Passport Basics

The Explore MORE Passport Program runs from June 1 to August 31, 2025.

Set up your passport station

You’ll need:

• Passports
• Tally sheet (If you think you might use more than one, make a copy.)
  NOTE: please make up a phone code and write it on your sheet.
• Entry forms (Copy from the master included in the packet.)
• Library stickers
• Bonus stickers
• Instructions (pdf)

Email Reb (kilde@ifls.lib.wi.us) or submit a HelpDesk ticket if you need more passports or stickers. Keep in mind that courier is taking about a week right now.

Giving out library and bonus stickers

• When a person brings in their passport, make sure your library spot is blank, and then give them one of your library stickers.
• Library bonus stickers are the small irredescent stars or smiley faces. When a person brings in proof that they’ve visited a non-MORE library (like a selfie, a brochure, or a business card) they get a bonus sticker. Fill in the name of the library and location on page 10 of the passport, and add the sticker yourself.
• For each person, add a hashmark to the tally sheet, even if they collected bonus stickers and a library sticker.

7 stickers = 1 entry form

• Once someone has 7 of any stickers (library stickers and library bonuse stickers) they can redeem them for an entry form.
• With a pen or marker, make a large “x” over the sticker, so the sticker won’t be counted more than once.
• This year, there is no double bonus for Price and Rusk counties. With the reduced number of visits needed for an entry form, residents of those counties will still be able to earn an entry form fairly easily.

Super Explorer bonus

The Super Explorer bonus is for people that have visited all 55 MORE libraries. You put a bonus sticker on that spot on page 10. This bonus entitles them to an additional entry form. Please mark the Super Explorer box on the entry form when you give it to them! This is the only way I have to track our Super Explorers.

Phone/email Passport Explorers

Last year about 15 people participated by phone or email. This is a nice way to include people who can’t drive or have mobility issues. Record phone calls and emails in the small box at the bottom of the tally sheet.

Previous Updates

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Find all the letters of the alphabet on signs. Here’s an a-z coloring to print pdf to help you keep track.

State guidelines and exceptions

Wisconsin ILL Guidelines state that the borrowing library is responsible for any lost/damaged items from the time the item leaves the owning library until the time it arrives back at the owning library. There can be exceptions depending on the circumstance or the preference of the owning library, so when in doubt, reach out to IFLS and we’ll help you work through any specific situations or questions you have.

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Borrowing

Scenario 1

If an item you requested via WISCAT arrives at your library with damage prior to being circulated, you’ll want to first evaluate the type of damage and determine if the item can be circulated. Please see the Damaged Items Procedure page for more information about evaluating damaged items.

If the item cannot be circulated

• Was it possibly damaged in transit (courier or mail)? If so, please submit a Help Desk ticket with the following information:
  • The WISCAT request number
  • Item title/format
  • Date item was received.
  • Detailed description of the damage. Please include photos if possible.
• For other types of damage that don’t appear to have been caused in transit (item is in poor condition, etc.), please add a note in the borrower’s notes in the WISCAT request and contact the owning library to report the damage before sending it back to them.

If the item can be circulated

• Add a note in the borrowers notes in the WISCAT request describing the damage.
• Add a note in the item record in Sierra so the patron won’t be held responsible for the damage. You may also wish to include a written note on the physical item (on the ILL paperwork, for example) and keep this with the item when your patron borrows it.

Scenario 2: If a patron returns an item requested via WISCAT with damage

1. Do not check the item in.
2. Contact the owning library to report the damage.
3. If the owning library wishes to charge for the replacement, work with them to determine the total cost and request a bill/invoice.
4. If needed, change the default replacement cost to the correct amount in the item record in Sierra before generating the bill.
5. If the patron is responsible for the damage, bill your patron following the same procedures for any other lost/damaged item (see Lost Items article)

Note: For damaged ILL items, the borrowing library will cover the cost of the item replacement up front and communicate directly with the owning library about this. Then the borrowing library will bill their patron, collecting the bill as a reimbursement for the replacement cost you have already paid to the owning library.

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Lending

If an item owned by your library and lent to another non-MORE library arrives back with damage:

1. Do not check the item in. See this video on How to Check for Damaged Items.
2. Use the MORE guidelines for damaged item billing to determine whether or not you want to charge for a replacement.
3. If you decide that charging is appropriate, contact the borrowing library to report the damage and your intent to charge.
4. Submit a HelpDesk ticket to report the damage and your intent to charge the borrowing library (IFLS will update requests as needed in WISCAT).
5. Bill the ILL patron following the same procedures for any other lost/damaged item (details in the Lost Items article).
6. Send the bill to the borrowing library via mail or email, depending on the borrowing library’s preference.
7. Keep a copy of the invoice/bill in case you need to send it again. Contact IFLS if there is difficulty in obtaining payment from another library.

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Like everything in libraries, the summer library program is something that needs to be tailored to the community your library is in, as well as the capacity of staff and budget. Each library will have a unique approach. Here are some tools and resources.  Please remember to reach out to Leah at IFLS if you want more support in thinking about your summer program!

Collaborative Summer Library Program

Wisconsin is a part of this multi-state project and gives you access to a jam-packed planning manual (made possible with funds from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.) The 2025 theme is Color Our World. The manuals, featuring illustrations by Mike Mullan, include illustrations, promotional materials and ideas, program ideas for all ages, booklists and more.  You can choose whatever theme you want to use for your library’s programs, using this theme is optional.  No matter the theme you choose you can find useful nuggets in the manuals!

• Go to the CSLP home page
• Download the CSLP manual. Submit a HelpDesk Ticket or conatact Leah for the code you’ll need to access the manuals

Check out the recording of this year’s CSLP Summer Symposium, with a keynote presentation by Mychal Threets, plus sessions on marketing and creative programming with process art

Upcoming themes:

2026 is Unearth a Story and will focus on dinosaurs, archaeology, and paleontology with illustrations by Brian Floca.

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Other Resources

Here are a list of resources to support developing excellent summer library programming.

• Performers  
• Programming Kits or any kits that promote collaboration and/or kindness. On this page we’ve share a selection of kits we curated that fit well with the All Together Now theme.
• Doing Good Together is a website chock-full of meaningful family-oriented volunteer projects and suggestions for hosting a Service Fair. 
• Learning Beyond:  21st Century Summer and Out of School Time Programs for Youth (Association for Library Service to Children) is a 35-page resource with suggestions about designing and evaluating programs, creating partnerships, and lots of great case studies. 
• 2025 In-Person Summer Library Program Workshops!  Join your colleagues for a fun afternoon of playful art projects that you can adapt for any age or ability level, plus discussions about tweaks to programs and services this summer to make them more accessible to people with disabilities, rounding things off with a chance to discuss topics you choose with your colleagues!  Plus a tour of some cool library spaces.  Register here.   Choose one workshop:
  • March 25, 1-3:30, Menomonie Public Library
  • April 2, 1-3:30, Rusk County Community Library (Ladysmith)
  • April 3, 1-3:30, Somerset Public Library

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Links and resources

For Library Directors – Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI): includes instructions and forms for new certification, temporary certification, and certification renewal.

For library directors needing to complete course work for Temporary Certification:

• The four core courses required are:
  • Basic Public Library Administration
  • Advanced Public Library Administration
  • Organization and Management of Collections
  • Public and Community Services
• Both the iSchool at UW-Madison and Chippewa Valley Technical College offer these courses

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Best practices for Renewing Regular Certification

• Certification paperwork, manual, and other resources are available on the top of the For Library Directors section of the WI DPI website
• Please send completed Annual Summation Forms and Activity Reports yearly if possible.  Send to Leah by email: langby@ifls.lib.wi.us.
  • Annual Summation Forms and Activity Reports are available on the DPI site.
    • Please complete the forms in Word instead of printing and filling out by hand.  
    • New in 2025:  If you plan to include Category C activities, you need to contact Leah at IFLS ahead of time. You can use the Self-Directed Activity Proposal from the WI DPI website.
    • Remember to include the name of the activity and the name of the sponsor (i.e.: IFLS, WI Library Systems)
      • If you are including a recording that you listened to in a different year than it was created, please list both the date of the webinar and the date you accessed it
    • Each Activity Report needs 2-3 sentences in the “Relationship of Program to Present Position or Career Advancement” section
      • This should include one or two specific things the resonated with you about the continuing education offering, and a small reflection of how you might use the information.
      • One example of this section filled out adequately:  “The most valuable tool I learned was the power of an authentic conversation for advocacy, which is something I can do!  For me, the idea of advocacy seems less intimidating when you think of it as a meaningful conversation.  The concepts and ideas will help me be a more effective storyteller.”
      • An example that is not adequate:  “This is useful to me because I am a library director.”
  • Leah will check these over and send back the signed and validated Annual Summation Forms (via email).
• Consult the 2024 Certification Manual and the recorded certification overview webinar or view the certification overview presentation slides for guidance.  You can always contact Leah as well!
• Then, in the month when your certification is due, send all the completed, signed Annual Summation Forms (NOT the Activity Reports) and your certification form to LibraryCertification@dpi.wi.gov for processing.
  • Note that as of January 1, 2023 there is no longer a charge for any certification and DPI is no longer accepting paper applications for certification/renewal. 
  • Please submit your documents as follows:
    • One pdf for the application
    • One pdf for all of the Annual Summations
    • One pdf for transcripts or other proof of courses (as needed)

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Service Animals

The only service animals covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act are dogs and in rare cases miniature horses.   

Under Wisconsin law, you can ask only one question related to service animals: 

• Is that a service dog needed because of a disability?

DO NOT: 

• Ask what the disability is 
• Ask what task the animal has been trained to perform
• Require the dog to perform the task 
• Ask for registration information or paperwork  

Dogs MUST behave appropriately (no aggression, barking, or bathroom accidents) and be on a leash or if necessary under control with voice and hand commands. 

More information

Issue Brief:  Service and Support Animals from the Wisconsin Legislative Council is specific to Wisconsin law.

Disability Rights Wisconsin Service Animals Page has a page that is specific to Wisconsin State Statutes related to service animals, including information about service animals in training 

Fact Sheet #5: Service Animals from the ADA National Network is a 2-page summary of what is expected of public entities and of the person with a disability. Because Wisconsin law provides greater protections (related to the questions allowed), Wisconsin establishments need to follow Wisconsin law.

ADA Requirements: Service Animals from ADA.gov. 

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Tools

Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 

• Designed in 2018 by Wisconsin public library and system staff to be used by individuals and groups as an ongoing reflection tool 
• Complements the 2018 Wisconsin Public Library Standards and supports the 2019 Inclusive Services Statement. 
• For more on using the rubrics, consult the DPI Inclusive Services page 

ASGCLA Toolkit: The Association of Specialized Government and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASGCLA) created eighteen toolkits to help librarians “understand and manage access issues” related to a variety of physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities, as well as mental illness. The toolkits are now at the RUSA division of the ALA. You can find individual toolkits here: 

• Accessible Communication Styles 
• Assistive Technology 
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) 
• Blindness and Low Vision 
• Children with Disabilities 
• Deaf or Hard of Hearing 
• Developmental, Cognitive, and Intellectual Disabilities 
• Learning Differences 
• Library Staff with Disabilities 
• Management 
• Mental Health Issues 
• Multiple Disabilities 
• Patrons with Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias 
• Service Animals 
• Virtual Accessibility 
• Volunteers with Disabilities 

ALSC Library Services to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers Toolkits

• Trauma Toolkit (September 2024)
• Spanish Speaking Populations (December 2020)
• New Americans (February 2022)
• Financial and Housing Insecurity (October 2020)
• Children with Print Disabilities (April 2021)
• Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder  (May 2022)
• Access to Technology (February 2021)

Cornell University Accessible Meeting and Event Checklist  A simple, two-page check-list to ensure all participations, including those with non-obvious disabilities, chronic health conditions, and all body types, are able to participate in a program. 

National Center on Disability and Journalism has a Disability Language Style Guide (also available in Spanish) to help you keep up with the changes in language, perceptions, and social mores, with tips on verbal and written communication to be as inclusive as possible of people with disabilities. 

Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library provides audiobooks and Brailled materials to Wisconsin residents who cannot read or use regular print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations.  Participants receive and return books and equipment postage-free.  Librarians can refer people to the program. 

Hiring a Sign Language Interpreter: Information on best practices and legal obligations, as well as a list of qualified interpreters from the Wisconsin Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing. 

Making Storytime More Inclusive in the IFLS Storytime Resources article. 

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Education

Autism-Ready Libraries Toolkit from the University of Washington iSchool contains free online training modules and resources for staff in public libraries who would like to better serve families with autistic children.  The first module is more broad and includes information and resources on autism acceptance and inclusion at the public library. 

Project ENABLE is a self-directed learning opportunity from Syracuse University for librarians to learn about creating accessible services and programs for students with disabilities.   

Project READY is a self-directed learning opportunity from the University of North Caroline School of Information and Library Science that includes free, online professional development modules for school and public youth services librarians and other sinterested in improving their knowledge about race and racism and racial equity.   

Wisconsin Libraries Talk About Race is a collection of archived webinars, reflection questions, and additional resources for self or group study. 

Ryan Dowd Training and Recorded Webinars 

Ryan Dowd’s Homelessness and Libraries is a 3.5 hour self-paced training.  This training will be available through December 2023, thanks to a statewide subscription.  Look here for tips about empathetic rule enforcement and de-escalating challenging situations with all patrons, with some specific information and education about homelessness.  In addition, recordings of monthly hour-long webinars about a variety of relevant topics are archived in the same location.   

Click here to start your training now. Sign up using your library email address. 

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Welcome & Introduction 

Congratulations on being a library director at an IFLS Library! IFLS staff are committed to your success, so please reach out to us with questions, large or small! This page will give you an introduction to our system and walk you through the orientation process.

About IFLS

IFLS is one of the 15 public library systems in the state of Wisconsin. IFLS serves 53 libraries in west-central Wisconsin across a 10-county area, Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, and St. Croix. IFLS Staff and our partner libraries collaborate to provide outstanding, engaged and inclusive services that contribute to informed, connected and literate communities.

What does this mean for you and your library?

IFLS provides a wide variety of services and collaborative offerings for you and your library. Most libraries in our system utilize a shared catalog and circulation system, there is a system-wide courier service, IT support and assistance, and knowledgeable staff members ready to help you acclimate to your new role as a library director. Please contact IFLS staff for any question you may have – there is no wrong door! The most efficient way to reach us is to submit a HelpDesk ticket (the green button on the bottom left of this screen).

Orientation Process

This orientation page is to help you absorb all this new information in manageable bits. The information is broken out into three phases. We recommend that you:

• go through Phase I within the first six months of hire;
• go through Phase II within the first year;
• and Phase III after that.

Your timeline may vary depending on the needs of your library and community.

You also received a welcome email from the IFLS System Director when you started and will meet with several IFLS staff in your first few months as director. These visits will cover the information on this page in more depth, and may cover additional topics and resources not provided below. The entire  orientation process is easily adaptable to your and we’ll work with you at your pace.

Note: The links on this page direct you to portions of the IFLS website, external websites, PDFs, and presentations. 

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