-6709 |   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. 

Greenfield Public Library

    Youth Services Manager (FT)

The Greenfield Public Library in Greenfield, WI, is seeking a full-time Youth Services Manager. To manage the day-to-day operations of the Youth Services Department. Reporting to the Library Director, this position manages the youth services staff, oversees the development and maintenance of the youth services collection, administers library programs focusing on youth ages 0-17, promotes Library services to the community, and participates in the library's day-to-day operations.

The ideal candidate will serve as a leader within the library, acting as a positive role model for staff while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. This individual will work effectively with all library employees and key community stakeholders and will be committed to providing an outstanding patron experience for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The City of Greenfield is nearly 12 square miles with over 37,000 people. It has two fire stations, an active community center, a popular Sunday Farmer’s Market, 14 city parks, and five county parks.  With five aldermanic districts and a full-time mayor, the boundaries of the City include three school districts:  Greenfield, West Allis/West Milwaukee, and Whitnall.  Greenfield is proud to be the Home of the Knockout Rose.

Please review the full job description for the position at:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/greenfieldwi/library

Application Process

Applications are accepted through the Library’s online application site. Visit the Library’s career page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/greenfieldwi/library for instructions to apply online.

Paper applications are not accepted.

Required Education/Training and Experience

·         Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution.

·         One (1) year of experience in library operations required (public library experience preferred).  Experience, knowledge, or training related to youth services preferred.

·         Excellent communication, project management skills, and strong customer service skills are required.

The Greenfield Public Library reserves the right to utilize equivalencies where deemed appropriate regarding education and experience requirements and may consider combinations of education and experience likely to lead to success with essential duties and responsibilities.

The hourly rate for this position is $29-$32 per hour. The City of Greenfield provides excellent benefits, including health, insurance, vacation, paid holidays, and enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Ability to work 40 hours per week, including evenings, and a rotating  Saturday and Sunday schedule. Flexibility in scheduling is required.

The starting pay for this position is $31.06 per hour. The City of Greenfield provides excellent benefits, including health, insurance, vacation, paid holidays, and enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on June 7, 2026. EOE.

 

Tips and Info from DPI's May 28, 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 May 28, 2026 edition:

Weekly Resources & Reminders

Hello All,  The following content is shared as provided by the organization. The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events.

 

University of Wisconsin-Madison Free Summer Webinar Series  The UW-Madison Information School’s annual free webinar series is returning this summer! One-hour webinars (Mastering Job Interviews, Canva for Public Libraries, and more!) Thursdays (July 9, 16, 23, and 30) will take place from 12 to 1 p.m. (CDT) and will be recorded. Sign up for one or all four. Registration is now open.

 

STARnet Artificial Intelligence Education and Utilization in Public Libraries Survey  Please consider completing STARnet’s brief survey about Artificial Intelligence Education and Utilization in Public Libraries survey. Results from this survey will inform future direction for STARnet programs and training, as well as a potential pre-conference webinar at the 2027 American Library Association Conference. Please follow the link to access the survey.

 

Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Newsletter  Check out the latest CSLP newsletter full of great information and resources, including the 2028 Vendor and Artwork survey, partnership spotlight with the IDEA Squad, the Dan Santat Summer Storytelling Challenge, manual highlights, and more!

 

Jeni Schomber Public Library Consultant Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

Free Webinars from UW-Madison

Logo from UW-Madison

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Free Summer Webinar Series

Registration now open!

UW-Madison's annual free webinar series is returning this summer! We are excited to announce a line-up of four one-hour webinars taking place in July. All webinars will occur live 12:00-1:00 PM CDT and will be recorded. Sign up for one or all four!

Mastering the Library Job Interview for New Professionals

July 9, 2026

Design for Everyone! Teaching Canva in the Public Library

July 16, 2026

Curriculum Analysis for Instruction Librarians

July 23, 2026

 “Bigger Than the Day’s Work”: Building Libraries and Creating Librarians at the Wisconsin Library School, 1906-1938

July 30, 2026

Find more details and register on our website.

Registration closes at 3PM the day before each webinar. You will receive a link to watch the webinar the week before it airs.

Questions? Contact us at ce-info@ischool.wisc.edu.

What's bringing you joy?

Hello Youth Librarians!

Photo from Katie Ganser

Just wanted to stop in to ask you all what's bringing you joy right now? We all know how stressful and overwhelming this part of the year can be for youth librarians, whether your school year is winding down, or you're just winding up for Summer Reading, it's a lot. I know one thing that helps me when I'm struggling is finding joy in the small things. 

Here are a few of the things bringing me joy right now:

1. Planning our Little Mermaid Sing Along! I have the BEST Ursula costume that I cannot wait to wear!

2. Rainy days with no plans, meaning I get to spend the day reading on my couch with my dog snuggled next to me. 

3. Sweet hugs from the storytime kids.

What is bringing you joy right now?

Special thank you to Rebecca Haas from the Anne Arundel County Public Library for her presentation at PLA for inspiring me to find joy on a daily basis.

New YA Books this Week

Photo from bookriot.com

Looking for new recommendations for your teen readers? Book Riot's What's Up in YA page has a ton of new releases featured this week! There is something for everyone on this list and books in both hardcover and paperback. Highly awaited books from authors like Yamile Saied Mendez, Sarah Dessen, and Holly Black top the list!

See what's new in YA here.

[A Global Teen Leadership Takeover, Outlawed Musicians, and More New YA Books for May 6, 2026. Jensen, K. May 6, 2026. Bookriot.com] 

https://bookriot.com/new-ya-books-may-6-2026/

Tips and Info from DPI's May 7, 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 May 7, 2026 edition:

Weekly Resources & Reminders

 

 

Hello All, Check out these Youth Services Resources and Reminders! Foundations of Wisconsin Librarianship workshop Registration closes Friday, May 8, 2026.   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. Space is limited to 25 public library attendees.  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.   Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Unearth a Story Webinar  CSLP is partnering with the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) for an upcoming webinar. Join this webinar to get up to speed with the archaeological component of the 2026 Unearth a Story theme. Learn archaeology basics and the cool things archaeologists can reveal about the past.  A panel of experts from the AIA’s Outreach and Education Committee will answer popular questions to help you and your library patrons “dig in” to archaeology this summer. A recording will be available after the webinar.  Register for How to Channel Your Inner Archaeologist the Summer held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. CST.   Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Newsletter  Check out the latest Collaborative Summer Library Program newsletter full of great information and resources, including the 2026 Social Media Toolkit, partnership spotlight, a button exchange program, and more!  Collaborating for Community Success Series  Public libraries and municipalities can and do collaborate effectively to serve their communities, but sometimes these relationships can be difficult.  To help address these challenges and to build positive cooperation, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension’s Local Government Education program are teaming up to provide a series of webinars and other resources to help people on all sides of the equation.    Building and Leveraging Your Municipal  Relationships  June 11, 2-3 pm Register here  Public libraries in Wisconsin exist within the context of their municipalities. Sometimes this is a seamless collaboration, and at other times there are serious conflicts about roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements. In part one of a series of offerings on the topic of public library and local government relations, we will:  acknowledge some common pain points between these two entities;  examine factors that have led to improved and functional relationships between libraries and municipalities;  celebrate some of the outcomes these relationships have made possible.  Presenters:  Teresa Schmidt, Public Library Administration Consultant, Bureau of Libraries, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and Kami Lynch, Municipal Clerk Specialist with UW-Extension and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.  This session will be recorded and professionally captioned.  It will provide one contact hour for public library director certification.  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