Public Library Association Conference Opportunities

In case you missed the email, don’t forget to check out the variety of ways you could participate in the Public Library Association Conference, being held in Minneapolis this coming April.  You can find out about a bus IFLS is hoping to take (free of charge for riders), exhibits-only passes, and scholarships to attend the full conference at the Learning Loop blog on the IFLS website.

Vendor Info Sessions from MORE

Barnes & Noble information session: recording  and slides.

• Contact information: David Moore
• [email protected]
• 920-934-8467

Libraria information session is here.

• Contact information:
• Linda Peterson
• [email protected]
• 708-803-6000

Jackee’s email today included other attachments.

Article Index Service Interruption and New Name

The Article Index on the website will be unavailable tomorrow while we update it. When it goes live it will have a new name. The most votes go to “IFLS Resource Portal”. We’ll be monitoring the HelpDesk to support you while the resources are unavailable. See last week’s digest for details.

CSLP Store Group Order survey open until 11/14

Shipping costs from the CSLP Store have always been high, and they have gone up again.  We are considering the cost-benefit of offering a group order of merchandise from the CSLP Shop, probably placing an order in mid-December if we do so.  If you were planning to make an order, or if you would like to but have decided the shipping price is too high, please fill in this short form by the morning of Friday 11/14 if someone from your library hasn’t already done so.  We have close to enough interest to make this possible already.

New Data and Resources for Understanding How BadgerLink is Used

In addition to the already robust collection of Stories demonstrating the impact of statewide access to BadgerLink resources, the Statistics page has been updated to include a wealth of new information! Find 2019-2024 statewide usage data, an explanation of reports we receive and what the data means, and step-by-step instructions for libraries interested in obtaining their own usage data.

Services for Strong Communities Survey deadline Dec. 13

The 2025 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey (Public Library Association) is now open. Questions ask about how libraries contribute to sustaining and meeting the needs of their communities with programs, services, partnerships, and facilities. Similar questions were asked on the 2022 Services Survey – the baseline year for this topic – so that we can see how the field has evolved.

All public libraries are invited to participate. Log into your library’s free Benchmark account to complete the survey. One person should submit the survey on behalf of their library – often that’s the library director, administrator, or data coordinator. Libraries that complete this year’s survey will automatically be entered to win one of seven $100 gift cards for Bookshop.org or a free PLA 2026 conference registration with travel stipend for a library staff member. All inquiries and assistance required to access your library’s Benchmark account should be directed to the project team at [email protected].

Survey results will be released next summer. Visit the PLA Surveys and Data page to learn more.

Thank you

A big thank you to EVERYONE for participating in the fall delivery study! Your participation is much appreciated! If you haven’t already, please email your worksheet to Katie at [email protected].

Free Tribal Lands Map

Did you know your library can get a free copy of a beautiful Tribal Lands map from PBS Wisconsin to display in your library? Simply fill out this form and they’ll send you one.  PBS Wisconsin is a great starting place for learning about Wisconsin’s First Nations!

Upcoming Events

Handling Difficult Conversations Like a Champion

A recorded webinar created by REALiving’s Jesseca Erb, Handling Difficult Conversations Like a Champion, will be available until November 25.  It is about 45 minutes long.  You can access the recording here (you’ll need to register with your name and email address): https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/4545665194499684355.   You can find the reflection questions on the Learning Loop blog on the IFLS website.

On the IFLS Calendar