 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:
 Fairy tale adventures, space exploration scavenger hunts, science experiments, and roller coaster design challenges... all through Minecraft!  Fairy 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.   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:
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. 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 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.
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  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:
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! 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. 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.
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] The biggest educational program to swim through the midwest.
Since its release, I’ve spoken about Tailspin at more than sixty events including forty libraries. 'Gene Moran’s story is, to put it mildly, amazing and John Armbruster’s presentation drew a crowd that was standing room only, which is rare in our tiny town! The presentation includes photos not included in the book, and Mr. Armbruster relates his experience recording Gene’s story so well. I would whole-heartedly recommend you include John Armbruster in your programming lineup.' - Amanda Hegge, Director, Whitehall Public Library My presentations are an hour long and include video, audio, slides, readings and a display of banners and artifacts. I will also sell and sign books for as long as needed after the presentation. The fee for my presentation is $400. I’ve already spoken at the following places in your Nicolet system area:
For more information on Tailspin, please read the (attached) sell sheet.
 Updated July 28, 2023:Gardening expert Melinda Myers has shared her August gardening activities to her website for you to use with your library patrons. Click the following link, and scroll all the way down to the August video and activity. It can all be accessed at https://www.melindamyers.com/articles/grow-budget-wise-beautiful-gardens-anywhere-2023-library-garden-program. August 2023 - Video & DIY Project: Worm Composting – Convert kitchen scraps into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Posted June 1, 2023:Gardening expert Melinda Myers has uploaded her June and July gardening activities below to her webpage for you to use with your library patrons:
Here are just a few ways to use the content from Melinda:
Also, your library can access all promotional materials, signage, press release templates, social media posts and images for this content at https://www.melindamyers.com/articles/electronic-press-kit. If you have any questions, email Diana Paul at [email protected].  The Libraries Build Business Communications Toolkit offers advice and materials for library workers to promote their small business support services, engage with policymakers and government officials, and form and strengthen ties with local businesses and existing entrepreneur support structures.
The toolkit was created by the American Library Association’s Public Policy & Advocacy office (PPA), in partnership with Audrey Barbakoff from Co/lab Capacity, to help library workers communicate the value of and grow their small business services.  "Shipwrecked and Rescued: Cars and Crew" by Larry Jorgensen The recently released book "Shipwrecked and Rescued" has been selected as one of ten Notable Books for 2022 by the U.P. Publishers and Authors Association.
It's a true story about the only shipwreck and rescue of its kind ever on the Great Lakes. View testimonials (PDF file) about the book. Book price is $22, cost to libraries is $12. Free shipping - books are signed. Contact: Larry Jorgensen [email protected]  "The Library Services Team at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) announced on April 18, 2023, a contract with the reading engagement platform Beanstack through April 2025. The agreement with Zoobean, Inc. provides new and continued access to Beanstack for all interested Wisconsin public libraries and public school libraries.
This program is being offered through the DPI with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant. Over the next two years, the DPI will continue welcoming feedback from the field to ensure the product is meeting Wisconsin libraries’ needs." Learn more at https://dpi.wi.gov/wilibrariesforeveryone/beanstack-access-renewed-through-april-2025.  If your library is participating in the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), you'll want to review its latest newsletter. Headlines include:
Content and Promotional Materials now Available! Following are updates on the “Grow Budget-Wise, Beautiful Gardens Anywhere” Program from garden expert Melinda Myers for Wisconsin Public Libraries to use from April – September.
Here is the news release with details about the program for your review. All the program content is free of charge thanks to underwriting sponsor We Energies.
You can help this program to be a success! Please promote it in your community and to your patrons. Here are some ideas:
If you have any questions, please email Diana Paul. The following is taken directly from an email from Ryan Bernsten to NFLS:  "My name is Ryan Bernsten and I'm a Midwest-based writer. My upcoming book 50 States of Mind: A Journey to Rediscover American Democracy, which I wrote as a grad student at University of Oxford, is being released by the London-based publisher Bite-Sized Books on June 20th (US Hardcover) and March 28th in the UK. This book is a nonfiction account of my travels across all 50 states to meet people from different walks of life/political persuasions and is a modern take on Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America. I grew up in Madison – I visited Racine, Marinette, Appleton, and Green Bay on my journey and would love to return to Wisconsin for an event with your library in 2023.
Here's some information about the book, a press release, and a press kit is (available below): The information below comes from Joshua Stuck, Outdoor Skills Instructor (Crivitz, WI)  Dear Youth Program Coordinator- "I wish there was a summer library program that engaged our youth in books but also got them away from the screens and outside having fun..." 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, The Hunger Games, and Hatchet? Introducing... the "Call of the Wild Outdoor Skills Youth Program" I've designed a 2-hour youth program where I teach up to 30 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 Katniss from The Hunger Games, 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. Outdoor books + outdoor skills = FUN & LEARNING!
 Would you be interested in bringing the "Call of the Wild Outdoor Skills Youth Program" to your library this summer?
LESS SCREEN, MORE GREEN! I hope to talk soon, Joshua Email: [email protected] PH: 715-587-1331
Girls Who Code Summer Programs
 Amended January 3, 2023Per a follow-up communication from Tovah Anderson on January 3, 2023: "It was brought to my attention that Wisconsin requires seed (re)labelers to be licensed and that seed libraries may fall under this requirement. I spoke with Greg Helmbrecht at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. Greg responded: 'Several years ago, we evaluated the need to license “seed libraries” and decided it wasn’t something we needed to do as long as commerce wasn’t affected. This was an exemption to licensing but the idea was that there wasn’t “bulk” seed involved. Jung is a licensed and reputable seed labeler and one that would be directly affected by your “give away”. I think that if they are aware of your plans and don’t have a problem with it, you shouldn’t need a license. Full disclosure with Jung is advised and they could probably do your labeling for you.' Upon his suggestion, I reached out to Jung Seed to see if this project was okay. I shared with him how Prairie Lakes Library System was planning to run this project in our area. Brian Isaacs at Jung Seed responded: 'It was a pleasure speaking with you this morning. When you are wanting to do this again, just let me know ahead of time and we can package them up for you and even add library information to the package. For this round, Jung Seed does not have any issues with the way it was handled.' It sounds like we have the go-ahead with the understanding that seed libraries are not meant to take business away from the seed sellers and that the planning committee will approach this project differently next year. Each library is free to order their seeds from any seller they like. There is no formal “oversight" of this project so you can run your program as you like." (Note: Tovah is interested in how many libraries think they will participate. As a courtesy, please email her at [email protected] to let her know.) "Hello All,
You are invited to bring this project to your library – One Seed, One Wisconsin is a loosely defined seed giveaway and programming project spearheaded by Kirsten Almo, director emeritus of Edgerton Public Library. 2023’s seed variety is the Wisconsin 55 Tomato, which has a fascinating history! Please use #1Seed1WI when promoting or posting about this project so everyone can see what the participants are up to! "Hi, My name is Kaolee Yang, and I am one of the authors of two early literacy Hmong board books. Wisconsin is home to one of the largest Hmong population in the United States, and yet there are very little bilingual titles available in the public libraries. We would love to supply your library with these two new titles that teaches how to count in Hmong, and how to say the colors in Hmong."
"You can learn more about the two books at our website: https://www.thestoryclothshop.com/
Thank you, Kaolee"  Magic Morgan & Liliana are raising the bar for library programming! They spare no effort in bringing the biggest, best and most fun experience to your library! You won't find anything like it, so get ready to say, “WOW!” Magic Morgan & Liliana will:
 Opening a book is like opening a door to a world of opportunities. As the constant distractions by technology keep spilling in, libraries everywhere are faced with the challenge of getting children to drop the video games and pick up books. NOW is the time to show everyone the MAGIC IN READING through AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IN READING - with MAGIC - to get them excited about coming out to YOUR library! Watch as many books "vanish" from the bookshelves after the show! About Matthew & Liliana Morgan
But, Mike's program is so much more than music. It's theme-fitting magic, comedy, and education rolled into one fluid, high-energy musical package guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of young and old alike! Age-appropriate trivia questions, jokes, and a special edition of name that tune will relate to friendship, from great friends like Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, to the theme song from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Plus, one lucky adult will even have the chance to participate in a special friends-don't-get-friends-wet magic trick that will result in two dry adults on stage against all odds!
Pint Size Polkas is the perfect fit for your library in 2023. It's tons of fun for all your family and friends!
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