New Programming Kits
IFLS cooperates with Wisconsin Valley Library Service and Northern Waters Library Service to provide programming kits for libraries to borrow and use with all ages. These kits are cataloged, circulated and checked out on a system called Lend Items, not MORE. Complete instructions on how to get a Lend Items account (required to check out kits) and use the Lend Items system are now in the Resource Portal.
NEW kits in Lend Items
- The two newest additions to the collection of Puzzle Competition Kits are donations from the Park Falls Public Library. Both are 300 piece puzzles: Jingle Bell Teddy & Friends and Picnic Raiders.
- A Dig It kit will allow you to host a paleontology dig, with models of bones and a dinosaur tooth and claw, sifting pans and brushes, puzzles of fossils and dino skeletons, and more. Perfect for the summer theme, but super fun all year round. Just add your own bins and sand (or other material to bury things in).
Other kits to explore: button-makers (with supplies), a pancake art kit, paper-making and print-making kits, karaoke kits, Arduino kits, building blocks, obstacle courses for kids, and SO MUCH MORE!
Adult Services Check-in
Don’t forget to mark your calendars and register for the next adult services check-in on March 23rd at 1:30 pm! This month we’ll gather for an open, supportive discussion about what to do when programs don’t go as planned. We’ll commiserate and share real-life experiences and practical strategies for handling challenges like no-show presenters, weather disruptions, low attendance, or last-minute changes. Come exchange ideas, learn from one another, and build a toolkit of backup plans that help programs succeed even on unpredictable days.
- Here is the registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/chPQDS0MR6iGDm0mjcqVJg
- Here is a link to our 2026 Running Agenda (notes will be added): 2026_Adult Services Check-In_Running Agenda.docx
- AND here is a link to the event on the IFLS Calendar: https://tockify.com/iflsevents/detail/1007/1774288800000
The Adult Services Check-In’s are a joint venture between IFLS and WVLS Libraries, learn from your colleagues and system neighbors!
The PLA bus is full!
The bus that IFLS is taking to the PLA Conference in Minneapolis on April 2 is now full. If you are interested in being on the waiting list you please use the form: IFLS PLA Coach Bus registration form – Fill out form.
Let Leah know if you have any questions! If you have not received a confirmation from Leah but think you registered, contact her. She has sent confirmations to everyone who has registered.
Dyslexia-friendly books and resources shared
From a recent list-serve conversation:
- The Libby App does offer a dyslexic font for many books available in the digital collection, including children’s titles. The only exception would be titles that have a “fixed layout” such as graphic novels or other image-based content. There’s a brief mention of this on the Libby Help website: https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/6148.htm
- The “Airi Sano, Prankmaster General” books are about a girl with dyslexia, and Laura (SCFPL) believes they are printed in a dyslexia-friendly font.
- The author Elaine Heney elaineheneybooks.com/ seem to have some elementary chapter books that are offered in dyslexia-friendly font too.
- Last year an IFLS webinar had lists in the final slides of the slide deck of decodable books they recommend for children and teens with dyslexia:.
- That webinar’s presenters also highly recommended Vox or Wonder Books. Pairing audio and books is an excellent tool.
- Baldwin has a large collection of decodable readers and hi-lo readers for a wide range of ages that may be of interest.
- Other resources from the Association for Library Service to Children:2024 blog post: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2024/09/libraries-supporting-students-with-dyslexia-alsc2024/
- 2021 Toolkit: Serving Children with Print Disabilities: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2021/04/children-with-print-disabilities/
Please make sure to communicate that the font is only a bit of an assist, not a cure! https://www.edutopia.org/article/do-dyslexia-fonts-actually-work. Watch for a blog post from Leah.
WiLS Community Survey ‘26
WiLS is seeking your feedback and insights on their services, approach to their work, and what they should do in the future to better meet your needs in the WiLS 2026 Community Survey.
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you will have the opportunity to enter your contact information for the chance to win free donuts and coffee for your office! The survey will close on April 3rd, 2026. Take the survey.
If you have any questions about this survey, contact WiLS at [email protected].
Generally interesting
- Play Make Learn REMINDER, proposals for programs due this Friday. The theme of this year’s Play Make Learn conference in Madison (July 9-10) is Scrappiness. They are looking for proposals for programs of a variety of formats. There are a million, billion cool ideas out there in IFLS-land that lean into playfulness and scrappiness! The word from others who have attended this conference is that it is exciting, inspiring, and engaging. And fun! It brings together all kinds of people, from teachers and librarians to researchers, artists, and game developers.
- Great Lakes, Great Read 2026 selections announced. This year features three titles—one for adults, one for young adults, and one for children—each offering a unique opportunity to explore and learn about the Great Lakes watershed. The program will run a virtual webinar with each of the authors during the year and other programs are being considered. The webinar schedule will be announced soon, and additional materials will be added to the Great Lakes, Great Read website. Please check back often: https://greatlakesgreatread.org/
- Applications are Open for Freedom to Read Foundation Programming Grants. Grants of $1,000 support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during the annual Banned Books Week, October 4-10, 2026. Apply through April 6.
- Spring/Summer ALA Editions catalog released. From digital literacy and intellectual freedom to AI governance and community care, the professional development resources spotlighted in the Spring/Summer 2026 ALA Editions catalog will help equip library workers in all settings.