Submit your proposal here.  Libraries promote growth, education, diversity, and community and campus engagement; continuously striving to better their communities and all those they serve. The 2017 WLA conference, Recharge, is an opportunity for us to share our expertise, knowledge and ideas to enrich our libraries, communities and ourselves.The 2017 WLA Conference Committee invites you to share your experience and creativity with the Wisconsin library community at our annual conference, to be held on October 17 – 20, 2017, at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.  We are seeking an array of programs that will appeal to a wide library audience.We already have a great lineup of speakers but we seek your help to provide a relevant, timely and intentional learning experience at this year’s conference. You can help by offering your knowledge and expertise for a conference session. Consider sessions related to topics such as: Advocacy/Promotion Building...

Thank you to everyone who registered. We have a very strong contingent of library supporters and if you are attending tomorrow, please visit the Library Legislative Day webpage. Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at the Madison Concourse Hotel, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM   Program Agenda 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM (Registration & Continental Breakfast) 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (Briefing Session) 11:00 AM - Noon (Morning Appointments*) 12:00 AM - 1:30 PM (Lunch-on-your-own) 1:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Afternoon Appointments*)  *As always, the appointments will be scheduled for attendees by the Legislative Day Committee!  WLA looks toward achieving some ambitious legislative goals over the next few years, and it has to start now.  It's all about building relationships with your legislators.  "Many people think politics is all money.  In reality relationships and constituent activity are the true drivers of legislative change.  Fortunately, relationship building is what libraries do best - at Legislative Day and all year...

The Wisconsin Library Association is pleased to announce the 2016 library award winners, selected for their outstanding contributions to libraries and librarianship: Trustee of the Year:  Geraldine Anderson, Dresser Village Library Library of the Year:  Schreiner Memorial Library, Lancaster Librarian of the Year:  Elizabeth Timmins, Muehl Public Library, Seymour Trustee of the Year:  Geraldine Anderson, Dresser Village Library Geraldine Anderson has served on the Dresser Village Library Board for over 30 years, serving as president, board member and also library volunteer.    As one of her nomination letters describes, “She is a forward thinker and a highly dedicated individual who knows how to build relationships and make things happen.  She has played an active role in fundraising for the summer library program and always made it clear that she was only a phone call away if her support was needed at a Village Board meeting.”  As is stated in her nomination, the...

Lynsey Addario Wins Prestigious Literary Prize for It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War  Madison, Wisconsin – June 28, 2016 – The Literary Awards Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) is pleased to announce the 2016 Literary Award winner: Lynsey Addario for: It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War. This is the highest literary achievement by a Wisconsin author for a work written in 2015.  “We couldn’t be more proud of Lynsey Addario’s achievement,” said Plumer Lovelace, Executive Director for WLA. “There were many excellent books from Wisconsin writers this year, but her efforts were impressive.” Lynsey Addario, a 1995 graduate of UW-Madison, has written a book that is gripping, enlightening and (surprisingly, considering her unique experiences) relatable. This work of literary non-fiction offers many thrilling tales, addressing the risks and nomadic lifestyle inherent to a combat photographer’s career. Readers will gain...

Registration is now OPEN for the WLA Annual Conference, Better Together @ 125!  Let's celebrate 125 years of WLA! Our state library association makes us "better together" - and we've been at it for over a century. This year's milestone conference provides us many opportunities to come together for one united goal: to serve the residents of Wisconsin. As you prepare for the conference, be sure to read our One Book, One Conference book, Meet Me Halfway: Milwaukee Stories, by Jennifer Morales. You will have an opportunity to both discuss the book on Thursday and meet Jennifer at a session on Friday. Through programs, keynotes, social gatherings and chance encounters, we hope you will be inspired to start our 126th year with strength and purpose. We hope this year's conference will reinvigorate your enthusiasm about the power of stories to bring us together. Learn more about the featured speakers, events...