Power Up: A Leadership Conference for Youth Services Managers & Staff Deadline to submit is September 7! <https://ischool.wisc.edu/continuing-education/power-up/2027-power-up-a-leadership-conference-for-youth-services-managers-staff/call-for-proposals/?elqTrackId=7EF6A56704D33103AA3FD6E658873644&elqTrack=true> Join us in Madison, WI on March 22-23, 2027 for Power Up 2027. Conference sessions can take one of several formats, and you are welcome to submit multiple proposals. * Lecture presentation: 45-minute presentation and 15 min Q&A * Panel Discussion: 2-4 presenters focused on one big topic and sharing their experience * Workshop presentation: One-hour hands-on learning experience * Programming lightning talk: 5-8 minute mini presentation on or about a successful program Topics may include, but are not limited to: Strategic planning; Project management strategies; Leadership styles & strategies; Advocacy for staff, children, teens, and families; Intellectual Freedom, censorship & book challenges; Community engagement, partnerships, and outreach; Mentorship; Navigating change; Program, services, and staff evaluations; Culturally relevant programming and collection management; Innovative or experimental programming; Interdepartmental collaboration; Intentional staff development and training; Staff morale, retention & workplace culture. Selected presentation, workshop, and panel sessions will receive one complimentary conference registration. Selected lightning talk presenters will receive a discounted conference rate. Submit your idea<https://ischool.wisc.edu/continuing-education/power-up/2027-power-up-a-leadership-conference-for-youth-services-managers-staff/call-for-proposals/> by September 7, 11:59 PM CST for full consideration. Closing Keynote - Betsy Bird We are also excited to announce our closing keynote Betsy Bird! Betsy is an author, librarian, reviewer of children’s literature, public speaker, and podcaster (not necessarily in that order). She is the author of numerous picture books for children, including the upcoming Terrible Terrible Birds (Feb 2027) with Matthew Cordell and POP! Goes the Fairy Fairy Tale (June 2027) with Andrea Tsurumi. She has written books for kids ages 9–12 (most recently Long Road To The Circus with David Small), books for adults about children’s books (most recently Racial Literacy in Libraries), and more. Betsy currently resides in Evanston, Illinois with her two kids, husband, and cats Izzy and Hilo (named after the graphic novel series by Judd Winick). -- Questions? Email ce-info@ischool.wisc.edu