Congratualtions!
Congratulations to Emily Resendiz, director of the Calhoun Memorial Library in Chetek. Emily is the recipient of the Wisconsin Library Association’s 2025 George Bauer Memorial Fund Scholarship! As she said, “I want to deepen my knowledge and bring even more value to the community I serve. My goal is not just to grow professionally, but to amplify the impact of my work—ensuring that our library continues to be a vibrant, inclusive space where people of all ages come to learn, connect, and thrive.”
Two for Directors
1. It’s group library card order time!
Look for an email or go right to the order reply form. All libraries must reply, whether or not you order cards this year.
2. Policy of the Month Club
Public Library Standards Revision: Volunteers Needed
The DPI’s Bureau of Libraries is now seeking volunteers to assist with the review and revision of Wisconsin’s Public Library Standards.
Libraries have seen significant changes in community services demand since the last edition of the Wisconsin Public Library Standards was published in 2018. Feedback from the Wisconsin library community has made it clear the existing standards need updating if they are to continue to reflect useful measures for public library planning and evaluation.
The Bureau of Libraries is beginning a one-year project to review and revise the public library standards. The project will be led by State Librarian Ben Miller and will seek feedback from a wide variety of Wisconsin library community members. To ensure the revised standards are a useful tool for libraries across the state, the Bureau is looking for volunteers with a variety of administrative backgrounds in libraries of all sizes to serve on the Public Library Standards Project Steering Committee and workgroups. View the volunteer job description for more information.
If you are interested in participating in this process as a Steering Committee member or workgroup member or by completing surveys, focus groups, and other feedback opportunities, please fill out the project volunteer form by September 19.
For questions about Wisconsin’s Public Library Standards, this project, or the volunteer form, contact Public Library Administration Consultant Teresa Schmidt at teresa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov.
Celebrate. Connect. Lead the Way.
Each year, the Rural Library Network eSummit brings together over 500 rural library leaders, staff, and partners from across the country for a powerful virtual gathering focused on one thing: the transformational role of libraries in building strong, thriving communities. This is not your typical online conference—it’s a high-energy, highly practical experience that affirms your work, expands your resource toolkit, and connects you with peers who share your mission, “All Rural Students Succeed”.
The eSummit will feature keynote speaker Mychal Threets, a nationally known librarian and social media icon whose message centers on “Community Joy in Libraries.” Additional speakers, including Rebecca Hass, Montana Poet Laureate Chris La Tray, and breakout session speakers will inspire and equip participants to lead a “cradle to career” movement, activate partnerships and funding, strengthen local library systems, and share library “bright spots” from across rural America.
Register here, today!
On the IFLS calendar
Highlight: Using Headings in Divi
Thursday, September 18, 2 – 3 PM Get ready for new accessibility standards in 2026. Accessible website navigation begins with proper use of headings. Divi modules provide options to create and to customize headings. This session will demonstrate using headings on a Divi webpage and how to use them with key text-based modules. Erica does four website training events every month. Watch for her emails, or go to the calendar event.