Program Handouts & Information -- Continuing Education -- South Central Library System

Summer Library Program 2025 and Early Literacy

Originally presented on January 17, 2025, with Shawn Brommer presenting.

Shawn Brommer will present practical program ideas that encourage toddlers and preschoolers to engage in early literacy activities during next year's Summer Library Program. Shawn will discuss the highlights of a 6-week program outline and will draw attention to book lists, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, activities, crafts, early literacy connections, and messages for parents that support the 2025 summer theme, Color Our World. A .pdf of the outline will be available online and will be sent to all registrants.

Handout

Slides

CE Activity Report

Recording

Annual Report Webinar

Originally presented on January 10, 2025, with Tracie Miller, Public Library Administration Consultant, presenting.

This session on filing the Wisconsin Public Library Annual Report online is designed especially for new directors or others completing the report for the first (or nearly first) time or anyone who has recently experienced questions or problems with the report. However, anyone working on the state annual report should find it a helpful review and is welcome to attend. 

Slides

CE Activity Report

Recording

 

WPLC Data Dashboard Pilot Project

This webinar, originally presented on December 10, 2024, will feature Kim Kiesewetter, Data Analyst and Consultant for WiLS, exploring the dashboard's functionality and answering your questions.

In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and WiLS, the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) is conducting a statewide pilot of a public library data dashboard. From September 3-December 31, 2024, all public library and system staff will have barrier-free access to a Wisconsin-specific dashboard composed of public library service data. The dashboard includes select items from the Annual Report in a visualized format that allows for both individual library data to be displayed, as well as peer comparisons and strategies for benchmarking library data. During the pilot period, the dashboard will be available on the WPLC website on an unlisted webpage at: https://wplc.info/dashboard.

Recording

 

Readers' Advisory Workshop with Becky Spratford

Presented on Wednesday, October 16, 2024

RA for All: Flip the Script and Think Like a Reader

Readers Advisory belongs in every library, no matter its budget. The implementation of this vital service is the responsibility of every staff member -- from pages to directors, from those behind the scenes to the ones on the front lines. This program will remove the mystery behind providing great RA service. Using her "Ten Rules of Basic RA Service" as a guide, Becky Spratford will use your own love of your favorite books to show you how to help any patron find their next great read. It's not as hard as you think. But more importantly, you will learn why a staff that can harness the power of sharing a great read will become a stronger team and improve service to all patrons, especially the hardest to reach ones.

Slides (PDF version)

Booktalk Your Way to the Friendliest Library in Town

Booktalking is at the heart of what we do with patrons each and every day at the public library. Whether we are sharing books informally at the service desk, presenting a prepared list of books, putting together displays, or posting information online, talking about books is something we do each and every day. It is a core service, but it is also hard to teach. Booktalking is more of an art than a skill, but with the right guidance and some practice, it can go a long way toward engaging your patrons and re-energizing your staff, especially when you consider all of the non-book items in your collections that you can "talk" as well. Join experienced Readers' Advisor Becky Spratford as she shares the secret behind delivering great book talks and gives you tips and tricks you can begin using right away to hone your own skills. Rediscover the power and joy that comes from sharing the joy of a good read.

Slides (PDF version)

Demystifying Genre

Nothing is scarier than trying to help a fan of a genre you yourself don't enjoy. You want to help that, for example, Romance reader, find the perfect book, but you are having trouble knowing where to begin because ...eeek!... you don't read Romance. you are afraid they will find out you are a fraud. How can YOU possibly help THEM?!? Never fear, in this program, Readers' Advisory Expert, Becky Spratford, will teach you the basic appeals of the major genres, give you the inside track on what a fan of that genre is most drawn to, and provide you with talking points to get your genre readers to tell you what they want. This program focuses on providing you with a diverse and inclusive list of up-to-date authors; only authors will be discussed. You will leave this session with the confidence and skill to help fans of every genre, regardless of whether or not you have ever read a book in that genre yourself. And that will leave a rail of happy patrons in your wake

Slides (PDF version)

Handouts

• Vocabulary of Appeal
• Conversation Starters to Displays
• Speed Reading
• Staff Reader Profile

CE Activity Report

Early Literacy & Every Child Ready to Read Refresher

Originally presented on Friday, September 13, 2024.

The Every Child Ready to Read initiative empowers caregivers to support their early learners' growth in the areas of reading, writing, talking, singing and playing. Through this research-based workshop, library staff will explore each of the five early literacy practices to confidently educate caregivers in their community on ways to nurture these essential pre-reading skills at home. 

Presenter: Noraliz Orengo, Outreach Specialist, Orange County Library System (FL)

Resource Links

• Every Child Ready to Read
• Tips for Parents & Caregivers
• What Can I Say (Saroj Ghoting)
• Art of the Picture Book (Madison Public Library)
• Novel Effect
• Chatlog (includes titles shared)

Slides

Handout

CE Activity Report

Recording

Ready for Reentry

Presented on August 13, 2024, by Rhonda Davis and Jonathon Ferguson (UW-Extension); Jessie Lutter-Long for Erica Nelson (LIFT Wisconsin); and Cawley Hubner (Wisconsin Department of Corrections)

Individuals reentering the community from jail or prison may come to your library facing many unique challenges that impact their ability to make a smooth and effective transition into society. Learn about online resources and programs you can point to that can help them navigate the reentry journey in areas that impact them the most: housing, employment, education, healthcare, and legal barriers. Helping them access these tools is an initial step in helping these individuals rebuild their lives.
During this webinar, participants will become familiar with these resources:

• Reentry Ready Resources
  
  Presenters: Ronda Davis, Todd Wenzel, and Jonathon Ferguson (UW-Extension)
  UW-Extension developed a site that provides a Reentry Action Plan and links to resources for assistance in housing, Identification, work, legal questions, tax and voting, income and benefits, expenses, healthcare and insurance, and more.
  
  
• Legal Tune-up Tool

Presenter: Erica Nelson (Lift Wisconsin)
Free legal assistance can be just a click away to help people who face civil legal barriers to economic prosperity for themselves and their families. Common areas include consumer debt help, child support, suspended driver’s licenses, and more.

• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
  
  Presenter: Cawley Hubner (Wisconsin Department of Corrections)
  WRAP provides a database of community-based providers offering reentry services and improves access to information and communication between all reentry stakeholders to assist successful reentry and reduce recidivism for clients returning to their communities.

This webinar is provided with support from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Library Workforce Connection, Wisconsin Public Library Systems, and the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin.

Recording

Slides, Handouts, and CE Activity Report

Public Records & Library Policies

Presented on July 18, 2024, with Shannon Schultz and Tracie Miller presenting.

In part one of the workshop, Shannon will discuss why we have to keep records, who is responsible for them, what constitutes a record, and how to respond to record requests. She will then demonstrate how to find retention requirements in the various records retention schedules and teach you how to find them yourself. Shannon will conclude the workshop by providing tips for organization and storage of records, and provide a list of helpful resources and important contacts.

In the second part of the workshop, Tracie and Shannon will discuss why libraries need policies and the value of formulating clear policies for the library to establish and set standards that ensure equity and safety for both staff and patrons.

• Shannon's Slides
• Tracie's Slides
  • Sherwood Public Library Behavior Policy
  • Omaha Public Library Social Media Policy
  • North Liberty Room Policy, page 1; page 2 
• Policy & Process Review Through an Equity Lens Tool
• CE Activity Report

 

Great New Books for Older Children & Teens, Grades 6 - 12

Originally presented on April 17, 2024, with CCBC Librarians Merri Lindgren, Megan Schliesman, and Madeline Tyner presenting.

Join CCBC librarians as they highlight some of the books in CCBC Choices 2024, the most recent edition of the library's annual best-of-the-year list, for older children and teens in grades 6-12. 

CCBC Choices 2024

CE Activity Report

Recording

Great New Books for Children, Birth - Grade 5

Originally presented on March 20, 2024, with CCBC Librarians Merri Lindgren, Madeline Tyner, and Tessa Michaelson Schmidt presenting.

Join CCBC librarians as they highlight some of the books in CCBC Choices 2024, the most recent edition of the library's annual best-of-the-year list, for children from birth through grade 5.

CCBC Choices 2024

CE Activity Report

Recording

Annual Report Webinar

Originally presented on January 12, 2024, with Tracie Miller presenting.

This session on filing the Wisconsin Public Library Annual Report online is designed especially for new directors or others completing the report for the first (or nearly first) time, or for anyone who has recently experienced questions or problems with the report. However, anyone who is working on the state annual report should find it a helpful review and is welcome to attend. 

Slides

CE Activity Report

Recording