Tips and Info from DPI's May 22 , 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 May 22, 2025 edition  

Hello All, Check out these valuable youth services resources and reminders! PBS Wisconsin Education/PBS KIDS survey Do you activate the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge or another early literacy program in your library? PBS Wisconsin Education and PBS KIDS would love to learn more and support your early literacy efforts. Fill out this quick form: https://forms.gle/TmRFtBqVj761yoZa8. Thank you! STARnet and NASA’s GLOBE: NUBE card game STARnet is once again collaborating with NASA’s GLOBE Observer team to get exciting cloud-related STEM resources into the hands of public libraries! Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to bring NASA and cloud science into your library programs this summer? Look no further than NUBE – a new cloud matching card game from GLOBE Clouds! Up to 1,000 sets of NUBE games will be distributed to at least 250 libraries; libraries can request either two or four NUBE card decks and, provided the applicant meets eligibility, cards will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Find out more about this opportunity here.  CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center) Recommended Books Search Explore books recommended in CCBC Choices using the Recommended Books Search tool, curated Booklists, and the Charlotte Zolotow Award list.   Kids and Teens are Patrons, Too - Restorative Justice and Trauma-Informed Approaches in Public Libraries In this Colorado State Library Talking Teen Services webinar, explore how traditional patron codes of conduct often alienate youth patrons and discuss the role of trauma-informed library services in building a more empathetic and equitable environment.  Thursday, June 12 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Registration is required.  Have a great weekend,

 

Throw-It Thursday - Buy that Book! Usage Stats to Help Collection Development

Ashley Borman, Technical Services Librarian at the Clintonville (WI) Public Library, is back with another weeding tips - and collection development - column. 

Image by Jan from Pixabay

Have you ever used inter-library loan statistics to help your collection development? Items that you are continually borrowing from other libraries (whether they are a part of your system or you are using WISCAT to source them from around the state and surrounding states) are a good indicator of what genres/subjects your patrons are interested in. 

I like to take a look at the holds counter multiple times a week just to get an idea of what people are checking out. If there are a lot of similar titles for multiple people, I try to order some more similar titles if we don’t already have them.

I am also responsible for Inter-Library loans from outside of our library system. These requests are also great at helping me determine some popular items to get for patrons. 

Paying attention to what is being requested from other libraries can also help you find items in your collection that are outdated but got missed in prior weeding.

Upcoming Games-based Learning Opportunities

Image by Araxhs Official from Pixabay

There are a number of upcoming presentations and professional development opportunities related to games-based library services, playful learning, and interactive pedagogy; some options are free, and some have a registration cost associated with them. Please help spread the word about these opportunities to your networks -- and register today!!

Friday, May 23rd, 1:00 pm
  WiLSWorld Shorts: Roll for Initiative! Wisconsin Adventures in the Library

• "Proven education foundations and dragon-slaying go hand in hand! Wisconsin Adventures combines the myths and legends of Wisconsin’s past with the deep learning opportunities of fantasy role-playing games (RPGs). Join WiLS and Wisconsin Historical Society’s Manager of PK-12 Education Initiatives Kurt Griesemer on Friday, May 23rd at 1:00 pm CT to hear about how you can engage new audiences, connect players with Wisconsin and its history, and build community and literacy skills with Dungeons and Dragons and Wisconsin Adventures in your library."
• REGISTER HERE

Wednesday, May 28th, 10:00-11:00 am CST
  Video Game Collections in Libraries, Pt. #3:

Collection Maintenance, Circulating Consoles, Wraparound Services, and Digital Games 

• In parts one and two of our “Video Game Collections in Libraries” webinar series, we first outlined effective pathways for video game selection and acquisition, and followed that up by showcasing how to “librarianize” your acquired games via processing, cataloging, and displaying best practices. So – you’ve got games on shelves, and they’re checking out; done! Mission accomplished? … Not so fast!! There are additional steps needed to maintain that collection and keep it healthy, with further opportunities to implement “value-added” services that will support your video game collection. Finally, it’s important that we collectively ask: what will our video game collections look like in 5 to 10 years, where most games will likely be “all digital”? How can a librarian prepare for that inevitable shift?
  
  In part #3 of our “Video Game Collections in Libraries” webinar (the final part!), we will dig into suggested protocols for weeding and repairing discs, recommendations for “wraparound” services like video game programs, circulating game consoles, and helping your patrons acquire necessary video game patches/updates – along with a deep (but brief) exploration into important questions like “What will libraries do when video games transition to all digital?”, “what impact would all-digital video games have on offering library game collections?”, and, most importantly, “who is working on what in this space right now?” – to set our libraries up for success in the future!
• REGISTER HERE
• Presenters: Chris Baker (Public Library Consultant / Games & Learning Consultant, Library Services Team of the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction; chris.baker@dpi.wi.gov), Jenna Gilles (Youth Services Associate, Chippewa Falls Public Library; jgillesturner@mycfpl.org), and Jamie Hein (Library Director, Clintonville Public Library; jhein@clintonvillelibrary.org)

June 20th-22nd
  NarraScope 2025: Celebrating Narrative Games

• Registration for NarraScope 2025 is now available! What is Narrascope? "NarraScope is an event that supports interactive narrative, adventure games, and interactive fiction by bringing together writers, developers, and players. NarraScope 2025 will be hosted at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. All talks will be streamed live via Discord. Our conference aims to be a place for everyone interested in narrative games to hang out, exchange ideas and get inspired. We do this through a broad selection of talks, keynote speakers, discussions and workshops."
• "Registration is required for both in-person and online attendance, and must be done in advance of the event. The number of in-person memberships is limited by the capacity of our venue, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We have no capacity cap for our online registration. In-person registration is open until May 23, 2025; online registration is open until June 18, 2025."
• REGISTER HERE
• I (Chris Baker) will be co-presenting at the Narrascope Conference on Sunday, June 22nd from 12:30-1:00 pm CST. More info:
• Gaming Collections & Services in Libraries: "Libraries have a long history of collecting games as part of our shared cultural heritage. This session will feature two presentations on how academic and public libraries are preserving the history of games and broadening access to both legacy and contemporary games. Learn more about the cutting edge of games librarianship and discover ways to get involved with efforts to collect and preserve today's digital games in libraries."
• Co-presenters: Colin Post, David Carter

August 21st & 22nd; Pre-cons on August 20th
Play Make Learn 2025 - Register NOW!!

• Registration is open NOW for Play Make Learn 2025! If you've never attended before, the Play Make Learn annual conference takes place at the Memorial Union on the UW-Madison campus; PML 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
• REGISTER HERE
• Explore Pre-con Sessions
• NOTE: We've sold out on registration spots for Play Make Learn over the past few years -- so if you are interested in attending, don't wait too long! If you have questions about the conference, or would like to request support (while funds are available), you can reach out to the PLACE Office at conferences@education.wisc.edu.

Any questions? You can reach me at Chris.Baker@dpi.wi.gov. Consider joining our WISELearn Games + Learning + Libraries Cohort to collaborate with a wonderful community of practice -- and to start sharing (and using) our collected games-based resources. Game on!!

~Chris

Apply for the WiLS Ideas to Action Fund

Just a friendly reminder that the WiLS Ideas to Action Fund application period is only open for a few more weeks! 

Through this fund, WiLS provides grants of up to $5,000 so WiLS members can bring their innovative and collaborative project ideas to life. The proposal form and reporting are simple and lightweight, so applicants can focus on the success of the work and the benefits to the community. 

Read more about this funding opportunity on the WiLS website and submit your proposal by June 2nd! Questions? Contact WiLS at information@wils.org. 

Racism in Popular Nursery Rhymes

Racism in Popular Nursery Rhymes

While looking at April's edition of School Library Journal I came across an article by Betsy  Bird titled Inescapable History, which focuses on the history of nursery rhymes, specifically their racist roots. While we grew up singing these catchy rhymes, we might want to be wary of the ones we pass on in storytimes. 

Bird states, "some rhymes were originally created with racist verses, those words only changed later to hide their shameful past." The article further discusses whether these rhymes should be saved, or if it's time to move on from them. The ending of the article is a powerful reminder. Bird says, "Institutional racism permeates every aspect of American culture, and our story times - especially our story times - are worth examining more closely." 

Read the complete article here: [Inescapable History: Understanding the racist roots of nursery rhymes can help inform choices about what to share with children - and what to leave behind. Bird, Betsy. School Library Journal, April 2025.]

Tips and Info from DPI's May 15 , 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 May 15, 2025 edition  

Hello All,

Check out these valuable youth services resources and reminders!

Getting Started with Building Community-Based Summers

• This FREE WebJunction course will provide you with the foundational ideas behind Building Community-Based Summers (BCBS) and give you what you need to get started or to continue building best practices.
• You will need to sign in or create a FREE account to access this 1 hour self-paced course. 

Color Our World Resources - Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)

• PSA videos in English and Spanish are now available.
• Standalone Printables - forms, bookmarks, reading logs, activity sheets, and more - are available in Chapter 8 in the online manual. Check with your Library System Consultant for the access code.
• Looking for ideas or want to share what works for your library? Join the Official Summer Library Programming Group on Facebook. It’s a private group where ideas are shared, templates are created, and brainstorming happens. 

BadgerLink Bulletin

• Prepare for Summer Reading with BadgerLink Resources. Summer is already around the corner! Check out these BadgerLink resources for activities, programming ideas, and more to keep kids reading all summer long.
• View the story here.

WiLS World shorts: Roll for Initiative! Wisconsin Adventures in the Library

• Proven education foundations and dragon-slaying go hand in hand! Wisconsin Adventures combines the myths and legends of Wisconsin’s past with the deep learning opportunities of fantasy role-playing games.
• Join WiLS and Wisconsin Historical Society’s Manager of PK-12 Education Initiatives Kurt Griesemer on Friday, May 23rd at 1:00 pm CT to hear about how you can engage new audiences, connect players with Wisconsin and its history, and build community and literacy skills with Dungeons and Dragons and Wisconsin Adventures.
• Register here.

Have a great weekend!

2026 Power Up Conference Call for Proposals

                       

 Power Up 2026 

A Leadership Conference for Youth Services Managers & Staff

Call for Proposals is Open!

The Power Up planning committee wants your program proposals for Power Up 2026 to be held March 26-27, 2026, in Madison, WI. Topics could include, by are not limited to strategic planning, leadership styles & strategies, advocacy, intellectual freedom, mentorship, staff morale and retention, culturally relevant programing & collection, managing change, program assessment, innovative or experimental programming, and playful & connected learning. 

Conference sessions can take one of several formats, and you are welcome to submit multiple proposals!

• Lecture presentation: 45-minute presentation + 15 min Q&A
• Panel Discussion: 2-4 presenters focused on one big topic and sharing their experience
• Workshop presentation: One-hour hands-on learning experience
• Programming lightning talk: 5-8 minute mini presentation on or about a successful program
• Roundtable discussion: Lead an in-depth full-group discussion on a topic of your choice. No need to prepare a presentation—just shepherd good conversation!

Submit your idea by August 10th, 2025.

Submit your idea: go.wisc.edu/u5448i

Selected presentation, workshop, and panel sessions will receive one complimentary conference registration. Selected lightning talk and roundtable presenters will receive a discounted conference rate. 

For full details visit the conference website: go.wisc.edu/882gy2 

Deadline Extended for Program Proposals - WLA Fall Conference

Would you like to see more youth service sessions at the WLA conference? Us too!  How about presenting one? Are you nervous about speaking in front of a group? Do it with a friend or colleague!  I promise you will not find a friendlier audience anywhere! Share your talents, experiences, and interests! See the note below from WLA with the submission deadline extension. Good news! We've extended the deadline to submit a session proposal for the 2025 WLA Annual Conference through Friday, May 16 at 5:00 PM. If you’ve been meaning to submit a proposal but need a little more time—this is your chance! Whether you have a fully fleshed-out session idea or just the beginning of something great, we’d love to hear from you. This year’s theme is “Be the Change,” and we believe change starts with sharing ideas, perspectives, and experiences from all corners of the library world. Submit your proposal here: https://forms.gle/Vd68vDSG989yc4ns7 We welcome submissions from library staff of all backgrounds, job types, and experience levels - especially those who haven’t presented before. Please share this with your staff or colleagues who might be interested in presenting. Visit the Conference Webpage

ALSC Summer Reading Lists

Just in time for summer, ALSC has released their reading lists. Gavin Damore writes,  "It’s that time of year again – Summer Reading! As you’re busy planning for your various programming and activities to keep kids and tweens engaged during school break, be sure to check out ALSC’s 2025 Summer Reading Lists. Every year, ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee compiles and annotates these lists. They provide an easy way to share recommended reads to parents and caregivers during the busiest time of year." 

The lists are available as printable PDFs and are based off age groups, covering birth – ⁠grade 8.

Stop here for the full blog post and to access the lists! [Summer Reading Lists for 2025 Are Here: Get Excited! Damore, Gavin. ALSC blog.  May 12, 2025.]

PBS Presents Free for All: The Public Library

 PBS Presents 'Free for All: The Public Library'

Photo from PBS.org

Created by Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulkner, Free for All: The Public Library dives into the history of libraries. From inception to current days and the challenges that come with being a librarian today, this documentary highlights the work of those who continue to provide free access to information for all who enter their doors. 

You can watch the documentary here. [Free For All: The Public Library. Logsdon, D., Faulkner, L. PBS.org. April, 29, 2025.]

https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/free-for-all/