2026 New Public Library Director Training Camp
March 17-19, 2026 | Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells
The 2026 New Director Training Camp will be held in conjunction with Wisconsin DPI's WISEdata Conference at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Attendance at new director training camp is limited by invitation to public library directors in Wisconsin who are new to their roles since the last new director training event. New directors should watch for information from the Bureau of Libraries or their system continuing education staff. For questions or additional information, contact Teresa Schmidt, teresa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov, 608-224-6167.
- 2026 Training Camp Resources
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Acronym Guides
Links shared
Presentations
- Alphabet Soup - Ben Miller, State Librarian, Bureau of Libraries
- Badgerlink for Public Libraries - Elizabeth Neuman, Digital Services Coordinator, Bureau of Libraries
- Beyond Chapter 43: Other Legal Topics In Public Libraries - Teresa Schmidt
- Introduction to Wisconsin Libraries and Legal Requirements - Teresa Schmidt, Public Library Administration Consultant, Bureau of Libraries
- Leading the Message: Media communication for library directors - Beth Tomev, Director of Library Development, Bureau of Libraries
- Library Board Essentials - Teresa Schmidt
- Standards, Planning, and Data - Teresa Schmidt
- Wisconsin Library Association New Directors Presentation - Kara Sullivan, Executive Director, Wisconsin Library Association
- Year in the Life of a Library Director - Teresa Schmidt
Continuing Education report
- Archive of 2025 Training Camp Resources
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The following resources were shared at the 2025 New Public Library Director Training Camp. The content below is archived content and is kept only for reference, research, or recordkeeping.
2025 New Director Training Camp Resources
Presentation slides
- Alphabet Soup: an introduction to the Wisconsin Library World - Ben Miller, Director, DPI Library Services and Clairellyn Sommersmith, Director, Winnefox Library System
- Annual Reports, Data, and Your Library - Teresa Schmidt, DPI Public Library Administration Consultant
- Building Stong Relationships with Library Stakeholders - Shannon Schultz, Director, South Central Library System
- Creating the Annual Budget - John Thompson, Director, IFLS Library System
- Current Topics in Librarianship - Teresa Schmidt, DPI Public Library Administration Consultant
- Facilities Management - John Thompson, Director, IFLS Library System
- Introduction to Wisconsin Libraries and Legal Requirements - Teresa Schmidt, DPI Public Library Administration Consultant
- Library Board Essentials - Teresa Schmidt, DPI Public Library Administration Consultant
- A Year in the Life of a Library Director - Teresa Schmidt, DPI Public Library Administration Consultant
- Youth Services and Wisconsin Libraries - Jeni Schomber, DPI Public Library Consultant
Other resources and handouts
- "Alphabet Soup" acronym guide
- Annual Report "Getting Started" infographic
- Records management in four easy steps
- Sample collection development policies
- Sample library board meeting agenda
- Open Meetings Law Brochure - Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB)
- Roles & Responsibilities Matrix
- Building Strong Relationships - directory of resources and handouts

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.