Youth Services Shout Out

If you're interested in lively, collaborative, in-depth discussions about early literacy, CLEL Bells is the place for you!

Be part of advocating for quality children’s books that support early literacy. The English CLEL Bells Committee is recruiting new members for the 2026 award season!

What are the CLEL Bells? One of the two early literacy book awards from CLEL, the English CLEL Bell Awards are an annual recognition of five high-quality children’s books that provide excellent support of early literacy development in young children ages 0-5. The five winners are selected from a shortlist of 25 honored titles.

Come join the committee! Here’s more from our members:

• “Be prepared to fall more in love with children's books.” 

• “Do picture books have a place in your heart and your work space? They fill mine!” 

• “Get ready to think critically about early literacy and lean into great conversations.” 

• "I couldn't have had this experience at my library."

• “Where else can you dissect books with the lens of early literacy and storytime?” 

  
  

Apply now for the 2026 English CLEL Bells Committee. The application closes on March 28, 2025. All applicants will be notified by March 31, 2025.

Please contact clelbellawards@gmail.com with any questions.

Best regards,

Mary Ann Lawler

Chair, 2026 English CLEL Bells Committee

Once or twice a month on weekends, YSS posts round-ups of ads that are sent to us or that we come across. If you have a position opening up and would like to see it on the YSS blog, please forward the job ad link/descriptions to the YSS blog at the email address listed in the header above the day's blog post.

Here is a late March listing:
North Shore Library       Youth Services LibrarianNorth Shore Library has an opening for a full-time youth services librarian with a special emphasis on programming for ages 0 to 18.  The Library serves approximately 27,000 residents of Bayside, Fox Point, Glendale, and River Hills in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, and is a member of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System.  
We provide a competitive salary, benefits, and a collegial work environment where a sense of humor is a must.  The Library anticipates moving to a new facility in Bayside within the next year.  
Complete posting information is on our website.  Please submit your cover letter, resume, and three references to Haley Samuelson at haley.samuelson@mcfls.org by March 31, 2025 for consideration.  
Go to www.northshorelibrary.org/employment for more information.
Rhonda K. Gould, Library DirectorNorth Shore Library, 6800 N. Port Washington Rd.Glendale, WI  53217rhonda.gould@mcfls.org     414-351-3504     northshorelibrary.org

Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is now in a cool new format!

The email newsletter is 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 20, 2025 edition. Happy Spring Equinox!

Hello All,

CSLP Manual Highlight - Chapter One - Getting Started

• The CSLP (Collaborative Summer Library Program) Manual is packed full of Color Our World programming ideas curated by member libraries across the country and is a great resource for embarking on a journey of art and creativity this summer! 
• Chapter One provides best practices about Early Literacy (The Five Practices, Virtual Storytime Tips, and Bilingual Storytimes), Bilingual/Spanish Programming for All Ages, Outreach to Spanish-Speaking (or ESL) Communities, Teen Programming, and so much more!
• Check with your Library System Youth Consultant for the code to access the manual.

Katherine Applegate Color Our World Writing Contest

• Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author, is the CSLP 2025 Summer Reading Champion!
• This summer parents and guardians of budding storytellers ages 8 to 12 are invited to enter the Color Our World Writing Contest. Entries are open from June 1 through July 31, 2025. 
• Read more about how your library can participate!
• The below materials are available as digital assets to print or share in newsletters:

• Katherine Applegate Summer Reading Poster 
• Color Our World Writing Contest Flyer
• Color Our World Writing Contest Bookmarks

WebJunction - Embracing Neurodiversity recorded webinar

• Embracing neurodiversity: Cultivating an inclusive workplace for neurodivergent staff
• Presented by Renee Grassi, Accessibility Consultant and Librarian

BadgerLink Bulletin

• TeachingBooks Early Literacy Toolkit - read the story here
• Teach Britannica educator resources - read the story here

National Library Week 2025: Drawn to the Library!

• Whatever draws you in, the library has something for everyone. Celebrate National Library Week, April 6 - 12, 2025.
• Visit https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek for sample press releases, social media graphics, posters, bookmarks, and more!

Have a great weekend!

Jeni

 

The marvelous Jbrary blog periodically asks readers to share their solutions to storytime conundrums.
In the most recent query, someone asked:How do you get kids to stop running up to the felt board and tearing down the pieces in the middle of storytime? I’ve been trying to use felts but I get so defeated! I know the babies and toddlers aren’t doing it to rain on my parade, but it makes me feel like it’s a pointless. There’s gotta be tips and tricks from seasoned librarians who can help me out! 
Lindsey asked for suggestions from her readers and got lots of great ideas.
Please stop here to read the crowdsourced tips! [Kids Tearing Down Felts. Krabbenhoft, Lindsey. Jbrary blog. March 17, 2025]

The Library Makers community is for people who run services and/or programs for library staff, past or current, or individuals who work with libraries, who have an interest in makerspaces and maker programming. Our community is inclusive, diverse and filled with hope and positive energy! Whether you are just starting out in the world of making or you have been at it for years, you are in a small library or big, you have a dedicated makerspace, a maker cart, or just maker programs, this is the place to collaborate and connect.

To keep Library Makers members engaged and to continue to bring value to LM, we need help from our members. We are looking for volunteers to provide leadership (in big ways and small) to keep LM growing and evolving as an integral part of the maker movement.
What’s in it for you? LM leaders say that they:

• Gain skill professionally (presenting at conferences, being tied to a nationally recognized initiative, learning new skills)
• Appreciate the time spent collaborating with colleagues across the country at various types of libraries (rural, urban, university-based, etc.)
• Love having their input matter and show up in how things change within the community that can affect the larger library field

There are four committees to choose from:

• Community building
• Sustainability
• Leadership Team
• Events & Programming

Election Information
The self-nomination form opens March 1 and closes March 31. Candidate profiles and interest statements will be shared April 25. The general election will run May 1 through May 15.
Join us in shaping the future of Library Makers—get involved in our committee elections and help drive our community forward!

Sarah French (she/her) 

Programming & Makerspace Librarian 

Irvin L. Young Memorial Library 

431 West Center Street 

Whitewater, WI 5​3190 

office: (262) 458-2782 

www.whitewaterlibrary.org 

sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov 

The CCBC shared the following news. In a time of transitions, we congratulate Megan and thank her for leadership, mentorship and insightful work at the CCBC over the years! Megan Schliesman to Retire After 32 Years at the CCBCPosted on March 17, 2025

At the end of the UW-Madison spring semester, Megan Schliesman will retire from her role as Assistant Director/Librarian at the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC). Megan began her career at the CCBC in July of 1993 following her 1992 graduation from the UW-Madison School of Library and Information Science (now the iSchool). In addition to her work managing many administrative aspects of the CCBC, Megan’s talents as a writer and keen reader solidified her capacity as an expert in literature for children and teens. Megan has co-authored CCBC Choices, the CCBC’s annual best-of-the-year list, since 1993.

Over the years, thousands of Wisconsin librarians and teachers have benefited from Megan’s insightful recommendations of new, high-quality, and diverse titles. A well-known and respected speaker, Megan has presented at countless Wisconsin conferences for professional organizations, such as the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association, the Wisconsin Library Association, and the Wisconsin State Reading Association. Webinars, radio shows, and in-person workshops are also venues where Megan’s book recommendations have been a valuable resource, in addition to innumerable tours and presentations given at the CCBC to preservice teachers and librarians and other UW students. 

Megan’s impact has been felt beyond the borders of Wisconsin. Nationally recognized as a speaker and leader, Megan has been actively involved with the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) throughout her career. Megan served as the co-chair of the ALA/ALSC 2022 Morris Seminar, chaired the Children’s Literature Legacy Award Committee (née Wilder), served on the ALA/ALSC 2005 Newbery Award Committee, and more.

Megan Schliesman’s name is synonymous with the topic of intellectual freedom as it relates to the right to read in Wisconsin schools and libraries. Since 1978, the CCBC has provided free, confidential, and unbiased intellectual freedom information to librarians and teachers facing challenges to children’s and young adult materials around the state of Wisconsin. Megan has managed the CCBC’s Intellectual Freedom Information Service since 2002. She has been as much of a champion for strong policies and procedures as she has been a confidential consultant to professionals dealing with complicated book challenge situations. One of the most significant contributions Megan has made to the CCBC’s Intellectual Freedom Information Service is the development of the What IF… Forum. A place to ask questions before (or when) a challenge occurs, the online question-and-answer forum helps teachers, school and public librarians, and others in the library and education fields to think through what IF principles look like in practice. This free resource is emblematic of Megan’s creativity in responding to the needs of professionals in the field.

Megan’s retirement will leave a sizable hole in the heart of the CCBC staff, a small and highly collaborative unit. Megan’s talent with the written word, penchant for thoughtful documentation, sturdy leadership and reliability, research skills and resourcefulness, and passion for identifying and recommending the very best in books for children and teens will be deeply missed. In addition to being a brilliant librarian in service to the state of Wisconsin, she is a tremendous colleague and friend. 

The transformative power of a book in the hands of a young reader cannot be overstated, and in her decades at the CCBC, Megan has said that nothing brings her greater joy than to assist an adult with finding a book that they are excited to share with a student or child. 

To honor Megan’s career, please consider making a secure, tax-deductible donation to The Ginny Moore Kruse Intellectual Freedom Fund to help sustain the CCBC’s work in the area of Intellectual Freedom.

To share a personal note or offer best wishes, please contact CCBC Librarian Merri Lindgren at mlindgren@education.wisc.edu.

Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from PixabayAnyone can have a bad day - even toddlers. When the bad day coincides with storytime, what are some strategies to help keep the storytime going and help the child and parent cope with the meltdow, Recently Jaime Eastman on the ALSC blog shared some ideas.

Jaime writes: "Meltdowns. While we hope they won’t happen at the library, we know they probably will. Ask any storytime veteran: at some point, screaming, crying, or some other manner of meltdown will visit your storytime. What can you do? Today, I’m sharing five tips from my own storytime experience."

Stop here to read her tips. [Meltdowns: Expecting the Unexpected in Storytime. Eastman, Jaime. ALSC blog. March 2, 2025.]

 Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is now in a cool new format!

The email newsletter is 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 14, 2025 edition. Happy Pi Day!

 

View as a webpage / Share.

Hello All,

Welcome to the new DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources email. The Library Services Team at DPI recently transitioned to a new email delivery platform. Although my weekly emails to you may look different, they will continue to provide quality and relevant library and youth services information and resources. Enjoy the new look!

Congratulations to the CCBC!

• We are pleased to share the news that the CCBC received a major honor from the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. To read more about the Carle Honors and to see the School of Education news release, visit our website: https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/eric-carle-honor/.

Public Library Information Exchange Community Showcase 

• The Public Library Information Exchange (PLIX) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) connects library professionals and MIT researchers to co-design learning experiences, develop and share facilitation practices, and integrate creative learning into public library programming. PLIX strives to increase equitable access to and broaden participation in STEAM programming.
• Register for the free Community Showcase on Thursday, April 24th from 12 - 1:30 PM Central time, where librarians and educators from around the country will share how they've used PLIX programming in their communities, and what they've learned along the way.
• Can't make the showcase? Check out the PLIX activities and how librarians have remixed them, or check out one of their upcoming monthly virtual workshops.
• Gain confidence in your program facilitation skills with the facilitation resources on the PLIX website, sign up for their free 8-session self-guided email-based mini-course, or explore the archive of their Facilitating Creative Learning online course.

Games and Learning National Leadership Grant

• As many of you might be aware, the Wisconsin State Library Agency and the Washington State Library are currently engaged in a three-year National Leadership Grants for Libraries project being funded by the Institute for Museum & Library Services; the project involves robust collaboration from numerous partners and subject matter experts in the "games + learning + libraries" space as we aim to do unprecedented, cutting-edge research, evaluation, and resource development surrounding games-based library services. 
• We are currently in phase #1 of the project, with Field Day Learning Games (housed within the Wisconsin Center for Education Research of UW-Madison) acting as our research lead. Right now we are conducting a comprehensive literature review (of both historic and contemporary scholarship) of papers, journals, articles, blog posts, data, research, etc., specifically related to "games & libraries" and/or "games-based library services".
• HOW CAN YOU HELP?: Please email Chris Baker (chris.baker@dpi.wi.gov) directly attaching ANY papers (.pdfs and .docs are preferable), literature, links to online resources/papers, DOI numbers, etc., related to "games & libraries". It could be something you've written yourself, read at some point, or might just be generally aware of; as long as it fits into the "games + libraries" scholarship space, Chris is interested!

WiLS Ideas to Action Fund Applications opens April 1, 2025

• The WiLS Ideas to Action Fund provides grants of up to $5,000 so member organizations can bring their project ideas to life. The Fund encourages partnerships and collaborations among WiLS members and with community partners, supports innovative and exploratory new work, and seeds the development of processes, methods, or resources that can be used by other WiLS members.
• Have questions about WiLS Ideas to Action Funds? Watch the recording of WiLS' webinar on preparing your proposal or contact them at information@wils.org.

 

Have a great weekend!

Recently, Tess Prendergast wrote a deep dive on the ALSC blog post giving some great tips on writing engaging annotated booklists for our youth patrons.

Tess writes: "I think annotated booklists – as distinct from book reviews – are fantastic tools for gathering small collections of books together and describing them in ways that spark interest in reading them. These lists can exist digitally on your library website, or in print, or both. They can be made into posters or infographics, bookmarks, or social media content. They can be easily re-purposed as prompts for informal book-talks too."

Please stop here to read her tips and suggestions for making great annotations [Writing Great Annotated Booklists. Prendergast, Tess. ALSC blog. January 27, 2025.]

Great keynotes; fun special events (an opening evening buffet, a night at the movies, reception at the Oshkosh library) are just a few treats at the WAPl spring conference. 

But there is also incredible content - especially for youth-serving library staff. Check out the youth oriented sessions below and then get in on early bird registration that's open until 4/4/25). Registration costs include breakfasts and lunches!

Wednesday, Apr 30 5:00-7:00pm 
South of the Border Buffet (included in your registration)Catch up with your colleagues, make new friends, and create new connections in a relaxed setting. Enjoy a "South of the Border" buffet and a cash bar. Pre-registration is required.
Thursday, May 110 amOpening Keynote - Loida Garcia-Febo
10:30-11:30 amBook Talk 101 Engage, Excite & Empower ReadersAs a librarian, you already understand stories—now it's time to share that magic! Learn to create quick, compelling, and irresistible book talks that captivate your audience in under a minute. Whether or not you've read the book, you'll learn the skills to confidently present a title and make it come alive. Then, explore how to turn book talking into a powerful tool for building strong, lifelong readers within your community, with a focus on outreach to schools. Walk away with practical tips, strategies, and a new enthusiasm for connecting readers with the stories they’ll love! Terry Ehle
Forward Together: Building Bridges to Serve Hispanic/Latine Communities Through Creative Partnerships Discover how the Chilton Public Library partnered with a local non-profit and church to create innovative programs and services for the Hispanic/Latine community. This session will explore the collaborative process, including overcoming challenges, aligning goals, and securing grant funding. Learn about bilingual programming, cultural celebrations, and family literacy initiatives that enhanced community engagement and equity. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and inspiration to build impactful partnerships in their own communities, regardless of library size. This session demonstrates how creativity, persistence, and collaboration can help libraries move Forward! to better serve diverse populations and overcome outreach challenges. Rebbecca Barry, Maria Mason
You've Gotta Break a Few Eggs: The Case for Making a Mess
Toys left out all the time, an unstaffed art room, splatter painting indoors, a sand table out on the floor for an entire month...and much more. These things really happen in the Youth & Family Services department at the Kenosha Public Library! Join the presenters to learn how making a mess can benefit patrons, why they embrace it, and how they manage it. You'll also get a ton of fun programming ideas that range from slightly untidy to totally catastrophic! Heather Thompson, Shawn Wolf
12:00-1:00 pmLuncheon Keynote - Marcia Bjornerud (included in your registration)
1:15-2:15pmCommunity Engagement: Taking YOUR Library Beyond Its Walls
Libraries play a vital role in every community, but waiting for people to discover us isn’t enough—we need to meet them where they are. Community engagement is about fostering connections, building trust, and becoming a visible presence in the lives of those we serve.m This session highlights the significance of community engagement in a library’s success, offering actionable ideas for connecting with your community, real-world examples of triumphs and challenges, and practical tips to enhance your library’s impact and involvement. Attendees are encouraged to share experiences, ask questions, and engage in collaborative discussion. Alex Coggeshell, Susie Menk
Equipping Families to Support LearningParents are children’s first educator! Libraries are ideal partners to equip families in guiding early learning. Parents will benefit when they are provided with encouragement, knowledge, skills, awareness, and resources that empower their engagement. Library programing that embraces young learners also needs to empower those that are the dominant influencers in the lives of children--be that family members, babysitters/caregivers, or educators. It takes community collaboration for all youngsters to be school ready! Bev Schumaker

2:30-3:30pmScreen SmartsThis session explores effective ways to integrate PBS KIDS digital media into library programming to engage families and young learners. Participants will learn practical strategies for incorporating culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate media into storytimes, STEM activities, and family engagement events. The session also provides tools for navigating conversations about screen time, empowering caregivers to balance digital and real-world experiences with confidence and compassion. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to enrich their programs and foster meaningful, screen-smart learning experiences for all. Mouna Algahaithi
4:00-5:00pmAt the Movies with Librarians
6:00-8:00pmNetworking Reception - Oshkosh Public Library ($20 -preregistration is required)

Friday, May 27:30-8:30Native American Cultural Awareness of WI Tribal Communities (breakfast)
8:45-9:45 amCreating Interactive Audio Experiences for Young Library PatronsEngage young patrons with interactive audio devices like Tonieboxes, Yoto Players, and Wonderbooks. This workshop provides practical strategies for selecting, cataloging, and promoting these tools to enhance accessibility and engagement. Learn how to set up devices for library use, package them for circulation, and create effective displays. Gain insights on managing replacement fees and tips to streamline set up process. Walk away with actionable ideas to make these devices a hit in your library. Anna Dinkel, Teresa Douglas, Becca Feirer, Emily Vincent
Sustainably Grow Your Summer Library Program
Looking for ways to keep your Summer Library Program (SLP) energized and transformative? This session will inspire you with tips and strategies to align your programming with ALA’s sustainability values. Bring environmentally sound, economically feasible, and socially equitable practice to your library through hands on program and policy fun! Through the exploration of arts and science activities, community collaborations, summer self care, and more, learn how a sustainability mindset and your community's unique characteristics can transform your SLP and nurture community resilience. You'll leave with creative ideas of ways to strengthen summer engagement and lead your library to a more just and sustainable future. Dawn Tevis
Improving Accessibility @ Community EventsLibraries play a vital role in community engagement- ensuring community events are accessible to people with disabilities is critical. In this session, you’ll learn best practices for planning inclusive events that meet the needs of all participants, how to advocate for accessibility, and what to do when a new need arises. Attendees will explore strategies to find community partners to aid in your inclusive efforts and discuss common challenges in creating truly welcoming spaces. The presenter will share accessible event planning guides will be shared to help you apply these strategies effectively. Join us to ensure your library’s community events are both welcoming and accessible to everyone. Chelsey Myhre Foster
Reflecting on WI Public Library Standards: Reimagining a Stronger Future TogetherHow do you assess library services in your community? Last revised in 2018, the Wisconsin Public Library Standards remain a useful tool for library planning and reflection. Yet we know that dramatic changes to how libraries serve their communities are driving a need for new conversations about how we demonstrate the value of our work and plan for the future. Join Wisconsin Library Services Team staff in an interactive discussion about the current standards, what’s missing from them, and how they should address youth and inclusive services. Let’s talk about how future revisions can help move our libraries forward! Jeni Schomber, Teresa Schmidt
10:00 -11:00amGlobal Tales & Local Hearts: How Libraries Can Help Raise Multicultural KidsJoin bestselling author Ajanta for a dynamic workshop empowering children’s librarians to create inclusive library spaces. Explore strategies for selecting diverse stories, and integrating multicultural books, activities, and digital resources. Engage in interactive discussions and hands-on activities to make diversity a joyful part of learning. Discover practical ways to transform your library into a vibrant hub where every child feels seen and valued. Walk away with tools to create welcoming, culturally rich environments that inspire young readers. Come ready to transform your library where every child can see themselves reflected in the stories they hear and the faces they meet. Ajanta Chakraborty
The Library as Time Machine: Using Historical Fiction to Build Community, Inspire Readers, and Make History Come Alive
The presenter will explore how 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 session will provide actionable tools to help libraries connect readers with history in creative ways while strengthening their role as community hubs. Presenter Eileen Schnabel is author of the Kep Westguard historical fiction series.
11:15-12:15pmBadgerlink Resouces for Youth Services
BadgerLink is Wisconsin's Online Library, providing a foundational collection serving all Wisconsin residents, including Wisconsin's librarians and staff that work with youth. Join this discussion highlighting the resources available in the BadgerLink collection that apply specifically to development of youth programming and collections for young readers, as well as professional learning content to keep you up to date with the latest research in the field of youth services. Jen Champoux
12:30-1:30pmClosing Luncheon Keynote Tomas Lipinski

You can check the full schedule and other conference details here.

 As seen in Nicolet Federated Library System's Nic News Weekly, February 21, 2025

WiLS Ideas to Action Fund application period opens April 1
The WiLS Ideas to Action Fund provides grants of up to $5,000 so member organizations can bring their project ideas to life. The Fund encourages partnerships and collaborations among WiLS members and with community partners, supports innovative and exploratory new work, and seeds the development of processes, methods, or resources that can be used by other WiLS members.

The total amount awarded in 2024 was $37,740. To date, the WiLS Board has awarded over $220,000 to 55 Wisconsin libraries and cultural organizations.

For examples of successfully funded projects, see the proposal for Appleton Public Library’s Piano Project or Tomahawk School District’s 2020 proposal to create an eSports club.

Have questions about WiLS Ideas to Action Funds? Watch the recording of WiLS' webinar on preparing your proposal or contact them at information@wils.org.