WAPL Conference is Chockful of Youth Content!

It's time for WLA's WI Assoc of Public Libraries (WAPL) spring conference and it's all virtual. You can register for this 4 day conference featuring over 36 events here. Below are the selection of 13 programs with specific youth content. But there is so much more: programs on virtual and remote programming and outreach, reader's advisory and a host of social events. This is a can't miss event to refresh you and bring you together with your WI library peers!

Early bird registration (before April 16) is the way to go - just $85. After that, it's $95 for WLA members; $25 for students and $115 for non-members. 

Match Titles to Empower Readers    Tues, 5/4, 9:30 -10:30 am

Join this hands-on session and discover how the tools on Book Connections can match readers to titles. Create interactive spaces that spotlight book creators, hook readers, and help them choose titles to read. Leave with ideas for how to energize your space with interactive displays and audio resources to make your shelves talk. Designed to engage and excite readers, Book Connections is the public library interface for TeachingBooks, provided through Badgerlink, so that all Wisconsin libraries have equitable access. This session is sponsored by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Speakers: Mary Ellen Graf and Crystal Ballard from TeachingBooks

Programing Hinterlands: Taking New Skills into Library Programing Post-pandemic. Tues, 5/4, 10:45 -11:45 am

We present a case that argues for the continuation of virtual and at-home programing beyond the need for social distancing practices. Examples and current processes will be shared. Speakers: Sheri Dunhams and Jodi Schultz, Neenah Public Library

Keynote - Eric Klinenberg, author of PALACES FOR THE PEOPLE Tues, 5/4, Noon-1:00 pm

Don't Stand So Close to Me     Tues, 5/4,  1:30- 2:30 pm

Join us and see how our small town library was able to have in-person programs while physically distancing yet still maintaining a social connection. Learn how we proactively engaged our community during our "new normal" with fun programs like The Amazing Race using transmitter headsets to keep in contact with our participants on their car radios. Other programs like Drive-in Bingo and Community I-Spy kept our patrons from losing a sense of community while keeping a sensible distance. We converted existing programs into kit distribution for patrons to pick up with curbside appointments. Families who loved attending our escape rooms or adult DIY crafts were able to pick up kits to complete at home. Speakers: Kristie Hauer and Paige Crawford Shawano County Library

 Urban Libraries SIG Presents – Building Community Partnerships to Host a Teen Job Fair Tues, 5/4,  1:30- 2:30 pm

Finding summer employment for teens has gotten easier due to the efforts of the Milwaukee Public Library, particularly its creation of the Teen Job Fair at the Center Street Branch. This presentation traces our initiative from conception to completion. Our Teen Job Fair allowed teens to overcome barriers to inclusivity to obtain their first job. Participants will be exposed to strategies on how to organize a teen job fair, building community partnerships, and create online surveys that will meet your library's needs. This session is sponsored by the Urban Libraries Special Interest Group. Speakers: Kirsten Thompson, Jenny Wright and Mark Zimmerman, Milwaukee Public Library

MadLibs with YSS   Tues, 5/4 ,  7:00- 8:00 pm

Virtual Mad Libs with a Children's/Young Adult Literature theme. Host: Jenny Wegener, YSS Chair

But Wait...There's More! Exploring Subscription Boxes in Public Libraries Wed, 5/5,  9:30-10:30 am

Subscription boxes are a fun and trendy way to get teens reading again, but they are a lot of work. Or are they? Three libraries of different sizes discuss how they made the program work for them and how you can too. Speakers:Elisha Sheffer,Rhinelander Library; Emily Sanders, Barrett Memorial Library; Abby Landers, La Crosse Public Library

Inside the CCBC    Wed, 5/5, 10:45 -11:45 am

The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) has been serving Wisconsin public and school librarians since it opened its doors in 1963. Across the years, what those services look like have changed, but the library's commitment to maintaining a hands-on book examination center and providing in-depth information about literature for children and teens and related issue has been constant. Join CCBC librarians Merri Lindgren and Megan Schliesman for this overview of current CCBC services to Wisconsin librarians, including the library's annual best-of-the-year list and intellectual freedom information services, and an in-depth look at resources on the CCBC's revamped web site. They'll also take a brief walk through some highlights of CCBC history. Speakers: Merri Lindgren and Megan Schliesman, CCBC

Strengthen the partnership with your schools to prevent COVID & Summer Slide Wed 5/5, 1:30 pm-2:30 pm

Strengthen your library-school partnerships to help better engage students all year. With the existing problem of summer learning loss exacerbated by COVID, many students are at risk of falling behind. The Beanstack team will share how their "tandems" system gives students the option to safely sync Beanstack accounts with their public library and school. This allows families to simultaneously participate in reading challenges at their school and library during summer reading, and all year long. Your library continues to receive unique data and drive engagement while your school partners gain a deeper understanding of student reading behaviors all year. Speakers: Lindsey Hill, David Hopp, Rebekah Garrety and Felix Lloyd, ZooBean

Whole Library Programming: A Look at Adult and Youth Librarian Collaboration Thur 5/6, 9:30 -10:30 am

Are you looking to increase the adaptability of your library programming while providing efficient and enjoyable programming for all ages? Attend this session to learn how to implement Whole Library Programming in your library which focuses on the collaboration between Adult Services and Youth Services Librarians. Speakers: Julia Birch and Minda Maurer,Jefferson Public Library

Intergenerational Storytime & Penpal Programming    Thur, 5/6, 10:45 -11:45 am

This session explores an option for effectively planning and executing virtual intergenerational programming in the community during the pandemic. Outreach has always been a fundamental principle of the library world and an imperative duty of librarians, which has become increasingly true in the past year. The speaker will outline from beginning to finish how to successfully set up, run, and conclude a virtual intergenrational storytime program including a pen pal component with your school district and senior center. Speaker: Jamie Mercer, W.J. Niederkorn Library

"Where's Waldo?": Finding Teens Online   Fri, 5/7, 9:30 -10:30 am

Instagram? TikTok? Discord? Where are your teen patrons when they're online and how do you reach them? Librarians from four different communities will share how they have navigated connecting with teens through online platforms, both prior to and during a global pandemic. Learn how they've handled what can feel like a daunting process, from deciding what platforms to try, getting administration on board, and figuring out the ethics of following back. This session is sponsored by the Youth Services Section (YSS). Speakers: Abby Seymour, E.D. Locke Public Library; Sussanah Gilbert, Kenosha Public Library; Alicia Woodland, McMillan Memorial Library and Taylor Wilcox, Waupaca Area Public Library

Thinking Inside the Box: How One Youth Services Department Delivered Programs During COVID-19   Fri, 5/7 10:45 -11:45 am

When COVID-19 hit, the Youth & Family Services staff at the Kenosha Public Library were issued a novel challenge: fit an entire children's program inside a 9x5x4" take-out box. Multiply by 60. Repeat. In this session, you will learn how one library leaned into change with creativity, flexibility, and open minds to design 73 different programs-in-a-box that served more than 4,500 children, teens, and families over the course of 8 months. This session is sponsored by the Youth Services Section (YSS). Speakers Heather Thompson, Tessa Fox, Kenosha Public Library