Index
- Application open for the ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant
- 2022 WI Public Libraries CE Topics Survey
- Adult Mental Health First Aid
- PLA’s 2022 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey
- Rebound & Reconnect: Post-Crisis Management Series
- 20 Wisconsin Libraries Pilot Program to Check Out Daily State Park Passes
- PBS KIDS Community Learning Cohort Call for Applications
- Continuing Education Calendar
Application open for the ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant
The ALSC Program and Services Recognition Committee is now accepting applications for the 2023 ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant! This grant is designed to encourage reading programs for children in public libraries by providing $3,000 in financial assistance, while recognizing ALSC members for outstanding program development. Applications and supporting materials, including an itemized budget and the required signature form, are due by November 18, 2022. Please visit: https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/profawards/bakertaylor
2022 WI Public Libraries CE Topics Survey
Here is your opportunity to tell Wisconsin library system continuing education planners what you would like to learn. Your responses will help shape and develop the offerings in your region and the state. Click on the 2022 WI Public Libraries CE Topics Survey and select topics for the areas that are of interest to you or your staff. You can also suggest topics even in areas we didn’t list. This should take you eight (8) minutes or less. Submit your responses by Friday, October 28, 2022.
SCLS is offering another MHFA session on November 8 and 10 from 1 - 4 p.m. The sessions will not be recorded so please be sure you are able to attend both sessions.
Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is intended for adults who wish to help people with emerging mental health disorders or experiencing a mental health crisis. The goal of MHFA training is to teach people to recognize signs and symptoms of an emerging mental health disorder or mental health crisis. Participants also learn a 5-step action plan to engage and ultimately guide people to both professional and community resources that can help.
The class is a two-part training. Part one is a self-paced, online overview of the entire training. It takes about 2 hours and must be completed before the instructor-led session(s). This section includes:
- What is Mental Health First Aid?
- What do Mental Health First Aiders do?
- What is the Mental Health First Aid action plan?
- Considerations before reaching out.
- What is mental health?
- What is a mental health challenge?
- What is stigma?
- What is person-first language?
- How do gaps in treatment impact people?
- What are the risk factors for mental health challenges?
Certified Mental Health First Aid instructors lead Part 2 of the training. The 6-hour online session takes place over two days and takes the knowledge and skills learned in part one and applies them to crisis and non-crisis situations. Through a combination of lectures, activities, scenarios, and videos, participants learn to assess, approach, listen nonjudgmentally, give reassurance/information, encourage appropriate help, and encourage self-help to people showing signs/symptoms of a mental health disorder or mental health crisis.
Participants who complete the class receive a 3-year certification as a Mental Health First Aider.
This program is presented, in part, by the Department of Public Instruction, with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the form of a Professional Learning Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant.
PLA’s 2022 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey
PLA’s 2022 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey is now open, with a deadline of December 10, 2022. This unique national survey asks pressing questions for the profession today: What are current and emerging types of programs, services, and facilities in public libraries? How do these services meet community needs and foster resilience? What types of partnerships do libraries have and how do they support our communities? A survey question about partnerships was originally proposed and developed for the IMLS Public Libraries Survey and its inclusion is a direct result of collaboration between IMLS and PLA. We would appreciate your assistance in sharing information about the survey with libraries in your state.
This survey overall will provide important baseline information to help us advocate for the resources libraries need and measure progress over time. Policymakers and reporters frequently pose these questions to PLA and ALA and they tie directly to advocacy seeking federal funding for library construction and upgrades. We would appreciate your help to ensure we have representative results to advance advocacy and update the field on trends. We hope that you will encourage all of your public library directors to take the time to complete this survey. As always, PLA will publish a freely available report of national findings in less than a year after data is submitted. Reports on the 2020 Technology Survey and 2021 Staff and Diversity Survey results can be found on our website.
Every public library (including tribal libraries that may not have an FSCS key) in the nation is invited to participate in the survey at librarybenchmark.org. Libraries may email plabenchmark@ala.org with any questions about the survey or for assistance accessing the survey portal. Through Benchmark, all public libraries have free access that allows them to:
- View and complete open surveys, including the 2022 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey.
- See the library’s responses submitted to past PLA and PLDS surveys.
- View charts of selected library metrics.
- Manage the library’s contact information and contact preferences to ensure the library receives survey-related communications.
- Access data-related resources.
At PLA we hope and believe many public libraries will seek the additional features available to Benchmark subscribers, but no subscription is needed to participate in the survey, access the published survey report, or see key visualizations through the portal.
After hearing from state data coordinators, IMLS staff, and public library leaders that they wanted less redundancy in data collection and better peer comparison data, PLA retired our previous Public Library Data Service survey in 2019. The Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey is the third in a set of three new annual topical surveys gathering unique data that complement the annual IMLS Public Libraries Survey and state library surveys.
For your convenience, I’ve included additional text below that could be shared with public libraries to encourage their participation. I have also attached copies of the survey worksheet and instructions for reference purposes. More information about this survey and past PLA surveys can be found here: https://www.ala.org/pla/data/plasurveys. For more information about Benchmark, please visit https://www.ala.org/pla/data/benchmark.
Rebound & Reconnect: Post-Crisis Management Strategies
The next All Directors Meeting is Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Waunakee Public Library. The agenda for the meeting will be coming out in early November. The meeting will be available both in person and via Zoom. If attending in person, please register here and indicate if you'll stay for lunch (Taco Buffet from Cranberry Creek). If attending virtually, please register via Zoom.
The afternoon part of the November All Directors Meeting is a Continuing Education Workshop. This year, Rachel Arndt, will be presenting Rebound & Reconnect: Post-Crisis Management Strategies. Here's the description for you:
When crisis management ends, what comes next? Library directors are managing a return to “normalcy” after a long cycle of fast-paced change. Approaching business as usual may not result in the same benchmarks of success. This workshop will provide tools and strategies for rebuilding the connections vital to a library’s success. Participants will examine self-management tools, learn approaches to renew relationships with staff and patrons and identify prospective community partners.
Rachel Arndt has worked in public libraries for over a decade in front-line reference, archives, technical services, management, and library administration. As a library consultant, Rachel shares her knowledge and expertise to support the library community. She works from the belief that lifelong learning isn’t just for patrons; a successful practitioner continues to adapt and evolve over their career. Through Rachel Arndt Consulting LLC she delivers holistic and customized professional development to all types of library workers.
In addition to library directors, library managers and supervisors are invited to attend. Please register for the workshop here.
Note: This workshop will be in-person only. Rachel will present an online version on November 29 at 10 a.m.
20 Wisconsin Libraries Pilot Program to Check Out Daily State Park Passes
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) joined the Wisconsin Library Association’s Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the public to kick-off a pilot program to make state park and forest vehicle admission day passes available to 1,000 library card holders at 20 libraries across Wisconsin.
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 1, library card holders can check out a pass from participating libraries. The passes will be valid for free admission for one vehicle at any state park, forest, or recreation area where admission is required. The pilot program runs through March 1, 2023.
Platteville Public Library in Platteville hosted today’s event, which started with remarks from program partners including the DPI's Interim Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of Libraries and Technology Barb Van Haren, along with story time and nature-based activities for toddler/pre-school-aged children followed by a visit from Smokey Bear.
The pilot program, Check Out Wisconsin State Parks at Your Library, is a collaborative effort between the DNR, WAPL, and the DPI. Nicolet Federated Library System and Southwest Wisconsin Library System underwrote the cost of the day passes.
Along with the day pass, the cardholder will receive an informational kit of state park system materials and maps, a Wisconsin Explorer Program book, stickers, accessibility information and more. The goal of the program is to expand access to the Wisconsin state park system to new park visitors. Each of the 20 libraries is receiving 50 day passes available for a one-time use. Libraries were chosen based on economic and social variables.
The DNR plans to continue the program in 2023 based on participant feedback and funding. Each pass includes a survey link so the DNR can gather information about who used the passes and how they enjoyed their park experience. Participants who complete the survey after using the pass will be eligible to win one of ten 2023 annual state park and forest vehicle admission stickers paid for by the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.
Participating libraries are: Argyle Public Library, Beloit Public Library, Deer Park Public Library, Edgerton Public Library, Farnsworth Public Library (Oconto), Franklin Public Library, Grantsburg Public Library, Hales Corners Public Library, Hedberg Public Library (Janesville), Irvin Young Memorial Library (Whitewater), Kenosha Public Library, McMillan Public Library (Wisconsin Rapids), Mercer Public Library, North Shore Public Library (Glendale), Oak Creek Public Library, Platteville Public Library, Sherman & Ruth Weiss Community Library (Hayward), Shorewood Public Library, Wauwatosa Public Library and Winter Public Library.
For information about the Check Out Wisconsin State Parks at Your Library program, please visit the DNR website.
PBS KIDS Community Learning Cohort Call for Applications
Join a network of trained PBS KIDS library ambassadors around the state! The PBS KIDS Community Learning Cohort is an exciting opportunity that blends professional development training, hands-on learning, peer-to-peer connection, and program implementation into one dynamic series! Library staff who participate in the cohort will receive a stipend to cover program costs or staff time. Apply by November 18, 2022. Limited spots available! Why Participate? Learn about high-quality, ready-to-use, educational media from PBS KIDS and gain confidence implementing these resources into your practice. Become trained in media literacy skills, integrating digital media resources into hands-on programming, and building family engagement connections. Make new friends and connections to library staff and communities across Wisconsin. What’s Required? Join us live over seven Zoom workshops to learn, engage in hands-on activities, and connect with peers. You will also be joining a network of trained PBS library ambassadors around the state! Share your thoughts on a shared Facebook group and your feedback on workshops via short surveys! Implement at least one youth-focused program that incorporates PBS KIDS media or resources. Collect data on the impact of your program, such as number of attendees, testimonials and photos. “Planning was made so easy and being able to share ideas and “play” when we met was beneficial. Sharing ideas is a wealth of information, the different point of views and programming ideas was so wonderful. PBS is an amazing resource.” - Previous cohort participant Cohort Schedule Date & Time Activity January 10, 2023 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. via Zoom PBS KIDS Library & Community Learning Cohort Kick-Off January 24, 2023 10 a.m. -1 2 p.m. via Zoom Introduction to Playful Learning with Media February 21, 2023 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. via Zoom Integrating Media Into Your Practice March 21, 2023 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. via Zoom Science Inquiry Practice with Elinor Wonders Why April 18, 2023 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. via Zoom Engineering Design with Ruff Ruffman May 23, 2022 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. via Zoom Informational Text with Molly of Denali June-August 2023 Library Program Implementation With regular updates and pop-up connections via our Facebook group August 22, 2023 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. via Zoom PBS KIDS Community Learning Cohort Celebration Complete this application form by November 18, 2022. This application should be completed by the library staff who will be participating in the cohort. Preference will be given to libraries that have not participated in this cohort program before. We strive to connect with and serve all areas of our state. Rural libraries and libraries that serve a multicultural demographic are encouraged to apply. If there are any accommodations you need to be able to participate, please let us know (e.g. technology, WiFi hotspot, slides ahead of time, captioned presentations, etc.). Library staff who submit an application will be contacted by December 9, 2022. If your library is accepted, your library will be expected to accept or decline your acceptance by December 16, 2022. Please reach out to Mouna Algahaithi, PBS Wisconsin Education’s Early Learning Engagement Specialist at mouna.algahaithi@pbswisconsin.org with any questions