There are a myriad of engaging programs coming up at the 2019 Wisconsin Library Association Conference–which will be held from October 8-11 at the Kalahari Conference Center in the Wisconsin Dells. So many interesting and important topics from a diversity of presenters (including several from right here in IFLS-land)! Here are just a few of the youth services highlights (there are MANY more):
- Author Miranda Paul will be the Youth Services Section luncheon speaker on Wednesday. Her most recent book, Nine Months, received 4 starred reviews and the 2019 Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor Award for Nonfiction.
- Author Chad Sell won the Burr/Worzolla Wisconsin Children’s Book Award for his graphic novel Cardboard Kingdom, and he’ll be at the conference delivering a presentation and also accepting his award.
- Many of you may have heard the This American Life segment The Room of Requirement. If you haven’t–go listen to it! Wisconsin librarian Lydia Sigwarth’s story is featured in this story, and she’ll be giving a presentation. And Lydia’s got a debut picture book coming out in 2021.
- The Youth Services Section is having a social–open to everyone–on Wednesday evening. This is a great opportunity to hang out, make some recycled book art, and meet some new friends. Youth services librarians are the friendliest, most welcoming bunch around–you know that!
- Other sessions about working with families, playful STEAM programs, nutrition, effectively serving trans community members, programming for teens and tweens, and unpacking privilege, to name a few, will be fascinating for a wide range of youth services folks!
If you have always wanted to attend WLA but have never managed to do so, I highly recommend it. If finances are a barrier, check out the scholarship opportunity coming from IFLS by Monday at the latest!