Lead the Way scholarship available

This just in:  The UW Madison iSchool’s Continuing Education department is offering one free registration for a library employee within each WI Library system for their all-virtual Lead the Way one-day symposium on April 20. This event focuses on library community engagement.  They are hoping to reach people who would not normally be able to attend an event like this due to funding constraints.

If you are interested in this free registration:

1. Send Leah an email by April 8
2. Include your name, your position, and your email address
3. If you are not the director at your library, please copy your director
4. Include 2 sentences with the reason you want to attend.  Be a little specific if possible.
5. I will contact applicants by April 13 with results, and will submit your name to the iSchool, the iSchool will then be in contact with you.

Changes: WISCAT’s Request Manager Interface

(from Ceceilai) WISCAT’s Request Manager interface will be undergoing a significant update next Tuesday, March 31. If you use WISCAT at your library and haven’t had a chance to review the webinar recording/slides, please do so in the next week before the changes take effect.

• Video recording
• PowerPoint slide deck (downloads PDF)

IMPORTANT: In addition to the recording/slides, Katie and Cecelia would like to call your attention to one particular new feature – the toggle display options between “All” and “Active” and “Unreviewed Notes”. As indicated in the slide screenshot below, please note that this new option will be “sticky” and will persist between sessions (there are no default settings here, so whatever setting you choose will still be there the next time you log in).

IFLS strongly recommends keeping your Request Manager display at either “All” or “Active” so you’re seeing all your requests and not missing anything in your Request Manager. If you do toggle to “Unreviewed Notes,” be sure to change it back to “All” or “Active” before logging out.

Other than that, we anticipate that this update will help improve the organization and management of requests in your WISCAT Request Manager. As always, Katie and Cecelia are available for any questions – just submit a Help Desk ticket!

Free Play Kits

Apply here by 3/31: https://forms.gle/e8M6SY4qcgey6QWF8 

Want to bring more play into your library this May? MESH Helps is inviting libraries to apply to receive free play kits for Mental Health Awareness Month – including games, puzzles, and activities designed to help kids build confidence, connection, and resilience. Up to 300 libraries selected by MESH Helps will receive, at no cost.

• A Play for Resilience digital toolkit with MESH resources
• A shipment of MESH-Accredited toys and/or games for display or programming
• Access to a live webinar to support implementation

No heavy lift required – just plug into what you’re already doing (storytime, displays, family programs, and more). Product shipments will be sent mid-April and will include items designed for ages 3-12, such as puzzles, board games, logic games, construction toys, and other play products that support resilience-building skills. Specific products and age ranges will be determined by MESH Helps. 

Summer reading resources

•  Britannica Education is offering free Britannica bookmarks and stickers for this year’s summer reading program. One side of each bookmark is in color, and the other is black and white- prime for kids and adults alike to personalize. Fill out this Google form by Tuesday, March 31^st to receive yours delivered via mail right to your library. Don’t delay, act now if you want free summer reading bookmarks and stickers from Britannica Education, a BadgerLink content provider.
• You can still access their downloadable activity kit any time, to print off activities sheets, graphic organizers, and certificates yourself, as well as get bonus Britannica School and Britannica Library links, reading recommendations for all ages, and social media graphics to share online.
• The BadgerLink Bulletin highlighted summer reading resources,  including lists, programming ideas, and various activities from TeachingBooks.

New on the website

Calendar Highlights

Registration closes on March 29 for CCBC in-person event in Gilman

CCBC Librarians Merri Lindgren and Tessa Michaelson Schmidt will discuss this year’s best books for ages birth to 18! Highlighted books will be available for hands-on book examination during lunch. This free event is open to library professionals and educators. Please invite your early childhood and school colleagues! Complete info on the IFLS calendar

Before, During, and After the PLA conference

• Specifically for attendees and scholarship recipients, these virtual sessions will give you the tools to successfully navigate this national conference. Two sessions: Thursday, 3/26, 1:30-2:30 pm REGISTER:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Gg_sMTTpQWS1cBm9NfGIKQ  and  Monday, 3/30, 1:30-2:30 pm (it might not last that long)  REGISTER: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6-YDSkBEQv21A5C_bwRjDw

• PLA in-person Meet-Ups: Attending PLA to get a broader view, but also wanting to connect with folks from IFLS-land?  Mark your calendar for one or both of these informal meet-ups with other folks from IFLS-land on Thursday, April 2 in the Member Lounge in the Exhibit Hall. Times:  9:30 am and 3:15 pm.

• If you attended the PLA Conference, or maybe even if you didn’t, you are invited to join us to share about/learn about some key takeaways and exciting things learned at the conference. No formal presentations, just some conversation-starters to find out what others got out of the experience, share stories, and maybe find accountability partners to help you move forward with some of your ideas! Register

Coming up on the IFLS calendar