Here’s an update on few resources and upcoming events for youth services folks.

• This YSS blog post sums up some excellent upcoming resources related to Pollinator Month, coming up in June.
• Our upcoming Youth Services Check-In is on Thursday, April 7, 2-3 pm.  We’ll be talking about Early Childhood/Early Literacy Programs and Services, including what your goals are, what kinds of programs you offer, what resources you find most useful, who you work with as partners, if you have a 1KB4K program or an alternative, and how that is going for you.  Mark your calendars.  I’ll send out a Zoom link closer to the date.
• Summer Library Program:
  • Don’t forget to check out the amazing booklet full of program ideas, resources, booklists, and more from Anne Moser and Jenny Van Sickle, the presenters of the March 3 webinar Oceans of Possibilities In Our Backyard.
  • If you haven’t yet accessed the CSLP Manual, this is another great resource, and all WI public libraries have access to it thanks to a subscription paid for by the Department of Public Instruction with LSTA funding.  The WI code for accessing the manual, illustrations (by Sophie Blackall!) and more is available via me if you don’t have it or can’t find it!
  • If you are looking to hire performers for the summer and want to collaborate with other libraries, remember you can send a note to this address (youthservices@lists.iflsweb.org) AND check out the collaboration spreadsheet.  You can also look at what other libraries have thought about performers on this evaluation spreadsheet!
  • I am happy to talk about any aspect of summer programs with you!  Let me know and we can set up a time to talk.
  • I got a message from the Milwaukee Bucks that they have a promotion for the summer and are happy to work with libraries to provide a voucher for a free kid’s ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.  Given the fact that adult tickets cost anywhere between $35 and $70, and that Milwaukee is four hours away, this would definitely not be a very accessible prize for most kids.  However, if this is something your community would find fun, please let me know and I’ll forward the information to you.
• Preparing for and Dealing with Book Challenges.  Lots of book challenges nation-wide lately—more than in decades, according to many reports.  Prepare yourself and your co-workers by:
  • Reviewing your library’s policies and procedures
  • Looking at the resources prepared by DPI and the Cooperative Children’s Book Center
  • Remembering the CCBC is available to provide expert, confidential help you if you experience a challenge to a book for kids or teens:  608-263-3720
  • Consider reaching out to your school librarian, as school libraries are seeing more challenges.  Maybe there is some way you can support them, if only by being a listening ear.
  • Please let me know if you would like to talk more about any of this!