Weekly Digest: bubble bags, Tip Jar, grant opportunity, cool stuff and events coming up

From IFLS Staff

(WLA early bird rates until tomorrow, see below.)

Bubble bags, please

Tip Jar

Not sure how to fill out a pink out-of-system courier flag? Check out this example. Questions? Check out the IFLS ILL website page, email ill@ifls.lib.wi.us, or submit a Help Desk ticket!

Compensation Study Q&A links

The recent Q&A session and resources are on the Webinar Quick Links page

Grant: join 5 IFLS libraries and make your library more accessible

Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities has funding for up to 300 libraries to work on community engagement to help make their libraries more accessible. Applications are due December 11. Libraries need to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (for example: autistic children and their families, Deaf and hard of hearing community members, older adults with mobility disabilities), and can receive up $10,000 or $20,000 to support costs related to their community engagement project. Grant recipients also will receive training, resources, and technical and project support. Maybe this sounds like something you could never receive. But five libraries in our system received funding in the first round of this project, including Balsam Lake, D.R. Moon in Stanley, Hammond, Rusk County, and Wilberg Memorial in Osceola. If you have a project you are interested in pursuing, this is a great opportunity! If you want to brainstorm or discuss with someone, please let Leah know.

Cool Stuff

Eclipse

Are you planning for the annular eclipse on October 14, 2023 and the total eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024? IFLS received a shipment of 250 solar eclipse glasses to distribute to libraries. If you are interested in a pack of 25 pairs of glasses, please enter the Solar Eclipse Glasses Lottery by September 24. We will do a drawing on September 25. One entry per library. If you are looking for some cool ideas for programming related to the solar eclipse, be sure to check out StarNet’s Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries.

Badgerlink for youth

BadgerLink created new resource guides especially for public library staff that work with youth. It highlights BadgerLink resources that assist with programming ideas and professional learning. How cool is that?

Statewide

The Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) Inclusive Services Special Interest Group is now accepting nominations through October 31st, for the 2024 leadership position of Chair and Secretary! The time commitment can be as little as a few hours each month. It’s a great way to be an active WLA member, network with colleagues, or add something new to your resume.

To nominate yourself or ask questions, contact current Chair, Mark Jochem (mjochem@scls.info) or Secretary, Shauna Koszegi (skoszegi@swls.org). Requirements are: membership in WLA and a passion for and interest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Not required: previous leadership experience. If you are looking for a way to get more involved statewide, this is a group that will help guide and support you!

Coming up at IFLS and beyond

Conflict Transformation: space available

There are still a couple of spots in both the Rice Lake (9/27) and the Eau Claire (9/28) sessions of The Art of Conflict Transformation Workshop. If you deal with conflict at your library (with patrons, co-workers, supervisors, board members, city officials), this workshop is designed for you! Find out more information about the workshop and register by September 20. We’ll create a waiting list if necessary. If you have any questions, please contact Leah!

WLA Early Bird rate ends tomorrow!

Early Bird Registration for the WLA Annual Conference ends this Friday, September 15! Please forward this information to your system and member library staff and feel free to use any of the messaging below and the attached graphics, we appreciate it!

Don’t Miss the Magic! Early Bird Registration for the 2023 WLA Annual Conference ends on September 15. Secure your spot at a discounted rate today! Register now: https://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/wla-annual-conference

Workforce Development Collaboration Workshop, in-person in Hayward

• Where: The Sherman and Ruth Weiss Community Library (10788 WI-27 #77, Hayward, WI 54843)
• When: Thursday, October 19th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (FREE Lunch included!)
• Registration is open now!, and will close on October 12th (or until we hit capacity). Spots are limited to 40 participants – so register today! More information about the workshop, including how to register, is below:

Workshop Overview: Libraries are asked to do more than ever to help their communities thrive – often by assisting job seekers in gaining meaningful, livable employment. This can take the form of helping library users in job searching, application prep, and other social/employment services – which can be challenging for frontline staff to navigate. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and partners are hosting an in-person workforce development workshop to facilitate collaboration, discuss available resources, and share networking opportunities for library and workforce development staff. Contact Chris Baker (chris.baker@dpi.wi.gov)or Mark Jochem (mjochem@scls.info) if you have questions, or if you need to cancel/edit your registration.

Save the date

Save the date for the 12th Annual Lake Superior Libraries Mid-Winter Unsymposium at the Superior Public Library! Join us on Friday, January 12th, 2024, for an afternoon of networking, discussion, and collaborative learning & problem-solving! Get this date on your calendars!

On the IFLS calendar