YSS Social at the CCBC

Socializing at the YSS Social at the CCBC

On October 25 during the WLA Conference in Middleton, YSS collaborated with UW-Madison's Cooperative Children's Book Center to make our annual YSS Social an even more special event. Over 20 youth services library staff and other interested people registered for this delightful event. The YSS board and CCBC librarians were on hand for the evening fun.

Discovering all the CBC has to offer

The evening opened with a very brief - but very interesting verbal tour of the CCBC's space. We found out about the many 4th floors that the CCBC has occupied during its existence; discovered the difference between "current" and "basic" collections; found out WHERE ALL THE BOOKS COME FROM; discovered that there are ARCs (advanced readers copies), bookmarks and other interesting book-related pieces sent by publishers that are given away FREE; were reminded of the amazing intellectual freedom services provided; learned about the Charlotte Zolotow Award and Lecture and were clued in to how using the CCBC can save selectors a ton of money with hands-on book examination to help separate the wheat from the chaff.

Scavenger hunt selfie taking

But that's not all. Attendees heard some great booktalks from CCBC librarians Tessa Michaelson Schmidt and Merri Lindgren. I don't think I was the only one putting those books on hold (via my phone's handy Library app) as Tessa and Merri regaled us with the plots.

There was plenty of time to look more closely at the collections and visit with each other as the evening went on. As a bonus, the staff had prepared a scavenger hunt for interested youth sleuths. For those who chose to participate we needed to find five items on the list and take a selfie of ourselves with each book or item found. Those that completed the hunt went home with a free book!

Picking out a scavenger hunt prize book

It was an excellent evening and an excellent way for YSS folks and other youth library staff to visit a nearby state treasure and get more familiar with it - and each other!

Thanks CCBC for the great evening!