No Tape
New from the MORE Operations Committee: Now that the one media-safe tape option–Scotch Removable Tape–is no longer available for purchase, library staff should stop using tape on library materials. (Link to posters for your library here: no tape poster pdf for print or Canva link.) This appeared in This Week At MORE (TWAM) which comes out weekly. If you don’t get that email and you’d like to, please submit a HelpDesk ticket.
WI State Parks Pass Library Program returns for fifth year
The partnership program is a collaborative effort between the DNR, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and more than 120 libraries across the state to provide library cardholders the opportunity to check out a day pass to state parks, forests and recreation areas.
Check Out Wisconsin State Park At Your Library day passes for the 2026 season are on sale now. Purchases of day passes are limited to libraries. Passes purchased by libraries through this program do not expire; unused passes can be carried over into the next calendar year.
Libraries interested in participating in this program and community partners and organizations interested in supporting their local library’s participation should visit the Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library web page.
Third annual survey report on Intellectual Freedom challenges in Wisconsin libraries
The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) and the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association (WEMTA) conducted an anonymous survey of the Wisconsin library community to gather data about censorship challenges, the feelings/confidence level of library staff in managing those challenges, and feedback on the kinds of resources needed to better prepare library staff to manage challenges.
The survey report is now available. Please feel free to share this information with other colleagues in the Wisconsin library community.
Explore America 250 resources
The DPI has launched a dedicated America 250 webpage featuring classroom-ready resources, lesson ideas, and learning opportunities. This resource highlights a wide range of materials, gathered from trusted partners, and intended to be flexible and adaptable so that educators can select what best aligns with their local curriculum and instructional policies. Although developed for teachers, this might also be useful for librarians.
Ryan Dowd Wants to Know What You Think
In a few months, Ryan Dowd will start completely rebuilding the de-escalation trainings that are available (through the Wisconsin DPI) as part of the Homeless Academy, and you can find it on the IFLS Niche Academy. They are looking for feedback from library directors and staff to help them determine how to make this training better meet library needs. To help shape the next iteration of this training, you can fill out this survey https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/sTBB7U by February 28.
New on the website
- We got a question on the youth services list this week about resources to help kids learn more about and process the current events around ICE and to learn more about immigration and immigration. Leah created a Keeping Up With Kids blog post to pull those resources together.
- February’s Library News from IFLS hit mailboxes this morning.
- The Library Love Story publication that went to Madison has been added to the website, as well as a little social media graphic to help you share your own stories. It’s on the Marketing and Advocacy page. Your library fans sent over 300 love stories, and we’re now up to 377! You can use this tool to collect testimonials all year.
Coming up
Three opportunities to connect
- Monday, February 23, 1-2 pm, WLA’s YSS Midday Mingle: Chat about programming for teens, open to all, members and nonmembers.
- Wednesday, February 25, 2:00-3:00 pm, IFLS/WVLS/NWLS Check-In: Making Summer Easier
- Monday, March 9, 1-2:30 pm, IFLS/WVLS/NWLS Check-In: Making Summer Easier: Teen/Tween and All-Ages Programming
We’d love to see you (YES! YOU!) at one or all of these events! These are not presentations, but a chance to share ideas, questions, and challenges with each other.