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

Make 2026 the Year of Math at Your Library!

Did you know 2026 is the United States' official year of math? Me neither but I'm excited to learn about it!

MoMath (the National Museum of Mathematics) is an award-winning museum in New York, New York that celebrates the role of mathematics in all the structures and patterns around us. But next year MoMath is expanding its reach by "curating picture-book spotlights, hands-on activity guides, and turnkey program ideas that any library can use to celebrate the United States' official 2026 Year of Math."

Join the Year of Math Librarians' Notification List to:

• receive early alerts when resources go live
• get tips for hosting math-themed storytimes and activities
• join a community of librarian committed to interdisciplinary engagement!

Are you planning any math-related programs at your Library? 

Join the Summer Math Adventure!

Summer reading programs have a longstanding history in schools and libraries, but how can libraries support students’ engagement with mathematics all year long? To keep students engaged in mathematical thinking throughout the summer, the

Wisconsin Mathematics Council (WMC) brought together a group of Wisconsin math educators in 2022 to create the Summer Math Adventure program for preK - 5th grade students and their families.

 

WMC wants to ensure that all children experience the wonder, joy, and beauty of mathematics in school and beyond. Students and families participating in the Summer Math Adventure build number sense and explore mathematics in the world around them through authentic activities related to five categories: around the home, outdoors, the arts, books, and games and puzzles.

 

The program is based on a “bingo board” of math activities for three age groups: PreK, Kindergarten - Grade 2, and Grades 3 - 5. A digital version of the activity sheets and support documents is hosted on the WMC website. A printable version is also available. The Summer Math Adventure was piloted in a few Wisconsin communities during the summer of 2022 and is ready for state-wide roll out in summer of 2023.

 

In coordination with the WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI), WMC has plans to promote the Summer Math Adventure alongside DPI’s Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). Information about CSLP can be found at the CSLP website. WMC is happy to make the Summer Math Adventure FREE to all Wisconsin libraries. Through the generosity of the Wisconsin Mathematics Education Foundation we are able to offer grants to libraries to support this program.

 

To become a participating library, complete the brief interest form at this link.

 

This message is brought to you through the collaboration of Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association (WEMTA), Wisconsin Library Association (WLA), and the DPI.

Math and Storytime

According to an article on the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy website, research shows that children who are strong in early math skills have higher proficiency in both math and reading. I'm sure you already incorporate math concepts into storytimes—perhaps without even knowing it. But in this article, you can find even more ways to intentionally incorporate simple math concepts into storytime. 

Image by Pexels from Pixabay 

STEAM in Youth Services Workshop: April 3

Calling all librarians serving youth, teens and families! Mark your calendars for a STEAM-y workshop set for April 3rd at the Marathon County Public Library, Wausau location from 9-3:30pm.

• Register, 4.5 Technology CEUS!
• STEAM in Youth Services Workshop Flyer

The WVLS STEAM in Youth Services workshop will cover creating high-interest STEAM programs on a low-to-no budget, local STEAM grant writing, successful STEAM program plans, virtual/augmented reality, the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten App, passive coding activities, AND attendees will be guided through the Hour of Code!

Emily Zorea, Youth Services Librarian of the Brewer Public Library in Richland Center, will kick-off the day with “Engaging Families, Youth, and Teens around STEAM and Thematic Programming.” Julie Kinney, Teen Librarian for Marathon County Public Library, and Tammie Blomberg, Director of the Rib Lake Public Library, will lead the group through the Hour of Code and talk about bringing coding concepts to teen and adult library users.
Find more from Emily at her Sowing Seeds Librarian blog.

Attendees will be able to participate in passive coding activities and leave with inspiration and coding lesson plans in hand! Activities and lesson plans courtesy of Linda Liukas, author of the Hello Ruby book series. The Hello Ruby series written for children is a “whimsical way to learn about technology, computing and coding.”