Happy National Library Workers Day!

I want to thank everyone who works in or with libraries in Wisconsin for the tireless work you do every day in making accurate and reliable information, resources, and books more accessible to Wisconsin residents. Your work does not go unnoticed by the Department of Public Instruction or, most importantly, the communities you serve.

Your service makes public libraries the cornerstone of our communities. You provide families with a community space. You make materials and programs accessible ensuring our youngest residents enter school ready to learn. You assist those looking to rejoin the workforce or develop skills to find a new job. You have copies of the latest bestsellers in book and Ebook formats. You help bridge the digital divide by providing internet access to all. Thank you for persevering through the pandemic to continue providing these services, and taking the lessons learned to build a new normal.

You create school libraries that expand and enhance learning in our schools. You offer choice in materials to develop reading habits and allow students to explore burgeoning interests. You prioritize information literacy and provide reliable resources from multiple perspectives. Your space provides a welcome and inviting respite from a hectic day. You open doors to new technologies with Makerspaces and events. You make reading fun through programs like Battle of the Books. Thank you for taking on so many extra duties and being there for both your colleagues and our kids during the school day and beyond.

Your work positions academic and special libraries as treasure troves for research. You maintain niche collections that serve specialized populations with hard-to-find materials. You archive, digitize, and preserve materials to ensure they will be available as long as possible. You support educational staff and faculty to help them find exactly what they need. You provide detailed reference support to answer questions thoroughly and accurately. Thank you for being an invaluable resource to our scholars and researchers.

No matter what type of library you work in, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Libraries are so very important to our communities and serve our residents in so many ways. On behalf of the DPI and the entire state of Wisconsin, thank you for what you do. I see you and appreciate all your work!

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt
State Librarian | Assistant State Superintendent Division for Libraries and Technology