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YOUTH SERVICES SECTIONPURPOSEThe Wisconsin Library Association's Youth Services Section (YSS) advocates for professional empowerment, collaboration, and innovative, inclusive, and intentional service. To that end, YSS provides a forum and resources for people in Wisconsin's libraries who share a commitment to serving children and young adults, their parents, caregivers, and teachers. It is a vital, dynamic group whose interests focus on providing quality library service and encouraging literacy and library use. YSS members include public and school library staff, library trustees and library supporters who work together to benefit youth in Wisconsin. To become a member simply check the YSS box on your WLA membership or renewal form. To become actively involved, please contact the current YSS Chair or Chair-elect to find out more about committee and conference opportunities for volunteering. Youth Services Shout-Out-YSS! BlogAn up-to-date spot for librarians around Wisconsin to find relevant news, events, and resources. EVENTSTitle: YSS Midday Mingle
Date/time: Monday, August 25 from 1-2p
Description: Join us for a fun conversation about one of our favorite topics—storytime! We'll be chatting about our top 3, from a variety of categories (see below), as we share, laugh, and commiserate about a staple of youth services work. Here are the categories we'll be discussing (no pressure to have 3 items for all of the categories—come with whatever you've got!):
Zoom Link
Up Your Grant Writing Game!
Dollars are scare these days, but great ideas abound! Learn how to be grant-ready, streamline your story-telling, and prepare a solid budget for successful grant applications.
Sept. 18, 2025
3pm-4pm
Tracy Herold:
Tracy Herold has worked in public libraries for over 30 years. Having received her MLIS at UW-Madison, she started her career in children's librarianship at Chicago Public Library. Throughout her career, she has launched public Internet access, built a building, implemented an automated sorter, planned for new carpet, moved two facilities and built three bookmobiles. In her current role as director of Dane County Library Service, she has worked with libraries to help them write successful grants for the Beyond the Page Endowment that supports humanities programming in Dane County libraries in perpetuity.
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Islands of Brilliance is a Milwaukee-based non-profit that uses art and creative technologies to empower autistic and neurodivergent individuals and open pathways to employment and independence. The Fellowship is one of the newest programs from IOB, which focuses on transition-age participants in six mid and small-size cities across the state. In this webinar, three staff members will share insights about The Fellowship program design and implementation, as well as key insights about supporting and engaging neurodivergent youth and young adults within community spaces. Dr. Kate Siekman: Director of Learning and Outcomes Kate has 12 years' experience in education and autism therapy. With teaching licenses in alternative and special education and a doctoral degree in occupational therapy, Kate has cultivated a passion for alternative access to learning. Kate seeks the best educational experiences for the students and families she serves, using her creativity in pedagogy to deliver dynamic student outcomes. Natalie Derr: Lead Creative Technologist Artist and experimental creative Natalie Derr aims to use her background in Digital Studio Practice and Painting and drawing as a tool for creative intervention in the exploration of students' identities. As IOB’s Creative Technologist, Natalie is passionately curious about our diverse imaginations and how to exercise empathy by sharing artwork.
Mark Fairbanks: Cofounder and Executive Director of Islands of Brilliance Mark leads a devoted team of education and design professionals at Islands of Brilliance. Since the launch of the program in the fall of 2012, along with his wife Margaret he has guided the organization through constant evolution and growth. Prior to Islands of Brilliance, a 27-year career in advertising, design, and digital saw Mark working for notable creative boutiques in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Chicago. During this period his work appeared in The One Show, Communication Arts, Graphis, and The Obies, while also receiving acclaim in Adweek, Creativity, and The New York Times. He was a member of the Creative Alliance, a cohort of notable agency creatives and agencies working on social impact initiatives during the final two years of the Obama Administration.
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