Friday FAQs with Tessa - 7/31/20

Dear Library Staff Serving Youth, 

Happy Friday! Here is the latest installment of Friday FAQs for Youth Services. The slides used in the recording are attached as a PDF. Also, the FAQ Friday form is open for your input on the next episode. Going forward, FAQ Fridays will be published on the second Friday of each month.

                FAQ Friday 7/31/2020 recording (5:11) https://youtu.be/fiuAqn6vMx0 

FAQ Friday form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcCCH0bDIXMTpzt4WBrfmJHvP-B7Vm_B5Ide6p0byioYwh9Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

 

Last Week’s FAQ Friday 7/17/2020 recording (5:06)  https://youtu.be/q9C2gJtknkA 

Resources related to this week’s topics

Stress and Mental Health Resources

Compiled by System Staff and the Division for Libraries and Technology (DPI) 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13tn8PtrT2lp8y4-MMNfM4BTlO9C4FFxngM1tvR3_3vo/edit?usp=sharing 

 

Beanstack Hour of Power for Wisconsin Public Libraries

Wednesday, August 12th 12-1pm
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4267835056129329164 

 

DPI Education Forward Reopening Wisconsin Schools
https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sspw/pdf/Education_Forward_web.pdf

 

DPI Wisconsin Public Libraries Reopening Guide

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WGOEwVSGLQnHLMFSBkt0wrRDp1bL5zG0UMoTUkSadEo/edit#heading=h.jzfzshh9bac3

 

DPI Home-Based Private Education Program (Homeschooling)
https://dpi.wi.gov/sms/home-based

 

Stay safe!

 

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Public Library Consultant – Youth and Inclusive Services

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Division for Libraries and Technology

(608) 267-5077

Friday FAQs with Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

• 6/18/21 recording

• 5/14/21 recording
• 4/9/21 recording
• 3/12/21 recording
• 2/12/21 recording
• 1/15/21 recording
• 12/11/20 recording
• 11/13/20 recording
• 10/9/20 recording
• 9/11/20 recording
• 8/14/20 recording
• 7/31/20 recording
• 7/17/20 recording
• 7/10/20 recording
• 6/26/20 recording
• 6/19/20 recording
• 6/11/20 recording
• 6/5/20 recording
• 5/29/20 recording
• 5/22/20 recording
• 5/15/20 recording
• 5/8/20 recording
• 5/1/20 recording
• 4/24/20 recording
• 4/17/20 recording
• 4/10/20 recording   

Feeling Stress? Keeping Calm in a Difficult Time

Thich Nhat Hanh Collective

It's not always easy to wrap our heads around the whiplash of the last week (there were sports; stores everywhere were open; only toilet paper and hand sanitizer supplies were sold out; schools were in session) to where we are today.

Change at this pace is stressful, impactful, and often surreal. Top that off with the reason all this has changed - a very real pandemic spreading throughout not just our communities but the world. That worry is compounded by concern for our loved ones, our community and ourselves.

It's alot.

So today we share some calming resources for our kids and ourselves.

Resources for Supporting Children's Emotional Well-being during COVID-19 Pandemic from Child Trends 3/19/30

Fact Sheet -  Talking with Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration 3/20

Talking to Teens and Tweens about the Coronavirus. NYTimes 3/2/20

Ways to turn negatives into positives - Psychologist Offers Mental Health Advice amid COVID-19 Outbreak. Channel 3000 3/16/20

Fact Sheet - Coping with Stress During Infectious Outbreaks. from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration 3/20

While we are apart, many groups are coming together simultaneously to pray, be mindful, meditate and send out good karma into the the world. Here are just two examples:

• Virtual Dance for Healing MPRnews 3/17/20 " We were not only dancing for our healing, but also to guide our scientists and physicians, into finding a cure, or help for the people. So this wasn’t just for us, it’s for everybody,” explained Manidooniibikwe, or Barb Rodaks, a member of the Fond du Lac Ojibwe band who danced with Northrup."
• Virtual Meditation -  People who practice Transcendental Meditation are virtually joining together by doing their daily meditations simultaneously at 6:00 or 7:30 am CST and 5:00 or 6:00 pm CST to create a wave of inner and outer calm for the whole country.

Let's take a deep breath, stay calm, and carry on. We will get through this.

What other resources have you find helpful? Please share in comments.

Links to YSS COVID-19 series:

Online Storytimes

Getting Started with Virtual Storytimes  5/27/20

Virtual Storytime – Tips on Fair Use & Kids’ Privacy 5/4/20

“How to Do a Virtual Storytime” Webinars 4/13/20

Tips on Doing Online Storytimes During COVID-19 Closures 3/16/20; updated 3/20/20

Storytime Goes Digital 3/20/20

Digital Storytimes- You Do You! 3/31/20

Digital Storytime, Screen Time and Intentionality – Oh My 4/6/20

Facebook Live Online Storytime Tips 3/24/20

Fixing "My Book is Backwards in Online Storytime!" on iPhone 3/22/20

SLP & Programming Resources

Summer Scavenger Hunt Fun 5/30/20

Digital Escape Rooms – the Holy Grail  5/26/20

SLP Virtual and Offline Program Ideas for Teens/Tweens  5/22/20

Virtual and Offline Programs for Summer and Beyond  5/6/20

“Grab-&-Go” Activity Kit Ideas  5/5/20

DIY Family Activities for SLP from CSLP 5/1/20

Offline and Feeling Fine: Ideas for Programming Unvirtually  4/29/20

Virtual Programming & SLP Ideas for YOU! 4/25/20

Beyond E-Storytimes: Virtual Services and Programs for Youth 4/22/20

Using Premier for Virtual Programming on Facebook 3/24/20

Re-Opening and Safety Issues

We’re Re-opening – Coping with Reluctant Patrons and Programming 6/1/20

We’re Re-Opening – Cleaning and Disinfecting Youth Areas  5/13/20

COVID-19 and Libraries: Your Questions Answered with Dr. Dipesh Navsaria 5/19/20

Permissions (Books, Authors and Music)

Want Permission? Current Info on Publishers and Authors 3/22/20; updated 4/23/20

      Music Permissions? Look No Further  3/27/20; updated 3/31/20

Professional Development

Webinar - Summer Learning Through Our Public Libraries in a Time of COVID-19  5/18/20

Confronting Xenophobia and Supporting Asian and Asian/Pacific Communities Webinar 4/21/20

Working From Home During COVID-19 4/19/20

Need to Keep Up? Free Online Professional Development  3/21/20

Webinar -Remote and Online Services & Resources for Youth Librarians  3/25/20

Free Children’s/Teen Professional Journal Access 3/28/20

Creating Accessibility in Your Online Programming 4/15/20; updated 4/23/20

Kids Resources

Curated List of Free COVID-19 EBooks for Kids 4/27/20

Infographic to Help Parents with Tech Time During COVID-19 4/2/20

Tips on Safe and Inclusive Gaming/Livestreaming for Families 4/6/20

Talking to Kids About COVID-19  3/28/20

Ear Ticklin’ Listening/Viewing for Kids at Home 3/30/20

WI Online Program Data

Data Collection for Virtual Programs 3/17/20

More Info on Data Collection for Virtual Programs 3/19/20

Friday FAQs with Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

4/10/20 recording       4/17/20 recording          4/24/20 recording        5/1/20 recording               5/8/20 recording

5/15/20 recording       5/22/20 recording; 5/29/20 recording

Taking Care of You 

Human Connections in a Time of Pandemic  3/27/20

Feeling Stress? Keeping Calm in a Difficult Time 3/21/20

And Now a Word from Your YSS Board!

 A recent news email from the Youth Services Section (YSS) board included these delightful tips!  

A Huge List of Self-Care Tips from your YSS Board in no particular order...

1. Make a conscious choice to recognize the positive and good in other people, your job, and yourself. Focus on the good, and when you talk, share the good stories. 
2. Remember that we are humans too, and we should not let guilt stop us from taking time off during the summer.
3. Schedule walks after work with close friends.
4. Get out from the circulation desk and take a walk outside. During one particularly stressful summer running the SRP program, I began taking walks over my lunch break every day. I immediately felt a difference. Spending time looking at nature, and getting up and moving, helped my attitude. 
5. Take a day off here and there throughout the summer. Giving myself a day or 1/2 day to just do fun summer things has really helped my outlook and gave me back a positive perspective.
6. Take care of yourself, both mentally and physically.  Go for a walk. Listen to a favorite playlist. Set aside a few moments during the day to just breathe or do something just for you that makes you smile.  And, above all, BE KIND TO YOURSELF. It's hard to be happy when someone's being mean to you all the time.
7. Allow yourself to enjoy the little things and appreciate the positives in yourself, your program, your staff, and your patrons!  Every library is different--and comparison is the thief of joy!--so be sure to celebrate your unique library and the difference it makes in your community, whatever the size.
8. Once a day, or week, or hour, complete this statement: My SLP efforts made a difference to _______________. Simply acknowledging that you have made an impact is enough—no need to quantify.
9. Set your timer for one minute and give yourself permission to BREATHE. Hide in the non-fiction section, take a walk in the parking lot, or sit at your desk and closer your eyes. Let your head and heart have one minute of nothing.
10. Be kind to yourself... It sound intuitive but its amazing how often we forget to extend kindness to ourselves... especially when programs don't meet our expectations... We try and try again. 
11. Take 5 minutes each day to laugh... nothing is insurmountable or truly terrible when you allow yourself to laugh. 
12. Ask for help.  It's an obvious self care tip but I think it's the thing we forget first when SRP hits.  For some of us, there isn't any help but oftentimes, there are circulation assistants who would be happy to cut up strips of stickers or directors who could help cover the desk during a program.  If you're stuck on a program, ask a colleague for their opinions. Youth services librarians are superstars but we don't always have to go it alone. It's okay to ask for help, especially as we're weeks into summer and it's starting to feel a little endless.  
13. Rejoice in the little things.  SRP is a looming, huge event, but it's made up of tiny little moments.  My morning iced coffee is an endless source of happiness in summer, as are a comfy pair of shoes to help me get through my day.  Teen volunteers who excel in their role make me smile. Cupcakes in the break room and a really successful readers advisory session can keep me going through a long day.  When the big picture becomes too much, focus on the little stuff.

CALL Conference Rescheduled to April 15, 2019

The C.A.L.L. (Conference About Libraries & Learning) conference, a multi-type conference co-sponsored by the La Crosse School District, UW-La Crosse Murphy Library and La Crosse Public Library has been re-scheduled for Monday April 15. Despite the polar vortex's determination to whirl away this scrappy little conference, organizers were able to re-book all the speakers and find a more spring-like date!

This year's theme and focus:

"Service runs through a librarian’s work day. We know it from day one going in to the field. We expect to be tired at the end of a day, week, program, or semester. Patrons, students, community members or administration turn to us for answers, help, expertise, reassurance, and a friendly smile.

So let’s talk about burnout. What do we do when we have barely anything left to give, when we’re at the end of the rope, when we feel emotionally drawn and the tanks of compassion are running on empty? Is there any space in our work lives to recognize that sometimes we feel unprepared for the realities of managing and regulating the requirements of emotional labor of librarianship? Let’s talk about it."

To register and read more about the conference, please stop here.