NFLS Blog

The Florence County Library recently acquired an interactive Kidzpace Touch2Play Wall system for young visitors to use during the library's Tot Times, after school programs, and every day they are in the library.

Designed for children between ages 2-8, the system's 50-inch screen is mounted to a wall and allows for an interactive experience that promotes fun and learning for groups or children and parents. It's loaded with educational interactive activities, can be used with multiple patrons at the same time, and can also be used to show educational videos for kids.

Library Director Stephanie Weber said, "Parents and kids of all ages are amazed by the educational activities and high definition of the Kidzpace!" 

The Kidzpace Touch2Play Wall system was purchased with a 2023 Improvement and Innovation (I&I) Grant from the Nicolet Federated Library System (NFLS). I&I grant funds are used in the areas of Workforce & Economic Development, Information Technology, and/or Reading Proficiency & Lifelong Learning.

Mari Kay-Nabozny, Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, asked that we help share information out through our library networks about the Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Grant, which “provides support and training needed to get individuals back to, or, working in the early child care field in Wisconsin.”

As libraries are significant institutions for parents pursuing non-traditional educational pathways for kids (like homeschooling), our spaces could be well-primed to reach potential workers that might enhance the Wisconsin childcare economy; the QUEST Grant would support individuals interested in childcare employment opportunities.

The ‘blurb’ and generic flyer directly below can be used to share information with your networks. Please spread word about this opportunity and encourage other libraries to do the same.

Read the December 2023 NEWIL News for the latest news for libraries throughout northeast Wisconsin. Topics include: 

• CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services 
• ALSC Toolkit for Program Challenges 
• WEMTA Roadmap to Intellectual Freedom 
• WLA Intellectual Freedom Resources 
• MyWiLS Support for Library Media Specialists 
• DPI Strategic Planning Feedback 

 
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​Visit the northeast Wisconsin intertype library services page for more information.​

Here are the headlines from the December 1, 2023 📢 Nic News Weekly:  

• ARSL News 
  • Annual ARSL member meeting 
  • December TRAIN: 13 Months of Advocacy Roundtable 

• Marketing: 
  • Set 3 library marketing goals for real-life libraries in 60 seconds or less 

 
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Here are the headlines from the November 22, 2023 📢 Nic News Weekly:  

• Thanksgiving message 
• Grants 
  • ALSC/Candlewick Press "Light the Way" Grant 
  • Grant opportunity, IEEE Science Kits for Public Libraries 

• Youth Services Update
  • CSLP Newsletter: November 2023
• Learning opportunities for library staff 
  • NEWI SLP workshops in Green Bay & Menasha 
  • Save the date for CCBC Choices 2024 
  • Lots of new Continuing Education opportunities from NEWI 

 
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As we enter the winter holiday season and start the countdown to 2024 (gulp!), here’s one last CE opportunity post from NEWI. Keep reading for free webinars, a preview of 2024 events, and more. Watch for a survey in December to help in planning of CE events for 2024 and beyond.​

The NFLS News is a bi-monthly newsletter highlighting all the great things the member libraries of the Nicolet Federated Library System are doing throughout our communities. 
 
Read the November 2023 NFLS News for the latest news from a few of our member libraries and others. Topics include: 

• New Director at Shawano County Library 
• Brown County Library awarded 2023 Library of the Year 
• Connie Meyer inducted into Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame 
• Stephenson Public Library celebrates 120th anniversary 
• 2023 Tribal Public Library Annual Conference 
• Gillett Public Library celebrates annual eclipse 
• Oconto Falls Community Library staff member wins Modern Woodmen Hometown Hero Award 

  
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Here are the headlines from the November 17, 2023 📢 Nic News Weekly:  

• See the latest edition of the NFLS News 
• Recollection Wisconsin November 2023 Newsletter 
• Participate in the PLA 2023 Technology Survey and be entered to win a prize 
• Library Programming Ideas & Resources 
  • Beanstack Winter Reading Challenge webinar 
  • CSLP’s Virtual Summer Symposium 
  • Great Scott and the Magical Archeology Adventure 
  • Engage and educate with TD3 Innovative Gaming 

• 2024 Wisconsin State Reading Association Conference 
• New learning opportunities added 

 
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Here are the headlines from the November 10, 2023 📢 Nic News Weekly:  

• Applications for National Friends of Libraries Week Awards due December 15
• ALA Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant applications are open 
• Wisconsin Libraries Talk About Race webinars: 
  • Understanding and Challenging Implicit Bias in Decision Making 
  • Moving from Allyship to Leadership: Agency, Accountability, and Emotional Intelligence 

 
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Here are the headlines from the November 3, 2023 📢 Nic News Weekly:  

• Resources for Supporting veterans and military-affiliated patrons 
• Grant & Scholarship Opportunities 
  • Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Grant competition 
  • Apply for a PLA 2024 scholarship 

• Supercharged Storytimes course & inclusive collections 

 
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Here are the headlines from the October 20, 2023 📢 Nic News Weekly:  

• Apply to the WLA Mentorship Program 
• Join the statewide IDEA team 
• State & System Youth Services updates 
• ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant applications due November 14 
• Learning opportunities for library staff 

 
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Gillett youth and their parents celebrated the annual eclipse, which occurred on Saturday, October 14th, with a Solar Eclipse Party at the Gillett Public Library on Wednesday, October 11th.

Kids learned the science of the upcoming eclipse including how and why they occur.

They also created their own special memento for the event using chalk circles and black construction paper. Using a large Styrofoam plate and a small disk, they explored how it appears that the moon can cover the sun.

The group then enjoyed sundaes with a special decoration.