Tips and Info from DPI's March 26, 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 March 26, 2026 edition:

Hello All,  Check out these youth services resources and reminders!  BadgerLink Bulletin – TeachingBooks for Libraries  Attention, librarians of all types! Check out TeachingBooks Monthly Lesson Ideas to easily share fascinating multimedia titles for young readers in your newsletters, social media, and instructional and programming plans. Explore TeachingBooks for Libraries for jumping-off points that deepen discussions, inspire reading interest, and support connections to books and authors for young readers.   Wisconsin Science Festival Virtual Kickoff Party  This virtual party is a great way to learn more about what participating in the festival really means, get the scoop on the featured topic for the year, meet other STEAM enthusiasts, win prizes at trivia, and more.  Join us, April 16th at 11:30am, as we kick off the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival!  Register for the Kickoff Party.   CSLP Newsletter  Check out the latest Collaborative Summer Library Program newsletter full of great information and resources, including voting to name the Mysteries Await at Your Library 2027 mascot, a BCBS National Cohort announcement, Dinosaurs 101 for Librarians webinar, the final Wordsmithing session, Manual highlights, and more!  Northeast Science Camp for Librarians  Save the Date for the 2026 Northeast Science Camp for Librarians! We are excited to announce this year’s Northeast Science Camp for Librarians will be held on June 8-10, 2026, at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire. Science Camp is an engaging and affordable 2 ½ day immersion into science topics, offering opportunities for library workers and library students interested in science, health sciences, and technology to learn, meet, and network in a fun, laid-back atmosphere. Registration opens April 17, 2026. Visit Northeast Science Camp for Librarians for more information.   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

Tips and Info from DPI's March 12, 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 March 12, 2026 edition:

Hello All,  Check out these youth services weekly resources and reminders!  2026 Programming and Activity Count Tracker  This workbook can be used to track programs and activities throughout the year, and prepare program, activity counts, attendance, and participation for Sections III and XIII of the Annual Report. Visit Wisconsin Public Library Annual Report for more information.  Summer Math Adventure Program The purpose of this Wisconsin Mathematics Council program is to bring fun, engaging mathematics related activities to students and families across Wisconsin. This year’s updated version includes all new activities for grades 6-8. All materials are free. If you are interested in receiving updates and the link to printable versions of the activities, please complete the 2026 WMC Summer Math Adventure Interest Form.   Promoting Your TeachingBooks Access at the Public Library  Wednesday, March 25, from 12 to 12:30 p.m. Make the most of your TeachingBooks access with tips and tricks for promoting the site to your library patrons. Explore resources that can be easily included in patron interactions and programs, increase staff awareness of time-saving tools, and bring reading to life in your community. Even if you can’t attend the live webinar, you can still register here to receive a recording of this session.  Job Posting: Project Coordinator Bureau of Libraries (DPI)  The Bureau of Libraries is seeking applicants for a Project Coordinator. This position is responsible for the coordination of complex projects and activities among staff of the Bureau of Libraries working with public library systems, Cooperative Educational Service Agencies, public and school libraries, vendors, and organizations representing external partners. For full details and how to apply, visit https://wj.wi.gov/20324  CSLP Theme and Slogan Wordsmithing Sessions  Do you adore wordsmithing words and phrases? Do you love word play? Staff from Wisconsin libraries are welcome to join the Theme & Slogan Committee for a deep dive into developing the short list of slogan options for 2029's Nature theme. Join us and share your thoughts.  We're offering two 90 minute Zoom sessions to try and get input from as many libraries as possible:  Register for Tuesday, March 24 at 1pm PST/2pm MST/3pm CST/4pm EST  Register for Wednesday, April 8 at 10am PST/11 am MST/12pm CST/1pm EST    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

Tips and Info from DPI's February 5, 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 February 5, 2026 edition:

Hello All,  Check out these youth services weekly resources and reminders!  Teen Internship Application is Open!  The application period for the Teen Internship program is open and the deadline to submit an application is Friday, February 13, 2026 at 4 p.m. This is expected to be a competitive process, and not all applicants will be accepted into the program.   The 2026 Department of Public Instruction Bureau of Libraries Teen Internship program will provide LSTA funding up to $2500 for up to eight Wisconsin public libraries to allow them to offer a paid, mentored internship to high school-aged students representing the voices of their communities. One of the core components of the internship is for the interns to create and implement their own Connected Learning Project. For more information, visit the Public Libraries Youth Services page of the DPI website.  PBS Wisconsin Education and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten   PBS Wisconsin Education is partnering with the DPI Bureau of Libraries to distribute literacy kits supporting 1000 Books Before Kindergarten programs. PBS Wisconsin Education is providing over 60 Wisconsin libraries with literacy kits to supplement their 1000 Books Before Kindergarten programs. This pilot project aims to foster early literacy skills and help grow a love of reading with free, engaging resources and activities families can enjoy together.  Each kit includes interactive literacy booklets, crayons, stickers, and bookmarks introducing families to Reading Buddies, a research-based literacy series on PBS. Families can also access a curated collection of digital resources, tips, and activities from PBS, Reach Out and Read Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health.  PBS Wisconsin Education reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Bureau of Libraries for help identifying locations where the kits might have the greatest impact. Schomber helped coordinate distribution with regional directors. In January, PBS Wisconsin volunteers helped package the kits for shipment.  Libraries across the state can access free PBS content for their programs anytime, including activities, games, media, and more. Visit PBS Wisconsin Education’s Raising Readers early learning page at pbsurl.org/raising.  Libraries can also share a digital collection of resources for helping families enjoy reading and connection at home at pbsurl.org/letsread.  Youth Services Shout-Out Blog  Ready to shape the future of library services for kids and teens across Wisconsin? Join the Wisconsin Library Association YSS Blog! The Youth Services Shout-Out (YSS) Blog, with over 1.5 million views and almost 4,000 posts, is a dynamic resource that highlights recent library news, programming ideas, and professional development opportunities for youth services folks in Wisconsin.  We’re looking for fresh voices and dedicated library champions to keep this momentum going! There are two ways to join in:  Become a Guest Contributor: Got a killer program idea, a deep-dive "how-to," or an opinion piece on the latest library trends? We want to hear it! Sharing your expertise helps peers statewide.  Join the Admin Team: Want to go behind the scenes? Help us curate the best resources, manage community content, and keep Wisconsin’s youth services community connected and informed.  Email the blog team at yss.wla@gmail.com to get started!  WLA Madison Area Meetup – The Librarians  The Wisconsin Library Association is hosting a Madison area meetup to watch The Librarians on Thursday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Marquee Cinema Union South, 1308 W. Dayton Street in Madison. This event is FREE and open to everyone (not just WLA members). Visit the Wisconsin Library Association page for more information.   Celebrate Awards Season with TeachingBooks  Enjoy TeachingBooks’ book lists, games, and multimedia for current national book award and distinction winners. View TeachingBooks Story.  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

Tips and Info from DPI's January 8, 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 January 8, 2026 edition:

Hello All,  Check out these youth services weekly resources and reminders!  CSLP Building Community Based Summers Spring Cohort application  The Collaborative Summer Library Program is excited to launch a third national cohort of Building Community-Based Summers (BCBS) in Spring 2026!    BCBS is designed to help member libraries identify the “whys” behind their summer services, build strategies to engage community voices, and create and provide inclusive summer services for all members of their communities. The spring 2026 cohort will gather for online learning sessions once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks in March-April 2026.   BCBS is open to applicants from CSLP member libraries. There is no charge to participate. Applications will be open from Monday, January 5 through Monday, January 26. https://forms.gle/zJf4QJ3zmDZ4PxYu6   CSLP Newsletter  Check out the latest Collaborative Summer Library Program newsletter full of great information about resources from the Summer Symposium, the Slogan and Theme survey, CSLP shipping timeline, and Manual Highlights.  BadgerLink Bulletin  Britannica Escolar Update on January 8 – View the Story  Teaching Books Ideas, Graphic Organizer, and Flyers – View the Story  Reflections on a Defining Year for Libraries   A letter from Wisconsin’s State Librarian, Ben Miller, recalling the 2025 work of libraries and the joy to come in 2026.  View Libraries Reflection Story  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