Tips and Info from DPI's December 18, 2025 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 December 18, 2025 edition:

 

 

Hello All,  Check out these library youth services 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.  Use BadgerLink for Readers’ Advisory  BadgerLink’s readers’ advisory resources can bring you up to speed on the best books of 2025.  View the Readers’ Advisory Story  Wisconsin Public Library Standards Steering Committee Work Begins  Read what topics led their first meeting discussion as they begin the review and revisions of the Wisconsin Public Library Standards.  View the Standards Story.  CSLP Annual Slogan (2029) and Theme (2030) Survey  The Collaborative Summer Library Program survey is open! Please take a moment to fill out the survey and make your recommendations for the 2029 Slogan (for the Nature theme) and the 2030 Theme.  This survey is open to all libraries in the country, so please feel free to share it with staff at your library.  The deadline to submit your recommendations is Monday, February 2, 2026.   Save the Date! CSLP Building Community Based Summers application opens soon!  The Collaborative Summer Library Program is excited to launch a third national cohort of Building Community Based Summers in Spring 2026.  BCBS is designed to help member libraries identify the “whys” behind their summer services, build strategies to engage community voices, and create and provide inclusive summer services for all members of their communities. The spring 2026 cohort will gather for online learning sessions once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks in March-April 2026.   There is no charge to participate. Applications will be open from Monday, January 5 through Monday, January 26, 2026.  2026 Wisconsin Public Libraries CE Topics Survey  Help shape 2026-2027 Continuing Education offerings for Wisconsin Public Library Systems!  Library System CE Consultants are planning continuing education events for spring 2026 through spring 2027, and they would love your input. Your feedback helps them offer training that truly meets the needs of public library staff in their systems, regions, and across the state.  Take the CE Topic Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DCDCWQ2  The deadline to complete the survey is January 15, 2026.  This will be the last Weekly Resources and Reminders email for 2025. The next one will arrive the week of January 5, 2026. I hope that you are able to find peace and joy in the upcoming Holiday season.   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

WEMTA Webinar

Join Nick Ostrem on November 13th for a webinar from PBS about the great resources they have to support learning and education. 

To register or learn more visit the WEMTA website.

Help Review/Revise WI Library Standards

Here is a information from DPI about an amazing opportunity that you, as a youth librarian, may want to take advantage of. 

I've always believed that the voices of youth librarians and those who understand the needs of youth should always be at the table of any library planning  - whether within your own library and system or at the regional, state or national level. Our voices count and can bring valuable insight in representing the concerns and needs of youth AND of WI youth librarians from all library sizes across the state.

Here is an opportunity to sit at that table and help review and revise our state library standards. And it's an opportunity to activate library supporters from your community government to also step up to the plate. 

I've been part of this work in the past and YOU make a real difference with your youth service expertise. Let's do this! Marge L-W

The Wisconsin DPI Bureau of Libraries is seeking volunteers to help review and revise the
Wisconsin Public Library Standards. We are looking for people with a variety of administrative backgrounds in libraries of all sizes to participate! 

View the volunteer job description for more information.

If you are interested, please fill out the project volunteer form by September 19.

We'd also like to include representation from Wisconsin municipal and/or county government in this process. If you know a thoughtful library supporter in your local government, please forward this message and encourage them to consider participating.

Teresa Schmidt, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Administration Consultant | Bureau of Libraries
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
201 West Washington Ave | Madison, WI 53703
608-224-6167 | dpi.wi.gov