WiLS Events

Meetings, webinars, and conferences created and hosted by WiLS

WiLSWorld Shorts

WiLSWorld Shorts are free webinars that connect all different types WiLS community members around important issues, foster the exchange of ideas, and help members form professional networks to get done what they need to get done.

Annual Member Meetings

WiLS’ virtual Membership Meetings are an opportunity to hear from voices within the WiLS community as well as a recap of what WiLS is up to and is going to be up to in the coming months.

Taco Tuesdays

WiLS Taco (Talking about Coop Opportunities) Tuesdays are free and virtual webinars served in bite-sized pieces so our members can learn about the valuable products and services being offered by our vendor partners.

Our community is an ecosystem that thrives when we recognize our value to one another.

We invite your organization to join WiLS and become an official part of our community of more than 600 organizations. WiLS membership is free and comes with no obligations. You can opt out at any time. Read more about the perks of joining WiLS or fill out this form to join today! A WiLS staffer will follow up as soon as possible with more information about your membership benefits.

Upcoming Events

December 5, 2025

  • WiLSWorld Shorts: The People Are The Power

    December 5, 2025  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CT

    For over seven years, the WiLS Staff Development Group has been working one-on-one with staff and in coordination with one another for the sole purpose of making sure WiLS employees know they are valued. While some of our projects have been larger scale endeavors, like incorporating a flexible-hour work week or expanding employment benefits, we’ve also created a substantial toolkit of easier-to-implement efforts that have built a workplace culture of trust and respect. Join Jennifer Chamberlain, Melody Clark, and Andi Coffin on Friday, December 5th at 1:00 pm CT as they share the practical strategies and actions WiLS has taken to care for employees.

    Register to attend

December 10, 2025

  • Academic Library Staff Lunch and Learn: Strategies for Managing a Changing Government Information Landscape

    December 10, 2025  12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CT

    Libraries have long relied on trustworthy, free information available online from federal government agencies, including from the NIH, NLM, CDC, NSF, and others. As that landscape changes, libraries are looking for other sources of reliable and accessible information to share with students, faculty, and community patrons. 

    Join other academic library staff on December 10th at 12:00 pm CT for a conversation to discuss the current state of federal government information, including its availability and reliability, strategies for talking about recent changes, and resources for tracking developments and finding previously-available information. 

    This lunchtime conversation will be led by Beth Harper of UW-Madison, supported by librarians Dawn Haggerty and Paige Barreto of Gateway Technical College, and hosted by WiLS. While this event will not be recorded, notes, resources, and strategies will be captured from the discussion and shared with registrants after the event. 

    Register to attend here, and feel free to reach out to Andi Coffin (acoffin@wils.org) if you have any questions.

December 16, 2025
January 23, 2026

  • WiLSWorld Shorts: Take It Outside! Creative Library Programming in Outdoor Spaces

    January 23, 2026  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CT

    It might be cold outside now, but we’re dreaming of sunshine, story time under the trees, programs on the patio, and chalk art on the sidewalk! 

    Join us on Friday, January 23rd at 1:00 pm CT for a fun and inspiring webinar all about how libraries are using outdoor spaces to host creative, engaging programs, presented by these special guests:

    • Bethany Bulgrin, Stephanie Schulz, and Jan Thompson (L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, Eau Claire)
    • Ashlee Kunkel (Milton Public Library)
    • Renee Reckner (Somerset Public Library)
    • Steve Thiry (West Bend Community Library)

    We’ll share real-life examples, clever ideas, and practical tips to help you plan your own fresh-air events – no matter your space or budget. Grab a cozy blanket and a cup of something warm, and let’s start dreaming up your best outdoor programming yet!

    Register to attend.

WiLS is dedicated to providing collaborative and community experiences that are free from all forms of harassment and inclusive of all people. Please, be kind.
See our Code of Conduct for details.

Past Events

Peer Council

Peer Council was an assembly of technical services librarians in Wisconsin. The WiLS Peer Council meetings are an opportunity to learn new things, share information with peers, and interact with a diverse group with shared common interests.
2019  |  2018  |  2017  |  2016  |  2015  |  2010

WiLSWorld Conferences

WiLSWorld was an annual library innovation, collaboration, and technology conference hosted by WiLS that brought together libraries and cultural organizations of all types to learn about shared challenges and solutions.
2019  |  2018  |  2017  |  2016  |  2015  |  2014  |  2013  | 2012  |  2011  |  2010

Regional Community Meetings

These gatherings of members from all library types were held in multiple locations around the state and allowed attendees to share ideas and collaborate with one another.
2017  |  2016  |  2015  |  2014  |  2013

WiLS Fall Classic

Held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference, this fun, free, and informal event connected librarians with one another and with library vendors over various games and social activities.

2017  |  2016  |  2015  |  2014

Webinar: Using ACRL Frames in Your Instructional Design

This free webinar on how to use the ACRL Frames in your instructional design was hosted by WiLS and presented by Sheila Stoeckel, ‎Director of the UW-Madison Libraries Teaching & Learning Programs.
2016

Upper Midwest Digital Collections Conference

An opportunity for digital content creators and curators to network, share best practices and learn from leaders in the digital cultural heritage field. WiLS co-sponsored this biennial conference in collaboration with partners in the region through 2016.
2016 | 2014

ILL Meeting

This was an annual gathering of interlibrary loan librarians to review issues, new developments, and systems for interlibrary ILL services.
2015  | 2014  |  2012  |  2011  |  2010

Updating Library Spaces – A Learning Day

A single-day workshop hosted by WiLS, in conjunction with the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua, the Soldiers Grove Public Library, and Engberg Anderson, to learn about the process of building or renovating library spaces including two library tours.
2015

WiLS Spring Webinars

In conjunction with our partner OCLC, WiLS offered four webinars in 2014:  Library Spotlight; OCLC Updating – A Sharing Session; Using the WorldCat Knowledge Base to Save Time and Improve Service; and Best Practices for Managing “Born Digital” Content.
2014

WiLS Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made at least two business days prior to the event in order to receive a refund. If a registrant cancels less than two working days prior to the date of the event, the registrant remains responsible for payment; no fees will be refunded. We are unable to refund Eventbrite fees. These fees include a service fee from Eventbrite (2% + $0.99 per ticket) as well as credit card processing fees (3%).

A substitute may take the place of the original registrant, but either the registrant or their institution is responsible for coordinating and communicating changes to WiLS. Cancellations and/or substitutions may be reported to WiLS at information@wils.org.

If an event is canceled by WiLS, due to low registration or inclement weather, registrants will be notified and all fees will be refunded.