Summer Reading Congratulations to you all for making it through another busy summer! I'm excited to read through the results of the CSLP Annual Survey! Please help us get some solid statistics representing Michigan by completing the survey for your library before September 11th. The survey can be found here: https://forms.gle/1PTXSYiWMRSvto2p6. Save the Date for Summer Symposium! The Collaborative Summer Library Program's Annual Summer Symposium will be on Thursday, December 3rd - there will be an opportunity to sign-up to attend virtually OR you can join the Library of Michigan for our special watch party, with special bonus hour of in-person STEM training with the team from the Sloan Museum of Discovery/Longway Planetarium. Details on both options coming soon. 2029 Slogan/20230 Theme (yes, we librarians plan ahead!) We are also just month away from the CSLP Annual Meeting and LM's Cathy Lancaster will be voting for the 2029 Slogan (Nature) and 2030 Theme (yay!). Please help inform her vote by selecting your favorite Slogan/Theme: https://forms.gle/6z4bY8usgPbAhD8QA. (You can find past themes/slogans here<https://www.cslpreads.org/themes-and-slogans/>) CSLP Manual Listening Sessions If you've ever wanted to talk with the committee volunteers who design the Collaborative Summer Library Program's annual program manuals, here's your chance! The current members of the manual committees are hosting listening sessions for CLSP member libraries. Because the CO State Library purchases a statewide annual membership each year, if you work in a Colorado library, you work in a CSLP member library. Which means you are invited to attend these sessions. The program manuals are designed to support summer programming for all age groups, little ones through elders. If you are involved in planning and facilitating summer programming for any or all age groups, you have the chance to offer the committee some meaningful feedback. At the CSLP Manual Listening Sessions, the committee members are hoping to gather some information on what elements of the program manuals you find helpful, what you really just don't use, what changes you might appreciate, and any other ideas or concerns you'd like to share. If you're interested in participating, the registration links for each date are here: Wed, Oct 28, 11am CT (9am PT) - Register here<https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6BWyzgYxQf6mkGhPcyEwsw> Tues, Nov 17, 3pm CT (1pm PT) - Register here<https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eWBp7wKgTKCqQR6YXL16Eg> Public libraries across Michigan are members of the Collaborative Summer Library Program thanks to the Library of Michigan and supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. MiYouth updates Youth Services Advisory Council The Library of Michigan's Youth Services Advisory Council (YSAC) is made up of public library youth services staff from across Michigan. It is a voluntary position where members are responsible for: 1) Assess ongoing needs in the areas of youth services library staff, 2) Providing ideas, developing, and facilitating our quarterly MiYouth meetings, 3) Other tasks specific to promoting and serving youth services throughout the state. (For example, working on support materials for Ready to Read Michigan or providing feedback on MeL eResources) Time commitment is moderate, with most of the work/feedback conducted at quarterly meetings (virtual) and via email. Apply to serve on YSAC: https://forms.gle/EBwrtYdjpRHekiZB9 Mark Your Calendars now for our next MiYouth Call! Tuesday, October 13th 2:00 pm ET Public library staff that work with youth are invited to join LM’s Youth Services Advisory Council (YSAC) for networking and discussion. In October we'll have special guest Kristin Fontichiaro from UM's School of Information. We'll also discuss what parents and families need to know about A.I. Come prepared to share, network, and explore! MiYouth meets quarterly (months vary) on the 2nd Tuesday at 2pm. Looking forward to seeing you this afternoon if you can make it. No need to register, just join us at 2pm ET! (This meeting is not recorded, but shared notes will be sent out) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/506813991?pwd=Z2NBMTFES1BlRlNVc2lhbzV1eTJ0QT09 Password: 454345 Book Grant If you work at a rural library, you may be eligible to apply for a book grant through the Pilcrow Foundation Rural Public Library Children's Book Grant program: https://thepilcrowfoundation.org/childrens-book-project-program-grants/. The Pilcrow Foundation provides new, quality, hardcover children's books to rural public libraries across the United States. It provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children's Book Project. The library or its sponsors/partners contribute $200-400 and Pilcrow Foundation matches with $400-800 for a total purchase of $600-1200 worth of new children's books. The Pilcrow Foundation provides a booklist from which Children's Book Project grant recipients can select books best suited for their community. The book list includes award-winning and star-reviewed titles from educational and literary organizations. To be considered for the current round, apply by October 1, 2026 (applications close April 1 and October 1 each year). See the Pilcrow Foundation website<https://thepilcrowfoundation.org/childrens-book-project-program-grants/> for the criteria to qualify as a rural library, plus all the grant details, instructions, and application form. In the News... Michigan libraries expand beyond books — and walls — by going outdoors<https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-libraries-expand-beyond-books-and-walls-by-going-outdoors/> - Bridge Michigan, 8/18/26 Next week is the last week to register for "Practical Puppetry for Powerful Programs!" Adding puppetry to library programs can engage learners, promote inclusive environments, breathe life into timeless classics, lift up diverse stories, and ignite imaginations. But who has time for memorizing lines, the budget for exotic supplies, or the opportunity to implement long-term lesson plans? You can do it all without complicated puppet stages, formal scripts, expensive materials, or midnight oil! Experience practical puppetry activities in action. Learn what makes puppetry well-suited to library learning and which types of puppets are best-suited to different activities. Adapt a story, song, or game to include puppets. Practice your crafting and performing skills. Return to your own library inspired and prepared to add puppetry to your own programs. BONUS attendees will receive 3 puppetry books for their programming collection and a new finger puppet! Registration Details: This in-person workshop runs from 9:30 - 5:00 pm EST, with lunch provided. Space is limited and there is a $35.00 fee to attend, payment for either workshop location is due by September 7th. * Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Delta Township District Library<https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Lk3hPuKGboAsqBc6>, register here: https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/event-detail?event=11719 * Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library<https://maps.app.goo.gl/FedCQNFqQzGn1Zcv6>, register here: https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/event-detail?event=11724 This program is made possible by the Library of Michigan and supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Building Community-Based Summers: Tri-State In-Person Workshops Over the last few years public libraries in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio have participated in cohorts of the Building Community-Based Summers (BCBS) national IMLS project. Through learning sessions and activities, BCBS helps libraries develop new thinking and strategies about summer services in four key areas: Rethinking Internal Systems, Fostering a Culture of Learning, Centering Community, and Reflecting Continuously about summer services and their impact. These BCBS Workshops are being offered to any IN, MI, and OH library workers who are interested in evaluating and reassessing their summer services. Attendees will participate in a variety of activities to help them view their summer services through fresh eyes at a critical time of the year as they plan for next summer. The facilitators will share a brief history and background about BCBS for those unfamiliar with the project, and details for those who wish to be trained more deeply regarding the BCBS learning topics and strategies. The workshops will also include much time for discussion and sharing, to learn what libraries are planning to better reach all their communities and to provide ideas and strategies to address challenges. Both workshops are open to Michigan public library staff. * Thursday, November 5, 2026 - from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm at the Main Library, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, 325 N. Michigan St, Toledo, Ohio. Free Parking is available. Registration: https://forms.gle/H1v37vAk1wzPT5W59 * Thursday, November 19, 2026 - from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm at the Meijer Branch, Jackson District Library, 2699 Airport Rd., Jackson, MI 49202. Free parking is available. Registration: https://forms.gle/wUsExGchA63cWhxo6 Both workshops will cover the same BCBS content; register for the date and location of your choice. Registration is free. Thank you, Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> Join the MiYouth<https://liblists.org/postorius/lists/miyouth.liblists.org/> Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services. [A picture containing logo Description automatically generated] Do you know an outstanding Michigan educator? Nominate them for 2027-28 Michigan Teacher of the Year! The Michigan Teacher of the Year Program is accepting nominations through September 23. Nominate an educator using the online form<https://mde.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3VO6y33yPJYG0t0>. For more information, visit www.Michigan.gov/mtoy.<https://www.michigan.gov/mtoy> [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.
