FAQ Friday for May 22, 2020

Dear Library Staff Serving Youth, 

Happy Friday! Here is the latest installment of Friday FAQs for Youth Services. The slides used in the recording are attached as a PDF. Also, the FAQ Friday form is open for your input on next week’s episode.

             FAQ Friday 5/22/2020 recording (4:45) https://youtu.be/oWKcjHO7u7M

FAQ Friday form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcCCH0bDIXMTpzt4WBrfmJHvP-B7Vm_B5Ide6p0byioYwh9Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

Last Week’s FAQ Friday 5/8/2020 recording (7:22) 

Resources related to this week’s topics

Save the Date! Wisconsin Youth Services Program Palooza webinar June 3, 2020 1-2pm

More details coming soon

TeachingBooks and Book Connections: More Virtual Training on BadgerLink Resources

Register for webinars to be held on 5/27 and 5/29 

Georgia Libraries Summer Reading Toolkit

Resources to help you prepare for and promote summer reading at your library, including Beanstack and “Imagine Your Story” artwork, from the Georgia Public Library Service.

Hmong American Day from the Appleton Public Library (4:58)

On May 14 we celebrate and honor Hmong Americans and their sacrifices and contributions to our country. Here is a video of Hmong children in the community sharing their cultural pride and dreams.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Public Library Consultant – Youth and Inclusive Services

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Division for Libraries and Technology

(608) 267-5077

Friday FAQs with Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

• 6/18/21 recording

• 5/14/21 recording
• 4/9/21 recording
• 3/12/21 recording
• 2/12/21 recording
• 1/15/21 recording
• 12/11/20 recording
• 11/13/20 recording
• 10/9/20 recording
• 9/11/20 recording
• 8/14/20 recording
• 7/31/20 recording
• 7/17/20 recording
• 7/10/20 recording
• 6/26/20 recording
• 6/19/20 recording
• 6/11/20 recording
• 6/5/20 recording
• 5/29/20 recording
• 5/22/20 recording
• 5/15/20 recording
• 5/8/20 recording
• 5/1/20 recording
• 4/24/20 recording
• 4/17/20 recording
• 4/10/20 recording   

Friday FAQ's for May 1, 2020

Dear Library Staff Serving Youth, 

Happy Friday! Happy May Day! Here is the fourth installment of Friday FAQs for Youth Services. The slides used in the recording are attached as a PDF. Also, the FAQ Friday form is open for your input on next week’s episode.

FAQ Friday 5/1/2020 recording 

FAQ Friday form 

Last Week’s FAQ Friday 4/24/2020 recording https://youtu.be/MbFvpmD1pVI

Resources related to this week’s topics

Stop, Breathe, Think Kids

https://www.stopbreathethink.com/kids/
Mindfulness and meditation for kids (there is also a version for adults)

Beanstack

https://www.beanstack.com/libraries

DPI is pleased to support a statewide contract for Beanstack, an online reading challenge platform and mobile app, for all Wisconsin libraries. 

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Public Library Consultant – Youth and Inclusive Services

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Division for Libraries and Technology

(608) 267-5077

Friday FAQs with Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

• 6/18/21 recording
• 5/14/21 recording
• 4/9/21 recording
• 3/12/21 recording
• 2/12/21 recording
• 1/15/21 recording
• 12/11/20 recording
• 11/13/20 recording
• 10/9/20 recording
• 9/11/20 recording
• 8/14/20 recording
• 7/31/20 recording
• 7/17/20 recording
• 7/10/20 recording
• 6/26/20 recording
• 6/19/20 recording
• 6/11/20 recording
• 6/5/20 recording
• 5/29/20 recording
• 5/22/20 recording
• 5/15/20 recording
• 5/8/20 recording
• 5/1/20 recording
• 4/24/20 recording
• 4/17/20 recording
• 4/10/20 recording   

Friday FAQs 4/10/20

We are so lucky in WI!! Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, our statewide Youth and Inclusive Services Consultant, is asking for your input on concerns and questions you have during this difficult time. Each Friday she will share information, answers and shout-outs based on your input.

Here is her note and resources along with the link to the first recording for 4/10/20. Thank you Tessa!

Dear Library Staff Serving Youth,

Happy Friday! As promised, I offer you the very first recording of Friday FAQs for Youth Services. It’s not perfect (heads up around the 9:00 mark for a minor re-do), but I hope that it informative and helpful. The slides used in the recording are attached as a PDF. Also, the FAQ Friday form is open for your input on next week’s episode.

FAQ Friday 4/10/2020 recording https://youtu.be/h7UinjYf_YE

FAQ Friday form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcCCH0bDIXMTpzt4WBrfmJHvP-B7Vm_B5Ide6p0byioYwh9Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

Resources related to this week’s topics:

COVID-19 Information for Wisconsin Public Libraries https://dpi.wi.gov/pld/boards-directors/disaster-planning/coronavirus

See Library Services à Examples of Remote Library Services

Youth Service Shout-Out: YSS Blog http://yssevents.blogspot.com

Tons of tips from your Wisconsin peers

Keeping Equity at the Forefront: Emergency Remote Learning http://librariansnetwork.weebly.com/blog/keeping-equity-at-the-forefront-emergency-remote-learning

Important considerations from the ISTE Librarians Blog

Virtual Storytime for Beginners from the Arizona State Library https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0cdQlM7-7E&feature=youtu.be

A 41 minute tutorial from your Arizona peers

Virtual Storytime Resource Guide from ALSC http://www.ala.org/alsc/virtual-storytime-services-resource-guide

Not fully stocked yet, but bookmark this growing toolkit and check back soon

Be well,

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Public Library Consultant – Youth and Inclusive Services

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

(608) 267-5077

tessa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov

Friday FAQs with Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

• 6/18/21 recording
• 5/14/21 recording
• 4/9/21 recording
• 3/12/21 recording
• 2/12/21 recording
• 1/15/21 recording
• 12/11/20 recording
• 11/13/20 recording
• 10/9/20 recording
• 9/11/20 recording
• 8/14/20 recording
• 7/31/20 recording
• 7/17/20 recording
• 7/10/20 recording
• 6/26/20 recording
• 6/19/20 recording
• 6/11/20 recording
• 6/5/20 recording
• 5/29/20 recording
• 5/22/20 recording
• 5/15/20 recording
• 5/8/20 recording
• 5/1/20 recording
• 4/24/20 recording
• 4/17/20 recording
• 4/10/20 recording       

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt is WLA's Librarian of the Year!

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt - a.k.a.,
Librarian of the Year!

The Wisconsin Library Association recently announced their annual award winners. We are positively over the moon to celebrate one of the award winners in particular: Tessa Michaelson Schmidt is Librarian of the Year, an award given for outstanding leadership and accomplishment in library service.

Tessa's name is familiar to probably every youth services librarian in Wisconsin. In her work with the Department of Public Instruction's Public Library Development team, Tessa travels around the state working with library systems to bring exciting and vital programs to public libraries of all shapes and sizes. From continuing education opportunities to the awesome Growing Wisconsin Readers program, Tessa's work with DPI enriches the services that public libraries are able to provide.

It's incredibly exciting for Tessa to be receiving this well-deserved honor. Her positive energy and constant support for youth and special services in public libraries is hugely appreciated.

It's safe to assume we're Kermit-levels of excitement about this announcement!!

Let's show some YSS love for Tessa! If you'd like to leave a note for Tessa celebrating her as Librarian of the Year, please feel free to do so in the comments section!

Read about Tessa's work at the DPI website.

WLA will honor Tessa and the other annual award winners at the Annual Conference, which is coming up in just a few weeks!

Awards Reception
5:30-7:00 PM Thursday, November 6 

You will also have the opportunity to hear Tessa speak about leadership in youth services in this session:

Homegrown Leadership for Youth Services Librarians: Cultivating Your Inner Leader
2:45-3:30 PM Wednesday, November 5

Growing Wisconsin Readers!

Our guest blogger today is Linda Schuster head of Youth Services at T.B. Scott Free Library in Merrill!

What vision! What foresight! What hard work! Plus, what a great title for this amazing initiative! I feel special and validated to “shout out” that my important role in promoting early literacy now has a name. Not academic sounding, but clear as can be: “Growing Wisconsin Readers.”

I was privileged to be in the roomful of WAPL attendees in May for the preview of “Growing Wisconsin Readers.” If you missed it, don’t worry, because now through the workshops and website, we all have access to the newly developed, attractive brochures, posters, and that delightful logo.

I could go on and on, but hopefully you are already finding out for yourself the relevant and user-friendly tools (print, web, and mobile) designed to make our jobs easier and more meaningful.

Congratulations to Tessa Michaelson Schmidt and her team for having the vision and the foresight and the stick-to-itiveness to launch “Growing Wisconsin Readers.”

Deadline Extended for DPI’s Early Literacy Mini-Grants

The deadline for the Early Literacy Mini-Grants has been extended one week.  The new deadline is Friday, July 19 at 4:00pm.

Additionally, if you have experienced difficulty in securing a DUNS number for the application, try applying online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/pages/CCRSearch.jsp.  Note, your library must have its own DUNS number—you cannot use the DUNS number for your municipality or friends group.  Your library director should know if  your library already has a DUNS number.  If you are unsure if you have one or need to establish one, follow the directions online.  Lastly, if you do not have your DUNS number by the mini-grant application deadline, use “999999999” (nine nines) in the application.   If your application is selected, you must secure your DUNS number by August 1, 2013.

The Public Library Development Team at the Department of Public Instruction will award 40 mini-grants in the amount of $250 to Wisconsin public libraries to support early literacy efforts.  This project is part of the larger Growing Wisconsin Readers early literacy initiative.  Libraries may apply for grants to establish or enhance either an early literacy activity area or a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.  Priority will be given to libraries that serve a total municipal population of less than 10,000 and who serve children birth through age six with potentially limited exposure to early literacy experiences.  Ideally, the grants will be awarded to libraries throughout the state’s 17 regional library systems.

The application process opened on Monday, June 17, 2013 at 9:00am and closes on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 4:00pm.  For more information about the mini-grants, view http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/files/pld/pdf/2013_GWR_Mini-grant_info.pdf.  The information sheet and other documents related to Growing Wisconsin Readers are available at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_ys-sn under “Initiatives.”

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Public Library Youth and Special Services Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
P: (608) 267-5077
tessa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov

Early Literacy Mini-Grants

Want to start a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program or create an early literacy play area in your library?  Consider these mini-grants your fertilizer kit to get your dreams growing!

The Public Library Development Team at the Department of Public Instruction will award 40 mini-grants in the amount of $250 to Wisconsin public libraries to support early literacy efforts.  This project is part of the larger Growing Wisconsin Readers early literacy initiative.  Libraries may apply for grants to establish or enhance either an early literacy activity area or a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.  Priority will be given to libraries that serve a total municipal population of less than 10,000 and who serve children birth through age six with potentially limited exposure to early literacy experiences.  Ideally, the grants will be awarded to libraries throughout the state’s 17 regional library systems.

The application process opens on Monday, June 17, 2013 at 9:00 am and closes on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 4:00pm.  For more information about the mini-grants, view http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/files/pld/pdf/2013_GWR_Mini-grant_info.pdf.  The information sheet and other documents related to Growing Wisconsin Readers are available at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_ys-sn under “Initiatives.”

Questions?  Contact Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Youth and Special Services Consultant at the Department of Public Instruction. 

Seeds of Change for Wisconsin Public Libraries

The first week in May, I was lucky enough to spend two days in beautiful, rainy Lake Geneva at the annual WAPL (Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries) Conference. I met new colleagues (can't wait to collaborate and borrow your great ideas), caught up with colleagues I haven't seen in a while, and attended sessions that provided food for thought and inspired me to try new things back in my own shop.

One of those sessions was led by Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Youth and Special Services Consultant for the Public Library Development Team at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Tessa unveiled a new, statewide early literacy initiative called Growing Wisconsin Readers that is "all about public libraries supporting language- and literacy-rich experiences for young children." The goal of this exciting new project is to inform care givers, service providers, and community stakeholders that Wisconsin public libraries are their resource for growing readers.

To that end, DPI will be providing a host of materials to help us spread the word in our communities. There's an eye-catching brochure and poster offering accessible information on ways that parents and other care givers can equip young children with the literacy skills that prepare them for school success. A QR code on the brochure leads to more information on an interactive website. Also on the website, librarians will find a toolkit that includes customized PDFs of the brochure and poster.

Librarians will be able to participate online as well as in-person multi-system workshops. Smaller libraries will have access to mini-grants of $250 to create early learning spaces, and there will be 2014 LSTA funds earmarked for early literacy grants.

All of this adds up to some pretty exciting opportunities for public libraries to plant the seeds of change, promoting early literacy and Growing Wisconsin Readers. I can't wait to get started in this garden!

Sharon Grover

Head of Youth Services

Hedberg Public Library

Announcing the 2013 Youth Services Development Institute

Wisconsin Youth Services Development Institute

Sunday, Sept 8 - Wednesday, Sept 11, 2013

Heartwood Conference Center • Trego, WI

The Wisconsin Youth Services Development Institute will provide professional development and networking for librarians who serve babies, children, and teens in smaller public libraries. The Institute will target librarians who have no graduate degree in librarianship and/or work in rural library communities.  There is no fee for Institute participants; the costs are covered through an LSTA grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the Public Library Development Team at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

A complete description of the Institute including a letter of support from Kurt Kiefer, Assistant State Superintendent, can be found at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/files/pld/pdf/YS_Institute.pdf

Applications are due by Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Twenty-five applicants will be selected, preferably representing all 17 public library systems. Applications must be completed online at https://forms.dpi.wi.gov/se.ashx?s=56301B2D2B5640E4

Questions should be directed to:

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt
Public Library Youth and Special Services Consultant Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
125 South Webster Street / PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
P: (608) 267-5077 F: (608) 267-9207
tessa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov
Webpage• Facebook • Twitter

Time for Spring Cleaning in Your Professional Toolbox?

Your youth services might be a well-oiled machine of systematic displays and story times, but how often do you look at WHY you do what you do? Sometimes you need to reinvent the wheel and break the mold. Hear from three youth services experts in the state on ways think of yourself as an educator (versus entertainer), literacy enthusiast (versus craft expert), and life changer (versus summer library soldier).

Mark your March calendar for:

Fresh Practices for Youth Services Librarians

3:00-4:00pm Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Hosts: Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Library Consultant; Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator; Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library (Janesville) Head of Youth Services; Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library Head of Youth Services

No need to register—just click the link on the scheduled meeting day and time. Sign in with your first name or library/school name. Webinars will be recorded and archived for later viewing.

• Attendees who need telephone audio (versus VoIP) should use the conference number:
  1-877-820-7831 and enter participant passcode: 697156.
• Test your system beforehand
• Blackboard Collaborate overview video
• Blackboard Collaborate support

See you there and then!

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Youth and Special Services Consultant

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

tessa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov

http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_ys-sn

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/erix/6788494881/

Opportunity Knocks

Are You Available?

If you are ready and willing to collaborate, are you sure that it shows?  Perhaps you have reached out to potential partners, but what if someone is trying to reach out to you?  How easy is it for an outsider to find your name, position, and contact information on your library website?  If the answer is “not very easy” then it is time to re-evaluate your visibility in the community. 

I have had many conversations in the past few months about public libraries and collaboration--conversations with teachers, school librarians, public librarians, early literacy folks, community non-profits, etc.  I have heard again and again how it can be difficult to identify the youth services staff member at a given library.  If you want people to get in touch with you, make it easy.  While I understand concerns for privacy and safety, your role as a public librarian is, well, public.  Make a generic email address e.g. “youthservices@mylibrary” or simply include your first name or preferred title e.g. “Miss Rachel” if you need to, but make your contact information available on your library website.  TODAY.  If you’ve got this covered already, good for you!

Let’s Collaborate!

You may be interested in collaborating, but are you aware that your patrons want you to collaborate too?   According to a recent Pew Internet finding, 85% of Americans ages 16 and older say libraries should “definitely” coordinate more closely with local schools.  If you haven’t picked up the phone or sent an email to your local school librarian or teacher, the time is now. 

Want to know how to get started?  Check out the School and Public Library Collaboration  webinar archive from Wednesday, February 13, 2013.  Not only is it chock-full of practical ideas, but it is also ripe with valentine-y relationship metaphors.   For a permanent link to the archive, or to find additional webinars, look under Professional Development  on the Youth Services page.  For Common Core webinar resources, visit  Public Schools Initiatives Affecting Public Libraries.

Bragging Rights

If you are flying high on the success of your collaborative efforts with public schools, please let me know.  I’m looking for anecdotes, photos, stories, tips, and more.  Send them my way at Tessa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov or find me on my library's website 

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Youth and Special Services Consultant

Wisconsin DPI, Public Library Development

125 South Webster Street, PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841

P: (608) 267-5077

F: (608) 267-9207

tessa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov 

Image: 'march07 374' http://www.flickr.com/photos/25028863@N00/5315410086 Found on flickrcc.net