Looking into the Future - Upcoming CSLP Themes Announced!

Jeni Schomber, DPI's Public Library Consultant who watches over all things related to Youth Services in the state, just shared the newly announced upcoming summer library program themes for libraries that use the Collaborative Summer Reading Program (CLSP) materials.

• 2027 Slogan – Mysteries Await at Your Library (Spanish translation coming soon)
• 2028 Theme – Mythical Creatures (Slogan to be chosen in 2025)

And of course the other upcoming themes and illustrators are:

2025: Color Our World : Colorea Nuestro Mundo – Art (Mike Mullan)

2026: Unearth a Story : Desentierra una Historia – Dinosaurs/Archaeology/Paleontology (Kaylani Juanita)

CSLP News - We Want to Hear From You

Jeni Schomber, DPI Public Library Consultant, shared the following in her DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources newsletter on July 25.

CSLP Theme and Slogan Listening Sessions

 

CSLP State Reps (I represent Wisconsin!) will be voting for the 2027 Slogan and the 2028 Theme at their annual meeting in late August and I would love to hear from you. There are two opportunities for you to make your voice heard – respond via a survey or attend a Feedback Listening Session (register for one date or the other):

• Feedback Session Option #1: Tuesday, August 13^th: 12-1 p.m. Central Time  Register Here
• Feedback Session Option #2: Thursday, August 22^nd: 3-4 p.m. Central Time Register Here
• 2027 Slogan Survey (2028 Theme survey coming soon)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In other news, the CSLP Newsletter shared a call for survey responses:

CSLP Annual Survey CSLP has created a survey so they can better assess the usefulness of the materials offered by the program on a national level to better serve you, the CSLP membership!

The survey can be found here. If you would like to view the survey in PDF form before completing it, you can find that here. FAQs Who should complete this survey? The audience for the survey is public library staff who played an active role in administering or running 2024 summer library programming. One person per library could fill it out, or multiple library staff from the same library could complete the sections of the survey most relevant to their work; e.g. children, teen, or adult programs. * Please coordinate with your colleagues on who will fill it out, especially if you are in a multi-branch system. * This does NOT need to be filled out by Directors. (Adult/YA/Children program overseers can complete their own portions.) * EVEN IF YOU DID NOT USE "ADVENTURE BEGINS AT YOUR LIBRARY" AS YOUR THEME, we invite you to complete the survey! Is this survey required? No, it is not required, but we would appreciate your input. Every library that responds helps us get a more accurate picture of overall satisfaction with the program. I want to be prepared. What info will I need to provide? * General feedback on using (or not) the 2024 program theme and materials; * Feedback and info about how/whether you tracked participation, as well as stats for participation and programming for children (ages 0-11), teens (12-18) and adults. You may skip any questions for which you don't have the answers. I suggest you wait until your summer program has ended to complete the survey\ When does the survey close? The survey is open from now until Friday, September 13, 2024.

Ideas for Storytime and Early Literacy Play

Two recent ALSC blog posts looked at program ideas for our youngest patrons. 

On Sept 3, Ariel Barreras shared a number of engaging early literacy programming ideas that can expand the types of programs you do beyond storytime. You can read her post here. [Early Literacy Program Ideas for Your Library. Barreras, Ariel. ALSC Blog. September 3, 2023.]

A few days later, frequent contributor Kary Henry reflected on the use of themes in storytime.  She uses them and explains why. And her surprising choices help us see that there are a wide array of thematic approaches beyond leaves or colors! Please stop here to read her mind-expanding thoughts sparked by early literacy guru Mel Depper. [To Theme or Not to Theme...  Henry, Kary. ALSC Blog. September 5, 2023.]

CSLP Announces 2026 and 2027 Summer Themes

Sept 15, 2023

Hi all,

CSLP State Representatives voted yesterday and I’m so excited to announce the 2026 Slogan and the 2027 Theme:

 

• 2026 Slogan – Unearth a Story (the theme is Dinosaurs)
• 2027 Theme – Mystery/Detective/Suspense (the slogan will be voted on and announced in the fall of 2024)

 

Access for the Adventure Begins at Your Library : La aventura comienza en tu biblioteca 2024 Manual is coming soon! Watch for the access code on this listserv.

 

Consider joining a CSLP committee!

Volunteering for a CSLP Committee is a great opportunity to develop professionally while also contributing to the CSLP mission. Our committees are the lifeblood of CSLP. Volunteers play a significant role in the success of our organization and programs. While the duties vary, committee obligations generally run for one calendar year (January – December 2024). All committee work is done virtually, either through email, phone, or online meetings. Attending the CSLP Annual Meeting is not expected for committee volunteers.

 

We are recruiting for all committees, except the Artwork committee -- which is already working on the 2025 artwork.

 

Most CSLP committees are open to all, however some have limited seats or require previous CSLP experience. Before volunteering, please visit https://www.cslpreads.org/committees/ to review the committee descriptions. If you are currently serving on a committee that you enjoy, please sign up again or feel free to try a new committee.

 

Apply now! - CSLP Committee Application form

Sign-up period is August 15 through October 3.

 

If you have questions about committees, please contact Donna Throckmorton, CSLP President-Elect

 

Thank you and I hope you are able to get out and enjoy this beautiful Wisconsin fall weekend!

 

Jeni Schomber 

Public Library Consultant 

Library Services Team 

Division for Libraries and Technology 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 

608-266-2749 

jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov 

Virtual Variety: Fandoms to Programs

Lindy Liedl from the Rice Lake Public Library returns with her monthly column on all things virtual to help you connect with your teen patrons!

Harry Potter Christmas (for teens): Balloon “Quidditch” and photo booth wall

If you needed another reason to make a Discord server for your library teens (or adults!) here you go: It’s a great way to get program ideas to flesh out your summer calendar. Getting insight into what your patrons are currently into can be a struggle…unless you have a platform where they all chat about their interests and share artwork inspired by their favorite media! But, if you don't have Discord, ask some parents what their kids love playing or watching right now. Ask your middle-schoolers on a school visit what the biggest fandoms in the school are currently. Chat with your teens when you see them, and then...

Throw a party!

We’ve had success, and newcomers of all ages show up for themed parties, like Doctor Who, Harry Potter Christmas, Minecraft, aliens, Pokemon, dinosaurs, Star Wars, and more that I can’t remember. Being familiar with a fandom isn’t necessary at all. Especially when you have teens on Discord you can ask to suggest crafts or favorite aspects of a show/series. Folks really just want a space to bond over something they all enjoy.

Minecraft Party (all ages): Bean bag toss

Doctor Who Party (teens): Craft tables and photo booth wall. Jeopardy trivia created by

my coworker, Riley on the projector screen for a post-crafting activity.

 

My favorite party blueprint:

· Minimal themed decor to spruce up the space

o Theme-colored table covers, balloons, printed signs, wall backdrops, funny food labels

· 2-3 crafts and printables they can take home, like bookmarks

o Printed instructions, or self-serve crafts, so that staff isn’t limited to helping in only one area the whole time

· 1-2 physical or alternate activities for the non-crafty crowd

o Lego, photo backdrop wall, object-toss game

· Themed snacks and a beverage

o 1 sweet treat, and 2-3 savory snacks and fruit

o Kids present? Maybe pre-dish items so everything isn’t getting touched while you’re not looking. (lol That’s inevitable)

· A themed playlist on speaker!

· A cart of library materials for them to check out

· Trivia with prizes, if you think hardcore fans will come

"Professor Sprout's Veggie Garden" "Sonic Screwdrivers" "Hufflepuffs"
Themed food can be very simple and hilarious that way. Check Pinterest!

Monthly Themes for Decoration/Programming

Hafuboti, aka Rebecca McCorkindale, has been creatively tackling library work with children and adults and sharing what she knows for a long time. Among her many areas of expertise is an unerring - and often punny - way with thematic approaches to library adornment and programming. By tying the two together seasonally or sometimes monthly, opportunities pop up to increase patron delight and involvement.

Stop here to get the low-down on her 2020 themes (lockdown edition) which she freely shares - and then get inspired!

Help Select the 2013 CSLP Theme and 2014 General Concept

From Rhonda Puntney

CSLP has offered states an opportunity to help narrow the suggestions for 2013 themes and the 2014 general concepts sent in by all member states (all but Texas). DLTCL has a survey that librarians can use to vote on their 3 top favorites for children, teen, and adult themes, and a concept for 2014. If you think your librarians would be interested, send them this link. The survey deadline is April 1st, so if they want to vote they have to do it
quickly. Go to https://forms.dpi.wi.gov/se.ashx?s=56301B2D2B5640F3

The Wisconsin responses will be compiled and Barb Huntington will take the results with her to the CSLP Annual Meeting, April 5-9. They will form the basis for her votes as the whole organization decides on the themes.