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Spring Institute for Youth Services 2025 BREAKOUT SESSIONS

*Schedule is subject to change

Thursday, April 10, 2025

11:00 – 11:45 AM  |  1:45 – 2:30 PM  |  3:00 - 3:45 PM

Friday, April 11, 2025

10:45 – 11:30 AM  |  11:45 AM – 12:30 PM  |  2:15 – 3:00 PM

Thursday | 11:00 – 11:45 AM

Workshop: Celebrating Early Literacy Through Movement

This workshop session requires pre-registration.

Room: Composer

Focus: Early Literacy

We all know the early literacy practices of Talk, Sing, Read, Write, Play, but have you considered integrating Movement and Mindfulness into your programs? The Two Ms are just as important: preparing little learners through fine and gross motor activities while stretching their imaginative capacity. Discover how bringing dance, yoga, & intentional breathing into early literacy programming helps little learners celebrate themselves and their potential. Be ready to move and groove.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Learn various ways to incorporate music and mindfulness into their early literacy practices. This may include starting their own music-centered program, adding more gross and fine motor movement to existing storytimes, or exploring mindfulness practices with little learners.
• Through active participation, learn how to engage little learners and their caregivers with dance, yoga, and breathing exercises and how these components enforce the early literacy practices of Talk, Sing, Read, Write, and Play.
• Leave with helpful language to share with caregivers on why movement is literacy, too, and how it helps their little learners get ready for school.

Facilitator

Enhance Your Library Storytimes with Music and Movement

Room: Danube

Focus: Early Literacy

Are you interested in harnessing the power of music to make your storytimes more engaging and fun for children? Learn how you can use music and movement in various ways during storytimes, and why they are such effective tools, all with the ultimate goal of helping children on their path to literacy.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand why music and movement can be such powerful tools to support literacy.
• Have a variety of ideas for how to use music and movement in an age-appropriate way.
• Be able to tailor these techniques to fit their comfort level with music and movement.

Speaker

Library Arcade: Building & Strengthening Communities with Retro Games

Room: Mosel

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen, Family, Technology

Video games have been a popular pastime for decades, making them a perfect medium for intergenerational programming that builds and strengthens connections among children and their families. From the benefits to the logistical challenges, this session will share how a few old gaming consoles inspired the creation of a variety of programs and why libraries should consider incorporating retro gaming into their programming in a way that works for their staff and community.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand and explain how the use of retro video games can benefit their library and community.
• Know varied approaches for tailoring retro gaming programs to fit the needs and resources of their library and community.
• Be able to navigate logistical challenges that may arise while using retro games and consoles as well as planning programs around this medium.

Speakers

Providing Services, Materials and Programs for Disabled Youth

Room: Altmuehl

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen, Family

Learn how to create an inviting environment for youth with disabilities of all types. From what types of materials to purchase to creating innovative programming this session will provide all the tools needed to get you started in serving this much overlooked part of every community.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Have two programs to take back to their libraries that are geared at disabled youth.
• Be familiar with variety of accessibility tools including different types of fidget toys and places to purchase these items.
• Understand the concept of invisible disabilities and concrete examples of types of invisible disabilities.

Speaker

Reach Out and Refresh with Wonder Media!

Room: Rhine

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen

Discover Wonder Media, an online resource filled with programming resources to use for engaging school outreach. Learn how to facilitate programs about misinformation and dependable news sources through fun and interactive activities. Mix and match these peer-designed resources to build a school program that is just right for outreach.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Be aware of the content of Wonder Media and its programming resources.
• Acquire additional tools, techniques and knowledge of media literacy and news literacy.
• Feel equipped to share media and news literacy resources and knowledge with students.

Speakers

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Thursday | 1:45 – 2:30 PM

Workshop: Lego Build Competition

This workshop session requires pre-registration.

Room: Composer

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen, Family

Experience a Lego Build Competition. Inspired by puzzle competitions, participants will work as teams to build the same Lego set as quickly as they can. The first team to assemble their set wins! Prizes available to the winners!

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Know the cost to run a Lego Build Competition.
• Know best practices in choosing supplies for a competition.
• Know how to run a competition from planning to implementing the program.

Facilitators

Podcasting with Kids

Room: Rhine

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen

Hosting a Podcasting with Kids program is a great way to introduce kids to new technologies, but it comes with unique challenges. What can you accomplish during a program? What kind of technology expertise do you need? What about privacy? Sound effects? Editing? Importantly, how do all of these things change with the addition of kids? From preparation and set-up, to storytelling choices and finalizing your podcasts, this session will explore strategies for successful podcasting with kids.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Be able to identify supplies, technology, and space needed to host a program for podcasting with kids.
• Better understand the process of podcasting with kids, and be able to use that to plan a successful program.
• Be inspired by real-life examples to create youth podcasting programs of their own.

Speaker

Partnering with Your Senior Living Community Through Storytime

Room: Mosel

Focus: Early Literacy, Family, Senior Adults

Come learn how the Dewitt District Library Youth Librarians started a new inter-generational story time. They will discuss how partnerships with senior living communities enriched the program, benefiting both seniors and young children. Information will include logistics, planning and tips for a successful storytime format. Be empowered to build relationships across generations, include different community members into story times, and broaden perception and understanding of senior populations.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Be empowered to identify and initiate contact with local senior living centers in their communities or to further develop an existing partnership as they propose an inter-generational library program.
• Be able to develop an inter-generational story time at their library, drawing upon their own experience as well as information provided by the presenters.
• Be prepared to identify logistical concerns and troubleshoot potential challenges when creating a story time program that is accessible and enjoyable for senior adults and families with young children.

Speakers

Teen, Teen, Goose: Creating Whimsy in Your Teen Space

Room: Danube

Focus: Tween/Teen

Building a vibrant culture in your Teen Space can be fun! Learn how to empower teens to help you shape the identity of your library's Teen Space. Get ideas for how to solicit input from teens, inspire them to create community art, and engage their sense of whimsy. Participants will leave this session with passive programming ideas geared toward middle schoolers and high schoolers, community art project inspiration, and perhaps even the desire to acquire a fanciful mascot.

Session Materials

• Handout (pdf)

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Have a better understanding of how to make teens feel welcome at their library.
• Walk away with three concrete strategies for developing their Teen Space: passive programming, community art, and mascots.
• Know how to increase the appeal of their Teen Space.

Speakers

Toy Libraries: Broaden the Playing Field for All Ages, All Abilities

Room: Altmuehl

Focus: General

Toy libraries increase play opportunities and support developmental needs of children; ease economic challenges of families and promote positive socialization and cognitive conservation of seniors. Discover ways to utilize toys in library programs and how to successfully launch and maintain a toy library to encourage play that entertains, educates, and enriches....everyone!

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Be able to identify 10 toys to successfully incorporate into their branch play areas for youth, age birth to tween.
• Be able to categorize 5 toys to utilize in branch programs for: Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School Age and Special programs for Teens and Adults.
• Have a framework for setting up a toy library to circulate toys.

Speaker

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Thursday | 3:00 – 3:45 PM

Workshop: Only Mysteries in the Library

This workshop session requires pre-registration.

Room: Composer

Focus: Tween/Teen

Take up the case at this Murder Mystery workshop! Interrogate witnesses and suspects, gather evidence and bring the suspect to justice. If you have ever wanted to host a murder mystery at your library, this workshop is for you. Leave with a list of free online resources, and inspiration to create your own mystery from scratch including AI tools and document generators.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Improve their storytelling skills by developing engaging plotlines and characters.
• Enhance their creative thinking skills by coming up with challenges within the mystery.
• Sharpen their analytical skills by interpreting clues, solving puzzles, and making logical deductions.

Facilitator

Aged Out of Storytime… Now What? Programming for Ages 5-8

Room: Danube

Focus: School Age Children

With the trends of providing programming specifically for teens and tweens, the 5-8 year old crowd may be overlooked. We will share our programs catered to this group. You will learn what has worked for us and what hasn't and hear what other libraries are doing.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Be inspired to create a book club for ages 5-8.
• Gain new insight into tailoring a storytime for ages 5-8.
• Understand how to incorporate STEM concepts in to programming for ages 5-8.

Speakers

All Ages Archives: Working Together to Share History and Stories

Room: Rhine

Focus: General, School Age Children, Tween/Teen

This session explores ways to engage youth in historical literacy and primary source research. Archives can be intimidating for students, but changes in statewide curriculum has made it imperative for library professionals to engage youth in historical inquiry, share resources, and encourage primary source-driven projects for academic work and extracurricular activities like Michigan History Day. Through examples, this session shares successes and challenges in shaping future historians!

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Be able to identify outreach opportunities for engaging youth in historical activities.
• Adapt examples from the Michigan Tech Archives to their own institution.
• Identify online resources and statewide partners which can help in primary-source driven projects, history contests, and possible future collaborative programming efforts.

Speaker

Early Literacy Popcorn Session

Room: Mosel

Focus: Early Literacy

In our special "popcorn" session, we ask you to be the experts! Everyone is doing great work in their libraries and this is the moment to share with our peers. We'll have a jar of questions and invite people to pick a question and share with the group. This session will discuss early literacy programs and initiatives.

Moderators

Props to Stories! Using Puppets and Other Props in Storytime

Room: Mosel

Focus: Early Literacy

For new and veteran storytimers alike, this session presents different props for telling stories. From flannels that pair with books to full-on stuffed animal fun and even some out of the box props, Laura has lots of fun ideas for interacting with children and bringing stories to life. If you're nervous about going off-book, these storytime prop ideas will help guide you so you can storytell with confidence.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Feel more confident going off-the-book in storytime.
• Choose puppets and other props that can help them tell their favorite stories.
• Be inspired to bring storytelling to their own storytime routines.

Speaker

SEL: Social Emotional Learning Support Through Children's Library Programs

Room: Altmuehl

Focus: General

After emerging from pandemic lock-downs youth service librarians reported changes in kids' behavior, ranging from inabilities to reengage in play and normal conversations to demonstrating lacks of empathy and inclusion. A call went out for remedial SEL: Social Emotional Learning. Positive results inspired librarians to expand SEL interventions into all programming. Learn how to foster social skills through kids's programming in this interactive, participatory session and review of best resources

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Identify and implement specific programming strategies that promote inclusion and social skills.
• Initiate programs that reach out to diverse audiences and expand programming possibilities.
• Build a collection of core, age appropriate materials that support SEL (Social Emotional Learning).

Speaker

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Friday | 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Workshop: Braille Builders: LEGO and Literacy in Tactile Play

This workshop session requires pre-registration.

Room: Composer

Focus: General

Join us for Braille Builders, an interactive workshop that combines the creativity of LEGO with the tactile experience of learning braille. Each participant will have the opportunity to engage with LEGO Braille Bricks kits as they work together in small groups to create, test, and share programming ideas for their public library audience. Perfect for anyone interested in accessible learning through play, this session proves that when it comes to creativity, there are no limits‚ only possibilities.

Session Materials

• Presentation slides (pdf)

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Have a supply list and approximate cost for a basic braille LEGO program.
• Be able to identify and read braille letters and numbers using tactile LEGO pieces.
• Have at least one new programming idea that utilizes the LEGO Braille Bricks kits.

Facilitators

Mix, Measure, Master: Teen Food Programs

Room: Danube

Focus: Tween/Teen

If you feed them, they will come. Food can be a motivation for tweens and teens to attend library programs but it can also be an opening to learn something. No kitchen? no problem! Using recipes that require little to no "cooking" rural libraries were able to teach kitchen skills and expand palates in a fun and engaging atmosphere.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Be able to evaluate if hosting a teen food program would be manageable.
• Be able to create an accessible program overcoming common barriers.
• Be able to create fun and engaging teen programs with life lessons.

Speakers

On the Hunt for Easy Programming: Library Scavenger Hunts

Room: Altmuehl

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen, Family, Programming

Learn how scavenger hunts can be easily created and run with minimal librarian effort. We'll also discuss fun ways to make more involved scavenger hunts, how to pair them with existing programs, and how to use them as educational opportunities. In the last few minutes, we'll even design one together! Everyone will leave with practical ideas, examples, and the confidence to create their own.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Feel confident in their ability to create and run scavenger hunts at their library.
• Leave with an assortment of ideas for themes and manners in which they can execute scavenger hunts.
• Receive a link to a google drive with preexisting scavenger hunts that they can repurpose.

Speaker

StickyStories: Early Literacy and Family Engagement via Community Collaboration

Room: Mosel

Focus: Early Literacy, Family, Outreach

StickyStories: Literacy That Sticks is a community-driven initiative by Flint & Genesee Literacy Network using interactive song and story mats to foster early literacy and family engagement. Partner organizations tailor StickyStories to their programs, from bilingual tales at the Latinx Center to nature themes at For-Mar Nature Preserve. This hands-on, low-cost approach connects literacy with culture, science, and play, enhancing school readiness, parent-child bonds, and community impact.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Apply best practices to design, assemble, and distribute StickyStories.
• Implement effective strategies for collaborating with partner organizations.
• Develop plans for funding similar projects, engaging volunteers, and creating assessment tools.

Speaker

First Grade Round Up: Getting Kids Stoked on the Library for Over 30 Years

Room: Rhine

Focus: General, School Age Children

Canton Public Library has been hosting First Grade Round Up (FRGU) every March for over 30 years. FGRU is a program that invites every first-grade classroom in the community to the library for a fun and exciting 90-minute program culminating in every child getting their own library card and checking out a book. Learn how the program has evolved over the years, remains an important benchmark for many young patrons and one of the highlights of the year for all of the staff involved.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand how and why one library programs to their first graders.
• Recognize the importance of adaptability when it comes to creating and developing ongoing programming.
• Be motivated to develop a program to gather and inspire the first graders in their community.

Speaker

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Friday | 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Workshop: Paint & Pop

This workshop session requires pre-registration.

Room: Composer

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen, Family

Giving patrons a space to be creative is so important. It provides options for date night, an escape from the day-to-day, and a place to make new friends. Join me for this Paint & Pop workshop where I show you how easy it is to run an instructional beginner painting program for all ages.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Gain hands-on techniques for guiding creative expression: Develop skills to teach basic painting techniques, helping participants unleash their creativity in a supportive environment.
• Explore strategies for fostering a welcoming and social atmosphere: Learn how to create an engaging, interactive space that encourages connection, collaboration, and community building among attendees.
• Have fun.

Facilitator

Camp MADL: Camp Inspired Stations to Create a Great Program for Kids

Room: Mosel

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen, Family

Bring the fun of camping to the library! Use a variety of materials (some may already be in the supply closet) to create an engaging program filled with creativity and education. Self-guided stations allow kids to choose the activity they want to enjoy from things like axe-throwing (child friendly toy), knot tying, picnic area (blanket and play food), a scavenger hunt, frog jump, make your own bracelet, sit by the campfire (don't get burned), and end with a thrilling outdoor experiment.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Learn how to combine a variety of ideas into one cohesive program.
• Learn how to maximize use of supplies they already own.
• Learn ways to adapt a "camp style" program to match a variety of themes.

Speakers

Dyslexic-Friendly Print Materials in the Library

Room: Altmuehl

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen, Family

Dyslexia is a common learning disability that affects a person's ability to read, write, spell, and process language. Those with this neurological condition can find reading traditional print materials unenjoyable or even frustrating. Dyslexic-friendly print materials are a rapidly growing option allowing individuals with print disabilities to experience the joys of reading through print. Learn how your library can support those with dyslexia and how you can build a dyslexic-friendly collection.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Have a foundational knowledge of dyslexia and print disabilities.
• Learn about the resources and materials available to support those with dyslexia.
• Gain dyslexic-friendly materials collection development details, tips, and tricks.

Speaker

Hands-On Chaos: Exploring the Joy of Messy Play

Room: Danube

Focus: Early Literacy, Family

Messy play is a vital part of childhood! Through it, children develop critical thinking skills, a sense of curiosity, and fine and gross motor skills. Learn how to put on a messy play program for ages 0-4 and how to adapt it for indoors, outdoors, or different sized libraries. Let go of cleanliness and gain the confidence to speak about the benefits of mess to caregivers.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Know how to put on a messy play program that best fits their environment and budget.
• Know how to use mess intentionally to educate and entertain.
• Know how to engage caregivers in messy play.

Speakers

Strategies for Effective Conversations with Concerned Parents and Caregivers

Room: Rhine

Focus: General, Library Leadership, Family

We want all families to feel welcome and safe in our libraries, but it can be hard to please everyone in today's polarizing times. This session will help you have hard but respectful conversations with concerned parents and caregivers about the library. Learn what experts recommend and bring your success stories to share with the group.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Identify at least 3 effective messages to share with concerned parents or caregivers.
• Identify at least 2 de-escalation strategies they can use with concerned patrons.
• Practice at least 2 bridge-building strategies to use in tough conversations.

Speaker

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Friday | 2:15 – 3:00 PM

Workshop: Dramatic Play Stations: Pick and Play Early Literacy Skills

This workshop session requires pre-registration.

Room: Composer

Focus: Early Literacy, Family

Dramatic play stations are an open play program for ages 2 - 5 to practice early literacy skills. Conference attendees will learn more about how to promote early literacy through play by interacting with 2 dramatic play station themes. Each theme will have 5 stations with examples of activities that correspond to early literacy skills. Following playtime, attendees will have the opportunity to plan their own dramatic play stations to bring home to their library.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Gain a better understanding of how to incorporate early literacy skills into library programming.
• Be able to identify activities to pair with an early literacy skill.
• Be able to develop a plan for dramatic play stations to bring back to their libraries.

Facilitator

Animating Stories: Launching and Maintaining a Club for Young Animators

Room: Mosel

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen

Interested in helping your youth patrons create their own animations but not sure where to start? In this session, the presenters will share tips and resources to help library programmers develop and run engaging animation programs. Various animation techniques, activities, and resources will be shared. Regardless of budget or artistic experience, there are many ways that library programmers can help their patrons discover the joy of animating.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Recognize the value that a library-sponsored animation club offers to patrons.
• Feel confident in running an animation program at their library by implementing programming resources from this session and/or creating their own.
• Build awareness of potential resources and technologies that can help support an animation program.

Speakers

Implementing a Community-Wide Read Program for Youth

Room: Rhine

Focus: School Age Children, Tween/Teen

One Book, One Community programs are popular, but they are often geared toward adults. How can such an initiative be implemented for youth? For nearly twenty years, Grand Rapids Public Library has conducted a One Book, One City program for fifth graders. Learn how you can create a similar program in your community and foster literacy, social-emotional learning, and connection among students.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand the value of community-wide read programs for youth.
• Have ideas for how they could implement a youth community-wide read in their community.
• Understand how schools are valuable partners in these programs.

Speaker

Out-of-the-Box Collection Development Strategies

Room: Altmuehl

Focus: General, School Age Children, Tween/Teen

Building diverse and dynamic collections for youth requires more than just reading review journals. This session will explore unique and unconventional approaches to collection development. Participants will also have an opportunity to discuss their methods and brainstorm new practices for curating diverse collections.

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Have new collection development methods to take with them.
• Leave with a list of resources for building diverse collections.
• Feel confident thinking outside the box and developing new strategies to manage their collections.

Speaker

Where the Pages Take You: Destination Story Times

Room: Danube

Focus: Early Literacy, School Age Children, Family

Pack your bags for "Tales on the Trail: Destination Story Times!" Join me, Beth Emmons, as I share two years of adventures bringing story time out into the community. I'll spill the tea on the good, the bad, and the magical moments, plus give you a list of tried-and-true destinations. You'll also have time to brainstorm and swap ideas to make your own Destination Story Times a hit. Let's take story time on the road and spark imaginations everywhere!

Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Be able to identify potential locations in their communities for hosting successful Destination Story Times.
• Understand the benefits and challenges of Destination Story Times and learn strategies to address common obstacles.
• Brainstorm and leave with actionable ideas to incorporate Destination Story Times into their own libraries.

Speaker

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