School Library Journal Teen Live!

Photo from SLJ.com

Thursday, August 20th is the 15th annual SLJTeen Live! virtual event! Come hear about the latest and most exciting forthcoming titles for teens and tweens. From rom-coms and mysteries to graphic novels and classic coming-of-age stories, our daylong program of author panels, in-depth conversations, and keynote talks will keep you inspired and entertained.

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the virtual exhibit hall to meet with leading publishers, and download digital galleys and other free resources.

Register for this free virtual event here.

Play Make Learn Conference next week!

 There is still time to register for next week's Play Make Learn Conference taking place in Madison, WI. 

Photo by Quilia on Unsplash

Register for Play Make Learn 2026 TODAY!

Don't miss your chance to be a part of the conference; Play Make Learn has historically sold out each year. Come to Madison to Play, Make, and Learn alongside inspiring peers!

Calling all librarians, teachers, makers, designers, and more!!

Can you believe we are only a week away from the 2026 Play Make Learn Conference? The countdown has officially begun for registered folks to convene on July 9–10 at the Memorial Union in Madison, Wisconsin for a fantastic learning and networking experience. Whether you are coming to share, create, or discover, the energy of this community is something you won't want to miss!

To help you map out your experience, we have two updates for you today: The Full Session Schedule is officially live -- and we are introducing a brand new networking experience (more below). From hands-on workshops to groundbreaking presentations, this year's lineup is packed with inspiration. Take a look at some of our featured highlights:

• July 8 (Pre-Conference): Dive deep early with special sessions like CONTRACKED: Collaborative Complex Playful Learning through Noise and the STEAM and Making MiniCon.
  
  
• July 9: Kick off day one with an inspiring keynote by Brenda Baker (Co-CEO, Madison Children's Museum). After that, the schedule bursts open with interactive sessions: preview PBS Wisconsin's newest history video game project, discover how to blend tabletop RPGs with ePortfolios in the Questfolios workshop, or explore Teaching and Designing through the Fluxus Lens inspired by Yoko Ono. Don't forget to explore the interactive Arcade to level up your PML experience with community creatives, and wrap up day one with the Poster Reception.
  
  
• July 10: Start day two with an illuminating keynote from Camilla Zamboni (Wesleyan University). Dive back into more dynamic workshops and presentations exploring the intersections of play, design, and education, and make sure to explore more of the Arcade before we gather one last time for our community Closing Session.

View the Full Session Schedule Here

4th of July parade opportunity

 

If you're still looking for something to do this 4th of July, the Lone Rock Community Library is looking for people to march with them! 

Lone Rock Community Library is working to assemble a large group of libraries to march in the Lone Rock 4th of July Parade! Libraries may choose to collaborate on purchasing items to hand out along the route. Please contact Troy Rinehart for more information.

Accessibility in Children's Books

Photo by Taylor Heery on Unsplash

"Accessibility in children's books is really about design. When text and images are presented clearly, readers can engage with the story instead of having to work to make sense of the page." This quote from educator Natalie Holdren highlights the difference that small adjustments in design can make for children with special needs and disabilities. 

For years, accessibility meant different books for children with special needs, but in an article for Publishers Weekly, Dianne Bright highlights the importance of access to the same books for every child. "When children with special educational needs and disabilities can engage with the same texts as their peers, it creates shared experiences and opportunities for connection," Holdren states. 

There are simple things that editors can do to make books accessible to all including, accessible fonts, uniform spacing, high contrast between text and artwork, and clear layouts. 

Read the full article, and find some great examples of this work in action here.

[Bright, D. The Importance of Accessibility Editing in Picture Books. May 14, 2026. Publishers Weekly.]

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/100407-the-importance-of-accessibility-editing-in-children-s-picture-books.html?oly_enc_id=9241D5865112C4T

Tips and Info from DPI's June 18, 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 June 18, 2026 edition:   Weekly Resources & Reminders Hello All,

BadgerLink Bulletin - EBSCO Interfaces Update July 7  On July 7, EBSCO is releasing a set of enhancements to Explora, EBSCOhost, and NoveList resources that will improve the way that users engage with and navigate the interface. View Update Story.

The following content is shared as provided by the organization. The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events.  Power Up 2027: A Leadership Conference for Youth Services Managers and Staff - Call for Proposals  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. Visit the Conference Website for more information.

Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Summer Storytelling Challenge  Sign your library up to host a Dan Santat Summer Storytelling Challenge! Dan Santat is the Collaborative Summer Library Program Summer Reading Champion. Dan is asking young readers ages 8-12 to flex their creative muscles and add their words to his art.  Libraries hosting a Summer Reading Storytelling Challenge will be responsible for running the contest in their community and selecting a winner. All libraries that sign up to host a contest will receive more information about how to host the contest and an offer for free prizing from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.  Please contact Mary Van Akin at mary.vanakin@macmillan.com with any questions.

SciStarter + Summer Reading  Turn summer reading into summer discovery! SciStarter and the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) created summer programs, with project ideas, trainings, slides, event recipe cards, and other ready-to-use resources.

 

Spark of Science Survey  The STAR Library Network and their partners at HHMI/Tangled Bank Studios are excited to begin planning for the next Spark of Science program for public libraries. Before they get too deep into planning, they wanted to make sure they have a clear understanding of current practices across public libraries. For this biology-focused initiative, they’re considering gaming, and specifically Minecraft, as a possible delivery mechanism, among others. Your response to the following questions will help them better develop a program that meets libraries where they are, and where they want to be heading! You'll also have the opportunity to indicate your interest in being a project advisor!  Complete the survey.

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

Take your Library to Pride

Photo from Middleton Public Library

 This past weekend, Middleton WI hosted its 3rd annual Pride Fest to celebrate the LGBTQ+ members of our community. Over 3000 people attended this festival. There were vendors, foodtrucks, live music, drag storytime, a DJ and so much more! It was a festival of color and love and of people being their authentic selves. And, the library was honored to be part of it.

This is the second year we've taken our bookmobile to Pride, and people are so excited to see the library represented. This year we added a tent for teen volunteers to offer free glitter tattoos, too! We had 4 staff people and 5 teen volunteers help out at this year's event. We checked out books, handed out fans, flags, stickers, bookmarks and even some free books. 

We get so many positive comments from the local community and from people from around the United States that always mention that their library could never come to a pride event. And, this is why we do it. This is why we go. The library is for everyone. Happy Pride!

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