Congratulations to grant recipients!
Seven libraries in IFLS-land received grants of either $10,000 or $20,000 from the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant this year! That brings us up to a total of 16 libraries in our system that have received at least one of these grants in the four years it has been in existence (several have received the grant multiple years).
The libraries are going to be working to make connections with the disability community in their area to find out what kinds of services, collections, and resources, and accessibility changes the library can make so that it is easier to use and more relevant to these communities. Kudos to this year’s grant recipients: Stanley, Elmwood (Friends), Hammond, Plum City, Prescott, Ladysmith, and Somerset. We are excited to see what you do!
PLA highlights
- Jennifer Mabie (Hawkins) shared her favorite parts of the PLA conference in the Learning Loop blog. See Jennifer’s takes on How-To Sessions, Audiobook Luncheon, Beyond Storytime, and The Book Buzz.
- Reb picked up information from these organizations:
- Heifer Project International’s
- Better World Books, a free service that takes unwanted books.
In case you missed it
A recent listserve discussion centered around Seed Libraries. Turtle Lake Public Library, Elmwood Public Library, and Plum City Public Library shared how they manage and display their seed libraries.
WLA conference call for proposals: deadline is May 8
The 2026 WLA Annual Conference Call for Proposals is officially open!
This year’s theme is “Rooted in Community,” and we are looking for presenters to share the creative, impactful work happening across our libraries, communities and campuses.
We’re looking for session proposals for presentations, panels, and workshops from all library types and organizations, across departments and roles at every level, and from people of all backgrounds.
Presenting at WLA is a chance to grow professionally, expand your network, and share your work with colleagues across Wisconsin. You’ll build confidence, strengthen your résumé, and spark conversations that help libraries learn from one another. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or trying it for the first time, your experiences can make a meaningful impact on our library community.
Please submit your proposal by 5 p.m. CST on Friday, May 8.
Lake Supierior Libraries Symposium
Registration is open for the 14th Lake Superior Libraries Symposium; Everything is (Not) Fine! Register today!
- Friday, June 5th
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, Minnesota.
- Library staff, administrators, trustees, and students from the Upper Midwest and beyond are invited to attend and participate.
- Register by May 26th to ensure that any dietary requests can be accommodated.
- $70, some scholarships are available.
- Find local accommodations and activities at Visit Cloquet Minnesota.
Have questions? Contact us: http://lakesuperiorlibrariessymposium.com/contact/
The symposium includes:
- a keynote presentation by Dr. Alexis Elder, associate professor and department chair of Philosophy at the University of Minnesota-Duluth
- 18 inspiring presentations that will inspire you to embrace and engage your communities
- Social networking during a catered taco bar lunch
- A Thursday evening pre-conference trivia and social event at the Streetcar Kitchen & Pub (232 Chestnut Avenue) in Carlton, MN at 6 p.m.
Scholarships are available:
- Student Scholarship: Students currently enrolled in a library science program are encouraged to apply for a scholarship to attend the 2026 Lake Superior Libraries Symposium. Apply here.
- Working Professional Scholarship: Individuals who are currently working at a library, museum, or local history institution that would have difficulty paying the registration cost for their employees are encouraged to apply for a scholarship to attend the 2026 Lake Superior Libraries Symposium. Apply here.
The Lake Superior Libraries Symposium is a conference developed by library staff members from Northwestern Wisconsin and Northeastern Minnesota. The Symposium was created to promote resource sharing and communication between organizations and to help librarians develop enhanced professional networks. Our continued operations are thanks to the in-kind and monetary contributions of our supporters.
The Science of Conflict (For Libraries) with Ryan Dowd
May 14, 1-2 pm–30 Minute Training + Q&A Please contact Leah for registration information!
What You’ll Learn:
- How your actions change the brain of someone you talk to.
- How trauma and traumatic brain injury can change the brain’s response to conflict
- The three stages of conflict — and why you’re probably worried about the wrong stage
New on the IFLS calendar
Collaborating for Community Success Series
Public libraries and municipalities can and do collaborate effectively to serve their communities, but sometimes these relationships can be difficult. To help address these challenges and to build positive cooperation, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension’s Local Government Education program are teaming up to provide a series of webinars and other resources to help people on all sides of the equation. We are introducing the first part of the series with these two webinars. Please share with your contacts at the city/county/village/town!
Presenters for both sessions are: Kami Lynch, Municipal Clerk Specialist with UW-Extension and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and Teresa Schmidt, Public Library Administration Consultant, Bureau of Libraries, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Sessions will be recorded and professionally captioned.
Especially for Libraries: Building and Leveraging Your Municipal Relationships, June 11, 2-3 pm Register for Building and Leveraging Your Municipal Relationships webinar
Public libraries in Wisconsin exist within the context of their municipalities. Sometimes this is a seamless collaboration, and at other times there are serious conflicts about roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements. In part one of a series of offerings on the topic of public library and local government relations, we will:
- acknowledge some common pain points between these two entities;
- examine factors that have led to improved and functional relationships between libraries and municipalities;
- celebrate some of the outcomes these relationships have made possible.
Participants will come away with ideas and examples to help do the hard work of relationship development. Specfically designed for library administration and boards. Provides one contact hour for public library director certification.
Especially for Local Governments: Leveraging Library Collaboration, June 18, 2-3 pm Register for Leveraging Library Collaboration webinar
Municipalities involve the work of many departments, including the public library. Sometimes this is a seamless collaboration, and at other times there are serious conflicts about roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements. In part one of a series of offerings on the topic of public library and local government relations, we will:
- acknowledge some common pain points between these two entities
- examine factors that have led to improved and functional relationships between libraries and municipalities
- celebrate some of the outcomes these relationships have made possible.
Participants will come away with ideas and examples to help do the hard work of relationship development. Specifically designed for municipal and county employees and elected officials.
May website trainings scheduled
Website Office Hour trainings can be found on the IFLS calendar and on the LeanWI Website Service training page.