Midday Mingle on Monday!

The YSS Midday Mingle is this Monday! Join us at 1:00 PM to debrief now that all of our fabulous (and busy!) summer programming is done!

We'll have an informal roundtable discussion about the highs and lows of summer at the library. Here are just a few of the topics we’ll be covering:

• Performer highlights: the good, the bad, the ugly
• Tracking and prizes: how do you do it?
• What kind of summer programming do you do? (Performers, passive, active)
• Managing summer volunteers
• How does your outreach change during the summer?
• Trends you’ve seen in your programming and/or collections during the summer
• Outdoor programming
• Avoiding/dealing with burnout

Don’t miss this opportunity to share ideas, gather inspiration, and enjoy the community of fellow youth librarians, all via Zoom!

You do not have to be a YSS of WLA member to participate. The Midday Mingle is open to all!

YSS Midday Mingle: SLP Debrief on September 21

 

Now that all our fabulous summer programming has come to a close, join us on Monday, September 21st at 1:00 PM for an informal roundtable discussion about the highs and lows of summer at the library. Here are just a few of the topics we’ll be covering:

• Performer highlights: the good, the bad, the ugly
• Tracking and prizes: how do you do it?
• What kind of summer programming do you do? (Performers, passive, active)
• Managing summer volunteers
• How does your outreach change during the summer?
• Trends you’ve seen in your programming and/or collections during the summer
• Outdoor programming
• Avoiding/dealing with burnout

Don’t miss this opportunity to share ideas, gather inspiration, and enjoy the community of fellow youth librarians, all via Zoom!

You do not have to be a YSS of WLA member to participate. The Midday Mingle is open to all!

 

New WLAF Conference Scholarship Program

Are you a member of WLA? If so, read on for an exciting new scholarship opportunity!

New Conference Scholarship Program Now Available

Deadline to Apply: August 21

Dear WLA Members, The Wisconsin Library Association Foundation (WLAF) is excited to announce a new and expanded Conference Scholarship Program designed to help more members access valuable professional development opportunities. This year, we are launching a new scholarship application process for the 2026 WLA Annual Conference. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, five scholarships of up to $500 each will be awarded to WLA members to help cover conference registration. The goal of the scholarship program is to reduce financial barriers to participation, encourage first-time attendees and those with limited employer support, and strengthen the diversity and vitality of Wisconsin's library community. Who Can Apply? Applications are open to all current WLA members. Applicants will be asked to submit a brief application describing: Why they would like to attend the conference How attending will benefit their professional growth Any financial barriers they face Preference will be given to staff from small, rural, or special libraries,  first-time attendees, individuals with financial need, students, early-career library workers, new graduates, and others who may have limited access to professional development opportunities. Scholarships will be awarded as conference registration vouchers and may be used toward conference registration fees. They do not cover travel, lodging, preconference workshops, membership dues, or ticketed special events. This year's scholarships are available only for the WLA Annual Conference on October 20-23 at the Marriott Madison West. Beginning in 2027, we plan to expand the program so members may apply for scholarships to attend other WLA conferences and institutes, including WAPL, WAAL, AWSL, and other eligible WLA events. The number and amount of scholarships awarded each year will depend on the success of the Foundation's fundraising efforts. We're pleased to offer five $500 scholarships this year and look forward to growing this program as support allows. Timeline: Applications open: July 23 Applications close: August 21 Scholarship Committee review: August 24–September 4 Applicants notified: the week of September 7 If attending the WLA Annual Conference has been out of reach financially, we encourage you to apply. We hope this program makes it easier for more members to connect, learn, and engage with colleagues from across Wisconsin. How to Apply:  Follow the link to apply: https://forms.gle/uLrnjW7nxBB8d8PN8 We encourage interested members to apply by August 21 using the link above.  We look forward to seeing many new faces at this year's conference! Best, Kara Sullivan Executive Director Wisconsin Library Association

Register for WAPL!

You’re invited to join us at the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) Annual Conference at the Osthoff Resort from April 27 - April 29, 2026! This year’s conference theme is "Library As A Test Kitchen". Registration is now open - be sure to sign up by March 23 to take advantage of early bird rates! This year's conference features: Choose from 36 dynamic breakout sessions! Featuring a networking reception with hors d' oeuvres and a cash bar, Pizza Making Cooking Class, At the Movies with Librarians*, and Friday Afternoon Tea and Library Tour at the Elkhart Lake Civic Center. Opportunities to network with your library colleagues. Expert keynote speakers including past WLA President Kris Turner, Bobbi Newman, Debby Waldman and Lindsay Starck. Invest in your professional development and bring valuable information back to your library. To learn more and register, visit the conference webpage.  *WLA would like to thank the sponsor for the At the Movies with Librarians Session!

                    

Tips and Info from DPI's February 26, 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 February 26, 2026 edition:

 

Hello All,  Check out these youth services weekly resources and reminders!  Play Make Learn Conference July 9 and 10, 2026  The Play Make Learn Conference is a place for collaboration and discovery in the design, research and practice of playful learning, games for learning and positive social impact, making and makerspaces, STEAM education, and arts in education. PML creates an inspirational space for preK-12 educators, designers, developers, innovators, librarians, museum professionals, makers, and researchers to tinker together, share knowledge, and celebrate one another’s work – each year!  Register Now! Registration is open now (until we sell out) — but don’t wait! Register by May 29, 2026, to secure the Early-Bird discount. Play Make Learn has sold out for multiple years in a row; don’t miss your chance to attend! We have different pricing options available. The Call for Proposals still open!  CSLP Newsletter  Check out the latest Collaborative Summer Library Program newsletter full of great information and resources, including a partnership with the American Museum of Natural History, a vendor survey, Save the Date for the Theme and Slogan Wordsmithing sessions, and more!  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

Midday Mingle - All About Teens

The next Midday Mingle is coming up quickly!

Image by cottonbro studio from Pexels

We are calling all youth services folk across the state serving the niche (sometimes elusive) but oh-so rewarding audience of teens. Many of us are flying solo in teen services, let's get together to program swap and connect!

Join us on Monday, February 23 at 1:00 PM (Zoom Link) to chat about teen services - specifically

 programming.  We will round table topics like:

• What's working for you
• Most successful program in the last year
• Upcoming program you are excited about
• What was a bust
• Back pocket program (programs you have ready to go if needed)
• Passive programs/activities
• Teen spaces
• set up/what's available
• rules
• do you work/program in them
• And anything else you'd like to discuss - the conversation will be driven be the attendees and go wherever is most useful to you!

Anyone is welcome at the Midday Mingle! You do not have to be a member of YSS or WLA.

 

Time: Feb 23, 2026 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Zoom Link 

 

Can't wait to chat with you all! 

Midday Mingles happen quarterly – expect to see several throughout 2026! Do you have suggestions/requests for our next topic? Let us know in the comments or email yss

Midday Mingle Alert - Teens!!!

Image by cottonbro studio from Pexels

We've got another Midday Mingle on the horizon! We are calling all youth services folk across the state serving the niche (sometimes elusive) but oh-so rewarding audience of teens. Many of us are flying solo in teen services, let's get together to program swap and connect!

Join us on Monday, February 23 at 1:00 PM (Zoom Link) to chat about teen services - specifically programming.  We will round table topics like:

• What's working for you
• Most successful program in the last year
• Upcoming program you are excited about
• What was a bust
• Back pocket program (programs you always have ready to go if needed)
• Passive programs/activities
• Teen spaces
• set up/what's available
• rules
• do you work/program in them
• And anything else you'd like to discuss - the conversation will be driven be the attendees and go wherever is most useful to you!

Anyone is welcome at the Midday Mingle! You do not have to be a member of YSS or WLA.

 

Time: Feb 23, 2026 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Zoom Link 

 

Can't wait to chat with you all! 

Midday Mingles happen quarterly – expect to see several throughout 2026! Do you have suggestions/requests for our next topic? Let us know in the comments or email kalford@menomonee-falls.org.

Celebrate National Library Lovers Month with PBS Wisconsin

Did you know that February is National Library Lovers Month? It’s true! While PBS Wisconsin Education loves to collaborate with and celebrate the amazing learning happening in libraries and library programs all year long, they are excited to celebrate  library lovers month with a special workshop connecting PBS resources and library programming for school-age learners.

PBS Wisconsin invites all who work in or with a public library in Wisconsin in a role serving learners in grades 3-12 (ages 8-18+), to their PBS Loves Libraries workshop to connect with their team, with colleagues, and with free multimedia resources you can use. 

Workshop Details

    Date & Time: February 13, 2026, 12:15 PM - 2:30 PM

    Location: Fitchburg, WI (address to be shared in confirmation)

    Good to Knows:

• You’ll get to explore high-quality, free-to-use, multimedia resources made here in Wisconsin!
• You’ll get to chat with colleagues from public libraries in Wisconsin about their program ideas while enjoying coffee, tea, and cocoa! ☕
• You’ll leave with fun swag, connections, and info about resources you can plug into your library programming.

Interested in attending?  Fill out this form by February 2, 2026. 

Please feel free to contact Mia Forslund at mia.forslund@pbswisconsin.org with any questions about this opportunity!

Chat, Network, and Commiserate at the Midday Mingle!

Get together with other Youth Services staff on Zoom to cover the great debates of our field: craft or no craft, theme or no theme, registration or walk-ins, YA or teen, cardigan or hoodie. Dare I ask - coffee or tea?

Mark your calendar:

Topic: This or That? 

Date: Monday, November 10

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Zoom Link

Catch up on our last Midday Mingle here! 

These informal meetups happen quarterly and are hosted by the Youth Services Section of WLA. However, you do not need to be a member to attend. Be on the lookout for another one after winter holidays!  Got a suggestion for a topic? Let us know in the comments or email kalford@menomonee-falls.org.

Youth Programming Workshop in Madison

The annual South Central Library System (SCLS) Youth, Teen, & Tween workshop will be held next Thursday, November 13 from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM, and you and your colleagues are invited to attend! The event will be held at Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison. 

Here's the schedule for the day:

9:00 - 9:15 AM Coffee & Conversation

 

9:15 AM - 12:00 PM  

 

The Library as Time Machine: Using Historical Fiction to Create Library Programs for Youth 

Presenter: Eileen Schnabel, author of the Kep Westguard historical fiction series

 

Eileen will introduce ways that libraries can use historical fiction to engage communities, foster intergenerational learning, and build partnerships. Attendees will gain practical strategies for implementing history-themed programs, hosting immersive events, and using storytelling to inspire lifelong learning. This workshop will provide actionable tools to help libraries connect readers with history in creative ways while strengthening their role as community hubs.

 

12:00 - 1:00 PM  Lunch & Networking   

 

Lunch will be the Taco Bar ($15) from Cranberry Creek and includes gluten-free and vegetarian options. You may also bring your own lunch (no refrigerator available). Libraries will be invoiced after the event.

 

1:00 - 3:30 PM  

 

Unearth the Stories Beneath Our Feet: Homegrown Programs for Teens and Tweens

Presenter: Shawn Brommer, SCLS, and Friends

 

Shawn Brommer and colleagues from across the system will share program suggestions, activity examples, book-centered programs, and other ideas that libraries can implement during the summer of 2026 and into the future. By focusing on concepts of the past, present, and future, earth science, alternative histories and futures, and other innovative themes, participants will leave the workshop with program ideas and step-by-step instructions for programs that teens and tweens will DIG.

Register here!

2026 WLA Mentorship Program Applications Open

2026 WLA Mentorship Program Application Deadline for Mentors and Mentees is November 7

The WLA Mentorship Program, a free program for WLA members, is designed to provide encouragement, support, and guidance to library staff seeking professional growth through connections with experienced colleagues within a structured mentoring program. Mentees gain experience from knowledgeable library colleagues while becoming further involved in the statewide professional association. Mentors gain opportunities to give back to the profession, model volunteerism, and help influence the future of librarianship. The next round of the WLA Mentorship Program will begin in January 2026. Care will be given to match mentees with mentors according to the goals provided on the application. If you are successfully matched, the committee will let you know by mid-December.  Applicants who are selected for the program will receive an orientation in January. Following your orientation, you and your mentor or mentee will set up monthly meetings, virtual or in-person - your choice - to discuss the goals you have set out for the experience. On a quarterly basis, a member of the WLA Leadership Committee will check in to make sure the mentorship experience is on track.  Apply Today! Any WLA member may apply now to the year-long program and there is no additional cost to participate.  More details about the program, including the link to the online application, is available at wisconsinlibraries.org/mentorship-program with a due date of Friday, November 7.

Click here to visit the Mentorship Program webpage. Download the Program Brochure

Let's Mingle!

Our next Youth Services Section Midday Mingle is coming up!

Get together with other Youth Services staff on Zoom to cover the great debates of our field: craft or no craft, theme or no theme, registration or walk-ins, YA or teen, cardigan or hoodie. Dare I ask - coffee or tea?

Mark your calendar:

Topic: This or That? 

Date: Monday, November 10

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Zoom Link

Catch up on our last Midday Mingle here!

These informal meetups happen quarterly and are hosted by the Youth Services Section of WLA. However, you do not need to be a member to attend. Be on the look out for another one after winter holidays!  Got a suggestion for a topic? Let us know in the comments or email kalford@menomonee-falls.org.