Collaborative Summer Library Program Universal Design: Inclusive Approaches to Public Librarianship Thursday, November 13, 2025 2:00 - 3:00 pm EDT This webinar will address the Universal Design for Learning framework, how to use it, and why it matters. It will cover how to proactively utilize UDL principles when developing inclusive library programming. Registration and details are online.<https://www.cslpreads.org/professional-development/> Summer Symposium Thursday, December 4, 2025 11:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT Attend the virtual symposium live from your own desk, at your library. Registration to attend live is open!<https://www.cslpreads.org/professional-development/> Can't attend live? Save seats for those wishing to attend live by completing this request for recording form<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8Vcp2Yq9UGNMd32GCmV8dfKxQ66_xiQx7pKyBueEOB0Etvw/viewform> which allows you to view sessions in your own time, at your own pace, if you cannot attend live. New this year - you can register to join us in-person at the Library of Michigan as we connect & collaborate together as we watch the symposium: Unearth A Story™: Connect & Collaborate Thursday, December 4, 2025 10:00 am - 4:30 pm ET* Library of Michigan - Lake Erie Meeting Room (2nd Floor) The dinosaurs are coming in 2026! Join us as we gather to view the Collaborative Summer Library Program's annual virtual Summer Symposium all about Unearth a Story™. We will start the day with a conversation around summer library programming best practices, before tuning into the opening Keynote Speaker (announcement coming soon). Between sessions we will "unearth" ideas on programming, so feel free to bring craft supplies, materials, or stories to share. This event will be limited to 50 participants. Details & Registration for this IN-PERSON Network Event<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=9756> <https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=9756> (Please note, if you register to attend in-person at LM, do not register for the virtual symposium via CSLP) *Limited snacks will be provided, lunch will not be served. Please plan to pack your own lunch and beverages for the day. We do have water bottle refill stations on site. The Unearth A Story(TM) 2026 Product Catalog<https://www.cslpreads.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CSLP-2026-Product-Catalog-Final.pdf> is now available and the CLSP online store<https://shop.cslpreads.org/> is open. The 2026 manual codes to access the online manual was emailed to library directors via LibPass. Directors, please share those codes with your summer library program planning staff. If you wish to receive the manual code directly from me, and are not a director, you can complete this form<https://forms.gle/j5a7SGncwmJDUCy3A> to request the code using your official library email. CSLP Membership is provided to MI libraries by the Library of Michigan and supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Resources We Are ALSC Chat - Exploring Leadership and Management in Children's Services Wednesday, November 5, 2025 1:30 PM EDT Join ALSC's Managing Children's Services Committee for a We Are ALSC Chat exploring leadership and management in Children's Services. Share your experiences of leadership (even if you don't have a formal title), fostering community among staff, and how to advocate for new ideas at your library. As always, this We Are ALSC Chat is open to ALSC members and non-members. Register here: https://ala-events.zoom.us/meeting/register/Pp33A6iZSOWvBJVBDoMLYA#/registra.... I'm unaware if this is recorded or not, you will need to inquire with ALSC but given it's a "chat," I'd assume you need to attend live. Creating and Advocating for Nature-Smart Libraries - ALSC Webinar November 19, 2025 Noon - 1:00 pm EDT As community hubs, libraries can provide children with regular access to nature programs, lending from nature-based collections, and outdoor natural spaces. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to sponsor a discussion with our colleagues in the Nature Everywhere Communities partnership about the newly released Nature-Smart Libraries Toolkit<https://www.childrenandnature.org/resources/nature-smart-libraries-a-toolkit/>, featuring examples from the Austin Public Library<https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/Austin-NSL-Case-Study_FINAL.pdf> and the San Francisco Public Library<https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/San-Fran-NSL-Case-Study_FINAL.pdf>. This online guide highlights innovative, Nature-Smart Library initiatives nationwide, showcasing how libraries can collaborate with city leaders, parks departments, and community partners to expand nature access. The toolkit emphasizes system-wide strategies to ensure nature is accessible across entire municipalities. Whether you want to consider adding nature, sustainability, and environmental themes to existing programs; transform the green space around your local library into a pollinator garden, an outdoor story nook, or a nature-focused story walk trail; or expand collections to support self-directed nature exploration through lending programs, this discussion is for you. Registration & Details<https://elearning.ala.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=1590> - Free. SciStarter November SciStarter Community Calendar<https://media.scistarter.org/curated/2025-10-22/November_2025.pdf?utm_campaign=NL1025_2halloween&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_source=calendar> to share with families or use to plan programming! Please note, there are links throughout the calendar so digital is probably best. In the News... ALA Announces Staffing Reductions<https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/ala-announces-staffing-reductions/> - 10/21/25 BBC: “Largest Study of Its Kind Shows AI Assistants Misrepresent News Content 45% of the Time – Regardless of Language or Territory”<https://www.infodocket.com/2025/10/22/bbc-largest-study-of-its-kind-shows-ai-assistants-misrepresent-news-content-45-of-the-time-regardless-of-language-or-territory> - 10/22/25 National award recognizes Muskegon students cooking fresh, local meals for county schools<https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/lakeshore/muskegon/national-award-recognizes-muskegon-students-cooking-fresh-local-meals-for-county-schools> - 10/20/25 Looking forward to seeing many of you at MLA's Annual Conference this week! 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/> [Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan] [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/>.