There’s a lot of content, so I’m breaking the Digest into two installments this week. Watch for the second installment on Thursday.

Exciting news from the WPLC Data Dashboard

The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) has funded continued access to the WPLC Data Dashboard that was first piloted in 2024. The dashboard was recently updated with the preliminary version of the 2025 Wisconsin Public Library Service data! In addition, 2025 population and locale cohorts are available now, as well as new benchmarking pages for easier peer comparisons. For any questions about the dashboard, feel free to reach out to Kim at [email protected].

The WPLC also just released a Data Use Toolkit, which can be accessed on their website. This toolkit is designed to help people working in public libraries to gain a better understand of communities, and to demonstrate their library’s impact.

Policy of the Month Club

This month was all about Meeting Room policy. Each month’s communication includes a summary of the issues and considerations of the policy area, a step-by-step self-audit, sample policies, related issues, and additional resources. In June, our Policy of the Month club will focus on social media. Would you like regular updates and guidance about policies? Click here to subscribe to the Policy of the Month Club.

Staff reflections on the PLA conference

Read the insights and impressions of IFLS-area staff that attended the PLA conference. This is the last installment of PLA conference reflections. You can see them all on the Learning Loop blog on the IFLS website.

• Laura Turpin, St. Croix Falls Public Library, on connecting with youth, communicating inclusivity, and defending intellectual freedom.
• Leann French, G.E. Anderson Village Library in Dresser, on inspiration to collaborate, hopeful Ingram news, and more.
• Tracey Sorenson, Menomonie Public Library, on empowerment and hope, alternatives to personality tests, sensory museum.

Trio of Summer Library Program announcements

Collaborative Summer Reading Program (CSLP) Vendor and Artwork Surveys

The CSLP Vendor and Artwork committees are currently accepting feedback for the 2028 theme/slogan. The theme is Mythical Creatures, and the slogan is Libraries Are Legendary. As they start work on creating artwork/selecting products for 2028, they are asking member libraries for feedback. This survey is open through June 7, and would love for anyone in your library who has anything to do with summer to give their opinion! That includes youth and adult library staff, marketing folks, purchasing decision-makers, etc. Any and all feedback is welcome! Fill out the survey

Unearthing a Story with PBS Wisconsin

Check out these Summer Reading Program Resources from our friends at PBS Wisconsin. Boost your 2026 summer reading program with playful hands-on learning and media resources about dinosaurs, paleontology, earth science, insects, and interesting stories from the past— including local history from right here in Wisconsin!

Summer Reading Lists

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), recently released its 2026 Summer Reading Lists, filled with engaging book titles and recommended digital media options to keep children reading and exploring all summer long.

Titles are geared to kids from birth through 8th grade and are free to download from the ALSC website. There’s something for every reader, with content covering a wide array of genres, topics, and interests. The Summer Reading Lists were compiled and annotated by ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee.

Highlights and new on the website

• Reminder to register for the Adult Services Check-In, coming up this Wednesday at 1:30 pm!  LINK to Register for the Meeting, and the ​​LINK to the Running Agenda & Previous Meeting Notes​.
• In-person LX Starter work day in New Richmond. Join IFLS Library System staff for an LX Starter Drop-in Office Hours session at the New Richmond Community Library. This is a focused, hands-on work time where you can set up your library’s email notices alongside colleagues from other libraries—with real-time guidance and demonstrations available whenever you need them. Think of it as structured project time with built-in support.All the details are on the LX Starter calendar listing.
• New! Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Collection Development. This page provides IFLS recommendations for AI materials including definitions, identification, policies, and procedures. And if you missed it, here are the recording and slides from Cecelia’s recent presentation on the same topic.

Explore MORE questions, answers, updates

• Due to requests, the staff passport program will last until the end of September. Want to participate? Grab a passport and write “staff” in big, friendly letters under your name on the front. Remind people at other libraries that you’re a staff participant, expecially when requesting an entry form. There is a specific staff entry form.
• The public-facing Explore MORE page is live!
• Go to the Toolkit page to view the short intro video with some excellent suggestions from library staff. Also updated on that page: print staff entry forms.
• Questions? Contact Reb at [email protected].

Navigating newspapers on BadgerLink

Looking for a quick way to access online newspapers? Check out this handy newspaper guide from Badgerlink, which includes links to newspaper databases and a comprehensive list of available titles and date ranges.

Free Nalox-ZONE box for your library

Libraries across Wisconsin can request a FREE Nalox-ZONE box from Wisconsin Voices for Recovery, which allows community members to access a life-saving temporary opioid overdose reversal medication. 600 have already been installed across 60 counties in Wisconsin. There are a few hundred more to distribute.

• • More info about the program and naloxone:  https://wisconsinvoicesforrecovery.org/naloxzone/
  • Request a free Nalox-ZONE box:  https://redcap.wisc.edu/surveys/?s=4MDPMEKD8M9PRA3M
  • Email with questions or to get a list of libraries that will share their experience:  [email protected]