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WLA NEWS AND EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS WAPL Session Proposals Due, January 30th
Library Legislative Day, Tuesday February 10, 2026 YSS Midday Mingle, Monday, February 23, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm IF SIG Meeting, Friday, March 20, 1:00 - 2:00 pm WAPL Conference April 27-29, 2026 IF SIG Meeting, Friday, June 12, 1:00 - 2:00 pm WAAL Conference, August 3-4 at Raynor Library, Marquette University in Milwaukee IF SIG Meeting, Friday, September 18, 1:00 - 2:00 pm 2026 WLA Fall Conference, October 20-23, 2026 IF SIG Meeting, Friday, December 18, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
NEWS January 14, 2026
The Wisconsin Historical Society and Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board are welcoming the new year by opening nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Archives Awards (GAA)! The GAA recognizes programs, practitioners, or significant archival work for their achievement, innovation, or creativity in increasing preservation, access, or use of archival materials. We look forward to receiving nominations by Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, at 11:59PM. For more details, see wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS3616
January 14, 2026 We are looking for 4 more members to serve on the Awards and Honors Committee. Terms are 2 years. Why Volunteer for Awards & Honors? The Awards & Honors Committee helps recognize the people and libraries that make a lasting impact across Wisconsin. Volunteers review nominations, discuss achievements, help prepare award citations, and support recognition at the WLA Annual Conference. Serving on the committee is a meaningful way to give back, learn about inspiring work happening statewide, and help shine a spotlight on excellence in our library community. If you enjoy celebrating others and supporting the profession, we’d love to have you join us. If you are interested in serving on this important committee please contact Kara Sullivan at [email protected].
January 14, 2026
We are looking for 2 more members to serve on the Literary Awards Committee. Terms are 2 years.
The WLA Literary Awards Committee is looking for new members. If you enjoy reading a wide variety of works by Wisconsin authors, this opportunity may be for you. The WLA Literary Awards Committee's duties pertain to adult authors exclusively. The Committee annually selects the recipients of the WLA Literary Awards, as well as Outstanding Achievement awards, for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The committee also awards the Notable Wisconsin Authors Award, which honors Wisconsin authors, past and present, for their literary contributions. Committee duties include attending monthly online meetings January through August, followed by reading and reviewing assigned titles. Each committee member is responsible for reading the first 50 pages of approximately 8 to 10 titles in the first round. Then all committee members read and review anywhere from 20 to 30 titles in the second round. Committee members are responsible for reading designated “All Read” titles in their entirety. Work begins in January of each year, with monthly meetings (approximately an hour and a half long) to discuss titles under review. The committee votes on award winners in late spring or summer, and awards are presented at the WLA Annual Conference in the fall. Committee members may serve two consecutive two-year terms. Committee members must be WLA members in good standing while serving on the committee. If you are interested in joining this committee, or have any questions, please contact Amy Manion, WLA Literary Awards Committee Chair, at [email protected] by January 15, 2026. Prospective committee members should include job title, library name, and a brief, one-paragraph statement of interest in this volunteer role. Thank you for considering!
January 6, 2026 AWSL Monthly Coffee ChatsThe Association of Wisconsin Special Librarians (AWSL) division of WLA invites all WLA members to our monthly coffee chat. Join other WLA members to share news and information about special libraries – and chat! AWSL coffee chats are held on the second Friday of each month, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. (CST) via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82547642395?pwd=QQNJTIwwN5oBbrzmNSjCAwbn73mhKd.1 2026 Meetings:
January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11
Coffee Chats are open to all WLA members. Sign up for the AWSL e-list to receive the participation link each month and learn more. Contact [email protected] or call 608-245-3640 with questions.
December 23, 2025 Call For ProposalsPlans are underway for the 2026 WAPL Conference taking place April 27-29, at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, WI. Hosted by the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL), a division of the Wisconsin Library Association, this annual event brings together members of the public library community to share big ideas and learn from each other through interactive breakout sessions and special events. Submit a Breakout Session Proposal The application for submitting proposals for breakout sessions is now open, and your expertise is needed to make WAPL 2026 the best conference ever! Our conference theme is Library as Test Kitchen. This means:
While this is a very broad theme, proposals are not required to fit within it. We encourage innovative proposals on a wide variety of topics. Submit your proposal below or by clicking HERE. We welcome proposals from libraries of all sizes and from individuals who work in a variety of roles - from front line staff to technical services to programming and more. We also welcome proposals from vendors, consultants, trustees, friends, and other library partners.
We will accept session proposals through midnight Friday, January 30, 2026. Questions? Please contact the WLA Office at [email protected] or WAPL Conference Chair Roxanne Staveness at [email protected]
December 16, 2025 WAAL Town Hall Meeting
To discuss WAAL survey results and priorities for the upcoming year
January 27th from 12-1pm
Wisconsin Library Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: WAAL Town Hall Meeting Time: Jan 27, 2026 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81530519694?pwd=OYVLR3j2mBumOigtjhRFabbPutFbhl.1 Meeting ID: 815 3051 9694 Passcode: 704358 December 2, 2025 WAAL Survey WAAL members please complete this brief anonymous survey to help the WAAL board stay informed about what our WAAL membership is looking for. https://uwlax.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_57OHBW88rdxLzCu
December 2, 2025
December 2, 2025 WLA Literary Awards Committee Seeks New Members The WLA Literary Awards Committee is looking for new members. If you enjoy reading a wide variety of works by Wisconsin authors, this opportunity may be for you. The WLA Literary Awards Committee's duties pertain to adult authors exclusively. The Committee annually selects the recipients of the WLA Literary Awards, as well as Outstanding Achievement awards, for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The committee also awards the Notable Wisconsin Authors Award, which honors Wisconsin authors, past and present, for their literary contributions. Criteria for WLA Literary Awards include:
Committee duties include attending monthly online meetings January through August, followed by reading and reviewing assigned titles. Each committee member is responsible for reading the first 50 pages of approximately 8 to 10 titles in the first round. Then all committee members read and review anywhere from 20 to 30 titles in the second round. Committee members are responsible for reading designated “All Read” titles in their entirety. Work begins in January of each year, with monthly meetings (approximately an hour and a half long) to discuss titles under review. The committee votes on award winners in late spring or summer, and awards are presented at the WLA Annual Conference in the fall. Committee members may serve two consecutive two-year terms. Committee members must be WLA members in good standing while serving on the committee. If you are interested in joining this committee, or have any questions, please contact Amy Manion, WLA Literary Awards Committee Chair, at [email protected] by January 15, 2026. Prospective committee members should include job title, library name, and a brief, one-paragraph statement of interest in this volunteer role.
November 25, 2025 Thank you to everyone that responded to the post conference survey. The winner of the Amazon gift cards is Carla Huston of the Black Earth Public Library!
November 24, 2025 Registration Now Open for Library Legislative Day 2026Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Join us in Madison for a day of advocating for Wisconsin libraries! This year's event will kick off with a briefing and breakfast at the Best Western Premier Park Hotel (22 S Carroll St, Madison, WI 53703), followed by visits with legislators at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Once you register for this event, Library Legislative Day committee members will make appointments with legislators and develop the day's schedule for you. The schedule will be shared with attendees a few days in advance of the event.
Watch the WLA Library Legislative Day webpage for additional information as plans are finalized.
November 19, 2025 The American Library Association (ALA) is collaborating with Visit Philadelphia to find libraries in every state to host TED Democracy LIVE. We are looking for 50-plus libraries across the country to host satellite events that will livestream TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures and bring these crucial conversations to every state and territory in the U.S. Libraries play a vital role in supporting and strengthening democracy by promoting access to information, fostering critical thinking, encouraging civic engagement and protecting intellectual freedom. These livestream events will increase access to groundbreaking TED Talks to amplify community involvement, foster local engagement and inspire conversation around democracy throughout the country. Bring TED Democracy LIVE to Your Area (Images for Newsletters, Listserv or Website: https://visitphilly.app.box.com/s/llmyusejmex6acvq4wl2tfdqjdwflfkj)
November 16, 2025 The Burlington Liars Club is issuing a challenge to everyone to submit their most outrageous fabrications to our annual contest. We are seeking original distortions that will bring a smile. Liars Club Poster
November 13, 2025 AWSL coffee chats are held on the second Friday of each month, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. (CST). November 4, 2025 Congratulations to the winners of our 2025 "Be a Member, Get a Member" drawing Taylor Robers and Ann Larson from the Sherman and Ruth Weiss Community Library! They both won $250! A new “Be a Member, Get a Member” campaign has just begun and will run through October 15, 2026. When you refer a new member to join the Wisconsin Library Association, both you and the new member will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a cash prize ($250 each).
November 4, 2025 Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Cohort of the Leadership Development Institute: Kelli Miller Waunakee Public Library Library, Alexandrea Krause Hortonville Public Library Library, Britta Rice Friday Memorial Library, Mathew Howe Beloit Public Library, Dominic Frandrup Door County Library, Eric Norton McMillan Memorial Library, Emilia Jury McIntosh Memorial Library, Brett Rohlwing Milwaukee Public Library, Therese O'Gara Jung Platteville Public Library, Hayley Johnson Shorewood Public Library, Sharon Long Wauwatosa Public Library, Laurie Ollhoff T. B. Scott Free Library Library, Nicole Metz-Andrews Marathon County Public Library, Jennifer Bahnaman Pauline Haass Public Library, Gloria Makris Waukesha Public Library, Anna McCallum Horicon Public Library, Mary Lopez Milwaukee Public Library |
