Don’t leave money on the table! Put games there instead.
ALA’s “Game On!” Grant Applications 2026 STILL OPEN! – ALA Games & Gaming Round Table. They are definitely looking for more candidates to apply, so please consider submitting an application if you are interested in jumpstarting a games collection in your library. Find more details about eligibility and criteria, including an evaluation rubric on the Game On! Grant page of the GameRT website. Application deadline is March 15.
Reminder: group supply order is in progress
If you want to participate in the group supply order, now is the time! Complete instructions are in the Feb. 4 email from Sarah. These are the first five steps.
- Download the form. 2026SuppliesOrderForm(1) Please return your order form to Sarah by end of day Friday, February 13th.
- Use Save AS and rename the form xxSupplies2026 where xx is your library’s two letter code.
- Fill out your contact information at top of the form. Library name (and city if not part of the name), library system you belong to, your name, and your email address so I can contact you if there are any questions about your order or notices I need to send out.
- Indicate how many of each item you need in the Quantity column. There is a section for each vendor. There are almost 700 line items on the form; read carefully to select the correct lines.
-
You are welcome to add anything else you want to order from any of these vendors.
Federal updates
IMLS funding increases in 2026
After the threats to federal library funding in the past year, the fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills signed by President Trump on February 3 included an increase in federal funding for libraries. (Well done, all of you that participated in last year’s advocacy campaign!)
According to John, it’s not a huge increase and won’t amount to a lot when spread between all the libraries in the country. At least it’s not a cut or a total dismantling of IMLS. (Note the changes to IMLS grant guidelines.)
Wisconsin library systems will continue to monitor federal funding issues that might impact your library. Read the whole ALA article.
How Trump changed federal grant guidelines for libraries
Jaimie Seaton writes: “The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle. But this time, it has unusually specific criteria. In cover letters accompanying the applications, the institute said it ‘particularly welcomes’ projects that align with President Donald Trump’s vision for America. The solicitation marks a stark departure for the agency, whose guidelines were previously apolitical and focused on merit. Former agency leaders from both political parties, as well as those of library, historical, and museum associations, expressed concern that funded projects could encourage a more constrained or distorted view of American history.”…ProPublica, Feb. 6
State Advocacy: Library Legislative Day
Hooray for IFLS staff and librarians who joined about 200 people this year at Library Legislative Day–a great turnout! There were over 300 stories submitted for the Library Love Stories handout this year. The printed version was so big that we couldn’t staple it! Thanks to everyone who shared and promoted this annual advocacy campaign.
Municipal/Library Relations: share your positive examples
For a project to help public libraries and municipalities work effectively together, we are collecting examples of positive working relationships between municipalities and libraries. If you have had positive projects where the municipality and library support each other, worked successfully to improve a rocky relationship with municipal boards or employees, or have another example of something that is going well in this regard, please contact Leah ([email protected])! You will not be asked to present as part of a webinar or create any information, Leah is currently just looking for a conversation to learn more.
Policy of the Month Club
The Policy of the Month Club is a great way to keep on top of your library’s policies. Each month includes a description and self-audit. This appropriate for staff and trustees. This month’s highlighted policy is about displays and exhibits. Do you want to receive regular updates from Policy of the Month Club? Click here to subscribe.
Katelyn Dubiel is on the team that created the Policy of the Month Cllub, and she’d be happy to field your questions and suggestions.
IFLS resource spotlight
Early Literacy Libraries WIN Programming Kit
Story Kits have a variety of books (10-12), storytelling aids, activity and song ideas, large motor and activity equipment, and more to help with early literacy storytime. The recently revamped Dinosaur Story Kit has 11 picture books, activity dice, a felt/flannel stories, and equipment for a paleontology dig (bones, dino teeth models, and brushes), along with programming ideas.
Magna-Tiles are amazing, tactile, colorful, and great for building flat or in 3D. There are 5 sets of 100, you can check them all out and do a giant build! Or check out one to use with the Lightbox kit to experiment with color mixing!
Looking for something new to use with very young kids? Now you can also use the SEARCH BAR to search for Early Childhood materials!
Need a Lend Items account? Have questions about how it works? Sumit a Help Desk Ticket!
IFLS Professional Collection
The IFLS Professional Collection has some new books in it! We are in the process of evaluating the best way to use our Professional Collection—please stay tuned, but for now take a look at our new books:
- Creating a Person-Centered Library: Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons, by Elizabeth Wahler, the presenter we had this fall at Staff Paloozas and Director Retreat.
- A Trauma-Informed Framework for Supporting Patrons: The PLA Workbook of Best Practices.
- Small Public Library Management by Cindy Fesemyer and Christina Jones (former director of the Altoona Public Library).
Community-building
America@250 Community Conversations Resource
PBS Wisconsin has created some excellent resources to help libraries and other community organizations delve into American history. The America@250 Community Conversation guide and clips from Ken Burns series THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION are available for download at pbswisconsin.org/discuss. That link takes you to sign-up form for downloading all the necessary materials for a Community Conversation.
Hosting a community conversation about the United States may seem pretty daunting right now. PBS Wisconsin also has developed facilitation training sessions to help librarians and other community leaders build their skills and confidence for bringing people together from varying perspectives to talk about freedom, democracy, and other themes on everyone’s mind during the run up to America’s 250th anniversary.
Feel free to pass this information on to community partners (churches, civic clubs, etc). PBS Wisconsin also awarded four grants to agencies in our area, including both the Amery and Augusta Public Libraries (congrats!), as well as the Pioneer Village Museum in Barron County and the Daughters of the American Revolution, Eau Claire chapter.
211: Local Resource Help
Many libraries end up getting questions about local resources that are difficult to answer. This is a reminder that 211 is a free, confidential service that helps people navigate challenges like food insecurity, housing needs, and mental health support. When people do not know where to turn, 211 connects them to trusted health and human services in their community. Trained specialists help individuals and families find support for food, housing, utilities, childcare, and more. Support is available 24 hours a day to everyone in the state! Dial 211, text your zip code to 898211, search the 211 Wisconsin website database, or use the 211 Wisconsin App (available on Google Play and Apple).
One of our local 211 providers, United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys (serving Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties), has put together a 211 Social Media Toolkit to share with community partners to help get the word out about 211. Please share on social media as you see fit! We are looking for more opportunities for collaboration between 211 and libraries, so watch for more information coming in the next several months!
Two CE picks from outside Wisconsin
- From Womb to Words: The Role of Early Brain Development in Supporting Young Children’s Emergent Literacy Skills. Friday, February 27, at 2 p.m. MST. (Free) From storytime to the classroom to everyday moments at home, understanding how young brains grow can make all the difference. This webinar explores the science of early childhood brain development and what it means for nurturing learning and curiosity. Dr. Sabrina Perkins, a psychology professor at Elon University, brings fifteen years of child development research and teaching experience to this exciting session! Register at https://forms.gle/ebo5QcEij1dpAaRq6
- PLA Webinar: Responding to ICE at the Library: Real World Approaches February 24, 1-2 pm (Free for ALA members, intended for all public library staff and trustees) For more info and to register: https://calendar.uwec.edu/event/49151-the-librarians-movie-screening.
IFLS calendar
See the whole calendar at https://iflsweb.org/calendar
Just added
- IFLS/WVLS Adult Services Meet-Up, Mon Mar 23rd 1:00pm – 2:00pm
- Great New Books for Children and Teens with the CCBC (Gilman WI)
Thu Apr 9th 9:30 am – 2:30pm
Coming up