Free Anti-Bullying Programming

If you're looking for anti-bullying programming you might be interested in this email from a young woman working on her Girl Scouts Gold Award.

Hello!

Photo by Road Ahead on Unsplash

My name is Caitilyn and I've recently graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. I'm a second year Ambassador Girl Scout (which is the final level of Girl Scouts) and I'm currently working on my Gold Award for Girl Scouts. 

Some background, the Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout in the United States can earn while still in Girl Scouts. She has to complete the Bronze and/or Silver Awards in order to even do their Gold Award and she has to do it during the last two years of high school when she's an Ambassador Girl Scout. Only about 5% of girls stay in Girl Scouts and of that 5% only 6% of those girls complete the Gold Award. 

My Gold Award is an anti-bullying program called Be a Buddy, Not a Bully. Its main goal is to reduce bullying through parent education and prevention/intervention to make a greater impact. It teaches how to tell if your child is being bullied or is a bully, how to talk to your child if they're being bullied or are being a bully and how to help your child if they're being bullied or being a bully along with 4 strategies of how to prevent your child from bullying others. 

In order for my Gold Award to work I need to make it so it can continue on without me being in charge. We're hoping that through sharing with other libraries that they'll connect to me and I can find someone in that area to take it to their library and teach it using the information I have but with their stories and experiences. If you're in the cities/area around Wisconsin Rapids I'm very willing to come by and do a couple programs throughout the day at your library as long as you promote for me so I can have some people come participate! If you don't think you'll get enough people to participate in the in-person program that's fine! I have a youtube channel called Be a Buddy, Not a Bully and it's completely set up with all the information that I teach right now!

If you'd like to reach out to find out more about the program you can reach me at official.beabuddy.notabully@gmail.com! Thank you for your time!

Kind regards,

Caitilyn S.  

Back to School

Tiffani Roltgen brings a fresh perspective to the YSS Blog. With blogs from the school library side of things in Verona, WI, we are always excited to hear from Tiffani!

Dear Youth Librarians,

My name is Tiffani Roltgen, and I am the library director/teacher librarian at New Century School and Verona Area International School in Verona, WI. I love my local public library and am thrilled to share some suggestions to help build partnerships between schools and libraries.  

Back to School season brings with it a variety of emotions. Here are some simple and engaging ways to help families with the transition. 

• Set up a Back to School paper chain countdown craft station. Support math and fine motor skills with a simple passive activity that allows students and families to create a way to count down the days until school begins.

Photo by Tiffani Roltgen

• Display Back to School books featuring a wide variety of characters and families. Include titles about the range of feelings students may experience from excitement and anticipation to nervousness and sadness that summer is coming to an end. Be sure to include Your Name is a Song, The Magical Yet, First Day Around the World, The Proudest Blue, and The Day You Begin.

• Create an interactive “Summer Memories” board where students and families can post their favorite activities and stories from the summer months. This will jump start those narrative writing skills and help mark and celebrate the transition from summer to school.

• Offer helpful handouts for caregivers such as information about ways to ease the school transition, how to adjust bedtimes, or laminated morning routine or backpack checklists for families to post and use during busy mornings. Consider hosting a freezer meals or lunchbox workshop to inspire quick and creative nutrition.

• Don’t forget the teachers and staff! Help reacquaint them with public library resources including classroom library cards that allow them to check out materials without worries about charges for lost items, time saving services like placing holds on multiple copies of a book, field trip opportunities, or kits that support classroom activities such as science or mindfulness. 

Photo by Krista Brinkmeier Photography

But until that first bell, enjoy these last days of summer sun! 

Tiffani Roltgen

roltgent@verona.k12.wi.us

Jim Gill Workshop is almost here!

Musical Play is Learning Play with Jim Gill: A Professional Development Workshop - Fri. Aug. 14th 1-4pm

Attention Youth Services Librarians!  

Photo provided by Jim Gill

On Friday, August 14^th from 1:00-4:00pm, Jim Gill is offering a professional development workshop tailored for librarians and early childhood educators at the Oak Creek Public Library in Oak Creek, WI. Registration is required to secure your spot for this event. This workshop is free for participants.

Register now: https://events.getlocalhop.com/music-play-is-learning-play-with-jim-gill-professional-development-workshop-for-early-childhood-educators-and-librarians/event/mp0upT1Ace/

A free family concert will follow in the evening on Friday, August 14^th at 6:30pm. No registration required.

Other events to enjoy while in town include:

Oak Creek Kids Night in Drexel Town Square (Also Jim Gill concert venue, food trucks will be available!)
Friday, August 14^th, 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/visitor/events/kids-nights

Oak Creek Farmers Market
Saturday, August 15^th, 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/visitor/events/farmers-market

For more information, visit https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/visitor 

All these events are sponsored by Visit Oak Creek.

PBS Wisconsin Library Cohort accepting applications

Photo from PBS Kids

 

Join the PBS Wisconsin Library Cohort

The PBS Wisconsin Library Cohort blends professional development, hands-on learning, collaboration, and program implementation into one engaging series for Wisconsin public library and school library staff. 

Apply by September 1, 2026 - spots are limited!

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Why join?

• EXPLORE ready-to-use, research-backed educational multimedia resources that:

• Celebrate the process of learning and a love of reading.

• Support early literacy, social-emotional learning, problem solving,
  and local learning connections.

• BUILD media literacy skills for infusing resources that support children in learning how to think, rather than what to think.

• CULTIVATE relationships with colleagues across Wisconsin and beyond.

“This cohort is a wealth of information – the different points of views and programming ideas were so wonderful. PBS is an amazing resource.” 

– Past cohort member

What’s required?

• ATTEND:

• One in-person workshop at the Fitchburg Public Library on Monday, Sept. 28, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

• Three 90-minute virtual workshops (October 12, November 2, November 16) to explore resources and connect with library colleagues.

• A virtual celebration (December 7) where we get to learn about each cohort member’s awesome programs!

• PLAN and IMPLEMENT at least one youth-focused program that incorporates PBS resources.  (See previous playshops from La Crosse or Richland Center.)

• COLLECT DATA on program impact, such as number of attendees, photos and testimonials.

• SHARE your thoughts, feedback, and cohort activities via short surveys.

Interested in the Cohort?

Complete the application form by September 1, 2026.
Staff from libraries that have participated in the past are welcome to apply. 

All applicants will be contacted by September 7, 2026. 

Cohort members will be eligible to receive a $150 stipend for participating.

We strive to serve all areas of our state. Rural libraries and libraries that serve diverse communities are encouraged to apply. If there are any accommodations you need to be able to participate, please let us know.

Contact Jami Hoekstra Collins, PBS Wisconsin Education Engagement Specialist, with any questions at jami.hoekstra@pbswisconsin.org.

Tips and Info from DPI's July 30, 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 July 30, 2026 edition:

Weekly Resources & Reminders

Hello All,

Wisconsin's Early Learning and Development Guidelines Revision Project  In partnership with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and Department of Health Services (DHS), the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is updating the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS). The reason for this revision project is to incorporate:  User feedback  New research in the field Promising innovations from other states  A complete draft of the updated Wisconsin Early Learning and Development Guidelines is now available for public review!

The following content is shared as provided by the organization. The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events.   Talking Teen Services: Preparing Teens for College Through Academic Library Collaboration - Registration Open Now!   Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 12 p.m. Have you ever wondered how you could encourage the young people you see in your library everyday to understand the value of using academic libraries at their future college campuses? Come explore today's academic libraries for yourself and begin considering how you could help build this bridge for high schoolers in your community whether or not there's a community college or university campus in your town.  Participants will learn about what a visit to an academic library can look like for high schoolers, how to talk about why academic library visits are useful, and program ideas for preparing teens for college. Sponsored by the Colorado State Library and presented by Caitlin Cooke, Teaching and Learning Librarian at Auraria Library.

We Love Libraries! Booklist  In celebration of the American Library Association's 150th anniversary, the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) has compiled the We Love Libraries! Booklist, featuring books about books, reading and libraries. The list is free to download and share, and includes recommended titles for ages birth to 18.

Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Newsletter    Check out the latest Collaborative Summer Library Program newsletter full of great information and resources, including the Summer Reading Annual Survey, Building Community Based Summers (BCBS) National Cohort announcement, Theme and Slogan Listening Sessions, and more!

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

Rage Against the Room

From the article on TLT

Embrace all the feelings and channel teen angst with a DIY Rage Room! Cindy Shutts welcomes Faith Healy onto the Teen Librarian Toolbox blog to lay out a program plan along with feedback on how each station was received.

According to Healy the idea came up "while having a conversation with a co-worker, Sol Perez,  about mental health, we were brainstorming ways to do a program that would help teens as well as get them to want to come. We struggled to find an idea that would balance education with fun enough that teens would actually come.  Randomly she threw out a rage room and we both looked at each other and said that is it."

Read the full article here.

Seems like a great way to utilize supplies many of us have lingering in our work areas and let teens relieve some stress! I could see this type of program going over really well during or after finals. What do you think? Would you offer a Rage Room at your Library or have you already? How'd it go?

[Cindy Crushes Programming: How to turn a conversation about Mental Health into a fun program aka How to do a Teen Rage Room. Shutts, Cindy. Teen Librarian Toolbox blog. July 2, 2026. https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2026/07/02/cindy-crushes-programming-how-to-turn-a-conversation-about-mental-health-into-a-fun-program-aka-how-to-do-a-teen-rage-room/]

New WLAF Conference Scholarship Program

Are you a member of WLA? If so, read on for an exciting new scholarship opportunity!

New Conference Scholarship Program Now Available

Deadline to Apply: August 21

Dear WLA Members, The Wisconsin Library Association Foundation (WLAF) is excited to announce a new and expanded Conference Scholarship Program designed to help more members access valuable professional development opportunities. This year, we are launching a new scholarship application process for the 2026 WLA Annual Conference. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, five scholarships of up to $500 each will be awarded to WLA members to help cover conference registration. The goal of the scholarship program is to reduce financial barriers to participation, encourage first-time attendees and those with limited employer support, and strengthen the diversity and vitality of Wisconsin's library community. Who Can Apply? Applications are open to all current WLA members. Applicants will be asked to submit a brief application describing: Why they would like to attend the conference How attending will benefit their professional growth Any financial barriers they face Preference will be given to staff from small, rural, or special libraries,  first-time attendees, individuals with financial need, students, early-career library workers, new graduates, and others who may have limited access to professional development opportunities. Scholarships will be awarded as conference registration vouchers and may be used toward conference registration fees. They do not cover travel, lodging, preconference workshops, membership dues, or ticketed special events. This year's scholarships are available only for the WLA Annual Conference on October 20-23 at the Marriott Madison West. Beginning in 2027, we plan to expand the program so members may apply for scholarships to attend other WLA conferences and institutes, including WAPL, WAAL, AWSL, and other eligible WLA events. The number and amount of scholarships awarded each year will depend on the success of the Foundation's fundraising efforts. We're pleased to offer five $500 scholarships this year and look forward to growing this program as support allows. Timeline: Applications open: July 23 Applications close: August 21 Scholarship Committee review: August 24–September 4 Applicants notified: the week of September 7 If attending the WLA Annual Conference has been out of reach financially, we encourage you to apply. We hope this program makes it easier for more members to connect, learn, and engage with colleagues from across Wisconsin. How to Apply:  Follow the link to apply: https://forms.gle/uLrnjW7nxBB8d8PN8 We encourage interested members to apply by August 21 using the link above.  We look forward to seeing many new faces at this year's conference! Best, Kara Sullivan Executive Director Wisconsin Library Association

Free Teacher Admission at Old World Wisconsin

Photo from oldworldwisconsin.org

Looking for a fun summer adventure? Try out Old World Wisconsin. Teachers! Look for free admission on July 31st!

Enjoy a day of history inspiration at Old World Wisconsin! Bring your teacher ID on July 31 for free admission to explore the living history site, discover classroom resources, and scout out field trip possibilities.

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

 Greenfield Public Library in Greenfield, WI seeks a full-time Children's Librarian

Image by Satheesh Sankaran from Pixabay

The Greenfield Public Library in Greenfield, WI, is seeking a full-time Children’s Librarian. The Children’s 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 information 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 operation of the library and administers other library services as assigned.   

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 Children’s Librarian position.