Why join Policy of the Month Club?
You know that at their best library policies are living documents that are regularly reviewed and updated. Where to start?
Enter Policy of the Month Club! It was created to offer busy directors and other library policy writers an accessible framework and consistent schedule to easily create and revise policies.
Each month will focus on a different policy topic and the leaders of the group will share background information, tips for reviewing and revising your library’s policy, and a platform to share and discuss policy examples.
How to join: click this link, create a password and confirm. Policy of the Month Club is auto-filled on the subscriber list. You can find the new Policy Audit, past e-blasts and lots of other support at the WiseLearn resource portal. You can do this, one step at a time!
Policy of the Month Club is a collaboration between Wisconsin Library Systems and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Statewide Postcard Advocacy Campaign: send any complete postcards now!
Because the budget schedule is going so quickly, we’ll be doing two mailings of the “We The People READ” postcards. Reb will be sending postcards to MCFLS on June 18 courier to make sure they get there in time.
We’ll do a second round as scheduled in mid-July. You are encouraged to continue to collect postcards until then.
Reb is out of postcards, and will be ordering some more. Please make an educated guess about how many you’ll need and let her know by tomorrow morning with this two-question form.
Check your Explore MORE supplies
Do you need more stickers or passports? Submit a HelpDesk ticket, and Reb will send more through courier.
Data Dashboard: chime in while you still can
The WPLC has sponsored a data dashboard pilot across the state with support from DPI which will be ending on June 30th, 2025. 2024 Annual Report data has been integrated now as an added incentive to check it out! All library staff are encouraged to utilize this free tool. The dashboard includes over 35 data points from the Annual Report, as well as some customized calculations. All public library service data (as reported to DPI) from 2015-2024 is available in a visualized format that allows for peer library comparisons. In addition, the dashboard offers cohort options based on library locale and resident population size for optional benchmarking options when examining library data. You can access the dashboard on the WPLC website at: https://wplc.info/dashboard. No login credentials are needed.
Once you’ve had the chance to play around with the tool, please take 10 minutes to complete the Feedback Survey. This survey data is being included in a final project report back to the WPLC and will help inform next steps for the future of resources such as this dashboard in the state… and we want to make sure your opinions are heard and considered!
Please reach out to Kim at kim@wils.org with any questions.
LMCC25 Scholarship Application
Book Repair Workshop openings: response needed
Kristin Rosenberg, the CESA 10 Librarian Consultant, is looking into hosting a Demco Book Doctor Workshop at the CESA 10 building in Chippewa Falls for regional school and public librarians. She anticipates having room for 20-25 public library workers attend as well. Kristin requests that you reach out to her if anyone from your library would be interested in attending a workshop like this. To help her with planning, she’d like to know:
- How many staff members would like to attend
- If you have a preference between fall 2025 and spring 2026
You can reach Kristin at krosenberg@cesa10.org.
Don’t Miss These
The Lifecycle of a Library Employee: Part 2 with Kathy Parker
Tuesday, June 17 at 1:00-2:30pm, Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ciSrEOWEQhKTUmFifzMtzQ
Join us for the second session of the HR Essentials for Library Leaders series with expert Kathy Parker. We will discuss the retention of an employee through training and holding them accountable for their work product. Key Topics Include:
- Performance Improvement Plans (PIP)
- Separation of the employee from the organization, whether voluntary or involuntary
- We will conclude the session with basic HR legal terms to know.
Attendees will receive the following resources: evaluation template, sample PIP, offboarding checklist, succession plan, termination script and termination checklist. This webinar will provide 1.5 contact hours for library director certification. It will be recorded and captioned, and available on the HR for Wisconsin Library Leaders website, along with many other great resources.
Note: this webinar is produced by Wisconsin Public Library Systems, with support from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction with funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
Save these dates!
You won’t want to miss the opportunity to come together and learn from each other and from Beth Wahler, host of Surviving the Stacks at one of the following opportunities. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend this full-day experience (lunch provided). Watch for more information and registration.
- Library Staff Palooza, October 22 at Camp Wapogasset near Amery (for anyone who is not a director)
- Library Staff Palooza, October 23 at Beaver Creek Reserve near Eau Claire/Fall Creek (for anyone who is not a director)
- Library Director Retreat, October 24 at Beaver Creek Reserve near Eau Claire/Fall Creek (for library directors)
Recently added to the calendar
- Trustee Training Week, August 18-25, 2025. Registration is now open! Lisa in Menomonie asked for a printable version, so here’s a Trustee Training Week printable pdf, or use this Canva template.
- Staff Paloozas and Directors Retreat
- Plain Connection: Outreach to Amish and Mennonite Communities, 1:00 PM, Tue Aug 26, 2025
On the IFLS calendar