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| Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash |
Your commitment includes monthly zoom meetings, and could include planning meet ups, writing for this very blog, or even hosting webinars. It's a great way to connect with other librarians outside of your library! Don't hesitate to reach out to a current member if you have any questions.
You can learn more about the positions here or stop by the YSS tables at breakfast each morning at WLA next week!
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As WLA members look forward to our annual Fall Conference, the Nominations Committee begins its preparations for the WLA elections. WLA’s volunteer leaders are a key part of the association’s success. Truly, we could not do it without you. The list below outlines the positions eligible for election this fall. For more information, consult the 2025 Elections page under the For Members tab on the WLA homepage. To nominate yourself or another member, follow the link to submit a nomination. Qualified submissions require a valid membership, contact information, and a brief biographical statement. Nominations are due Monday, October 13th. Questions? Contact Nominations Committee Chair, Rachel Arndt rachel.arndt27@gmail.com Positions Open in 2026 WLA Board of Directors
Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries
Wisconsin Association of Academic
Libraries
Association of Wisconsin Special Libraries
Technical Services Section (TSS)
Support Staff & Circulation Section
SSCS
Wisconsin Small Libraries (WISL)
Youth Services Section (YSS)
Outreach Services Roundtable
WLA Foundation Board of Directors
Make sure you
are election ready! Take time now to check your member
profile to make sure you belong to the sections and divisions you
desire. Log in to your profile on the WLA website, click on “My
Profile” and scroll through the “About Me” page to the list of sections and
divisions listed in your profile. Want to make a change? Click
“Edit Profile” to add/delete sections and divisions. Don’t forget to
save your work! |
The WLA annual election is now live! The ballot will close on Friday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m.
Before you vote, please take a moment to check your member profile to make sure you belong to the sections and divisions you desire. Log in to your profile on the WLA website, click on “My Profile” and scroll through the “About Me” page to the list of sections and divisions listed in your profile. Want to make a change? Click “Edit Profile” to add/delete sections and divisions. Don’t forget to save your work!
To fill out the ballot, you will need to login to your Member Clicks profile with your Username and Password. If you do not know your Username and/or Password, please email sauser@wisconsinlibraries.org.
Follow the steps outlined in the election form, starting with the WLA General Ballot and continuing through the pages. Please note:
All WLA members will have the opportunity to vote for the revised WLA bylaws, the WLA Vice-President/President Elect, the ALA Councilor, and the position on the WLA Foundation Board of Directors.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to vote for candidates that correspond with the units of which you are a member. For example, if you are a member of AWSL and OSRT, you will see the candidates running for leadership positions in those two units. Note that not all units have positions on the ballot and positions without candidates running for them do not appear on the ballot.
Once you complete the Election Ballot (be sure to click "Finish"), you will receive a confirmation email. Thank you for voting!
Questions? Please call the WLA office at 608.245.3640 or email sauser@wisconsinlibraries.org.
Congratulations to our new 2023 board members:
Chair Elect: Cathy Pescinski, Teen Librarian, Shawano County Library
Director-at-Large :
Jenna Gilles, Youth Services Librarian, Chippewa Falls Public Library
Valerie Spooner, Youth Services Librarian, Rusk County Community Library (Ladysmith)
They will join the 2023 YSS board: Alison Loewen, Chair; Claire Parish, Past Chair; Secretary, Caitlin Schaeffer; Linda Jerome, WLA Board Liaison; and Directors at Large Murray Johnson and Ashley Borman.
Also a huge thank you to all our YSS members who stood for election this year: Susie Menk, Andrea Bisordi, Brittany Fahrenkamp, Michelle Johnson, Jeanette Rydberg and Jamie Mercer. We hope that you will consider stepping up to run again in the future. YSS is where we build leaders and support for youth services. All are welcome!
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| Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay |
Please, please, please take a few moments to vote for the WLA-wide offices (President, Secretary, Foundation Board) and YSS Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect and Directors at Large.
YSS works especially hard to make sure you ALWAYS have choices in your candidates by making sure we have multiple candidates running for each position. And YSS members have always been willing and ready to stand for election. We thank our nine awesome candidates!
Now it's up to you to honor their willingness to throw their hats in the ring by voting.
Voting ends FRIDAY OCTOBER 7
We are stronger when we participate in who is representing us. Please vote today.
If you have any questions or problems (like you don't know your Username and/or Password, please call the Wisconsin Library Association office at 608.245.3640 or email bradley@wisconsinlibraries.org
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| Image by Please support me! Thank you! from Pixabay |
Take a breath and consider running for a leadership role in your Youth Services Section on the YSS board. We have 2 Directors-at-Large positions and the Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect position open for our fall 2022 ballot.
This volunteer board opportunity offers so many benefits! You will:
Network with peer youth library staffers from around the state.
Help create continuing education opportunities for Youth Services people.
Enjoy the camaraderie of a wonderful group of like-minded professionals.
Rub elbows with fantastic authors, illustrators, and smart people!
No experience necessary, a Director-at-Large position is a great way to begin!
Alison Loewen, Vice Chair, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan
alison.loewen@meadpl.orgSeasoned professionals, enthusiastic newbies, and everyone in between are welcome– you all have gifts to share!
To volunteer to run for one of the board positions, please contact Jenny Wegener YS Nominations Chair at jenny.r.wegener@gmail.com.
Thanks for considering.
Youth Services Section (YSS)
YSS Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
Alison Loewen, Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library
YSS Secretary
Caitlin Schaffer, Youth Services Librarian, Outreach and Special Services, Oconomowoc Public Library
YSS Director-at-Large (2 positions)
Ashley Borman, Technical Services Librarian, Clintonville Public Library
Murray Johnson, Youth Services Managing Librarian, Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library
Congratulations to all those who were elected and a HUGE thank you to everyone who threw their hat into the ring:
Kaushalya Iyengar, Julie Lee, Susie Menk, Kim Niesing, and Jen Puccini
YSS appreciates you and your rockstar willingness to serve!
But wait, there's more! Read on for the results of the entire election ballot!
Wisconsin Library Association (WLA)
WLA Vice-President/President-
Kris Turner, Associate Director of Public Services, University of Wisconsin Law Library
WLA Treasurer
Rachel Arndt, Library and Special Collections Consultant, RAC
Wisconsin Library Association Foundation (WLAF)
WLA Foundation 1st Year Director
Melissa Krause, Library Director, Neuschafer Community Library
Association of Wisconsin Special Librarians (AWSL)
AWSL Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
Eva Stefanski, Horticulture Librarian, Olbrich Botanical Gardens
AWSL WLA Board Liaison
Carrie Doyle, Academic Librarian; Head of Acquisitions & Serials, University of Wisconsin Law Library
Outreach Services Roundtable (OSRT)
OSRT Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
Haley Lott, Student Success & Engagement Librarian, Beloit College
OSRT Secretary
Kelly Davis, Community Engagement Librarian, Waukesha Public Library
Support Services & Circulation Services (SSCS)
SSCS Director-at-Large (Public)
Paisley Sichone, La Crosse Public Library
SSCS Director-at-Large (Circulation)
Michael DeVries, Head of Library Resources, Beloit Public Library
Technical Services Section (TSS)
TSS Chair
Jackee Johnson, ILS Administrator, Northern Waters Library Service
Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians (WAAL)
WAAL Chair-Elect
Nicole Breed, Library & Information Services Instructor, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Wisconsin Association of Public Librarians (WAPL)
WAPL Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
Larry Oathout, Director, Portage County Public Library
WAPL PLA Liaison
Jen Gerber, Director, Oscar Grady Public Library
Wisconsin Small Libraries (WISL)
WISL Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
Kayla Mathson, Director, Independence Public Library
WISL WLA Board Liaison
Gina Rae, ILS & Database Support Specialist, Northern Waters Library Service
WLA elections are coming up and YSS has a strong slate of wonderful candidate-members for our YSS board. Today we introduce our candidates for the two year position of Director-at-Large. There are three candidates for two open positions. Watch for your ballot in the next month or so. And don't forget to vote!!
Ashley Borman
Clintonville Public Library
I have been in Marshfield for two years. Prior to that I was a Library Assistant for 7 years in the Youth Services Department at the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point.
I have a few reasons why I am interested in the Director-At-Large position for YSS. One, it will enable me to work with peers across Wisconsin and learn what other Youth Services departments are doing in their communities and also what are the struggles and opportunities my colleagues are dealing with on a daily basis. Two, the COVID 19 pandemic has caused youth and children services librarians to step up to the plate and delivery a variety of virtual programming for young patrons. I want to be part of the conversation in how we in our section can continue to do that well and to figure out how to serve those in our individual communities who do not have access to internet and social media. Finally, I believe the section needs to explore what the “New Normal” might be and even need to be for our departments and our libraries once the pandemic ends. I look forward to the opportunity to listen and to serve you in the coming years.
WLA elections are coming up and YSS has a strong slate of wonderful candidate-members for our YSS board. Today we introduce our candidates for the two year position of Secretary. Watch for your ballot in the next month or so. And don't forget to vote!!
Kim Niesing
Youth Services Consultant/Database Management Librarian, Monarch Library System
I love my work as a youth services consultant because I thrive in opportunities to support others—whether that support looks like working with people directly, offering educational opportunities, or creating spaces for library staff to connect with each other. I enjoy thoughtfully sharing content using methods that connect with library staff who are both very busy and have very diverse needs. I think the YSS group provides a similar service to youth services staff—working as a support and educational agency for Wisconsin libraries. I would be honored to work in a position that reaches the Wisconsin community and to give back to an organization and individuals who have given me so much support and inspiration.
Caitlin Schaeffer
Youth Services Librarian, Oconomowoc Public Library
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| Caitlin as Rosie the Riveter |
WLA elections are coming up and YSS has a strong slate of wonderful candidate-members. Today we introduce our candidates for the three year position of Chair (Chair-elect, Chair and Past-Chair). Watch for your ballot in the next month or so. And don't forget to vote!!
Kaushalya Iyengar
Director, Town Hall Library, North Lake
It would be my great pleasure to serve as a Chair for YSS board applying my vast experience of working with youth of all ages. All my life I have been a great advocate for youth and the importance of serving children at the library in all capacities. I believe in the importance of early literacy education and its benefits on children to become a lifelong learner. I have experience in collection development, outreach services, community partnerships and programming for children of all ages. I would appreciate your vote!
Susie Menk
Youth Services Librarian, Manitowoc Public Library
Hi! My name is Susie Menk and I am a youth librarian at Manitowoc Public Library in beautiful Manitowoc, WI on the shores of Lake Michigan. I have worked in Manitowoc for over 10 years and have been part of the YSS group for over 5 years. I previously served on the YSS board as a Director-at-Large (two different terms) and am currently serving as secretary. I love being a part of YSS! Librarians love to share and YSS is an excellent example of that. There are many times that I have seen or heard an idea through YSS and used it in my library work. Our YSS group does so many great things for librarians and I am excited to continue serving in whatever capacity I can.
Alison Loewen, Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan
My role at the Mead Public Library has given me so many opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. I am looking forward to the chance to give back to this community and help to advance our profession by advocating for families, children, and those adults who serve them.
One of the most important things that we can do as librarians is to help the helpers. As Fred Rogers said best “ it's through relationships that we grow best- and learn best”. I am running for a position on the YSS Board to help Librarians build stronger relationships within our professional community, in addition to supporting them in strengthening relationships within their own communities.
Whether it be relationships with teachers, caregivers, or our own library colleagues, caring for those who care for children and making certain they are supported with the tools they need, is one of the most important ways we can set our children up for success; we cannot make a lasting impact by skipping over the adults in the middle. As a member of the YSS Board I would identify areas in which we want to excel as a State, and find ways to offer training, support, and encouragement so together, we can be the best we can be.
This past year has triggered feelings of fight and flight that many have never experienced before. Collective stress has seeped into our personal and professional lives, forcing us to make decisions that go against our core beliefs as Librarians. It has been difficult to put away toys, to discourage families from lingering in our spaces, and to limit meaningful interactions that once were the foundation of our service. I, like all of you, have had to think quickly, react, and trust that decisions I was making were the best both for myself and my community. Through this all, I have grown stronger, more resilient and confident in my ability to take on more responsibility and to move forward regardless of the obstacles placed in my path. I am in a good position to help lead YSS through these turbulent times.
Do you have…
Terrific! If you have any of these qualities, and the blessings of your supervisors, you are qualified to run for a position on the YSS Board! Open positions include Director at Large (2 year term), Chair Elect (3 year term), and Secretary (3 year term). No prior knowledge necessary. You learn with the support of your board colleagues!
YSS is the most vibrant and creative group in the Wisconsin Library Association and is a great way to learn from librarians around the state, network with fellow professionals, and add to your resume. Interested? Reach out to me, Jenny Wegener, or any of the YSS Board directly, or shoot an email to yssection@gmail.com
Thank you!
Jenny Wegener
YSS Chair, 2021
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Meet your new 2021 YSS Board Members!
YSS Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
YSS Directors-at-Large*
Melissa Carollo, Sun Prairie Public Library
It's Election Day and we've got voting on the brain! Please be sure to vote--if you haven't done so already--and please be safe if you're heading out today to make your voice heard!
And, on the topic of elections, WLA election ballots went out yesterday...did you receive your YSS ballot? If not, your WLA membership may have expired.
BUT! NEVER FEAR! Renewal is a snap!
https://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/join-or-renew
Curious to learn more about the fab YSS candidate line-up? We have your back!
Who's Running for YSS Chair and WLA Board Liaison?
Who's Running for YSS Director-at-Large?
