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Library Director Resources

Below are a wide variety of resources for library directors and trustees regarding frequently asked questions and common issues.

Table of Contents

Advocacy

Library Legislative Day

Connie Meyers gives an introduction to attending Library Legislative Day. Connie discusses what to expect, shares tips, and conducts a mock conversation with a legislator.
Find more information on attending Library Legislative Day and advocating on behalf of your library here.

​Communicating Core Values

​This document provides alternative ways to express the core values of public libraries and includes responses to common questions. Its aim is to equip library staff with clear and consistent messaging that emphasizes the importance of public libraries in their communities.

Intellectual Freedom Resources

Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) Handouts

Wisconsin Library Association Intellectual Freedom Toolkit

The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association developed this toolkit as a way for community members, librarians and trustees to gain a deeper understanding of intellectual freedom as it relates to libraries in Wisconsin. The toolkit is intended to provide resources to help libraries and their communities navigate these issues while protecting the rights of individual readers.

Libraries and Law Enforcement: Visits and Interactions

These resources may help libraries generally understand their rights and obligations in responding to requests from law enforcement. While it is recommended that libraries seek professional legal counsel on the matter, this knowledge can be important for library staff to have on hand should the situation arise.

​Libraries and Law Enforcement: Visits and Interactions Guide
Law Enforcement Cheat Sheet

Library Building Projects & Facility Management

Wisconsin Library Buildings & Spaces Project

The Wisconsin Library Buildings & Spaces Project is a resource for Wisconsin public library directors, staff and trustees about library building and renovation projects. Find on-demand webinars and resources from professionals across the state, as well as a list of recently completed projects from Wisconsin libraries. Topics include renovation, space reconfiguration, new building projects, and more.

Facility Management Resources

Library Friends Groups and Foundations

Tax-Free Donations FAQs

Donations to Libraries, Local Government Tax Status and 501(c)3 Organizations 

501(c)(3) FAQs

Library Foundation Guide

Provides information regarding the differences between Friends Groups and Foundations, the benefits of a Foundation, and guidance on how to establish a Foundation.

​Library Foundation Guide 2024

OWLSnet Staff Niche Academy

OWLSnet Staff Niche Academy
Under Staff Development, you will find resources related to Friends groups.

​Resources:
​Additional Suggested Reading:

Library Management

Library Resilience Toolkit

​In 2021, eleven mid-size Wisconsin public libraries formed the City Library Collective (CLC) to address common issues and use collective knowledge and experience to improve their organizations and services to their communities. The group was awarded an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant in order to collaboratively explore the concept of Libraries as Centers for Community Resiliency. The grant project combined highly collaborative activities with individual library pilot projects to develop shared processes for community data gathering and analysis, staff training, and the implementation of incubator projects that position the library as a community resiliency partner. These processes also serve as models for other CLC partners and libraries statewide. The goal is to help libraries and the communities they serve anticipate, withstand, adapt to, and recover from adversity — to be resilient. Leaning heavily on concepts and techniques of Whole Person Librarianship, the CLC focused on skilling-up librarians to address the psychosocial needs of their community patrons.

One of the main outcomes of the work is the development of a Library Resilience Toolkit. Available to all, this Toolkit provides an overview of social work concepts in the library, data and assessment strategies for evaluating impact, and practical resources, including job descriptions, press releases, and communication templates. Additionally, the toolkit shares resources and lessons learned from the various local projects implemented at several of the CLC libraries.

Library Director's Playbook

​Use the Playbook as a template to keep yourself, staff, and successor organized regarding daily operations of your library, planning for crises, and anticipating transitions in your library​.

Staff Onboarding

Library Policies

Policy of the Month Club

The Bureau of Libraries-Library Services Team recently invited members of the Wisconsin library community to participate in our new collaborative initiative, “Policy of the Month Club.” 
​
We know how full our library directors’ plates are! How do you find time to maintain your library’s policies on top of everything else that requires your time and energy? That’s where Policy of the Month Club comes in. 
​
Policy of the Month Club will offer library directors and other policy writers an accessible framework and consistent schedule to easily create and revise policies. Each month will focus on a different policy topic. You’ll get an email with background information, tips for reviewing and revising your library’s policy, and a platform to share and discuss policy examples.

How do I join the Policy of the Month Club?

Subscribe to the Policy of the Month Club email bulletin. If this is the first time you've signed up for a DPI list on GovDelivery, you'll be asked to provide your email address and complete a CAPTCHA. You'll also be given the option to set a password to manage your subscription in the future.

Do I have to? Nope! Policy of the Month Club is completely voluntary. ​

What's Next?

The first email you’ll receive from us will include directions on how to join the Public Library Policy Resources group on WISELearn, an online resource sharing and discussion platform sponsored by DPI. We'll use WISELearn to share and discuss sample policies from libraries of all sizes and locations.

In June 2025, we released a Policy Audit tool designed to help library directors quickly assess the current status of their policies. It will assist you in identifying any policies that need to be created or updated, and could also serve as a useful tool for you and your library board to engage in ongoing policy review.

Beginning in July 2025, each Policy of the Month bulletin highlights a recommended policy topic for the month. You’ll get access to sample policies and a description of best practices to consider for each policy. 

Ultimately, we hope the Policy of the Month Club becomes a robust community of practice where Wisconsin library directors can share their expertise, collectively troubleshoot challenges and concerns, curate strong collections of policy examples, and follow an accessible schedule of policy revisions – informed by your needs, but managed by us! 
​
Ready to sign up? Subscribe to Policy of the Month emails!​

Contacts

Have any questions? Email Teresa Schmidt or Chris Baker.

Policy of the Month Club team:
  • Chris Baker, DPI Library Services
  • Katelyn Dubiel, Public Services Consultant, IFLS Library System
  • Kristie Hauer, Assistant Director, Nicolet Federated Library System
  • Emily Rogers, Public Library Services Consultant, Wisconsin Valley Library Service
  • Teresa Schmidt, DPI Library Services
  • Clairellyn Sommersmith, Director, Winnefox Library System 

Policy Development with the Library Board

The document provides library directors with the steps involved in identifying, drafting and adopting new policies. Sample policy templates are also included for use by Wisconsin libraries.

Policy Development and Policy Templates

Libraries and Meeting Rooms

Publicly funded libraries are not obligated to provide meeting room space to the public. If libraries choose to do so, such  spaces are considered designated public forums, and legal  precedent holds that libraries may not exclude any group based on the subject matter to be discussed or the ideas for which the group advocates.

Libraries and Meeting Rooms

Vulnerable Adults Policy

A vulnerable adults policy outlines how staff protect at‑risk adults by ensuring their safety, dignity, and access to support while using library services.

​Sample Vulnerable Adults Policy

Library Security

Library Security

Al Hughes, Security Officer with Brown County Library, discusses a wide-variety of library safety issues involving patrons, staff and facilities.

Slides of the Library Safety presentation by Brown County Library in October 2022

Prohibiting Guns in the Library

​Section 941.235 of the Wisconsin State Statutes prohibits any person from carrying a firearm in a public building, which includes state and local government buildings (libraries included.) However, 2011 Act 35 allows individuals to carry concealed weapons under certain conditions. But, state and local units of government and their subunits (including libraries) are allowed to post notice in their buildings prohibiting an individual from entering with a concealed weapon. Individuals violating the prohibition could be subject to a class B forfeiture (an amount up to $1,000).
​
Proper Notice: Signs notifying visitors of the weapons ban must be posted in a prominent place near all entrances to the building or parts of the building where the restriction applies. Signs must be at least 5 inches by 7 inches and must be posted so that individuals entering the building "can be reasonably expected to see the sign."

​Literacy - Books, Digital, and Informational

DigitalLearn

Online digital literacy courses, created by PLA in collaboration with AT&T, are freely available to anyone through DigitalLearn.org. The courses and training materials were developed with and for library staff and their patrons; are available in English and Spanish; and cover basic technology skills such as internet use, video conferencing, cybersecurity, mobile device basics, and ACP basics. Get more information about digital literacy here.

Wisc-Online Basic Computer Skills Courses

Wisc-Online, started by Fox Valley Technical College, is a nonprofit platform providing free, high-quality learning objects to learners worldwide. Since 1999, it has offered mobile-friendly, interactive resources that make complex concepts easier to understand while supporting workforce training, academic success, and lifelong learning.

​Be MediaWise Tooklit

​In collaboration with The American Library Association (ALA) Be MediaWise: The Misinformation Resilience Toolkit for Libraries is available. This collection of Open Educational Resources will help library workers across the country teach media literacy to audiences of all ages in the communities they serve. The toolkit contains a range of videos, interactive activities and premade slide decks that you can customize or use right out of the box to bring high quality media literacy education to your library or teaching institution.

Marketing

Libraries Build Business Communications Toolkit


​To help library workers communicate the value of and grow their small business services, the American Library Association’s Public Policy & Advocacy office (PPA), in partnership with Audrey Barbakoff from Co/lab Capacity, has created the Libraries Build Business Communications Toolkit. The toolkit offers advice and materials for library workers to promote their small business support services, engage with policymakers and government officials, and form and strengthen ties with local businesses and existing entrepreneur support structures.

Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Resources for Library Staff

WebJunction provides Staff Training and Support resources such as articles and training materials focus on issues that affect library staff and possible solutions.

Mental Health First Aid

Patrons

The Librarian's Guide to Homelessness

DPI has provided all libraries in Wisconsin with free access to Ryan Dowd's Homelessness Training for Librarians. Training modules also include topics such as Avoiding Burnout, De-escalation, Mental Illness, Policing in Libraries, responding to Prejudicial Comments, Service Animals, Sexual Harassment, and more. 

Register for an account at https://my.nimy.nicheacademy.com/dpi-wi-staff. If you have trouble registering for an account, please contact Angela Schneider. 

If you'd like to be added to Dowd's system to receive the webinar links directly to your inbox, sign up using this link: http://bit.ly/MonthlyWebinarSignup. 

Professional Development

Nicolet Lending Library

Nicolet has a variety of books specifically to assist library directors or trustees in their roles. ​Contact Hannah Good Zima to borrow one of the items.

Record Retention

​For more information regarding record retention and adoption of the records schedule, visit DPI's legal resources.

Wisconsin Library Record Schedule
Library Record Retention Cheat Sheet

Reentry Resources

​Individuals reentering the community from jail or prison may come to your library facing many unique challenges that impact their ability to make a smooth and effective transition into society. Below are online resources and programs you can point to that can help them navigate the reentry journey in areas that impact them the most: housing, employment, education, healthcare and legal barriers.

Reentry Resources Webinar
Reentry Slides & Handouts
 
1. Reentry Ready Resources (UW-Extension)
2. Legal Tune-up Tool (Lift Wisconsin)
3. Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

Storywalk® Guidebook

​"A StoryWalk® is an innovative concept that combines reading with outdoor activity. It was created in 2007 by Anne Ferguson in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, Vermont. The idea involves displaying pages from a children's book along a walking path, allowing visitors to read a story while enjoying a stroll."

View the Nicolet Library System StoryWalk® Guidebook 

Technology

Hotspot Playbook

The Hotspot Playbook was developed to help libraries establish and promote hotspot lending programs. 

Wisconsin First Nations and Tribal Libraries

Collection Development Resources from the Tribal Libraries Program, New Mexico State Library. Find resources to help you find materials as well as how to develop your collections here.

From the Tribal Library, Archives, & Museums (TLAM) course series at UW-Madison, Robin Amado, Katelyn Martens, & Jenny McBurney developed these lists to use for Indigenous book purchasing of K-12 books by age group and made A Tiered Purchasing Plan for Supporting Wisconsin Act 31 in your Classroom or Library.

K-12 Wisconsin First Nations booklists by grade level: 
There is also a Facebook Group called “Wisconsin Librarians and Teachers Supporting Act 31” that Robin keeps updated & continues communications in this realm.  ​

American Indians in Children's Literature

Established in 2006 by Dr. Debbie Reese of Nambé Pueblo, American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) provides critical analysis of Indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books. Dr. Jean Mendoza joined AICL as a co-editor in 2016. AICL provides training materials, tips for teachers and librarians, book recommendations and much more. 

Best Books: Are you looking for best books by or about American Indians? First Nations? Native Americans? Indigenous People? AICL provides info to help you find ones selected by Native people (me, and other Native people, including members of the American Indian Library Association)!

And did you know the American Indian Library Association has a book award? See what the book committee has selected for distinction: American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award

One of the leading lights in Native children's and young adult literature is Muscogee (Creek) writer, Cynthia Leitich Smith. She's a mentor and a writer--and she maintains many resources at her website. Take a look at her page on Native American Authors and Illustrators in Children's and Young Adult Books.​

Indigenous Reads Rising

Less than 2 percent of children’s books published in the United States depict characters from Native, First Nations, and Indigenous communities, according to the 2019 statistics compiled by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin. But the needle is moving. Every year, more stories are published by Native writers and illustrators, reflecting their cultures, Nations, and lived experiences, which is why we created Indigenous Reads Rising—to provide a resource where teachers, librarians, and readers can embrace these books.

While this site was founded with teachers and librarians in mind, every reader is welcome to explore our resources and book lists. Indigenous Reads Rising includes a variety of best practices articles and where to find more books by Native authors and illustrators, as well as extensive book lists organized by age category and topic. We also provide resources for Native writers and illustrators interested in honing their craft and applying for grants and mentorships.

Indigenous Reads Rising is managed by the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books.

Wisconsin First Nations Education

Explore a rich collection of educational videos, teacher professional development resources, lesson plans for all grades, and learning tools for your classroom and library at https://wisconsinfirstnations.org/.

California Indian Education for All (CIEFA)

CIEFA is a nonprofit that exists to help teachers and schools educate children and youth about the diverse histories, cultures and contributions of California Native peoples. CIEFA’s goals are to create culturally responsive resources that improve  representations and classroom climates for teaching and learning about California's first people.

Questions?

Contact Hannah Good Zima by calling 920-448-4411 or emailing ​[email protected].​
Nicolet Library System
1595 Allouez Avenue, Suite 4, Green Bay, WI 54311
Email: [email protected]
​Phone: 920-448-4410
​Fax: 920-448-4420
Facebook: @NicoletLibrarySystem
Staff hours of availability: Weekdays, 9 AM - 4:30 PM
Office hours: 9:30 AM to 4 PM. Hours are flexible; please call to confirm.
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