Children’s Services
Summer Library Program Planning Resources
- 2023 WVLS Summer Program Ideas
- Performer Collaborative Booking Spreadsheet: see who is hiring which performers for ideas and cost sharing.
- Summer Library Program Resource Roundup: resources your WVLS peers use to plan their summer programs.
- Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)
- Includes lesson plans, activity handouts, and graphics for each Summer Reading Program.
- Youth Services Information Exchange: Facebook Page
- A place to share programming ideas and support for WVLS member libraries.
- WLA Youth Services Section: AND YSS Blog
- Ideas and information for librarians serving youth.
- Association for Library Service to Children ALSC Blog
- VERY good blog with timely information and nationwide inspiration.
- The Programming Librarian
Storytime & Early Literacy
- Storytime Solidarity: a new resource for books, activities, songs, rhymes, crafts, resources…
- Storytime Katie: Blog
- This blog created by Katie, an Early Literacy Librarian, includes storytime plans with books, props, songs, and reviews on topics. Stumped on a good book or song for a topic? This blog’s for you!
- Jbrary: Blog
- Lindsey and Dana, two children’s librarians created Jbrary as a class project for one of our MLIS courses, and has since grown into a blog and YouTube channel we use to participate in the virtual youth services world.
- Sowing Seeds Librarian: Blog
- Storytime Lesson Plans! Because, why should we all have to write our own week after week when we can share good ideas!
- ALSC Association for Library Service to Children (ALA): Blog
- The ALSC is a section from ALA dedicated you children’s services. Their blog is amazing and provides resources and tips to be used right away and also discussions of larger youth services topics.
- Youth Services Information Exchange: WVLS Facebook Page
- A place to share programming ideas and support for WVLS member libraries. Feel free to share resources, photos, files, etc.
- YSS Youth Services Section, WLA: Resources and YSS BLOG
- The Wisconsin Library Association’s Youth Services Section provides a forum and resource for people in Wisconsin’s libraries who share a commitment to serving children and young adults, their parents, caregivers, and teachers.
- Cooperative Children’s Book Center: Resources
- A unique and vital gathering place for books, ideas, and expertise in the field of children’s and young adult literature.
- Pinterest: Blog/Social Media
- Find songs, activities, crafts and more!
- Storyline Online: Website
- Famous people narrating animated read alouds. Beloved actors who know how to bring stories to life.
- Read Aloud 15 Minutes: awesome ready-to-use images and flyers.
- Saroj Ghoting: Early Childhood Literacy Consultant
- Saroj Ghoting is an Early Childhood Literacy Consultant and national trainer on early literacy. She presents early literacy training and information sessions at national, regional, and state conferences, and training for library staff and their partners. Her website features resources for early literacy research, storytime, handouts and activities, summer reading, videos, and hosts a storytime brainstorming page.
- SurLaLune: Blog
- With a focus on Fairy Tales, this blog includes posts about current events (Banned Books Week), book reviews, and books gathered by topics.
- Every Child Ready to Read – Toolkit for Serving Early Childhood Educators
- This toolkit aims to offer a better understanding of what is means to pattern, train, and facilitate learning with early childhood educators whose students are growing in independence and ability as they approach school entry.
- New York Public Library: Storytime Strategies for Children’s Specialists in Public Library Settings: self-paced module.
Materials Challenges
Questions or concerns? Please call or email Anne Hamland at ahamland@wvls.org 715-261-7255
I will provide personalized information and coaching.
See also refer to these resources:
- “Boost! Challenged Materials: Prepare Now,” Anne Hamland, WVLS.
- Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)
- Steps to take when materials are challenged
- Be Prepared (for a Materials Concern/Challenge)
- Materials Concern Checklist/Tips and Talking Points
- What IF… Library: Frequently Asked Questions and scenarios
Book & Media Lists
- Starred Reviews, in your Youth Services emails, from WVLS & IFLS collaboration
- ALA Book, Print & Media Awards
- ALA: Coretta Scott King, John Steptoe Awards
- Kirkus Starred Titles: Children’s
- ALSC Awards, Children’s Notable Lists, Professional Awards
- Newbery, Caldecott, Sibert, Wilder, Carnegie, Batchelder, Belpre, Geisel, and Odyssey awards and the May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture.
- Exemplary books, videos, recordings, and computer software for children.
- Notable Children’s Recording List – Audiobooks!
- Audiobook Lists
- Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)
- WLA Literary Awards
Associations and Blogs
- YSS Youth Services Section, WLA: Resources and YSS BLOG
- The Wisconsin Library Association’s Youth Services Section provides a forum and resource for people in Wisconsin’s libraries who share a commitment to serving children and young adults, their parents, caregivers, and teachers. Adding this section to your WLA membership is FREE.
- Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), an ALA division.
- School Library Journal
- Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies(ASCLA), an ALA division.
- Public Library Association: Early Literacy
- American Library Association:
Graphic Novels & Manga
- Graphic Novel Recommendations for Kids and Teens, Steph Cherrywell, Antio PL, 2020
- A Super-fast History of Manga in the US and Purchasing Suggestions, Steph Cherrywell, Antigo PL, 2018
- Yearly Great Graphic Novels List from YALSA (teen)
- CommonSense Media - Best of Graphic Novels for Kids
- 12 Essential Nonfiction Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens - School Library Journal 2020
Homeschool Resources
- Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction – Home-Based Private Education Program (Homeschooling) Information
- FAQs, statistics, Kindergarten Attendance…
- Wisconsin Parents Association
- Wisconsin Christian Home Educators Association
- Wisconsin Homeschool Group: A2Z Homes Cool
2020 School Libraries Panel
"Realities of and Relationships with School Librarians: A Panel"
Three public school librarians will gave a brief tour of their space(s) and described the realities of working in public school libraries: duties, schedules, challenges and accomplishments.
- Anna Julson (Bridges Virtual Academy, Merrill) slides
- Michele Green (Greenwood) slides
- Paula Norman (Tomahawk) slides
- What Kind of Collaborator Are You? see the full details on the WI Libraries for Everyone Blog
What Kind Of Collaborator Are You?
What Kind Of Collaborator Are You? Call or email Anne Hamland ahamland@wvls.org or 715-492-2114
- Do you communicate regularly with your K-12 librarians? Call your school offices and ask to introduce yourself.
- Do you support K-12 librarians and teachers during the school year?
- Do you have a list of K-12 Teacher emails that you could use for announcements and feedback?
- Do you send Summer Reading Program information to K-12 librarians well in advance (February)?
- Do you set up a library booth at parent teacher conferences or open houses?
Youth Services Workshops
2020 School Librarian Panel Virtual Workshop
“Realities of and Relationships with School Librarians: A Panel”
Three public school librarians will gave a brief tour of their space(s) and described the realities of working in public school libraries: duties, schedules, challenges and accomplishments.
Anna Julson (Bridges Virtual Academy, Merrill) slides
Michele Green (Greenwood) slides
Paula Norman (Tomahawk) slides
What Kind of Collaborator Are You? see the full details on the WI Libraries for Everyone Blog
2019 SuperStorytimes Workshop
- 2019 Annual Youth Services Workshop- Super Storytimes
- PICTURES! Rib Lake, Tomahawk, MCPL, Rhinelander, LE Phillips/Eau Claire
- Music and Movement in Storytime from Jerissa Koenig
- Sensory Friendly Storytime Handout
- Storytimes with Steam from Krista Blomberg
- IFLS Storytime Kits book these for a ready-to-use storytime (songs, cds, books, puppets, props, activities all included)
2019 Madison Public Library - The Bubbler
- Workshop - The Bubbler Makes Over WVLS
- Bubbler Slides
- Bubbler Resources Page
- Make a Zine! need 8.5x11 lettersized paper or 11x17 works too
- PICTURES! with Artist Bird Ross get creative with fabric and paper for intentional, experiential learning in the library!
2018 Youth Services Workshop: TEENS in the Library
2018 STEAM in Youth Services Workshop
Attendees learned how to create high-interest STEAM programs on a low-to-no budget, tackle local STEAM grant writing, test out virtual/augmented reality, the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten App, passive coding activities, AND tried an Hour of Code!
Emily Zorea, Youth Services Librarian of the Brewer Public Library in Richland Center, kick-offed the day with “Engaging Families, Youth, and Teens around STEAM and Thematic Programming.” Julie Kinney, Teen Librarian for Marathon County Public Library, and Tammie Blomberg, Director of the Rib Lake Public Library, led the group through the Hour of Code and talked about bringing coding concepts to teen and adult library users.
Find more from Emily at her Sowing Seeds Librarian blog.
Attendees participated in passive coding activities and left with inspiration and coding lesson plans in hand! Activities and lesson plans courtesy of Linda Liukas, author of the Hello Ruby book series. The Hello Ruby series written for children is a “whimsical way to learn about technology, computing and coding.”
Inclusive Services Resources
If you are looking for information on Inclusive Services, check out the page dedicated to it on our website.
What does it mean to be inclusive? Wisconsin public libraries are places where everyone should be safe, welcomed, and respected in experiences such as arrivals in our buildings, getting library cards, using a computer and paying fines.
Summer Program Templates & Tools
All Together Now!
Use these images and templates as you wish. Facebook banners, social media posts, you name it!
Major thanks goes to the Wisconsin Department of Instruction for a statewide membership to the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). Find the complete manual on the CSLP website.
Beanstack Resource!
Check out this wonderful instruction handout for Beanstack for library users courtesy of the Demmer (Three Lakes) Youth Services Team!
Notice librarians can manually enter participation for users!
WVLS StoryWalk® Library
All of the information you need for a successful experience is in there AND names of experienced librarians throughout WVLS libraries too!
Twenty librarians from WVLS, IFLS, and NWLS serving youth contributed ideas and resources to the WVLS StoryWalk® Library via a WVLS youth services meeting on December 15, 2020.
New spaces!
Watch as Krista Blomberg (Rib Lake Public Library) and Annette Miller (Tomahawk Public Library) present their newly remodeled youth spaces.
These projects were made possible by the WVLS Innovation and Collaboration Literacy Grant.
Wisconsin Valley Library Service
300 N 1st Street
Wausau, WI 54403
715-261-7250