Project Examples

Community Engagement Statewide Training
The Winding Rivers Library System contracted with a third-party consultant to provide statewide community engagement training. This Wisconsin Libraries Transforming Communities program selected and trained 36 coaches and team members from 14 counties in 12 different library systems. Teams consisted of a library staff member and one or two community partners, such as individuals from schools, health departments, or non-profit organizations. They applied their learning by engaging deeply with their community through focus groups, surveys, and conversations. Each team also received a $2,000 mini grant to implement community projects such as dual language story times, community leader videos, internet access improvements, and public art projects.
IMLS Funds: $125,100

 

E-book Data Collection and Analysis Project
Several project partners worked together to demonstrate the statewide impact of public library closures on e-book usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. They collected data from a joint e-book platform used by the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium and the Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium. The Winding Rivers Library System analyzed this e-book data on circulations, holds, expenditures, and users in light of library building closures and stay-at-home orders. They compiled and delivered the report to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and included presentations to the two consortia. A key finding was that the analyzed e-book collections experienced increased usage during the pandemic across every metric. This data helped establish a baseline, and will inform planning for future electronic resources, as well as any future public health emergencies.
IMLS Funds: $5,000

Statewide Library Improvement: Youth and Inclusive Services
State library staff in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction provided consultation and training related to youth and inclusive services for statewide libraries and library systems. Among these offerings was a custom training on the Compassion Resilience Toolkit, which addressed the reality of burnout and stress when working with the public, particularly during the pandemic. The project also encompassed Wisconsin’s annual summer reading program, as well as support related to special populations, including individuals who are economically and educationally underserved; those for whom English is a second language; those who are institutionalized, incarcerated, or homeless; and those who are cognitively, emotionally, or physically disabled.
IMLS Funds: $76,181.52

Review recent Grants to States projects from this state library in the State Program Report database.

Search the Awarded Grants Database for additional details about awards in this state or view the State Details Dashboard.

Five-Year Plan Highlights

Goal 1: Wisconsin residents have easy access to information, tools, resources, people, and spaces to make learning, exploration, and discovery possible for all individuals and communities statewide.

• Projects include:
  • Support for platforms, technologies, and practices that improve access to library resources
  • Resources and learning opportunities to increase literacy skills of all types

Goal 2: Wisconsin library staff are equipped with tools and support to serve the needs of their communities.

• Projects include:
  • Support for recruitment and retention of library staff
  • Training to increase the use of statewide resources
  • Increased access to data and tools for library decision making

Goal 3: Wisconsin libraries cultivate connections and collaborations with other libraries, organizations, and stakeholder groups in order to engage community members, address equity challenges, maximize strengths, and implement impactful, scalable ideas.

• Projects include:
  • Collaborations and network development to drive innovation and promotion of best practices
  • Library capacity building for local collaborations and community engagement

IMLS Data Collection

State Library Administrative Agency Survey
The State Library Administrative Agency Survey (SLAA) provides descriptive data about state library agencies for all fifty states and the District of Columbia. To interact with the latest data, please visit the SLAA Survey Comparison Tool. 

Public Libraries Survey
The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) provides national descriptive data on the status of public libraries in the United States and its territories. Explore state profiles representing more than 9,000 public library systems and over 17,000 public library outlets.