Costume Exchange

Thanks to Christy from Pepin for this guest post!Every fall families would come into the Pepin Public Library and socialize with each other and the conversation would turn to “What are your kids going to be for Halloween?”  They would then talk about costumes...

Changing It UP

Summer Library Program is an exciting, exhausting, and time-honored tradition at public libraries.  I love to hear stories of success and continually popular traditions.  I also love to hear about your innovations, your questioning how to improve outcomes,...

An ELF Elf in Ladysmith

Kudos to the Ladysmith staff who created this adorable library elf to promote Library Elf!  Hollis says the elf doesn’t leave the library–but there is probably someone on your staff or among your volunteers or community members who could make...

Bugs Bugs Bugs

Patti from Durand sent over some photos from their program with Bruce The Bug Guy–they shared expenses with Colfax and Bloomer to bring him, so they saved money, and they had over 85 people attend.  Looks like a fun intergenerational program!

Meaningful art with children

Process Art in action, from Authentic Parenting Blog, another great resource!I found an archived Infopeople webinar about giving young children meaningful art experiences at the library, Creative Spaces and Family Engagement.   Bridget Alexander is...

Libraries and Homelessness

Last week on the same day I ran across two pieces on libraries serving people who are homeless.  One came from Katie Morsch, director of Our Neighbor’s Place shelter in River Falls.  It’s a Reuters article about libraries on the front lines of...

Autism Books

Thanks to a donation from Navigating Autism, a Wisconsin organization dedicated to assisting families affected by autism, I received 3 books (all paperback) that are not presently held in the MORE system.  IFLS Librarians:  If you would like these items for...

Schneider Family Award Blog Tour

Schneider Family Book Award SealKathie Schneider is a library advocate, retired psychologist from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, author, disability advocate, and dog enthusiast (to name only a few of her attributes!).  We are lucky to have her in our...

Two Great Nuggets

Golden nugget squashI attended an American Libraries Live session on Kid and Teen Friendly Libraries yesterday, and gleaned two worthwhile nuggets from it:ADVOCACY:  Even if your library board or director doesn’t require it, be sure to submit regular...

Hawkins Summer Fun

Arlene from Hawkins had a successful program earlier this summer.  Menomonie author Jeanne Styczinski, who wrote Mama, how Does the Wind Start to Blow, presented a program about her book and being an author/illustrator.  Arlene says she did a terrific...