Apply Now! WiLS Ideas to Action closes June 2

The WiLS Ideas to Action Fund application period closes in just a few days!

Through this fund, WiLS provides grants of up to $5,000 so WiLS members can bring their innovative and collaborative project ideas to life. The proposal form and reporting are simple and lightweight, so applicants can focus on the success of the work and the benefits to the community.

Read more about the Ideas to Action Fund on the WiLS website and submit your proposal by June 2nd.

An Invitation to Policy of the Month Club

The Library Services Team recently invited members of the Wisconsin library community to participate in our new collaborative initiative, “Policy of the Month Club.” This is a reminder to all those who meant to sign up, but haven’t yet. The first official Policy of the Month Club email will be delivered tomorrow. Sign up now so you don’t miss a thing!

We know how full our library directors’ plates are! How do you find time to maintain your library’s policies on top of everything else that requires your time and energy? That’s where Policy of the Month Club comes in.

Policy of the Month Club will offer library directors and other policy writers an accessible framework and consistent schedule to easily create and revise policies. Each month will focus on a different policy topic. You’ll get an email with background information, tips for reviewing and revising your library’s policy, and a platform to share and discuss policy examples.

How do I join the Policy of the Month Club?

Click here to subscribe to the Policy of the Month Club email bulletin.

If this is the first time you’ve signed up for a DPI list on GovDelivery, you’ll be asked to provide your email address and complete a CAPTCHA. You’ll also be given the option to set a password to manage your subscription in the future.

Do I have to?

Nope! Policy of the Month Club is completely voluntary.

What’s next?

The first email you’ll receive from us will include directions on how to join the Public Library Policy Resources group on WISELearn, an online resource sharing and discussion platform sponsored by DPI. We’ll use WISELearn to share and discuss sample policies from libraries of all sizes and locations.

In June, we’ll release a Policy Audit tool designed to help library directors quickly assess the current status of their policies. It will assist you in identifying any policies that need to be created or updated, and could also serve as a useful tool for you and your library board to engage in ongoing policy review.

Starting in July 2025, each Policy of the Month bulletin will highlight a recommended policy topic for the month. You’ll get access to sample policies and a description of best practices to consider for each policy.

Ultimately, we hope the Policy of the Month Club becomes a robust community of practice where Wisconsin library directors can share their expertise, collectively troubleshoot challenges and concerns, curate strong collections of policy examples, and follow an accessible schedule of policy revisions – informed by your needs, but managed by us!

Ready to sign up?

Click here to subscribe to Policy of the Month emails!  

Have any questions? Contact Teresa Schmidt, teresa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov, or Chris Baker, chris.baker@dpi.wi.gov.

Interested in artsy program resources? Check out programming kits!

IFLS and WVLS have paired up to provide programming kits for libraries for nearly a decade.  There are kits to help with early childhood, puzzle competition kits, and so much more.  With the art-related theme for this year’s summer library program in many libraries, it’s a great time to remind you about a few of the cool art-related kits that are available to borrow.  Here are just a FEW of the art-related kits you can find:

Messy Kits:

• Gelli Plate Printing Kit
• Papermaking Kit
• Wordworking Kit
• Pancake Art Kit (WVLS)

Less messy kits:

• 3D-Pens (WVLS)
• Knitting and Crochet Kits (WVLS)
• Needle-Felting Kit
• Lightbox Kit with calligraphy markers and guides
• Jewelry-Making Kit
• Button-makers (1 inch and 1.25 inches)

Interest piqued?  If you need help getting started with a Lend Items account, which is what we use to circulate the kits, please contact Leah! (langby@ifls.lib.wi.us)

Federal Advocacy Campaign launch

Today Reb sent library Directors an email outlining the latest advocacy initiative from the statewide advocacy campaign. We’re launching a postcard-writing campaign to let Federal Senators and Representatives know how important libraries are to their constituents. We want this to be a strong and untied effort from all Wisconsin library communities. Postcards and instructions are on their way in courier.

I’ll send out a complete message to all staff on Monday. The campaign runs through mid-July.

Explore MORE Passport Program

Your passport packets went out in courier last Friday. If you still haven’t gotten yours, submit a HelpDesk ticket. There are updates to the toolkit! This is where you’ll look for updates and marketing ideas. New on the toolkit this week:

• Staff-only entry forms (5 people have already requested staff passports!)
• Link to the video and written instructions
• Downloadable flyer graphics, in case you want more than one. There are also links to web graphics for social media or your website.

The passport officially starts on June 1, and this year that date is a soft launch. Reb willl be pushing out more targeted marketing in the next week.

Data Dashboard open until June 30