Wisconsin Science Festival & Bioblitz
The 15th annual Wisconsin Science Festival (WSF) will be held in our state on October 16-26, 2025. Again this year, the Wisconsin Water Library at UW-Madison is assisting the WSF to support libraries’ participation in the WiSciFest Bioblitz – a community science event that collects data on biodiversity in Wisconsin. Libraries are a perfect fit for hosting a mini bioblitz and the Water Library is here to help.
A bioblitz gives community members the opportunity to explore and record the surrounding flora and fauna and can run for one hour, one day or for the whole run of the science festival. Hosting a bioblitz is easy and the Wisconsin Water Library, which co-hosts a Great Lakes Bioblitz in the spring, have put together some resources for you.
- A bioblitz resource guide contains important information you need to host your own bioblitz.
- A free, one-hour informational webinar will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 11:30. This is an opportunity to learn the basics of community science and how you might participate. The webinar is designed for both new and experienced bioblitzers. Click to register for the webinar.
Clarification: public notice
We got a request for more information about the public notice piece in last week’s Digest. I thought I’d share the answers, in case other people were wondering. Here’re the questions:
- What public records are we talking about?
- Where are we supposed to post this? Do we just take Milwaukee’s notice and modify it for our library?
And the answers from John: You can use the example from Milwaukee to create one specific for your library. It should be posted in a location that people will see it. It could be on a library specific bulletin board, near the circulation desk, or maybe by the copier.
Public records can include library board minutes, agendas, emails, library invoices, and other records that are typically covered by the library’s record retention policy.
Additional resources–
- Record Retention — https://dpi.wi.gov/libraries/public-libraries/legal
- Public Records — https://www.wisdoj.gov/Pages/AboutUs/public-records.aspx
Postcard update
2352 postcards were sent to Washington, DC, from Milwaukee this week. This is the first round of postcards. We’ll send a second round in mid-July. I’m waiting on verification for the exact date. If you ordered additional postcards, they’ll go out on Monday.
State campaign website: https://libraries.work/
Librarians in the wild
Lanna, a library volunteer, staffed the Menomonie Public Library’s book bike at a Red Cedar Trail event. Christy, director of Pepin Public Library, had an information table at a Fire Department event, and was invited to come back.
Stanley breaks ground
From Gov. Evers’ press release: Gov. Tony Evers today joined local leaders in Stanley to celebrate the groundbreaking of the D.R. Moon Memorial Library expansion project, which was made possible with a $4.1 million grant from the Evers Administration. Originally built in 1901, the library expansion will benefit over 6,600 individuals, including many low-income households, seniors, and workers by expanding ADA accessibility throughout the library, building a fully equipped, flexible community room and dedicated space for kids, teens, and families, adding two computer labs with desktop computers, expanding the library’s collection, and establishing meeting rooms for use by organizations and individuals throughout the community.
Coverage of the ground breaking on WQOW
Did I miss your news?
Forward your news to kilde@ifls.lib.wi.us with “News” in the subject line.