Applications Being Accepted for Building Equity Based Summers Cohort

Wisconsin libraries have the opportunity to be part of a national initiative to develop equitable summer services.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Library Services Team is looking for six libraries to participate in the 2025 Building Equity Based Summers (BEBS) Cohort. The BEBS initiative is funded and made possible in part through an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant.

Each participating library will be represented by a team of two staff members. Libraries are encouraged to have staff from across departments and can include Youth Services, Adult Services, Programming, Outreach, or Administrative staff.

BEBS participants will work with co-facilitators Jeni Schomber, DPI Public Library Consultant, and Kelly Wochinske, Milwaukee Public Library, Public Area Service Manager - Education and Outreach, and each other to consider summer programs and services through an equity-based lens. BEBS will empower library staff to weave equity into their summer services and programming by exploring how equitable their current programs are, whether equity goals are being achieved, and what impact summer programs are having on those community members needing them most.

The goals of BEBS are:

• To provide a shared language of equity
• To provide library staff with the knowledge and confidence to create equitable summer services and programs
• To promote equity across communities served by their library

Participants will work to evaluate:

• The Why of Summer Services and the Why of Equitable Summer Services
• Letting Go of Tradition
• Connecting with Community Voice for Equitable Summer Services
• Summer Services Impact: What Does Success Look Like

Participation in the BEBS initiative will require all team members to:

• Attend a one hour cohort orientation meeting on January 16, 2025
• Attend eight Learning Sessions starting January 30 and running through May 8. Sessions are every other week on Thursday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Work within your library and community to begin to consider and assess your existing planned summer programs and services through an equity lens.

If you are interested in being part of the first year of this project, complete the following application by close of business on Friday, November 22, 2024: Download 2025 BEBS Cohort Application

This is expected to be a competitive process and not all applications will be selected. The Library Services Team is looking to build a diverse cohort, which represents all library and community sizes, various geographic areas and demographic community compositions. Applicants will be notified of selection status by Monday November 25, 2024.

Please contact Jeni Schomber (jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov) or Kelly Wochinske (KLWochi@milwaukee.gov), with any questions.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.