Jim Gill Workshop is almost here!

Musical Play is Learning Play with Jim Gill: A Professional Development Workshop - Fri. Aug. 14th 1-4pm

Attention Youth Services Librarians!  

Photo provided by Jim Gill

On Friday, August 14^th from 1:00-4:00pm, Jim Gill is offering a professional development workshop tailored for librarians and early childhood educators at the Oak Creek Public Library in Oak Creek, WI. Registration is required to secure your spot for this event. This workshop is free for participants.

Register now: https://events.getlocalhop.com/music-play-is-learning-play-with-jim-gill-professional-development-workshop-for-early-childhood-educators-and-librarians/event/mp0upT1Ace/

A free family concert will follow in the evening on Friday, August 14^th at 6:30pm. No registration required.

Other events to enjoy while in town include:

Oak Creek Kids Night in Drexel Town Square (Also Jim Gill concert venue, food trucks will be available!)
Friday, August 14^th, 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/visitor/events/kids-nights

Oak Creek Farmers Market
Saturday, August 15^th, 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/visitor/events/farmers-market

For more information, visit https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/visitor 

All these events are sponsored by Visit Oak Creek.

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

Tips and Info from DPI's June 18, 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 June 18, 2026 edition:   Weekly Resources & Reminders Hello All,

BadgerLink Bulletin - EBSCO Interfaces Update July 7  On July 7, EBSCO is releasing a set of enhancements to Explora, EBSCOhost, and NoveList resources that will improve the way that users engage with and navigate the interface. View Update Story.

The following content is shared as provided by the organization. The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events.  Power Up 2027: A Leadership Conference for Youth Services Managers and Staff - Call for Proposals  Power Up 2027 will occur March 22-23, 2027, in Madison, WI. Share your strategies for project management, mentorship, program evaluation, staff morale & retention, advocacy, change management, culturally relevant programming, and more with fellow youth service librarians! Submit your proposal by September 7, 2026, for full consideration. Visit the Conference Website for more information.

Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Summer Storytelling Challenge  Sign your library up to host a Dan Santat Summer Storytelling Challenge! Dan Santat is the Collaborative Summer Library Program Summer Reading Champion. Dan is asking young readers ages 8-12 to flex their creative muscles and add their words to his art.  Libraries hosting a Summer Reading Storytelling Challenge will be responsible for running the contest in their community and selecting a winner. All libraries that sign up to host a contest will receive more information about how to host the contest and an offer for free prizing from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.  Please contact Mary Van Akin at mary.vanakin@macmillan.com with any questions.

SciStarter + Summer Reading  Turn summer reading into summer discovery! SciStarter and the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) created summer programs, with project ideas, trainings, slides, event recipe cards, and other ready-to-use resources.

 

Spark of Science Survey  The STAR Library Network and their partners at HHMI/Tangled Bank Studios are excited to begin planning for the next Spark of Science program for public libraries. Before they get too deep into planning, they wanted to make sure they have a clear understanding of current practices across public libraries. For this biology-focused initiative, they’re considering gaming, and specifically Minecraft, as a possible delivery mechanism, among others. Your response to the following questions will help them better develop a program that meets libraries where they are, and where they want to be heading! You'll also have the opportunity to indicate your interest in being a project advisor!  Complete the survey.

Jeni Schomber Public Library Consultant Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

Tips and Info from DPI's May 7, 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 May 7, 2026 edition:

Weekly Resources & Reminders

 

 

Hello All, Check out these Youth Services Resources and Reminders! Foundations of Wisconsin Librarianship workshop Registration closes Friday, May 8, 2026.   This workshop is specifically structured to be most beneficial to public library staff newly (three years or less) serving youth in Wisconsin libraries and introduces essential skills, resources, and strategies for working in public libraries and collaborating with school libraries. Space is limited to 25 public library attendees.  The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is hosting this workshop at Hotel Marshfield, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, from 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, through 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026. There is no registration cost, and most meals will be provided. Attendees, or their library, will be responsible for mileage, two nights lodging, and one evening meal. Participants who successfully complete the full workshop will receive a $100 stipend.   Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Unearth a Story Webinar  CSLP is partnering with the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) for an upcoming webinar. Join this webinar to get up to speed with the archaeological component of the 2026 Unearth a Story theme. Learn archaeology basics and the cool things archaeologists can reveal about the past.  A panel of experts from the AIA’s Outreach and Education Committee will answer popular questions to help you and your library patrons “dig in” to archaeology this summer. A recording will be available after the webinar.  Register for How to Channel Your Inner Archaeologist the Summer held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. CST.   Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Newsletter  Check out the latest Collaborative Summer Library Program newsletter full of great information and resources, including the 2026 Social Media Toolkit, partnership spotlight, a button exchange program, and more!  Collaborating for Community Success Series  Public libraries and municipalities can and do collaborate effectively to serve their communities, but sometimes these relationships can be difficult.  To help address these challenges and to build positive cooperation, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension’s Local Government Education program are teaming up to provide a series of webinars and other resources to help people on all sides of the equation.    Building and Leveraging Your Municipal  Relationships  June 11, 2-3 pm Register here  Public libraries in Wisconsin exist within the context of their municipalities. Sometimes this is a seamless collaboration, and at other times there are serious conflicts about roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements. In part one of a series of offerings on the topic of public library and local government relations, we will:  acknowledge some common pain points between these two entities;  examine factors that have led to improved and functional relationships between libraries and municipalities;  celebrate some of the outcomes these relationships have made possible.  Presenters:  Teresa Schmidt, Public Library Administration Consultant, Bureau of Libraries, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and Kami Lynch, Municipal Clerk Specialist with UW-Extension and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.  This session will be recorded and professionally captioned.  It will provide one contact hour for public library director certification.  Jeni Schomber Public Library Consultant The DPI Bureau of Libraries does not sponsor or endorse external resources or events.  Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

Free Professional Development Workshop with Jim Gill!

 Musical Play is Learning Play with Jim Gill: A Professional Development Workshop - Fri. Aug. 14th 1-4pm

Photo provided by Jim Gill

 

Attention Youth Services Librarians! Save the Date!

 

On Friday, August 14^th from 1:00-4:00pm, Jim Gill is offering a professional development workshop tailored for librarians and early childhood educators at the Oak Creek Public Library in Oak Creek, WI. Registration is required to secure your spot for this event. This workshop is free for participants.

 

Register now: https://events.getlocalhop.com/music-play-is-learning-play-with-jim-gill-professional-development-workshop-for-early-childhood-educators-and-librarians/event/mp0upT1Ace/

 

A free family concert will follow in the evening on Friday, August 14^th at 6:30pm. No registration required.

 

Coming from out of town? Hotel blocks are available while supplies last.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Milwaukee Oak Creek for 169.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book : Monday, July 13, 2026
Book your group rate for Oak Creek Public Library-Jim Gill Event

Homewood Suites Oak Creek by Hilton 159.00 USD per night

https://group.homewood-suites.com/0cmx1t

 

Other events to enjoy while in town include:

 

Oak Creek Kids Night in Drexel Town Square (Also Jim Gill concert venue)

Friday, August 14^th, 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/visitor/events/kids-nights

 

Oak Creek Farmers Market

Saturday, August 15^th, 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/visitor/events/farmers-market

 

For more information, visit https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/visitor 

 

These events are sponsored by Visit Oak Creek.