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. 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/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?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/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=11724& This program is made possible by the Library of Michigan and supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Resources Grade-Level Reading (GRL) Week     GLR Week 2026 is the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading’s seventh annual virtual gathering. Over five days from July 27-31, we’ll host a week of learning, conversation, and collaboration focused on the urgent issues shaping children’s prospects for early school success. GLR Week 2026 will bring together some of the nation’s most compelling thought leaders, leading practitioners, and lived experience experts to explore timely challenges, emerging opportunities, and practical solutions that can help more children succeed in school and thrive beyond the classroom. Throughout the week, we’ll remain mindful of the theme we’ve followed over the last two years – Focus on the Gaps – while highlighting that progress is not only possible, it’s already happening. Details and registration can be found here: https://glrweek2026.gradelevelreading.net/. ALSC Toolkits Support Your Work Free resources for practitioners by practitioners. ALSC's Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers committee recently updated a host of toolkits<https://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/professional-tools> <https://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/professional-tools> that provide fresh resources for library practitioners working with populations that are marginalized. Each toolkit offers professional and leisure reading recommendations, support for programming, and materials for families, covering the following topics: * Access to Technology * Autism & Sensory Processing Disorder * Childhood Trauma * Children with Print Disabilities * Financial & Housing Insecurity Resources * New Americans * Spanish-Speaking Populations * Supporting Children, Teens, and Their Caregivers Impacted by Carceral Systems (NEW) Created by the 2025-26 School-Age Programs and Services committee, Navigating Through Tough Times: A Toolkit for Library Workers Serving School-Age Children & their Caregivers<https://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/professional-tools?_zs=Fu5vg1&_zl=gTEqA#School%20age%20programs> is designed to support library workers in helping school-age children and their caregivers navigate challenging circumstances. Whether responding to community-wide crises, family instability, or everyday stressors, this resource offers developmentally appropriate websites, videos, book recommendations, and activity ideas to foster resilience, connection, and emotional well-being. The toolkit equips library staff with tools to create safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces for the children and families they serve. Talking Teen Services: Preparing Teens for College Through Academic Library Collaboration Thanks to my colleagues at the Colorado State Library, Michigan public library staff are invited to participate! Registration now OPEN!<https://costatelibrary.libcal.com/event/17228796> Have you ever wondered how you could encourage the young people you see in your library every day to understand the value of using academic libraries at their future college campuses? How can we help them understand the resources they will find there, and how getting to know their academic librarians will support their personal and professional success? Come explore today's academic libraries for yourself and begin considering how you could help build this bridge for high schoolers in your community whether or not there's a community college or university campus in your town. Participants will learn about: * What a visit to an academic library can look like for high schoolers * How to talk about why academic library visits are helpful * Example lesson plans and activities provided by academic libraries for visiting high schoolers * Programs ideas for preparing teens for college whether or not you can help them visit an academic library This Talking Teen Services session will include interactive components. Please bring your knowledge and experience to the discussion in the chat, as well as, any questions you many have for our presenter. The session will also be recorded. All registered participants will receive a link to the recording as well as any additional materials shared by the presenter. Caitlin Cooke, is a Teaching and Learning Librarian at Auraria Library; her focus is on library instruction to first-year students. Caitlin received her MLIS from Rutgers University and her MA in History from Goldsmiths University of London. In the News... ALSC, YALSA Reunification Update<https://www.slj.com/story/ALSC-YALSA-Reunification-Update-ALA-Annual-2026> - SLJ Extra Helping, 7/1/26 Escanaba library joins statewide reading initiative<https://www.dailypress.net/news/local-news/2026/06/escanaba-library-joins-statewide-reading-initiative/> - Daily Press, 6/29/26 Finally... I've had a sneak peek at 2027's Mysteries Await At Your LibraryTM theme and I think you are really going to enjoy it! Manual codes will be emailed to directors later this Fall. If you'd like a copy of the manual code sent directly to you this Fall, please complete this form<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeXo5E0M_2M3r1Rw7Sxr_wnyLwFU2XELPvMaaQccpvkf7gSQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor> using your official work email. [cid:6c576a59-a7fc-4c31-80c6-c80f6603f6cb] Hope you all are surviving the last few weeks of summer library programming! YOU'VE GOT THIS!!! Sending you my best, 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/>.