Wisconsin Resources

Youth Services Section (YSS) of the Wisconsin Library Association provides several opportunities and resources:

• The YSS Blog Youth Services Shout-Out has great tips and information from contributors from around the state--read it and comment or contribute by sending in an idea!
• Elizabeth Burr/Worzolla Book Award Committee chooses the most distinguished books for youth published by Wisconsin authors each year
• Youth Services Guidelines offer some great standards for your own youth services department

Growing Wisconsin Readers is the state-wide initiative to help libraries reach out and help caregivers develop literacy skills with the children in their care.

DPI's Coding Initiative has resources and ideas for everything from low-cost/low-tech projects to high-cost/high-tech programs.

Cooperative Children's Book Center is a terrific state resource, creating a yearly publication called CCBC Choices, offering various webinars and trainings throughout the year, and providing a robust Intellectual Freedom service to libraries facing a challenge to youth materials.

National Resources

American Library Association has two sections that deal specifically with youth:

• Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) provides
  • An excellent blog that full of best-practices advice
  • Every Child Ready to Read resources, including this wiki about implementation
  • Book and Media Awards
  • Creating the Great Websites for Kids list
  • Various scholarship opportunities for members
• Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) provides
  • Teen Tech Week
  • Teens' Top Ten
  • Training Opportunities, including a series of free online web-shops called YALSA Academy
  • Book and Media Awards and Booklists