Tips and Info from DPI's November 6, 2025 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 November 6, 2025 edition:

 

Hello All,  Check out these youth services resources and reminders!  CSLP Summer Symposium – Registration is open!  Thursday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Check out the Collaborative Summer Library Program for manual highlights, program ideas, and to hear from the CSLP 2026 Summer Reading Champion, Dan Santat!  Register to attend live.  Can’t attend the live event? Register to receive the recording.   Building Community Based Summers (BCBS) Wisconsin Cohort  The application for the Spring 2026 Wisconsin Cohort is open!   The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Bureau of Libraries is looking for six libraries to participate in the 2026 Building Community-Based Summers (BCBS) Cohort.     The BCBS learning framework will empower library staff to weave equity into their summer services and programming by exploring how equitable their current programs are, whether equity goals are being achieved, and what impact summer programs are having on those community members needing them most.    The deadline to apply is Friday, November 14, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their status by Monday, November 24, 2026.  2026 Summer Teen Internship Informational Webinar  Registration for the DPI Bureau of Libraries Teen Internship informational webinar at 10 a.m., January 30, 2026, is open.  Attendees will learn about the goals of the internship, what is expected of the library, the mentor, and the intern, and how to apply for the program.   Up to $2500 in funding is available for each of the selected Wisconsin public libraries to hire a paid summer intern who reflects the voice and perspectives of their community. This is expected to be a competitive process, and not all applications will be accepted into the program.  The Teen Internship is supported by the Institute of Museums and Library Services with Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding and is conditioned upon the availability of government funds which may be limited for any reason including, but not limited to, congressional, legislative, gubernatorial, or administrative action.  Vibrant Emotional Health is sharing Free 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline resources  The 988 Lifeline is a national network of crisis contact centers that connects people with skilled, compassionate crisis counselors 24/7, offering support for anyone in suicidal crisis or struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, or substance misuse.  Libraries of all kinds can request a free package containing 3 full-size flyers, 3 half-size flyers, 10 postcards, 10 bookmarks, and 10 stickers to help spread awareness of this vital resource to patrons.  These materials provide important information about how to access help via call, text or online chat.  By displaying these resources in your library, you can play a crucial role in connecting community members to life-saving support.  Request your free materials at this link  Nourishing Minds: A Free Toolkit for Teen Mental Health Programming in Libraries  Wednesday, November 19 from 2 to 3 p.m.  Join the Programming Librarian (ALA) for this free webinar to learn how to use Nourishing Minds, a free digital toolkit created by the Seattle Public Library for supporting teen mental health programming. The Nourishing Minds Framework, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and with support from The Seattle Public Library Foundation, is a comprehensive approach for libraries to support teen mental health. Over the course of three years, Seattle Public Library staff tested the digital toolkit, supporting librarians and teens with meaningful teen-focused programming. In this webinar, hear from the Nourishing Minds team about the framework, resources, and how libraries have used the toolkit to create teen programs.  For more information and to register, visit: https://programminglibrarian.org/webinars  Jeni Schomber  Public Library Consultant  The DPI does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events. They are provided for your consideration only.  Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

Kindness to Gender Diverse Youth

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Last month, ALSC blogger Chelsey Roos, wrote a brilliant post about ways we can show respect, kindness and support for gender diverse youth in our communities.

They wrote: "Transgender and gender-diverse youth deserve safety, respect, and kindness within your library, just like any other young person in your community. In 2020, ALA issued a statement affirming the rights of transgender people, stating that ALA “unequivocally and emphatically stands in solidarity” with both transgender library staff and transgender members of our communities. However, we have to acknowledge that there seem to be more and more obstacles to supporting our young patrons. Depending on your service area, you may be facing book challenges, programming bans, and also outright hostility towards children who just want to be themselves. But there are resources at hand and choices you can make to welcome all young people, regardless of their gender identity."

Their post, full of tips, ideas and a wealth of resources can be found here. [No One Can Stop You from Being Kind: Supporting Gender-DiverseYouth in Your Library. Roos, Chelsey. ALSC blog. December 7, 2024]

Register Your Dia Day Program

ALA's Association for Library Service for Children and REFORMA have long sponsored El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) also known as Dia Day.

Día is a nationally recognized initiative that champions the importance of literacy for all children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. It’s a daily commitment to linking children and families to diverse books, languages, and cultures.

Besides program resources, graphics, booklists and support, ALSC has developed a program registry to share programs from libraries around the country. Any library holding a Dia program throughout the year can register a program. 

Please stop here to read all about it! [2025 National Dia Program Registry. Schulte-Cooper, Laura. ALSC blog. November 20, 2024.]

Tips and Info DPI's Weekly Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is chockfull of great resources. 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 information from the Sept 5, 2024 edition

ALSC National Institute – September 19^th – 21^st, 2024 in Denver, CO

 

• The ALSC National Institute is a two and a half day intensive learning and networking opportunity with a youth services focus. It is designed for front-line youth library staff, children's literature experts, education and library school faculty members, and other interested adults.
• I know of a few Wisconsin public library staff that are attending the Institute this year. If you also attending, and would like to meet up with your fellow Wisconsinites, let me know! I’ll get everyone connected behind the scenes.

Save the Date – CSLP Summer Symposium

 

• Thursday December 5^th, 2024 – Registration coming soon (for this online opportunity)!
• 10:00 am - Welcome & Keynote: "You Belong in Libraries" with Mycal Threets
• 11:45 pm - "From Planning to Palette to Posting: Summer Reading Marketing with Cari Hillman (OH) & Katie Rothley (MI)
• 1:00 pm - "A Rainbow of Opportunities for Creative Programming" with Katie Brunner (CO) and Amanda Raiche (ND)
• 2:30 pm - "Coloring Our World Green: Sustainability and Summer Reading" with Keturah Cappdonia (NY) and Haleigh Mikolajczky (NY)

 

 

The Innovation Destination

 

• The Innovation Destination, official website of The Young Innovators Project, presents The Curious Kids’ Story-Game Adventure: The Mystery of the Burping Fish, a digital story-game (a story with game elements) and set of supporting resources, partially funded by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS). The story-game is designed to capture the imaginations of young, would-be inventors in grades 2-4 and motivate them to participate in its six fun-filled adventures while learning the invention process and gaining some teamwork and inquiry skills along the way.
• For more information visit the Digital Story Game information flyer

 

 

 

BioBlitz - You're Invited to Participate!

A message from Anne Moser, Anne Moser UW-Madison's Senior Special Librarian, Wisconsin Water Library and Education Coordinator, Wisconsin Sea Grant.

The 14^th annual Wisconsin Science Festival (WSF) is fast approaching (October 14-20), and your library is invited to participate as an event host.  This year the Wisconsin Water Library at UW Madison is assisting the WSF in support of libraries’ participation in the WiSciFest Bioblitz – a community science event that collects data on biodiversity in Wisconsin. Libraries are a perfect fit for hosting a mini bioblitz and the Water Library is here to help.

 

A bioblitz gives community members the opportunity to explore and record the surrounding flora and fauna and can run for one hour, one day or for the whole week of the science festival. Hosting a bioblitz is easy and the Wisconsin Water Library (co-hosts a Great Lakes Bioblitz in the spring) have put together some resources for you.

 

1. A bioblitz resource guide contains important information you need to host your own bioblitz.
2. A free, one-hour informational webinar will be held on Thursday, September 19 at 11:30. This is an opportunity to learn the basics of community science and how you might participate. The webinar is designed for both new and experienced bioblitzers. Click to register for the webinar.

 

Tips and Info DPI's Weekly Youth Services Newsletter

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is chockfull of great resources. 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 information from the August 23, 2024 edition.

BadgerLink Procurement Complete

• The recent BadgerLink procurement process is complete. Many of the previously provided resources remain the same, however new resources include: Britannica Early Elementary & Young Children (Britannica); Education Source, Hobbies & Crafts Source, Home Improvement Source, Library & Information Science Source, and Points of View Reference Source (all from EBSCO); and Chilton Library (Gale).
• View Procurement Story

 

Sunshine & Stories Podcast

 

• Sunshine & Stories is a Colorado State Library podcast dedicated to all things summer in public libraries. During our 2024-25 season, keep an eye out for new episodes twice a month from August to May. We'll explore topics like performers, incentives, outreach, volunteers, capturing impact, and many more ideas related to designing a summer public library program for your whole community (adults included!). 

 

Wisconsin Library Association Awards

 

• WLA is accepting nominations for 2024 Awards and Honors. The deadline to nominate a colleague (or yourself!) is Friday September 6^th, 2024.
• Download the 2024 Awards Flyer for more information.

 

STARnet Webinar – Experience Solar Maximum

 

• Wednesday September 11^th, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST
• Join STAR Net and the Astronomical League as we explore the solar cycle, what happens during periods of high activity from the Sun, and how to participate in the Solar Maximum Observing Challenge! You’ll learn how to build a DIY magnetometer to detect minor disturbances to the Earth’s magnetic field and discuss ways to engage your community in experiencing solar maximum. The solar eclipses of 2023 and 2024 may be over, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate our Sun!
• Register Today!

 

Save the Date – Connecting Wisconsin Libraries

 

• Thursday September 26^th at 3 p.m.. Meeting link details coming soon!
• Connecting Wisconsin Libraries is a networking group that facilitates collaboration between school and public libraries, shares pertinent information, ideas, events, and best practices, and develops cooperative support for the youth we serve.

 

Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) – Submit a Program Idea!

 

• CSLP needs your 2026 program ideas and resource suggestions for the Dinosaurs theme.
• Submit a PROGRAM IDEA (All Ages)
• Submit a BOOK or RESOURCE (All Ages; Spanish or English)
• Programming suggestions will be accepted until September 27, 2024.

Chair's Corner - February 2024 YSS Board Updates

This month's February YSS board meeting update is from Cathy Pescinski, our YSS 2024 Chair and Teen Librarian at Shawano County Library.

The YSS Board met February 26^th by Zoom. Marge (our Supreme Blog Master) told us the blog had over 20,000 views last month (that's awesome!) and there will be two new people adding to the blog going forward. Marge is always open to new blog contributors, so please contact her (at the email address above in the blog header) if you would like to add some content or if there is specific content you feel would be helpful for you.

Laura Sauser (WLA Executive Director Extraordinaire) shared she will be sending out a survey from Wisconsin After-School Network about after school services, WAPL registration will be opening soon, dates for the 2024 Virtual Performer's Showcase are being explored, and Great Lakes Great Reads Speakers will be announced on Earth Day, April 22.

Jeni Schomber (DPI (Not) Undercover Operative) informed us Shannon Schultz, Public Library Administration Consultant, will be leaving DPI to take over the South Central Library System Director position, and Bruce Smith, Library Services Project Coordinator, retired on Feb 23, 2024.

Linda Jerome (WLA/YSS Liaison in Chief) said work is continuing on the virtual YSS conference for 2025.

The next YSS Presents webinar will be Libraries Without Limits: Insights from OTs, PTs and SLPs on Thursday, May 9, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration is open - Free for WLA Members/$25.00 for Nonmembers. https://wla.memberclicks.net/librarieswithoutlimits#! A survey will be coming out  to get input on topics for future webinars. 

A reminder for available resources:

• Unite Against Banned Books - new resource/toolkit 

                BookRésumés - Unite Against Book Bans - Book Résumés

• Reminder of WLA intellectual freedom toolkit as well

                        https://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/intellectual-freedom-resources

• CCBC Choices      https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/literature-resources/ccbc-choices/

Lastly, Anne Moser (Jedi Lake Librarian) is working on a list of books for Great Lakes Great Reads specifically for children and teens. 

 

Our next meeting is March 25th. If you have any questions, concerns, or input you would like to add to our meeting or about YSS in general, don't hesitate to reach out to me at cpescinski@shawanolibrary.org. We are here to represent all of you and to develop meaningful resources for the membership. 

Also, if any of these activities sound interesting to you, please consider running for a Board position this fall! Reach out to any of us for more information, stop us and say hi at any conference, or drop in on one of the YSS socials.

[Note: Want to read the January 2024 board meeting minutes that the YSS board just approved at their February meeting? YSS members (after logging in) can access the 2023 YSS board minutes as well as previous years’ minutes at the YSS page of the Wisconsin Library Association website. Do you want to read the minutes but are not a YSS member? Please consider becoming a member by joining WLA so you can stay updated on all the YSS action.] 

Indigenous Reads Rising: a new resource!

As seen in the IFLS Youth Services Round-up newsletter, 11/15/23

Thanks to Kathy Larson from River Falls for sending this to me.  Indigenous Reads Rising is a new resource from We Need Diverse Books.  There is a wealth of great stuff on here, including a wonderful collection of booklists of recent and upcoming releases for Young Adults, Middle Grade, and Picture Books, including books divided by subject/genre (graphic novels, adventures, speculative, family stories, and more).  You can also find some excellent resources for teachers and librarians, including best practices, learning about Land Acknowledgements, state-by-state resources, and an excellent FAQ section. 

- Leah Langby

New Resource Guides for Youth Librarians

A recent Badgerlink Bulletin post shared great resources that can help you in your work with kids, teens and families. They also have guides that you can link into your website.

Stop here to read the full blog post.

Building Resilience to Hate and Extremism–Resources!

IFLS Consultant Leah Langby recently gathered some amazing resources to help you in your work and published them on the IFLS Keeping Up with Kids blog.

She writes: "Polarization, extremism, hate groups, conspiracy theories, misinformation…it’s all pretty overwhelming and more than a little scary.   Families, caregivers, and communities need help to prepare for and respond to online hate and to hate groups recruiting young people via a whole variety of manipulative online tactics.  Starting upstream is one of the best ways to do this.  

One of the best resilience factors that allow kids and teens to resist becoming involved with radical hate groups is a sense of belonging in their communities.   It sure seems like there is a role for libraries in there, doesn’t it?!  It would be great to consciously think about how we can welcome and engage tweens and teens who might be vulnerable in such a way that they feel like they truly do have a place to belong."

To access the resource links she gathered and read the full post, please click here. [Building Resilience to Hate and Extremism - Resources!. Langby Leah. IFLS Keeping Up with Kids blog. August 2, 2023]

PBS KIDS Edcamp in Viroqua

A message from Laci Sheldon, Youth Services Director, After School Program DirectorMcIntosh Memorial Library  Viroqua

Hello colleagues!

This is my personal invite to attend the PBS KIDS Edcamp which is happening on Saturday, August 12th from 8:00am-1:00pm at Viroqua High School in Viroqua, WI.

I made this video to let you know what's going to happen at the PBS KIDS Edcamp:

A Video Invite to YOU!

The quick rundown is:

• We'll be a good size group of PreK-3^rd educators, youth librarians, childcare providers, and other professionals currently working with children in the Viroqua / La Crosse area.
• Wisconsin PBS KIDS staff will be there to introduce us to their free resources as one part of the day. 
• Attendees identify their own breakout sessions depending on the topics of interest.
• Morning coffee, pastries and a catered lunch will be provided at no cost. Morning yoga if you want!
• Prizes and gift giveaways too!
• And, registration is free!

We'll connect, network, feel inspired, learn new things, and actually be a bit spoiled with good food and prizes too! 

Registration is done through this live link: “Reading is a Literal Adventure” EdCamp event"

Or, use the QR Code below!

I lean into PBS KIDS content to support and enhance youth programs at McIntosh Memorial Library. 

I trust their resources. And, I believe PBS KIDS playful learning materials have a place in Wisconsin libraries! 

 

Questions? Call or email me at 608.637.7151. ext.5 l.sheldon@wrlsweb.org