Digital Lites Blog
“Beanstack” Office Hours Available
On April 24, 2020 the Wisconsin Department of Instruction finalized a three-year, statewide contract for Beanstack, an online reading challenge platform and mobile app, with the assistance of Wisconsin Valley Library Service as fiscal agent. This statewide contract is...
Recorded Webinar on “Giving Bad News” Now Available
The first recorded WVLS webinar of 2020 is now available, on our YouTube Channel. “Giving Bad News” is a presentation by Betsy Bleck, director of the Oconomowoc Public Library. This presentation is worth 1 contact hour in Category C. Watch it here. About this...
Spotting Fake News
In a time when information is overwhelming, it is important for librarians and other information professionals to be vigilant about the information they share and be prepared to guide others to the best information out there. Right now, many websites and other media...
COVID-19 Webpage and Updates
WVLS created a webpage devoted to COVID-19 and assisting its member libraries. You will find: Status Updates of WVLS Member Libraries Health Resources Archive of the WVLS Covid-19 Daily Update Language Used for Library Closures WVLS Operations The WVLS Office is...
Marketing Plan Template Now Available
Based on Kathy Dempsey’s “Cycle of True Marketing,” a state-wide public library system marketing cohort has drafted a marketing plan template that any library of any size can model and adapt. The template includes: A customizable marketing framework that can be...
Streamline for Success: Library Programs and Services Reboot
Open to public library staff. 60 seats are available at each location. Lunch provided at no cost. Mileage reimbursement available, carpooling strongly encouraged! Choose a workshop that best fits your schedule. CE contact hours: 6 Tuesday, May 5 ...
Customer Service Webinar Series Starts in April
Nationally-known library consultant Pat Wagner will present a three-part webinar series on April 1, 8 and 15, focusing on customer service in libraries. All of the webinars will be recorded and posted to the WVLS website. Each webinar is worth 1 contact hour. The...
Miss Some Conference Sessions?
The 8th Annual Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference happened last month, and it's possible you weren't able to attend all of the sessions. Some of the sessions ran simultaneously, or you didn't have time to view it live. All of the session recordings are now posted...
Conference Scholarships Now Available
WVLS is pleased to announce the 2020 scholarships for its member libraries. The following are available: 1 ALA Annual Conference Scholarship (application deadline is March 9) 2 WAPL or WLA Conference Scholarships (application deadline is March 23), 1 WAPL or WLA...
LAWDS Workshops Starting in March
WVLS public library staff are invited to attend your choice of six workshops offered through the Libraries Activating Workforce Development Skills (LAWDS) project. The LAWDS project brings together public library staff with regional Workforce Development Boards...
Annual Book Fest Held in Early March
This year's Children's Book Fest will be held on March 10-11 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 135 E. Larch Street in Rhinelander. Agenda: Tuesday Evening, March 10 Information and Registration (1.5 CE credits for CCBC Book Talk) Wednesday, March 11...
“Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness” Now Available
To help library professionals better help ALL of their patrons, Wisconsin DPI has purchased a subscription to Ryan Dowd’s Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness training. The virtual training will: Give you more confidence working with patrons struggling with homelessness,...
Register Now to Attend Library Legislative Day
Register now for Library Legislative Day, scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at the Madison Concourse Hotel. There are three ways to register: Register online. Use the PDF registration form to mail or fax your reservation to the WLA Office at 608-245-3646. Scan...
RIPL Scholarship Opportunity Available
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Division for Libraries and Technology (DLT), with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is offering a limited number of scholarships to attend the Research Institute for Public Libraries...
It’s About To Get Wild
Registration is now open for the 8th Annual Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference. The conference will take place on January 22-23, 2020. Fourteen sessions will be available in 4 different tracks, including Library Management (new!), Adult Services (new!), Small and...
WVLS Director Receives Legislative Citation
Wisconsin Valley Library Service (WVLS) Executive Director Marla Sepnafski has received a Legislative Citation recognizing her accomplishments as 2019 Wisconsin Library Association Librarian of the Year. The special recognition was presented to Sepnafski on behalf...
Census 2020: Why should we care?
Why should the libraries and the public care about the 2020 Census? Below are four key points. It’s about $675 billion dollars of federal funds and grants. State, county, and community grants are based on Census data. This money is spent on schools, hospitals, roads,...
Annual Youth Services Workshop: Super Storytimes!
Annual Youth Services Workshop Wednesday, Dec. 4 Wausau Community Room, Marathon County Public Library 300 First Street, Wausau 54403 4.5 contact hours Register by November 27 Participants will learn about intentionality in promoting literacy skills during storytime....
Time to Tend
Now that summer reading season is over, it’s a great time to tend to your youth collection. Below is a brief overview of weeding, collection audit and assessment, and purchasing tools. Where do I start? Create Lists/Weed Use Create Lists in Sierra to find youth titles...
Free Stock Photos
If you are unable to use real photos in your library marketing, high-quality stock photos are your next best option. But finding good stock photos can be a challenge, especially if you don't want to pay a fee. Stock photos should be of high quality, not blurry, and...
Wisconsin Valley Library Service
300 N 1st Street
Wausau, WI 54403
715-261-7250