Outdoor Learning at the Library: It’s Only Natural (webinar)
Wednesday, April 17; 1 pm
Presented by: Trina Evans, Branch Assistant
Susan Bednarz, Assistant Reference Librarian
Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, Kokomo, IN
1 Contact Hour

Studies show children benefit a great deal from spending more time outdoors. Do you want to create an additional avenue for early childhood learning at a currently unused library outdoor space?  Join Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, as they go through the process of creating one, from the idea state to ground-breaking, and from the ribbon-cutting to programming. Learn about their Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom and why it’s the perfect setting for imaginative play for children. 
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This webinar is also sponsored by the Northern Waters Library Service and the Southwest Wisconsin Library System.

Please join your colleagues from the South Central Library System for its annual
Teen/Tween Programming Workshop
Thursday, April 11, 2019
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
South Central Library System - Wintergreen Resort - Wisconsin Dells

The Wisconsin Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) will be making recommendations to the Superintendent in its Biennial Report this July. Toward that end, COLAND is excited to host four listening sessions regarding the recently release Public Library System Redesign (PLSR) Steering Committee Recommendations Report. These sessions are scheduled in these locations: 

• ​Northwest Region - Thursday, March 28, 2019 at the Rusk County Community Library, 418 Corbett Ave W, Ladysmith, WI  54848, in the East meeting room on the lower level of the library building, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
• Southeast Region - Thursday, March 28, 2019 at the Racine County Ives Grove Office Complex, 14200 Washington Ave, Sturtevant, WI 53177, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
• Southwest Region - Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at the Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St. Spring Green, WI 53588, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
• Northeast Region - Monday, April 15, 2019 at the S. Verna Fowler Academic Library / Menominee Public Library, N 172 WI-55, Keshena, WI 54135, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

The Bubbler at Madison Public Library is a hub for creative expression among people of all ages through art creation and appreciation, engagement with new and old-school technology, and hands-on making. 

Join Bubbler team members Carlee Latimer & Rebecca Millerjohn, and previous Bubbler artist-in-resident, Bird Ross, as they share core programming models, intentional service practices, hands-on making experiences, and successful documentation & evaluation strategies for those experiences.

Bring your library team to learn how to create a vision for your library space and implement hands-on experiences or programs.

School and public youth librarians from all of Wisconsin are welcome!

WHAT:  The Games in Libraries Conference is open to all library staff from public, academic, or special libraries. It encompasses all types of games - board, card, video, etc.
WHEN:  May 31, 2019
WHERE:  UW-Eau Claire's McIntyre Library
WHY:  Whether your library uses games currently or not, the Games in Libraries Conference is for you! 
​COST:  FREE! Funding provided by the Ideas to Action grant from WiLS. 

As many things in our society become "gamifed" (e.g., Snapchat streaks), we need to learn and understand the various ways in which games of all types can be used as educational tools. This conference is one in which we hope to show, share, and learn from peers about how they use games in libraries, why adding games to a collection might be useful, and how they can promote their use with their users.

Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Time: 9am – 3pm
Location: Appleton Public Library
Register at https://newilibraries.org/ccbc2019
 
Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) librarians Merri Lindgren and Megan Schliesman will talk about Great New Books for Children and Great New Books for Teens, highlighting selected books from the publication CCBC Choices 2019. Books included in CCBC Choices 2019 will be available for hands-on examination.

As they prepare for the 2019 summer learning program, “A Universe of Stories”, CSLP, STAR Net, and NASA have been working together on a virtual launch pad filled with numerous STEM resources that libraries can utilize in their celebration of space exploration.

With items including vetted STEM activities, partnership opportunities, printables and many other valuable resources, STAR Net’s “Summer of Space” website can provide your library with valuable tools to help your summer learning program achieve great success.

This information was obtained from the February 2019 CSLP Newsletter.
If you would  like to sign up for your own copy of the newsletter, CLICK HERE.

​CSLP is delighted to share its 2019 Summer Reading Public Service Announcements. It is offering two :30 second broadcast ready PSAs (one in English and one in Spanish) and three web-based PSAs for use online, on social ​media, or streaming in schools or libraries.

You may preview the videos below as well. They are housed on YouTube and are easily shareable.

The next Big Library Read kicks off April 1 and the winning title is:

​Homes: A Refugee Story
by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah & Winnie Yeung

The remarkable true story of how a young boy emerged from a war zone – and found safety in Canada – with a passion for sharing his story and telling the world what is truly happening in Syria.

The title will be available for unlimited access in Wisconsin's Digital Library between April 1-15.

The title, along with a promotional spotlight at the top of your page, will be added at no cost.

UW-Whitewater 41st Annual Early Childhood Conference
April 12-13, 2019 @ UW-Whitewater

Friday Pre-Conference Workshop April 12
There will be a full-day tier three registry workshop presented by Dr. Robin Fox.
Check-in: 7:30am
Preconference: 8:30am – 3:30 pm
 
Saturday Conference
April 13
Check-in: 7:30am
Keynote Speaker Ann Terrell: 8:30am
Sessions two - six: 9:45am - 4:30pm

Plain Language for More Effective Communication
Webinar: Monday, April 8, 2019
10:00​am - 11:00am

Wisconsin Literacy’s Plain Language Webinar focuses on the fundamentals of plain language including the benefits of using it in your work place. Introduced in this webinar are several strategies for clear written communications such as simplifying word choice, grammar tips, active vs. passive voice, and layout and design.

Attendees will be able to ask discussion questions online at the end of the presentation and will learn improved communication strategies that can be implemented immediately.
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Everyone benefits from simpler writing!
 
Sponsored by ALS, BLS, IFLS, KCLS, LLS, MCFLS, MCLS, MLS, NFLS, OWLS, SCLS, SWLS, WLS, and WRLS