Joe Dutra with the Homeless Librarian will be doing live training at the Beloit Public Library on Friday, March 6, 2020. There will be two training sessions from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 4 p.m. All ALS library staff are encouraged to attend one of the sessions. Stay tuned for more details and registration information.

This interactive training is part “how to understand your homeless patrons” and part “how to work with difficult patrons”. It focuses on very practical tools you can use every day to resolve problems and prevent conflict. There is a special focus on patrons with mental health and substance abuse issues.

Choose a training session (registration info will be announced this spring):

• Friday, March 6, 2020
  9 a.m. – noon

• Friday, March 6, 2020
  1 p.m. – 4 p.m

Reserve The Librarian’s Guide to to Homelessness by Ryan J. Dowd in the SHARE catalog.

LearningExpress Library: New and Updated Content

The monthly SHARE Directors’ Council meeting and the LAC meeting, both generally held on the First Tuesday of each month, have switched times.

The SHARE meeting will now be first at 9:30 a.m. followed immediately by the LAC meeting (LAC start time will vary).

Find the complete calendar of SHARE meetings here.

The Public Library Development arm of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction is proud to partner with the American Library Association for a new state-level community engagement training, Wisconsin Libraries Transforming Communities.

Thriving Libraries, a team of consultants trained in community engagement and leadership development techniques, is providing the expertise for this 18-month hands on, cohort-based training. Up to 20 two-person Teams–consisting of one library staff member and one community member–will be trained in this inaugural effort.

The Wisconsin Libraries Transforming Communities training relies on raising up library leaders in coaching positions, as well.  Up to 10 individual Coaches will be trained as part of this state-wide effort. Envisioned as an 18-month masterclass in authentic leadership, resilience, and self-care, Coaches will be assigned two participant Teams to cheerlead and shepherd through their library community engagement projects.

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

Wednesday, December 17 at 11:00 AM.

It will include an overview of the training, expected time commitments, learning goals, and the requirements for the competitive application process for both Teams and Coaches.

 

• To join the webinar with your computer, download the Microsoft Teams app ahead of time or use Microsoft Edge as your browser for a web-based experience.
  Click Join Microsoft Teams Meeting to join the webinar.
  OR call 608-620-9781 (Madison-Toll).
  When prompted, enter this Conference ID: 188 090 510#

APPLICATIONS

Application materials for both TEAMS and COACHES will go live on the DPI website by the close of business on Friday, December 13.

The American Library Association (ALA) will hold a free webinar for library staff, “Library Programs and Partnerships in the 2020 Census,” on December 16, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Libraries will play vital roles in achieving an accurate and complete count in the 2020 Census. This webinar will highlight key opportunities for libraries to collaborate with community partners and provide informational programs in the upcoming Census. Strategies for libraries to reach groups at risk of being undercounted in the 2020 Census will be emphasized. Presenters will include representatives from libraries, community organizations, ALA, and the U.S. Census Bureau.

The webinar will be offered at no cost to attendees and is presented by ALA’s Public Policy & Advocacy office. Registration is required.

The Programs and Partnership webinar is fourth in a series addressing key aspects of the 2020 Census for libraries.

• November 6: “Connecting Your Community to 2020 Census Jobs” – recording now available
• November 14: “Preparing Your Library for the 2020 Census” – recording now available
• December 16: “Library Programs and Partnerships in the 2020 Census”
• Future topics to be announced

For more information on ALA’s efforts to support a fair, inclusive and complete count in the 2020 Census, visit ala.org/census. To connect on social media, follow #CountOnLibraries, #2020Census.

Written by Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Public Library Development

Last summer, the Division for Libraries and Technology (DLT) commissioned a study of barriers to participation in professional development opportunities for public library staff. WiLS was selected to conduct the study as the result of an RFP process. WiLS gathered data using various methodologies, analyzed it, and developed a list of recommendations.

You can download the final version of the Wisconsin Public Library Professional Development Participation Research Study Report.

DLT is committed to maximizing the effectiveness of professional development opportunities for library staff. The assessment of barriers delved into issues such as staffing, director certification, funding, and awareness of opportunities. Professional development ties into all five goal areas of the LSTA Five-Year Plan for Wisconsin: Technology, Resource Sharing, Leadership Capacity, Community Engagement, and Inclusive Services. In addition, equity of professional development is a critical component of numerous Public Library System Redesign (PLSR) Recommendations, most notably: Developing Standards, Best Practices, and Accountability Structures;, Enhancing Collaboration by Creating Incentives and Removing Barriers; and implementing a Learning Management System for Professional Development.

This external study will: a) help identify specific challenges related to library staff absences, b) increase understanding of existing practices in other states/regions, and c) offer options to DLT and our stakeholders for possible solutions. Moving forward, DLT will consult with system continuing education consultants later this month to discuss the findings of the report. In addition, DLT staff are analyzing the report and its recommended action steps in relation to existing professional development efforts.