Nicolet Federated Library System
  • Home
  • Libraries
    • Library Jobs
    • Share your library story
    • Public Library Fast Facts
  • Online Resources
    • InfoSoup Library Catalog
    • InfoSoup App
    • Brown County Library Catalog
    • Wisconsin's Digital Library
    • Wisconsin's Online Library: BadgerLink
      • Badgerlink Resource Guide
    • Wisconsin State Documents
      • Wisconsin Digital Archives
      • Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau Digital Collections
      • Wisconsin State Government Web Archives
  • Library Services
  • Trustees
  • About
  • Blog
  • Translation
  • Home
  • Libraries
    • Library Jobs
    • Share your library story
    • Public Library Fast Facts
  • Online Resources
    • InfoSoup Library Catalog
    • InfoSoup App
    • Brown County Library Catalog
    • Wisconsin's Digital Library
    • Wisconsin's Online Library: BadgerLink
      • Badgerlink Resource Guide
    • Wisconsin State Documents
      • Wisconsin Digital Archives
      • Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau Digital Collections
      • Wisconsin State Government Web Archives
  • Library Services
  • Trustees
  • About
  • Blog
  • Translation
Search

Hire the Polka Prompt Creator for the Milwaukee Brewers for Your 2026 Summer Reading Program

11/12/2025

 
Picturepintsizepolkas.com
I hope you had a great summer!

Professionally, this has been one of my best years yet! If you’ve been to a Brewers game at American Family Field or caught a home game on TV or radio, you’ve probably heard my music! Last Fall, the Brewers contacted me to create a series of musical prompts to put Wisconsin’s cultural stamp on their home games. In fact, they’ve been using my versions of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and the “Beer Barrel Polka,” as well as the “William Tell Overture” for their Sausage Races, exclusively!

I say this not to brag by any means, but to let you know if you hire me to do a Pint Size Polkas program in Green Bay, your patrons will have the chance to interact with the Polka Prompt Creator for the Milwaukee Brewers. I’m always glad to take questions at the end of my programs, and would be glad to talk a little bit about what it’s like to make music for a major league baseball team! For details on the theme-fitting programs I’m offering in 2026 (yes, I will be making the connection between dinosaurs and polka, believe it or not!), please visit ​PintSizePolkas.com/library.htm.

I already have more than 35 shows booked next summer, from Albuquerque, NM to Altoona, WI! I’ll be back home in the Midwest starting July 8, when I’m scheduled to perform in Medford at 1:30 PM. I’ll be in Altoona on Monday, July 13 at 6:30 PM, and in Cambridge on July 15 at 1:30 PM. I’m currently open each day around these three programs, and every other day between July 8 and 15. With enough librarians interested, I expect to have additional availability in Wisconsin the week of July 13, plus the rest of the month and into August.

Would you be interested in adding my program to your summer schedule? Pint Size Polkas also makes for an awesome multi-generational experience!

Thanks as always for your consideration, and I hope to hear back from you soon!

Mike Schneider
(414) 431-4683
P.O. Box 126
Clinton, WI 53525
www.pintsizepolkas.com
Six-Time Polka Hall of Fame Award Winner
Polka Prompt Creator for the Milwaukee Brewers

Unearth a Story with Muffin and the Big Bone

9/10/2025

 
Pam Corcoran with 7 puppets in front of a castle: a king, sheep, jester, queen, rooster, cat, and dog

Summer Reading 2026 – A Story Unearthed!

Greetings!

I am thrilled to share my 2026 Summer Reading Program offering - Muffin and the Big Bone!

I’m Pam Corcoran, a long-time puppeteer with a background in Geology. This year, my love for storytelling through puppetry meets my passion for the natural world in a brand-new performance inspired by a real-life discovery.

🐾 The Story: Damien Boschetta was taking his dog, Muffin, for their daily walk in the woods. There had been a landslide revealing bones! Dinosaur bones! Damien had been interested in paleontology since he was a boy, and knew that he and Muffin had discovered something very special.

🎭 The Show: Muffin and the Big Bone is a tabletop puppet production performed with needle felted Czech rod marionettes--a unique and engaging art form perfect for curious young audiences.

💲 Program Fee:
  • $350 plus mileage
  • $325 each if two libraries book shows on the same day (mileage shared)

📅 Book now for Summer 2026 and give your library families a performance that combines science, imagination, and the joy of puppetry!

Contact Me:
  • 📧 [email protected]
  • ☎ 715-592-4181
  • 📱 715-223-5732
  • 🌐 corcoranpuppets.com

Let’s unearth a story together this summer!

Warmly,
Pam Corcoran
Corcoran Puppets

Girls Who Code Summer Programs now accepting applications!

2/26/2025

 

Unlock free resources for your library with Girls Who Code!

Code It! Create It! workbook cover
Happy Library Lovers Month! To celebrate, Girls Who Code is providing free and fun STEM activities for your library!

When you start a Girls Who Code Club, you’ll access everything you need - including meeting guides, step-by-step instructions, and up to
 $300 to purchase supplies and snacks through an Amazon Wish List! Clubs are open to all 3rd-12th graders, regardless of gender or experience. You can get started at any time of year and many libraries incorporate our resources into spring or summer program plans - no prior computer science experience required!

​
Plus, when you apply to start a Girls Who Code Club at your library by February 28th, you'll receive a Code It! Create It! workbook as a special gift! See official rules.


Posted 2/13/2025: Apply to Girls Who Code’s Summer Programs by 2/26 for a chance to win a $350 gift card or iPad!

High school girls and non-binary students can apply now to Girls Who Code’s free, virtual Summer Programs!

Apply here by the early deadline, February 26, 2025, for priority consideration and the chance to win your choice of a $350 Amazon gift card or Apple iPad! The application closes on April 11, 2025.

Questions? Explore Our Webinars | Review Helpful FAQs | See Official Rules

Girls Who Code logo

Posted 1/13/2025:

Girls Who Code is now accepting applications to their virtual Summer Programs!

High school girls and non-binary students can apply here for two incredible program options: the Summer Immersion Program and Pathways.

Both programs offer life-changing opportunities for students to gain skills, connections, and confidence–no coding experience required!

Why recommend these programs?
  • Open to All Skill Levels: Whether students are brand-new to coding or advanced, Summer Programs offer engaging, supportive experiences tailored to meet them where they are.
  • Build Community and Confidence: Students collaborate with peers, participate in interactive activities, and gain inspiration from dedicated mentors.
  • Jumpstart Student Futures: Participants learn about career opportunities in tech, get practical college and career advice, and leave with projects they can share on college or internship applications.
  • No Application or Program Fees. Summer Programs are designed without fees, removing barriers for high school girls and non-binary students interested in tech.

Please use the language below to include in an email or newsletter to students. Please share to encourage students to apply!

Read More

Magic Morgan & Liliana library programs

2/25/2025

 
Picture
Hello, Library Friends! Great news—our 2025 dates are still available! However, we’re already 50% booked for this summer, so don’t wait too long to secure your spot. If you’d like to check our availability, please reach out to us!

Experience the Magic! Magic Morgan & Liliana bring an unforgettable, family-friendly magic show to libraries across the country! Our interactive performances feature mesmerizing illusions, audience participation, and a touch of humor—designed to captivate audiences of all ages.

✨ Bonus: Learn ASL! ✨ During our show, we introduce American Sign Language (ASL) in a fun and engaging way. Audiences love learning signs as part of the performance—it’s interactive, enjoyable, and adds an educational twist to the magic!

What to Expect
  • Setup & Performance: We arrive 45–60 minutes before showtime to set up. Each performance lasts about 40 minutes.
  • Meet & Greet: After the show, patrons can meet us, ask questions, take photos, and even meet our friendly dove!
  • Multiple Shows: Libraries booking multiple performances will have a 15–20 minute break between shows for audience transition and reset.

Booking & Logistics
  • Audience Size: We can accommodate various audience sizes based on your space.
  • Space Requirements: A performance area of at least 16 feet wide by 10 feet deep is ideal.
  • Rebooking: Many libraries invite us back year after year, as we introduce new magic routines aligned with summer reading themes.
  • Availability: We perform year-round, but summer fills up fast—book early!
  • Discounts: Save by teaming up with another library or booking multiple shows in the same area.
  • Interpreter Services: We provide a sign language interpreter for voice translation, with flexible funding options.

​Cost & Payment
  • Pricing: Rates vary by location—contact us for details.
  • Holding a Date: We can temporarily hold a date for 48 hours while you obtain approval.
  • Deposit: No deposit is required except for out-of-state performances.

Book Magic Morgan & Liliana Today! Bring a magical and educational experience to your library! Contact us for availability, pricing, and booking details.
  • Call: 262-347-3121
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Book Online: magicmorgan.com/bookme/view.php?id=2100

Looking forward to bringing magic and ASL fun to your library!
Magic Morgan & Liliana
Matthew Morgan 
faq_for_library.pdf
File Size: 135 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Woodsy Dude: Embrace the Outdoors

1/28/2025

 
Dear Librarians,

My name is Joshua Stuck. I am a local Outdoor Skills Instructor (from Crivitz, WI) who has been teaching outdoor skills to kids for over 20 years.

I've designed seven different library programs for all age groups where I teach between 20-25 youth and adults some of the outdoor skills featured in the world's best outdoor themed books. They'll learn how to make a survival shelter like in Hatchet, how to set a survival trap like Matt from Sign of the Beaver, how to tie Buck's # 1 Call of the Wild Rescue Knot, and so much more. They even get items during the course to start building their own outdoor survival kit.

Courses I now offer:
  • Outdoor Explorers Youth Course (ages 5-9)
  • Wilderness Seekers Adolescent Course (ages 10-14)
  • Survival Fire Making Course (ages 14-Up
  • *NEW Adult Outdoor Survival Skills Course (ages 18-Up)
  • *NEW Candle Dipping Course (ages 5-Up)
  • *NEW Backyard Olympics Course (ages 5-9)
  • *NEW Knot Tying Course (ages 12-Up)

If you would like more information about my courses, read Testimonials or to Book a Program, please visit my website at WoodsyDude.com. I can typically handle up to 20-25 students (depending on the program) and I bring everything needed for each course. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have via email or my contact info below.

I hope to hear from you soon,
Joshua Stuck
​
Email: [email protected]
PH: 715-587-1331
Website: WoodsyDude.com

Pint Size Polkas summer '25 schedule filling up fast

10/28/2024

 
Believe it or not, Mike Schneider's Pint Size Polkas 2025 summer schedule is already starting to fill up!  At this point, he has just three open weeks remaining, including the week of June 30, when he’ll be making his way north back home from shows in New Mexico. Would you be interested in booking the Pint Size Polkas family program the week of June 30, 2025? Mike I will also likely have some additional availability in August.

Including expenses, Mike aims to keep his fee in the $350 to $425 range per program. The more libraries he's able to book along a contiguous route, the lower the price he's able to offer. Please feel free to pass the good word along to your fellow librarians!

For descriptions of the programs he's offering for the CSLP and iREAD themes next summer, please visit PintSizePolkas.com/hire.

Here's how you can contact Mike/Pint Size Polkas

Mike Schneider
(414) 431-4683
P.O. Box 126
Clinton, WI 53525
www.pintsizepolkas.com
Six-Time Polka Hall of Fame Inductee

ASLdeafined.com: Links with libraries to expand access to ASL learning

9/30/2024

 
ASLdeafined logo: American Sign Language Education... One Sign at a Time
We are thrilled to announce a new partnership between ASLdeafined, a leading provider of online American Sign Language (ASL) learning resources, and libraries across the United States. This collaboration aims to increase access to authentic ASL instruction for everyone in your community.

For 15 years, ASLdeafined has been a trusted resource for individuals seeking to learn and improve their ASL skills. Our comprehensive online platform offers 300+ themed video lessons, an 18,000+ ASL video dictionary, and a free mobile app, all designed to provide an engaging and effective learning experience.

We believe that libraries play a vital role in promoting literacy and lifelong learning for all. By partnering with libraries, we can provide affordable and convenient access to our resources to a wider audience, including people who may not have access to traditional ASL classes,

This partnership will allow libraries to offer their patrons:
  • Free access to ASLdeafined's online video lessons: Patrons will be able to explore basic to advanced ASL signs and grammar, learn essential vocabulary and practice their communication skills.
  • Patrons will have the ability to access ASLdeafined through our mobile APP
  • Educational events and workshops: ASLdeafined will be working with libraries to host workshops and events designed to introduce the community to ASL and its importance. 

We are excited to embark on this journey with libraries across the country and help break down barriers to ASL learning. By providing access to authentic ASL instruction, we can promote greater understanding and inclusivity for all members of the community.

To learn more about this partnership and how your library can participate, please get in touch with me, Meg Cowan at ASLdeafined.com or follow these listed links for more information:
  • Subscription information
  • Library Pricing

Thank you for reaching out to ASL Deafined. I am here to answer any specific questions you may have. I can also send a free trial username and passcode to use if requested.
​--
MEGAN COWAN
Library Sales - Program Manager
743.288.8896
[email protected]
www.asldeafined.com

Book Dinosaurs Dimensions for next summer

9/30/2024

 
"Tis' the Season!  For NEXT SUMMER!

Yes, Dinosaur Dimensions is already getting approached for library planning and booking for next summer - and as we all know, prime dates go VERY fast as summers always book up with this crowd drawing show!  We are opening the doors for booking next summer's family/kid's reading programs officially this week.
Dinosaur Dimensions is the high energy show that featured four realistic looking dinosaur animatronic puppets!  Kids get involved with the show as they help grow shrunken specimens delivered from the past - and they get to meet these dinosaurs first hand right at the library!

Shows are very well attended, and run 40-45 minutes in length.  For an added bonus, a dinosaur is voted upon by the audience and kids will get a chance to meet the dino face-to face for one-on-one interactions and photos!

We have the ability to host up to three shows a day during prime summer months, and try to keep pricing as affordable as possible by crafting tours that cover area libraries nearby that will keep everyone's cost down.  We also like to include all travel fees in our price (which is under $500 per library, by the way).

We would love to get you some further information so you can see just how easy and affordable this interactive dinosaur presentation is!  Drop me an email and I can get back to you with further information.  I would love to be at your library this next summer!"

Thanks,
Curt Strutz
STRUTZ ENTERTAINMENT
Dinosaur Dimensions
www.dinosaurdimensions.com
based in Fond du Lac, WI

Dinosaurs for DiNovember library programs

7/25/2024

 
​Di-November is quickly becoming a HUGE hit with library programming, and our herd of realistic looking dinosaurs is ready for your library!
Dinosaur Dimensions is a nationally touring animatronic puppet experience featuring REALISTIC looking dinosaur puppetry and a complete storyline to compliment these beasts. We are WISCONSIN based, so we can set up amazing opportunities for your library without drastic mileage charges or travel bills.

You may have heard about our show from other area libraries - we have found that our Dinosaur Dimensions show has been one of the more popular programs used for summer reading programs.

Our experience is more than just a 40-45 minute show... we offer dinosaur meet & greet opportunities immediately after the program ends! This added benefit is a huge bonus for families, schools groups, and community youth as every group will get an individual experience with a dinosaur for photos, videos, etc.

Our November is FILLING UP FAST!  We have large tours set in both Missouri and Texas in Nov with the dinosaurs, and with Thanksgiving in there - dates are flying away faster than a pterodactyl! Good dates still remain for those libraries in the home state of WI.

I would love to see what opportunities we potentially could have to get the dinosaurs to your library.  I can assure you a high energy and fast paced show that is full of Jurassic excitement! Can I check some dates and pricing for your library?

Thanks,

Curt Strutz
STRUTZ ENTERTAINMENT
Dinosaur Dimensions
www.dinosaurdimensions.com
  • call: 262-271-7327
  • email: [email protected]

Start a free Girls Who Code Club at your library

6/24/2024

 
Girls Who Code logo
girlswhocode.com
Are you looking for free STEM programming for your students in your community? Sign up here to start a free Girls Who Code Club and use Girls Who Code's free 3rd-12th grade coding curriculum.
sever girls and a coach work on laptops together
It’s free to get started and you don’t need to have any coding experience to start a Girls Who Code Club. When you sign up you get access to:
  • Flexible plug-and-play program content for 3-12th graders of all skill levels and genders, including self-guided video tutorials aligned with CSTA-standards.
  • Dedicated live help, webinar training, and facilitation guides to support your Club’s success.

Sign up today to access the curriculum and start Club meetings anytime this year at your library! Interested in starting multiple clubs? Check out this free Community Partnership opportunity that comes with support from a dedicated staff member and other benefits! Click here to book a meeting with me to learn more!

Dinosaur Dimensions: at the library this summer!

5/20/2024

0 Comments

 
Dinosaur Dimensions is a summer program like no other - over 75 libraries utilized this program in summer, 2023, and in many cases they had record setting audiences (not just for the summer but for the history of the library).

How would your library’s summer library reading program be with realistic animatronic dinosaurs? Just imagine the look on the children’s faces when roaring, blinking, and moving dinosaurs are brought out of “containment units” and presented to them in a fun, educational, and extremely fun show! Kids get involved in multiple ways during the show - from pounding their laps to generate "energy" to power the machine that produces the dinosaurs, to helping feed a dinosaur, to even getting to name each creature. They LOVE it!

Here is a video clip from the Dinosaur Dimensions’ show. Please take a look and see just how much excitement it brings to the kids’ eyes!
In addition to the 40-45 minute show, there's a post-show meet & greet session where kids/families can meet one of the dinosaurs in a one-on-one environment to get to pet it, take photos, etc. This is just as exciting for the kiddos - if not the highlight of the entire day!

The price for the show runs $450, and the fee includes ALL aspects of travel (motels, mileage and meals). It is a flat fee that gets paid, and it can be paid in full the day of the event (no deposit needed). Curt Strutz is based in Fond du Lac County, so any locations in WI that are outside of his general area might require a few other libraries in the area to complete a small mini tour to help offset the travel aspects.

If this sounds like something of interest, please let Curt know so he can try and get you on the ticket for next year! Also, be sure to ask about their other two shows in the Strutz Family line-up. The Wacky World of Wesley Waffles and Dragon Training Academy are also two great shows that could be added to your summer lineup, as well, both performed by Curt's two adult sons!

Please let Curt know if you think dinosaurs might be a fit for your next summer program, and get ready for an adventure like no other!

Contact: Curt Strutz
Strutz Entertainment
Dinosaur Dimensions
262-271-7327
[email protected]
0 Comments

Great Lakes, Great Read Shared-Reading Initiative Announces Book Selections

4/22/2024

 
Great Lakes Great Read logo
As part of today’s Earth Day commemorations, the Wisconsin Water Library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin Library Association announced the books selected for a basin-wide shared-reading experience, Great Lakes, Great Read.

​The Water Walker  by Joanne Robertson is the children’s selection and the adult selection is The Best Part of Us by Sally Cole-Misch.
​
The Water Walker is the story of a determined Ojibwe grandmother, a “nokomis,” named Josephine Mandamin who walks to raise awareness of the need to protect “nibi” (water). Robertson wrote and illustrated the book, which was published in 2017.

​
Sally Cole-Misch published the novel The Best Part of Us in 2020. It explores a family’s ties to an island on an inland lake in northern Ontario, just north of Lake Huron—how those ties are tested both through natural processes and family dynamics.

“The Great Lakes have shaped Wisconsin as we know it. These inland seas provide drinking water and fuel our agriculture, shipping, manufacturing and recreation,” said WWL Senior Special Librarian Anne Moser. “These two books will bring the lakes alive in new and evocative ways. We hope readers will reflect on the lakes and be inspired, become passionate and feel more connected to them.” 

WLA Executive Director Laura Sauser said, “All Wisconsinites are encouraged to read these titles, and we also hope to be a catalyst for libraries throughout the upper Midwestern states and Canadian provinces to engage patrons through a range of activities.”

Both selected authors will be featured in a free webinar series happening on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 and 9. All events will start at 6 p.m., CT, and will be open to the public.

In November, the authors will be visiting Wisconsin for a variety of events. Please check the Wisconsin Great Lakes, Great Read webpage, https://go.wisc.edu/85b96h later this summer to learn more.
​
The Great Lakes, Great Read website, https://www.greatlakesgreatread.org, offers further details on the authors, their books, book discussion questions, an email list signup option and other resources.

Please follow Great Lakes, Great Read on Facebook to get the latest updates, https://www.facebook.com/greatlakesgreatread/.

This initiative is made possible by an Ideas to Action grant from WiLS. Wisconsin Sea Grant and the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute support the Wisconsin Water Library.

Girls Who Code’s Free Summer Programs

2/22/2024

 
Girls Who Code logo
www.girlswhocode.com
The following is from Rachel Pierce, Regional Outreach Coordinator for Girls Who Code:

"On behalf of the international nonprofit Girls Who Code, I’m thrilled to let you know that our free and virtual Summer Programs are now accepting applications! I would love to work with you to encourage eligible students from Nicolet Federated Library System to apply.

Girls Who Code’s Free Virtual Summer Programs Overview
  • Our free virtual summer programs are open to 9-12th graders who identify as girls or non-binary. Any coding experience level is welcome!
  • In addition to our free programs, we offer a financial support grant of up to $300 and laptop and hotspot access for eligible students.
  • This year, students can choose to learn new coding skills in game design, web design, cybersecurity, or data science and artificial intelligence! As they build computer science skills, students will learn about the many diverse careers in tech through virtual events with professionals in the field.
  • Regular-decision applications are due by March 22, 2024. Students can apply at girlswhocode.com/summerapply."

Please share this Summer Programs Flyer with 9-12th graders along with the blurb below:
​
Girls Who Code’s Free Virtual Summer Programs

​
Ready to shape your future and join an empowering sisterhood? Become a coder this summer with Girls Who Code! 

Girls Who Code’s free virtual Summer Programs empower you to build skills, community, and a professional network for your future, in the ways that work best for you. Choose your adventure with two free programs:

  • Curious to create your own computer games? In our two-week Summer Immersion Program (SIP), you’ll learn how to design your own games using p5.js, a JavaScript library for creative coding. Join classmates and our dedicated Teaching Teams in live virtual classrooms hosted by industry-leading companies like MetLife, Bank of America, Logitech, and Synchrony. We’ve got three rounds to fit your schedule: June 14 to June 28, July 8 to July 19, and July 29 to August 9.

    SIP is for current 9th-11th grade girls and non-binary students with beginner or intermediate coding experience, including program alums. Eligible students can even apply for a $300 SIP Student Grant and laptop and hot spot access!

  • Excited to explore the biggest topics in tech at your own pace? Our six-week Self-Paced Program offers tracks in Web Development, Cybersecurity, and – new for 2024 – Data Science + AI! From July 1 to August 9, you get to decide how and when to build your coding skills, and you can always ask questions in our Discord server or optional Student Hours.

    The Self-Paced Program is for current 9th-12th grade girls and non-binary students with beginner to advanced coding experience, including program alums.

Apply here by the deadline, March 22, 2024. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to level up your coding skills, kickstart your future, tap into lifelong career support, and have fun along the way!

Need help? Learn more with our program flyer, webinars, or FAQs, or email us at [email protected].

If you have any questions or need any other resources to encourage students to apply, please contact:

Rachel Pierce
Regional Outreach Coordinator
[email protected]
Pronouns: She/Her
girlswhocode.com

Great Lakes, Great Read = Great News for Wisconsin!

1/26/2024

 
Calling all Wisconsin readers! The Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) and the Wisconsin Water Library at UW-Madison are pleased to announce plans for Great Lakes, Great Read, a basin-wide community read program scheduled to launch in 2024. Great Lakes, Great Read is designed to inspire passion and connection to the Great Lakes Watershed through reading. The Wisconsin program will serve as a pilot with the goal of being a catalyst for the development of similar programs in other states and provinces in the Upper Midwest and Canada.

There is a need for greater education about the Great Lakes as an important natural resource. While approximately 34 million people in the US and Canada live in the Great Lakes Watershed, recent surveys, such as the 2021 International Joint Commission Great Lakes Regional Poll, show a lack of understanding of the threats facing the greatest freshwater resource in the world. Greater education – greater environmental literacy - is critical to cultivating stewardship of the Great Lakes and of water resources more broadly.

Enter Great Lakes, Great Read. The program’s “one book, one community” model, already adopted by many libraries, is a natural fit for a basin-wide project, and Wisconsin is the perfect state to pilot the project. Wisconsinites have a deep connection to water through culture, economy, tourism and way of life. Wisconsinites also have access to a well-connected network of academic, public and special libraries that serve as the center of our communities.

Funded by a grant from WiLS, the Great Lakes, Great Read program will officially kick off on February 1, 2024. The selected titles will be announced on Earth Day (April 22) 2024. Two books, one for adults and one for children, with themes related to the Great Lakes watershed will be announced. All Wisconsinites will be encouraged to read these titles, and libraries around the state will be encouraged to engage their residents through book discussions and related activities. While program designs are still being finalized, the plan is to host public presentations by the selected authors and a website that includes book discussion questions and other ideas for engagement.  

Watch the WLA website and join the Great Lakes, Great Read 2024 email list for program updates: Great Lakes, Great Read email list.

Woodsy Dude’s Embrace the Outdoors Youth Programs with Joshua Stuck

1/10/2024

 
Woodsy Dude: Embrace the Outdoors (shows Joshua Stuck smiling)
WoodsyDude.com
The information below comes from Joshua Stuck, Outdoor Skills Instructor (Crivitz, WI)

Dear Librarians-

Would you like a summer program that matches perfectly with this year's theme “Adventure Begins at the Library!?”

Hi! My name is Joshua Stuck. I am a local Outdoor Skills Instructor (from Crivitz, WI) who has been teaching outdoor skills to kids for over 20 years. Would you be interested in a summer library youth program that gets kids excited about some of the most popular outdoor themed books like Call of the Wild, Sign of the Beaver, and Hatchet?

Introducing… “Woodsy Dude’s Embrace the Outdoors Youth Programs” with Woodsy Dude!
​
I've designed three separate library programs for three different age groups where I teach between 20-25 youth some of the outdoor skills featured in the world's best outdoor themed books. They'll learn how to make a Survival Shelter like in Hatchet, how to set a survival trap like Matt from Sign of the Beaver, how to tie Buck's # 1 Call of the Wild Rescue Knot, and so much more. They even get items during the course to start building their own outdoor survival kit.

Youth Program
  • Ages: 5-9
  • Students: 20
  • Time: 1 Hour
  • Cost: $150
Vertical Divider
Embrace the Outdoors
  • Ages: 10-14
  • Students: 25
  • Time: 2 Hours
  • Cost: $200
Vertical Divider
Survival Fire Making
  • Ages: 12-up
  • Students: 20
  • Time: 2 Hours
  • Cost: $200

If you would like more information about my courses or to Book a Program, please visit my website at WoodsyDude.com. I can typically handle up to 20-25 youth (depending on the program) and I bring everything needed for each course. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have via email or my contact info below.

I hope to talk soon,

Joshua Stuck
Email: [email protected]
PH: 715-587-1331
Website: WoodsyDude.com

The Smokey Bear Reading Challenge

12/19/2023

 
Smokey Bear's 80th Birthday Reading Challenge sticker
The USDA Forest Service, in collaboration with the Georgia Public Library Service, is excited to announce the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge in celebration of Smokey Bear's 80th Birthday in 2024!

They are collaborating with public library systems across the country for this year-long challenge. This challenge is meant to complement CSLP's "Adventure Begins at Your Library," and is designed to be a fun and easy way to engage children in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers, while exploring their local environment.

Public libraries are invited to run the challenge for those 4 to 10 years of age, from January 1st to November 28th, 2024.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is registered as the participating state library, which means Wisconsin public libraries do not need to register individually to participate in the challenge. Each public library will receive the following incentives that will be sent out through the statewide delivery system sometime in January: one roll of 500 Smokey stickers, 50 Smokey cards, and one Smokey Stamp.

The Smokey Bear Reading Challenge Toolkit is available now – download posters, bookmarks, and more!

FREE 2024 programs & activities for Wisconsin public libraries from gardening expert & author Melinda Myers

12/18/2023

 
Melinda Myers in the garden
We are pleased to share below some FREE webinars and gardening activities for 2024 from nationally known and Wisconsin-based gardening expert and author Melinda Myers for all public libraries in Wisconsin. Melinda hopes you can incorporate any or all of the following into your 2024 Library programming calendars. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Paul at [email protected]. Look for more information in the New Year coming via WisPubLib!

Your Library can host a watch party on the dates below or schedule it after the live webinar date and play the recording. If you host a live watch party on the dates below, your patrons will be able to submit questions live and get them answered by Melinda at the end of each webinar. You can also let your patrons know they can individually register for the webinars if they’d prefer to watch them at home. Registration links are below: 
  •  April 10, 2024, 6:30 p.m. CT – WEBINAR: Container Gardening Throughout the Year with gardening expert Melinda Myers
    Use container gardens to boost the color and seasonal interest in any size landscape, garden, balcony, or deck.  With your budget in mind, we will explore attractive combinations of trees, shrubs, flowers, edible plants, and those that attract pollinators. Plus, you’ll learn strategies for extending your enjoyment year-round by transforming all or a portion of the container planting with the changing seasons. Register for this free webinar at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SwTJwDSaQgWnm7YU-iY0mg. 
  
  • May 1, 2024, 6:30 p.m. CT – WEBINAR: Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables with gardening expert Melinda Myers
    Increase the nutritional value and beauty of your landscape by incorporating attractive fruits and vegetables into your landscape, garden beds, and containers.  Growing varieties that are both ornamental and productive increases the opportunities for creating a beautiful space right outside your door. We will look at new and proven fruit and vegetable varieties suited to both gardens and containers. Register for this free webinar at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SFUNmF3LSUmpTXGpRMVbiA.
 
  • June 5, 2024, 6:30 p.m. CT – WEBINAR: Under-Appreciated Pollinators with gardening expert Melinda Myers
    The plight of honeybees and monarchs fill the news but many more pollinators are often overlooked yet critical to the production of food, fiber and other raw materials we depend upon. Native bees, moths, bats, beetles, flies, and birds are also important. We will look at a variety of pollinators, their role in the environment, and their impact on people. Plus, we will discuss ways to co-exist with these often overlooked and sometimes feared or dreaded animals.Register for this free webinar at:  
    https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__q1UbmcTTMyyumfGd-o6AA. 
  ​


Read More

Engage and educate with TD3 Innovative Gaming

11/15/2023

 
TD3 Innovative Gaming logo
Fairy tale adventures, space exploration scavenger hunts, science experiments, and roller coaster design challenges... all through Minecraft!
Minecraft-created fairytale home with trees, mountains, and a pondFairy Tale Fun
TD3 Innovative Gaming is a student-led startup that delivers engaging and educational programs through Minecraft and other video games. 

Their goal is to leverage the digital environments of children's favorite games as a platform to nurture academic and social skills.

Their content spans a diverse array of topics and activities, including STEM, history, personal finance, fairy tales, and outer space, providing a safe, interactive, and fun learning environment.

​A full list of available activities is available at www.td3innovativegaming.com/libraries.


Despite their young age, their organization has partnered with hundreds of libraries nationwide. See where they have held their programs before.

If you are interested in learning more, please call Jack Viscuso at 631-944-0986 or email [email protected].

Visit www.td3innovativegaming.com or view this informational document for more information.

Great Scott and the Magical Archeology Adventure

11/14/2023

 
Image says
Great Scott
Looking for an enchanting, inspiring, and library-focused program to engage and delight your patrons? Scott Obermann has just the show for you: "Great Scott and the Magical Archeology Adventure!"

Tailored exclusively for library settings, this performance is designed to kindle a love for reading while delivering a delightful and unforgettable experience.

Program Highlights:
  • Reading Fun: "Great Scott and the Magical Archeology Adventure" is all about celebrating the joy of reading. Through a magical journey, students will be inspired to explore books from your library, creating a wonderful connection between literacy and entertainment.
  • Inspiration and Encouragement: This show is a true source of inspiration. It emphasizes the importance of reading in an exciting and imaginative way, encouraging children to see their place in the world of books and knowledge.
  • Interactive Entertainment: My program is interactive and engaging from start to finish. Patrons are invited to participate, share their thoughts, and even become a part of the show. It's a fully immersive experience for everyone.
  • What to Expect: Amazing magic, plenty of audience participation, some very fun ventriloquism and lots of laughter.
  • Library-Centric Message: I understand the vital role libraries play in nurturing young minds. My show underscores the significance of libraries as magical places where dreams and stories come to life.
  • Unforgettable Moments: "Great Scott and the Magical Archeology Adventure" leaves your young readers with lasting memories and a powerful message, reminding them that every book they read is a key to a world of imagination and discovery.
  • Great Family Entertainment: All ages will appreciate and enjoy this show.

Their goal is to make reading fun, exciting, and a part of your library's everyday adventure. "Great Scott and the Magical Archeology Adventure" is the perfect show to inspire children to explore your library's treasures.

If you're interested in adding this enchanting and library-centric program to your calendar or if you'd like more details, call Scott at 262-364-6524 or email [email protected].

Work with Scott to create a magical and inspiring experience that will make your library a place where young readers embark on captivating journeys through the world of books.

More information is available at www.wisconsinmagician.com.

Plan your summer polka reading adventure with Pint Size Polkas

10/25/2023

 
Would you be interested in booking my Pint Size Polkas show next year? I have details posted now at www.pintsizepolkas.com/library for the theme-fitting programs I’m offering in 2024. I’d love the chance to bring to your patrons a one-of-a-kind experience that librarians across the country have praised for its quality, uniqueness, and memorability!

This past summer, I was able to keep pricing in the $350 to $400 range per program, including expenses. The more libraries I’m able to book on a given trip, the lower my price, so please spread the good word to your colleagues! If you are interested in booking, please let me know so I can make some additional contacts, as well.

I have already received interest for programs in Park Falls, Altoona, Marathon, and Spencer on Monday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 9. Would you be interested in booking the week of July 8?  I have a few openings remaining on July 8 and 9 as well as the rest of the week. I have additional availability the week of May 27; July 5-6; plus numerous openings in August and throughout the rest of the year. Looking forward to spreading the joy of polka music and family-friendly entertainment throughout Wisconsin again during my 2024 summer reading adventures!

Thank you for your consideration, and I hope to hear back from you soon!

Mike Schneider
(414) 431-4683
P.O. Box 126
Clinton, WI 53525
www.pintsizepolkas.com
Six-Time Polka Hall of Fame Inductee

Solar eclipse programming for libraries

10/10/2023

 
illustration of a blue seal wearing orange glasses
(Source: dpi.wi.gov/wilibrariesforeveryone/solar-eclipse-programming-libraries)
Solar science resources are available from the Wisconsin Department for Public Instruction for local libraries looking to host activities coinciding with the upcoming solar eclipses. Public libraries can serve as centers for eclipse education and viewing for their communities during the annular solar eclipse in October 2023 and the total solar eclipse in April 2024, while state agencies, like the DPI, will be the backbone for supporting their libraries by circulating the solar science programming kits.

The solar science kits are a “program in a box,” featuring books Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch and When the Sun Goes Dark by Andrew Fraknoi and Dennis Schatz, interactive activities, and solar viewing instruments including a solar telescope, a SunSpotter, and Sunoculars. They also include printed materials aimed at helping public library staff feel more comfortable when talking about these exciting celestial events. There are two kits geared for a multigenerational audience, and two kits for a younger audience.
SEAL workshop attendees testing binoculars in Eau Claire
The solar kits, along with two in-person training workshops held in September 2023 for library staff throughout Wisconsin, were made possible by funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and a supplement to the NASA@My Library project,the Space Science Institute, through its Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL).

To reserve a kit for a program at your library, please submit a SEAL KIT Reservation request. The kits are available statewide starting the week of October 20th, 2023. A description of the contents of each kit is also available. 

For programming ideas and other resources, visit Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL).
​

Please email Jeni Schomber, Public Library Consultant, if you have any questions.

Library performances by Stuart Stott, musician, storyteller & author

10/4/2023

 
Stuart Stotts is sitting on a big rock in a wooded area. He's giving high-five's to the young children sitting in front of him.
Stuart Stotts is a musician, storyteller, and author. He lives in LaFarge, Wisconsin, although for many years he lived in the Madison area.

Stuart is offering programs for libraries, as he has since 1984. He has performed at hundreds of summer reading library concerts and other family events. Stuart also presented often about Lutie Stearns and the Traveling Libraries of Wisconsin, about whom he wrote a book several years ago.
The presentation is for adults, often for Friends of the Library groups, who are generally made up of passionate advocates for libraries and books, as Lutie was.

If you are interested in a performance of any kind, please let Stuart know. His website is StuartStotts.com and he's happy to provide references. If you are interested in a summer reading event, Stuart often finds it’s a lot more affordable if libraries work together to combine bookings.

"Thanks for your work. It’s not an easy time for many librarians, but I, and many others, believe you play an essential role in our society." - Stuart Stotts

Stuart Stotts
[email protected]
608-513-0724
www.StuartStotts.com

Call for Visual Art and Poetry from Individuals with Disabilities

9/19/2023

 
Arts for ALL Wisconsin logo
ARTS for ALL Wisconsin is thrilled to announce the 2024 ARTS for ALL Wisconsin CREATIVE POWER Calls for Visual Art and Poetry! These unique opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to showcase their skill and talent will open for submissions on October 31 and close on February 14, 2024.

ARTS for ALL Wisconsin celebrates the diverse perspectives of our community every year with its Call for Art and Call for Poetry.


Submissions are juried by arts professionals, who will select CREATIVE POWER Award-winning submissions. Winning visual art submissions become part of the CREATIVE POWER Collection and tour the state for three years. Recent showings of the Collection have been La Crosse, Kenosha, Racine, Madison, and Milwaukee. Award-winning poetry will be featured in Arts for ALL Wisconsin's first edition of CREATIVE POWER Poetry to be published in 2024.

The calls are free to enter, and open to any current Wisconsin resident over the age of 5 that identifies as having a disability. Both calls can be entered simultaneously.

Submission Details:
  • Opening Date: October 31, 2023
  • Closing Date: February 14, 2024
  • Award Celebration: May 4, 2024 at Madison Youth Arts Center (MYArts)
  • Who Can Submit: Individuals ages five and up who identify as having a disability.
  • Visual Art Submission Guidelines: Submit images of up to two works of art using the online entry form found at www.artsforallwi.org/programs/call-for-art
  • Poetry Submission Guidelines: Submit up to two poems using the online entry form found at www.artsforallwi.org/programs/call-for-poetry
  • Complete Guidelines and instructions can be found at the links above
  • Winning Entries Announced: April 10, 2024
ARTS for ALL Wisconsin is a statewide nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and formerly known as VSA Wisconsin. Its mission is to expand the capabilities, confidence, and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by providing programs in the arts.

There are flyers for both the Call for Art and Call for Poetry available on their website and linked here too – please feel free to share them electronically or by printing and sharing hard copies.

For inquiries or assistance, please contact Mike Lawler at [email protected] or 608-241-2131. Let's celebrate the power of art and poetry within our diverse community!

Native American Tribal Maps

9/6/2023

 
Tribal Nations Maps introduces the most comprehensive maps of pre-contact and at-contact Native North America to date. These maps use Tribal Nation’s original indigenous names for themselves, and show where Tribes were just before contact with outsiders, as well as the last homelands they defended. The intent of these maps is to instill pride in Native peoples and to be used as teaching tools from a Native perspective.

These maps are part of Aaron Carapella's 
Tribal Nations Map series-which covers the Nations indigenous to the “United States,” “Canada,” "Mexico," "Central America," "South America" and “Alaska." Your purchase supports multiple upcoming maps.  Aaron credits the many hundreds of Cultural directors, elders, educators and linguists that have helped him centralize these names onto one visual display.

Read More

Wisconsin Magician Nickey Fynn

9/5/2023

0 Comments

 
If you are planning an event where you would like your guests to go home with an experience of wonder struck awe, reach out to Nickey Fynn and make it happen!
Nickey Fynn is a family entertainer specializing in live comedy magic shows for performances at libraries throughout Wisconsin.
children and adults in library watching magician perform
"Nickey is funny without saying anything!  The children always have a great time, lots of laughs!  Adult couples without children attended and also had a great time.  We recommend Nickey and will have him back again!"
            -West Bend Library
Nickey's rate is $300 for a 45 minute show plus travel ($0.50 per mile to and from Stoughton, WI, if more than 30 miles). The program is for ages 6 and up and has lots of audience participation mixed with sleight of hand comedy magic, storytelling, music and balloons. 

Visit nickeyfynn.com for more information or email [email protected]
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Library program ideas & resources


    CATEGORIES

    All
    Adult Programming
    Animals / Wildlife
    Coding
    Crafts
    CSLP
    Culture
    Film / Movies
    Inclusive Services
    Local History
    Magic
    Motivational Speakers
    Music
    Physical Activity
    STEM / STEAM
    Storytelling
    Theater
    * Virtual Options *
    Wisconsin Authors
    Youth Services

    SEE ALSO:
    • NFLS Libraries' Performers, Resource Sharing & Program Ideas
    • Winnefox SLP Resources

    Sample Performer Contract
    File Size: 15 kb
    File Type: docx
    Download File


    Resources not endorsed or reviewed by NFLS. Private input may be submitted via form below.

      Submit a Resource

      Name of person submitting resource
      Email address of submitter
      Provide short description and link to resource's website or send more detailed information to [email protected].
    Submit
return to homepage
Nicolet Federated Library System
1595 Allouez Avenue, Suite 4, Green Bay, WI 54311
Email: [email protected]
​Phone: 920-448-4410
​Fax: 920-448-4420
Facebook: @NFLS.WI
Staff Hours: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Visitor Hours: By Appointment Only
Accessibility Statement
Language Translation
© Nicolet Federated Library System
  • Home
  • Libraries
    • Library Jobs
    • Share your library story
    • Public Library Fast Facts
  • Online Resources
    • InfoSoup Library Catalog
    • InfoSoup App
    • Brown County Library Catalog
    • Wisconsin's Digital Library
    • Wisconsin's Online Library: BadgerLink
      • Badgerlink Resource Guide
    • Wisconsin State Documents
      • Wisconsin Digital Archives
      • Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau Digital Collections
      • Wisconsin State Government Web Archives
  • Library Services
  • Trustees
  • About
  • Blog
  • Translation