YSS Chair's Corner - November 2024

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

Greetings from the YSS Board!

Thank you to all of those who joined us at our first YSS Breakfast Club at WLA! New connections were made, engaging conversations were had, and a delicious breakfast was consumed! We did, however, decide that next year there should be balloons, so look for that in Middleton! One of our primary goals is to help create connections within youth service staff around the state. As such, we are always looking for ways to provide networking opportunities for youth service staff in Wisconsin and are open to ideas and suggestions on ways to do that.

With 170,00 views this year, the blog continues to thrive thanks to the work of our wonderful blog master Marge! As a reminder, any Wisconsin librarian is welcome to submit content for the blog, you do not need to be a member of YSS.

As of this writing, the WLA elections have concluded, and winners are being notified. We are, however, always on the lookout for folks who want to step up into leadership positions. The only requirements are being a member of WLA during your time on the Board and serving youth as a librarian in Wisconsin. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or are interested!

Jeni Schomber provided DPI updates including the Teen Inclusive Internship informational webinar that will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 10 a.m. Registration details will be coming soon. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families is partnering with Dolly Parton Imagination Library grants for 501c3 organizations to run their own Dolly Parton Imagination libraries. Libraries already participating can also apply. She also shared some links with information about the DPI 2025-2027 Biennial Budget (Policy, Budget, and Research Team) and the DNR Park Pass program.

From Linda Jerome, WLA Liaison, the WLA Board has passed its 2025 budget. They have a goal of hosting 4 regional events throughout the state in 2025. The first event will be hosted by the Bridges Library System and the second quarter event also has a host. They still have the third and fourth quarters available. Please reach out to Linda or Laura if you or your system is interested in hosting. The events may or may not have a cost associated, depending on what the hosting library/system decides to do. There are a lot of new legislators in office in 2025, so you are encouraged to write a letter introducing your library to your new legislators! Library Legislative Day is February 11.

Our next meeting is Friday, December 27th at 1pm. We will be looking at Board position job descriptions, exploring committee development, welcoming new Board members, and looking ahead into next year!

As always, we are here to serve you, the youth service librarians of Wisconsin. Please do not hesitate to reach out with suggestions, comments, or concerns.

YSS Chair’s Corner -October 2024

This October YSS board meeting update is from Cathy Pescinski, our YSS 2024 Chair and Teen Librarian at Shawano County Library

The snow may not be flying yet, but it is never too early to start getting ready for next summer with the 2024 Virtual Performer's Showcase. We have reached our maximum of 24 performers for the Virtual Performer’s Showcase! Woo-hoo!!! It is set for Tuesday, December 3rd!  Registration is now open! The first 20 participants to register will be entered into a drawing for a free registration! Registration is $20 for WLA members, $40 for non-members.   Registration closes November 25, 2024. 

The next YSS Presents webinar will be Thursday, November 14th from 3-4pm.  Islands of Brilliance is a Milwaukee-based non-profit that uses art and creative technologies to empower autistic and neurodivergent individuals and open pathways to employment and independence. The Fellowship is one of the newest programs from IOB, which focuses on transition-age participants in six mid and small-size cities across the state. In this webinar, three staff members will share insights about The Fellowship program design and implementation, as well as key insights about supporting and engaging neurodivergent youth and young adults within community spaces. Registration is currently open (https://wla.memberclicks.net/yss). It is free for WLA members and $25 for those who are not members.

Kate Davis from the Prairie Lakes Library System has joined our board as a Director at Large! We are so excited to welcome her and have her share her experiences and input with us.

WLA conference!!! Stop by the WLA booth in the vendor hall on Wednesday morning during breakfast or Wednesday afternoon from 4:15-5:30 to learn more about YSS and test out a few program ideas. Join us at the YSS author talk luncheon on Wednesday in Halls B & C. Pre-registration is required, so please contact WLA staff if you have registered for the conference already, but would like to attend the luncheon. Lastly, meet up with us and other youth service staff during YSS Breakfast Club on Friday. A few tables in the breakfast area will be marked for youth service staff to get together and meet some new friends, refresh some former connections, chat about serving youth, and have breakfast! Hope to see you at the conference!!!

From Jeni Schomber at DPI - The application for the 2025 BEBS Cohort opens Monday, November 11th. Watch for an official announcement through your regular communication channels (YSS Blog, WISPUBLIB, YS Listserv, etc…). (https://dpi.wi.gov/libraries/public-libraries/youth-services) I’m also presenting on this at the conference - Thursday, November 7th at 1:15 p.m.

Save the date - 2025 Teen Inclusive Internship informational webinar will be held on Friday, February 7th, 2025, at 10 a.m. Watch for registration information coming soon.

As a board, we have been having continuing discussions about the best ways to reach out to members and to help forge connections and share knowledge. We are open to suggestions from folks as to how best to do this. 

As always, we welcome your input, comments, questions, or concerns. Please don't hesitate to reach out to any of us on the board! We are here for you!

[Note: Want to read the February-September 2024 YSS board minutes? YSS members (after logging in) can access the 2024 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.] 

YSS Chair's Corner - September 2024

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

Greetings from YSS! At our latest Board meeting, we started out by talking about some of the resources we use for inspiration in coming up with programming ideas and collection development. I will list some of those at the end of the article. 

Laura Sauser from WLA informed us that we have 9 performers set so far for the Performer's Showcase Tuesday, December 3rd and registration will be opening shortly. Registration is open for registrations so far for the YSS webinar, "Engaging and Affirming Neurodivergent Youth In Community Spaces: The Fellowship" scheduled for Thursday, November 14 at 3:00 p.m. (see link below to register) 

Jeni Schomber from DPI encouraged us to check out DPI presentations at the upcoming WLA conference (BEBS, Teen Internship, DPI What do the Numbers Say, Games, Learning, and Libraries) and Dr. Enderle's State of Education address in the Capitol rotunda where she discusses public libraries in addition to education in Wisconsin. (see link below) Lastly, she participated in the in-person meeting of CSLP where they voted on 2027 Slogan: Mysteries Await at Your Library and 2028 Theme: mythical creatures. She will get the codes for 2025 to the system folks for them to distribute to their consortium folks. 

Linda Jerome (YSS liaison to WLA Board) let us know that Desiree Bongers has stepped down as WLA Board president. WLA Vice President Katharine Clark was appointed to finish Desiree’s term through the end of 2024. WLA has a new membership coordinator - Pam Beam. WLA is going to be kicking off regional events in 2025. The first one will be hosted by the Bridges system with a date to be determined. If your system would be interested in hosting one, please contact the WLA Board. She attended the Connecting Libraries Meeting. It is a quarterly meeting with school librarians and media specialists. They discussed Battle of the Books. (see link below) She will be attending the Wisconsin Out of School Alliance - STEM Advisory Council.

We discussed ways to connect with YSS folks at the WLA conference in Green Bay. Final details are being firmed up and will be sent out soon. 

Lastly, election time is coming up - the fun one! Lol We are still looking for people to help fill positions on the YSS Board. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, any YSS Board member, Laura Sauser at WLA, or Rachael Arndt on the WLA Board for more information. Nomination deadline is October 18th. (again - see link below!)

Link-a-Palooza!

Information sources:

• Facebook pages: Teen Services Underground, Storytime Solidarity, CSLP’s Official Summer Library Programming Group Facebook, We Need Diverse Books, Diverse Reading
• PBS LearningMedia 
• The OT Toolbox - Occupational Therapy Activities and Resources 
• Play to Learn Preschool 
• For storytime: KCLS Tell Me a Story, Jbrary 
• The Very Ready Reading Program - resource available to borrow from IFLS
• Lego Librarian

Engaging and Affirming Neurodivergent Youth In Community Spaces: The Fellowship Webinar: https://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/yss

Dr. Enderle did the State of Education address in the Capitol Rotunda: https://dpi.wi.gov/news/dpi-connected/2023-state-education-address

Battle of the Books

WLA nomination form: https://wla.memberclicks.net/nomination2024

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, or comments about the meeting or any of the activities of the YSS Board. We are here to serve you!

[Note: Want to read the February-August 2024 YSS board minutes? YSS members (after logging in) can access the 2024 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.] 

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.] 

Chair's Corner - January 2024 YSS Board Updates

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

The YSS Board met for our annual "retreat" in January. Out of respect for Wisconsin liking to winter anytime anyone has an in-person meet-up planned we chose to meet virtually. You can thank us for the lovely weather, because, Wisconsin, as it is known to do, decided not to winter since we chose to meet virtually. 

It was a great chance for some of our new Board members to meet the others on the Board and get some background on what we do throughout the year. We discussed upcoming events such as the YSS socials at WAPL in April and WLA in November and the 2024 Performer's Showcase.  Several ideas for webinars were discussed including tweens, reader advisory, teen mental health, sensory storytime, bilingual collections, and understanding manga, anime, and fan fiction. A survey will be coming for YSS members to gauge their interest in these areas and to see if there are other topics members would like addressed. 

We will be meeting monthly (except for summer). 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 December 2023 board meeting minutes that the YSS board just approved at their January meeting? YSS members 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.] 

Chair's Corner - December 2023 YSS Board Updates

This month's November YSS board meeting update is from Alison Loewen, our YSS 2023 Chair and Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan.

My favorite winter movie is a 26-minute adaptation of the wordless picture book The Snowman, by Raymond Briggs.  I was first shown this animated film on the last day of school before Holiday Break in 1988, and after all this time, it has never ceased to delight me.   Year after year, I have made it a personal tradition to revisit it.  Every year, I again notice the detail and care of the colored pencil drawings, and allow the enchanting musical score to flow through my veins. I love this movie for so many reasons. 

However, this isn’t a traditional holiday story for children filled with cheer.  It’s a reminder that life is a wave of emotions, carrying us between wonder, delight, concern, joy, grief and so much more- and that every thing and every feeling, has an ending.  It’s a somber lesson for a story made for children; even adults still struggle with this reminder. It’s difficult to accept when a good thing has come to an end and the experiences and memories have become a part of you forever, but that the actual moment has passed.  While it might seem melodramatic to compare this to the end of my year of service as YSS Chair, I do think it is a feeling that many of us struggle with as a year comes to a close. 

There is just one more point I want to make from The Snowman, and that is because the little boy chose to invite the snowman into his world, the snowman reciprocated and invited him into theirs. So much magic was created by taking a chance and believing.  As we inch toward the end of 2023, let’s imagine 2024 being a year for connecting, sharing, and taking chances, and by doing so, creating opportunity inside and outside our libraries, both for ourselves and others.  

With that, I will leave you with a few key takeaways from our last board meeting of 2023

• The Youth Services Performer Showcase directory and recordings are available for purchase for anyone who missed the event but would like access.  You can purchase those rights here: YSS Showcase Recordings & Directory
• A reminder to register for our upcoming webinar “Connecting 1,2,3 to ABC”.  You can find more info and registration link here. 
• Looking forward to news from DPI about a Smokey Bear reading challenge and opportunities to host a teen intern at your library this summer.  More information here and by signing up for the YS Listserv.
• Also, watch for more information forthcoming regarding WLA’s Great Lakes, Great Reads reading challenge.  Find out more!

Thank you to all youth services librarians for caring for your community in the way that you do.  Just as my teacher from 1988 may not know how the simple screening of that film influenced my life, you may never know what small things you do that make an impact on the lives of the children you serve.  

I am happy to pass the torch to the 2024 Youth Services Section Chair, Cathy Pescinski.  I want to thank Murray Johnson, Ashley Borman, and Claire Parrish for their years of service, and welcome new board members Peter Blenski, Justin Keberlein, and Laci Sheldon to YSS!

 

Chair's Corner - November 2023 YSS Board Updates

This month's November YSS board meeting update is from Alison Loewen, our YSS 2023 Chair and Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan

It’s the time of year when we reflect on what we are thankful for.  Family, friends, good food, a safe place to sleep at night, and a job I love are at the top of my list.  I am also thankful for an amazing year as Chair, which would not have been possible without the enthusiastic and passionate group of individuals who make up our Board not just this year, but all the years before.  

When I accepted the position on the Board, honestly, I didn’t fully comprehend what it meant.  But I have come to understand that what I joined was a conversation with people who deeply care about what they do, and are ready to give extra of themselves to help connect and support youth service staff across the State.  I am proud to be a member of such a dynamic team, and grateful for each one of them and thankful for their service.

I am also thankful for all of you, readers. Every time you visit this blog, it demonstrates how much you are about your communities. When you search for a new program idea, and take the time to learn from others, it shows that you go above and beyond. To be a small part of a large community of youth service librarians is an inspiration, especially as we continue to share and learn from each other, and grow our practice together.

One of my main objectives, during my time on the Board, was to uplift YS staff through training opportunities.  Our past chair put a lot of effort into resurrecting the YS webinar series which is going strong.  Our upcoming webinar is an exciting one, and is scheduled for early January.  Connecting 1,2,3 to ABC exploring early math and its implications for emergent literacy in young child programming webinar registration is LIVE, and I hope you will consider attending.  You can  sign up here!  The webinar is recorded, so if you cannot make it the day of, still consider registering to have access to the recording. 

A new initiative, spearheaded by WLA and with active involvement from the board is the Virtual Performers Showcase.  Scheduled for December 8th, we hope that this preview of amazing performers sparks some new ideas for your summer schedule. You can find a list of participants on the website, which also has a link to registration.  If you have multiple people from your library interested in attending, there is a group registration discount.  To learn more about that special pricing, download this registration form.  If it's just you, you can register online here.

Lastly, an important update from WLA regarding board minutes.  WLA has changed their policies, and our minutes will now only be available to WLA members.  If you enjoyed reading those and keeping up to date in that way, I encourage you to become a member.  Not only will you gain access to the board minutes, but there are deep discounts on our webinar series and the Performers Showcase, and you get to vote in the upcoming board election.  There is no better time to join.  Find out more here!

Chair's Corner - August 2023 YSS Board Updates

Today's August 2023 YSS board meeting update is from Alison Loewen, our YSS 2023 Chair and Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan

 “Puff, puff, chug, chug went the Little Blue Engine. 'I think I can– I think I can– I think I can– I think I can– I think I can–I think I can–I think I can–I think I can.' Up, up, up. Faster and faster and faster the little engine climbed, until at last they reached the top of the mountain.”

To the Little Blue Engine, the task of pulling the heavy load of toys up the hill seemed beyond their ability.  But the desire to help, paired with a growth mindset and the encouragement of others, allowed Little Blue to achieve the seemingly impossible.   As summer winds down, I think we all feel like the Little Blue Engine, chugging and puffing our way through the end of the season.  Unlike Little Blue however, our work is never finished.  We have many hills to climb throughout the year in service of children and their families, and maintaining that perseverance and growth mindset is key. In a recent blog post shared on  YSS Shout Out, we are reminded to design programs that encourage discovery, creativity, and self-directed play to promote a growth mindset in children.  And it is equally important for adults to maintain that attitude in our work and personal lives, just like the Little Blue Engine.  

Sometimes, maintaining that attitude can be difficult, especially when a programming idea you are attached to falls flat.  Recently, I was exploring an idea for a YSS Presents webinar that I couldn’t pull together.  Instead, I needed to retire that idea and revisit topic suggestions. The board often needs to reconsider our goals and objectives, and how to best meet the needs of our community - you!  While our next YSS Presents webinar session isn’t solid enough to share with you today, I hope the topic feeds your curiosity, and empowers you with knowledge and tools to make programming more intentional and meaningful. Keep an eye out as we pull things together.

As a lover of professional development, workshops are opportunities that I seek out.  Learning and being part of communities of practice helps me maintain self-confidence in the work I am doing.  One such opportunity the board is proud to have played a small role in is the recent “School and Public Libraries: What You Need to Know” workshop organized by DPI.  A few members of the board presented about collections and programming to around 80 librarians who gathered to learn, share and build community.  Most attendees had three years or less experience working in youth services and came from all corners of the state.  Choosing to spend two full days of concentrated learning requires dedication, a clear commitment to the field, and a mindset open to changing practices and learning from others. Congratulations to all DPI staff involved in the planning, and to the library staff who attended.

If you enjoy opportunities to challenge yourself, you might consider running for a position on the board.  When I decided to submit my candidacy, I wanted to help, but I didn’t feel qualified, and I also wasn’t sure what I was getting into.  However, I can assure anyone on the fence about running for a position, to just go for it!  The board works as a team, and we encourage each other’s growth through collaboration and conversation.  If you love what you do, and if you want to help strengthen youth services across the state, you will be a great addition.  This year, we have 4 positions available; the chair-elect (3 year term); 2 directors at large (2 year term); and the secretary (3 year term).  You can learn more about these positions on a recent blog post.  

And as you wind your way through the end of summer and into fall, if there are ways you think the board could be better support to you and the work you do, please reach out. We want everyone’s story to end like this one:  

“And the Little Blue Engine smiled and seemed to say as she puffed steadily down the mountain…. 'I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could.' ” - The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

Chair's Corner - May 2023 YSS Board Updates

Today's May 2023 YSS board meeting update is from Alison Loewen, our YSS 2023 Chair and Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan

Are you feeling it?  The sweet promise of summer? Because I am!  Storytimes ended last week, and as I leaned back in my chair and let out a long sigh, I allowed the thought of summer break to sink in.  I could almost feel the warm sun on my skin, the sand between my toes, and the taste of sweet lemonade; wonderful, relaxing summer. And then I remembered that I’m a Youth Services Librarian and that it’s only just about to get busy!

With the Summer Reading Program gearing up, the new summer math adventure program on the horizon, guest performers, storytimes, and outreach events our Library calendar is booked.  And I have a laundry list of things I want to get done both around my house, and in my garden.  Not to mention all the family and friends I need to catch up with that I neglected during my winter hibernation.

In a recent Monarch Youth Services meeting I attended, YS Consultant Heather Fischer, asked seasoned Librarians to give advice to those who were newer to summer programming.  One colleague reminded us that summer will happen with or without us.  That no matter how much of ourselves we give to our libraries, that summer will happen regardless; and to not get down if things don’t go exactly as planned, or we don’t end up doing everything we wanted to.  And most important, remember to take some time for yourself, because it is your summer too.  

But before you take the vacation days you deserve, I want to give you a heads up about some exciting upcoming opportunities.  Did you know that we have another solar eclipse happening in 2024?  Don’t worry too much, however.  Wisconsin is not in the path of totality, so likely you won’t have the same mad rush for eclipse glasses as you did in 2017.  But if you do want to distribute glasses and plan programming, check out Starnet.  Also watch for news from DPI, who will have 4 solar eclipse programming kits to share with libraries around the State.

Also, keep your eye on the WLA conference page, as speaker info is released and registration opens.  YSS is planning another gathering at the conference, so if you missed our social at WAPL, we’de love to meet you at WLA.   

Alright, that’s all for now!  Make the most of your May, and remember to take time for yourself this summer -  have fun!

Chair's Corner - April 2023 YSS Board Updates

Today's April 2023 YSS board meeting update is from Alison Loewen, our YSS 2023 Chair and Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan

April showers bring May flowers, and YSS is raining opportunities to help you and your library blossom into a beautiful garden!

It’s the start of conference season, and WAPL is right around the corner.  YSS is hopeful for a great turnout at our social event.  Meet us Thursday night at 7:30 in the party room at the Ground Round restaurant at the hotel!  We invite you to bring a 1-page handout with a program idea that you think would be fun for other libraries to implement.  Also, the conference committee is looking for volunteers to serve as registration ambassadors and room monitors, so  Sign-Up Here , if you are able to lend a hand.  “It's through relationships that we grow best—and learn best.” said Fred Rogers, so take these opportunities to meet some new friends, and build your professional network- I’d love to meet you there!

Just a few days ago, WLA announced its call for proposals for the annual conference in Middleton, October 24-27. The conference brings together library professionals from all areas of library work to explore new ideas and learn from each other.  I encourage you to share the amazing work that you have been up to.  If you have an idea, but prefer to speak on a panel, fill out this conference collaboration form, and YSS might be able to help you find some like-minded individuals to present with.   If you are confident to present on your own, please complete this proposal online form  by May 12.  I am looking forward to learning from all of you this October.

Our YSS webinar season is in full swing, with our next installment of WLA’s Youth Services Section (YSS) Presents: Teen Programming Inspiration scheduled for Tuesday, April 18.  The webinar will provide tons of great ideas for teen programming from 4 talented and enthusiastic Teen Librarians.  It's free for WLA members, and $25 for non-members. You can find out more and register here.   This webinar will be followed by another entry in May on Teen Advisory Groups and volunteers, so watch for information about that coming soon.

Last, some exciting breaking news! WLA and YSS are taking over the Performers Showcase legacy!  Save the date! Friday November 10th is when incredible performers from all disciplines will gather online and share with you what they can offer your library families. While we can’t share more details at this time, mark your calendars, as you won’t want to miss it!

There are several other seeds that have been planted, but I will save those official announcements for next month. 

Happy Spring!

Chair's Corner - March 2023 YSS Board Updates

Today's March 2023 YSS board meeting update is from Alison Loewen, our YSS 2023 Chair and Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan

March is a month of expectation, the time when we begin to plan projects that will carry us through the year. I have high hopes for what we can accomplish as a board in 2023, and that we will find ways of bringing more voices together in celebration of our accomplishments and in conversation for how we can move forward as a community.

One hope we have for 2023, is that we will amplify our YS voice within the larger WLA community.  We encourage you to apply for a position on a WLA section committee.  By having YS representation on WLA Sections like WISL, TSS, SSCS, we can assure that concerns unique to youth services are discussed and considered at the State level. A few of these sections are still in need of leadership, so if you are inspired to do so, inquire with WLA Executive Director, Laura Sauser. And if not this year, there is always opportunity in the future!

Another opportunity to get more involved is to simply become a WLA member- or renew your membership if you haven't already this year.  As a WLA member, you have free access to the WLA Presents webinars, so please consider joining or renewing your membership this year.  Throughout the year, YSS plans a few of the webinars as a way to showcase amazing projects and learn from one another.  This Spring, we have an exciting line-up that focuses on teen services, and by becoming a WLA member, you are given free access to these webinars.  You also get reduced registration to the WAPL conference coming up in April  - there is no better time like the present to take advantage of these benefits and become a member!  

And one more way we hope to hear from you, is by inviting you to inspire others by sharing a few of your most successful programming ideas.  I’ll be the first to admit, I dig around the internet for programming ideas, and I'm sure many of you do too!  I appreciate the extra effort that some put in to write up a how-to that includes booklists, project ideas, and logistics.  If you are proud of a recent program and have a good plan you can present to others to help them get something similar off the ground at their library, we'd love for you to share.  Connect with the YSS Shout Out Blog and make a submission.  

And lastly, we want to invite you to join the conversation between DPI,  public librarians and school librarians, and attend the next Connecting Wisconsin Libraries meeting on April 26th at noon.  Reach out to Jeni Schomber (jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov) for the meeting link.   If you are at all curious on how you can support your school librarians, want to know more about projects happening that connect the two worlds, or if your library has something amazing that can serve as inspiration, this is the group for you.  

We are better together- let your voice be heard and roar like a March lion in support of Youth Services!

Chair's Corner - February 2023 YSS Board Updates

Today's February 8, 2023 YSS board meeting update is from Alison Loewen, our YSS 2023 Chair and Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan

Our first meeting of 2023 was “short but powerful” in the wise words of our secretary Caitlin.  While we dreamt of being alongside our past chair Claire, who was on a plane heading to Guatemala, we stayed grounded and ironed out some details for the year ahead.

Jeni Schomber, DPI Public Library Consultant, shared some wonderful programming designed by the Wisconsin Math Council, a completely free math curriculum for kids pre-k through grade 5.  This would make an amazing pairing to your summer reading program- especially knowing that “early success in math predicts both math and reading performance through high school” Duncan et. all 2007.   The activities are great for inclusion not only as part of a summer reading challenge, but can be incorporated into programming all year long.  If you have questions you can reach out to Dave Ebert (dde@oregonsd.net) or Jennifer Lawler (jlawler@kusd.edu).  I'm so grateful to both of them for compiling and sharing these activities!

Jeni also reminded us to not forget about the upcoming deadline for the “Play Make Learn” Conference, held in Madison, WI July 20-21.  The proposal submission period is open until March 12th.  Interested in attending, but not presenting? Save the date for registration, which opens in April. 

Marge, our blog extraordinaire, welcomed Hanna Collins, from Slinger Public Library, as a new blogger to the YSS Shout out blog!  Yah Hanna!  Make sure you check out her most recent post “Using eArcs for Collection Development”  We always welcome new writers to share their voices with our Youth Services community, so I encourage you to reach out if you are interested in contributing once, twice, or on a regular basis.

Even though we were only two short weeks since our last meeting, YSS board members’ minds have been brewing over ideas for upcoming socials, webinars, and WLA luncheons speakers.  We are excited to be researching topics from teen programming to a “how-to do a book talk” for future content and are planning a great social event during the WAPL conference in April.  While the ideas are just starting to germinate, I feel confident that we will have an incredible year of learning ahead of us. 

As always, reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas you have.  We love to hear from our community.