Thursday, August 14, 2025
Sing-alongs, literacy, gaming, and budgeting are just some of the topics discussed at the DPI’s third annual Foundations of Wisconsin Librarianship Workshop.
The July workshop held in Wisconsin Rapids aimed to provide essential skills for 60 new school library media specialists and public library staff serving our youth. The attendees spent time working in their respective school or public library areas, focusing specifically on their roles, and then the groups came together and networked to build relationships for future collaborations.
The school library media specialists were entrenched in three days of intense learning in a collaborative and supportive community of experts and learners. The group started with a deep dive into the Future Ready Librarian framework and built from there, with intentional connections back to the global vision of a strong library program throughout the workshop. Specific topics covered included budgeting and use of Common School Funds, including traditional and innovative ways to use this critical funding source, tools and strategies for evaluation of professional practice and library programs, the critical role of school libraries in supporting district priorities such as literacy and STEAM, and how to navigate the current landscape surrounding the purpose of school library resources.
Public librarians were introduced to state and library system resources for youth services and local libraries, learned how to design and deliver storytime programs, create welcoming children’s spaces, and cultivate compassion and resilience.
Guest presenters included speakers from BadgerLink, the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, PBS Education, and Wisconsin Science Festival, as well as a complete array of experts showcased during an evening games and learning event. Guest speakers shared experiences and strategies for success in their own libraries, as well as a variety of resources and contacts for participants to access throughout the school year.
51 participants filled out the survey and 96% found the event valuable and would recommend it to others.
Feedback from participants was very positive:
“A workshop packed with resources and ideas to implement as well as have time to develop a network of colleagues to work with.”
“Intimate and fundamental, a judgment free area where networking was especially easy.”
“I left this week's workshop feeling empowered with all the practical, useful information shared in such a fun, collaborative & engaging way. It was especially fortunate to have so many experts in their given field to learn from.”
The workshop was made possible through funding from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Library Services and Technology Act Grants to States program.