Youth Services

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has selected seven public libraries to participate in the 2025 BCBS Cohort. Each participating library will be represented by a team of two staff members from across departments and includes staff from Youth Services, Adult Services, Teen Services, Marketing, Outreach, and Administrative staff.

The seven participating libraries are Aram Public Library (Delavan), Delafield Public Library, Hammond Community Library, La Crosse County Library, Neenah Public Library, Waupaca Public Library, and Wauwatosa Public Library.

This workshop is specifically structured to be most beneficial to public library staff new (three years or less) to serving youth in Wisconsin libraries and will provide an introduction to essential skills, resources, and strategies for working in public libraries. New school library media specialists and public library staff new to serving youth will spend time working separately, focusing specifically on their role in each institution. The groups will also join together to begin networking and building relationships for future collaborations. Guest presenters will address the full group, including speakers from the CCBC, PBS Education, and Wisconsin Science Festival.

The three-day in-person workshop will be held at Hotel Mead, in Wisconsin Rapids from 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday July 29 through 2:00 p.m. on Thursday July 31, 2025. There is no cost to attend and most meals will be provided. Attendees, or their library, will be responsible for mileage, two nights lodging, and one evening meal.

Registration is now open for the Foundations of Wisconsin Librarianship: Essential Skills for Library Media Specialists and Public Library Staff Serving Youth workshop. Registration closes on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Wisconsin Public School Libraries
The Cooperative Children's Books Center (CCBC)
What IF... Forum (CCBC) - a question and answer forum for teachers, school and public librarians, and others in the education field The Youth Services Section of the Wisconsin Library Association
Youth Services Shout-Out: YSS Blog
Wisconsin Library Association
Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners
PBS Wisconsin Education Early Learning
American Library Association (ALA)
Public Library Association (PLA)
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
ALSC Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Libraries
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
YALSA Core Professional Values for the Teen Services Profession

Subscribe to the state Youth Services email list

Wisconsin Reads - committed to strengthening literacy learning in Wisconsin's schools and supporting and implementing 2023 Wisconsin Act 20.

Wisconsin Public Library Annual Report Programming and Activity Count Tracker workbook in Google Sheets

BadgerLink for Library Staff

Wisconsin Libraries for Everyone, a communication channel for the Wisconsin Division for Libraries and Technology on news pertaining to Wisconsin Libraries.

Home-Based Private Education Program (Homeschooling)

Professional Learning for Library Staff - view upcoming and past professional learning events and more.

Ages Birth to 4 - Resources for supporting literacy development

The Library Services Team coordinates a statewide summer library program for all ages.

2025 Color Our World/Colorea Nuestro Mundo featuring artist Mike Mullan
Wisconsin public libraries are able to purchase high-quality program materials at a low cost through state-sponsored membership to the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). CSLP invites you to embark on a journey of art and creativity, celebrating the myriad ways in which art enriches our lives. The program is designed to inspire and engage readers of all ages through a diverse array of artistic expressions. Wisconsin Public Library staff can access the Manual using a code available from their System Youth Consultant. Please contact your Library System Youth Services Consultant for the 2025 Manual access code.

2025 Teen Internship Program
Seven Wisconsin public libraries have been selected to participate in this IMLS (Institute for Museum and Library Services) LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant-funded program taking place in the summer of 2025. This internship will allow libraries to offer paid summer internships to teens that reflect the makeup of their communities. The interns will bring their skills, knowledge, interests, voices, and experiences to the libraries and their communities by working on a Connected Learning Project.

The 2025 Teen Internship participating libraries are: Hillsboro Public Library, Milton Public Library, Monona Public Library, Norwalk Public Library, Oshkosh Public Library, Prescott Public Library, and Waukesha Public Library.

Wisconsin public libraries also have free access to the Summer Math Programcreated by the Wisconsin Mathematics Council, Inc..

1000 Books Before Kindergarten - a non-profit organization with the goal of providing simple, innovative, and fun approaches to establishing strong early literacy skills.

Supercharged Storytimes for All - available by creating a free account on WebJunction

Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) These "program-in-a-box" kits feature books, interactive activities, and solar viewing equipment. Visit South Central Library System Kits and Equipment for reservations.

Wisconsin public libraries have access to Beanstack through April 30, 2025. Please see the Statewide Beanstack Contract Notice for more information.

Public Library Association Early Literacy Resources

Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library

Reading Rockets Reading Tips for Parents

DPI Early Childhood Learning Standards and Practices

One of the many ways that public libraries support the needs of their communities is by providing well-rounded collections of print, audio, and visual materials. Along with book journals, such as School Library Journal, reading lists, and awards and honors lists are another useful tool for developing robust youth collections.

American Indian Youth Literature Award
American Library Association Youth Media Awards
The America's Award
Amelia Bloomer Book List
Arab American Book Award
Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) Reading List
Carter G. Woodson Book Awards
The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Charlotte Zolotow Award
Jane Addams Book Award
Rainbow Book List
Skipping Stones Book Awards
Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) Golder Archer Awards
Wisconsin Library Association Literary Awards