Applications Now Being Accepted for BCBS Cohort

Wisconsin libraries have the opportunity to be part of a statewide initiative to develop community-based summer services.  

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Bureau of Libraries is looking for six libraries to participate in the 2026 Building Community-Based Summers (BCBS) Cohort.  

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

BCBS 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. The BCBS learning framework will empower library staff to integrate equitable practices into their summer services and programming by examining how inclusive their current programs are, whether goals are being met, and what impact these efforts have on the community members who need them most. 

The goals of BCBS 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 BCBS cohort will require all team members to: 

• Attend a one-hour cohort orientation meeting on Thursday, January 23, at 9 a.m. 
• Attend eight Learning Sessions starting Thursday, January 29 and running through March 19. Sessions are 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 BCBS Cohort, complete the following application by 4 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025: 2026 BCBS Cohort Application. 

This is expected to be a competitive process and not all applications will be selected. The Bureau of Libraries 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 24, 2025.  

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