WUSD Library Link
WELCOME BACK - Fall 2026
Welcome to our libraries!
Each library in our district is a warm and welcoming space. Each is staffed with a Library Paraprofessional and managed by our District Library Media Specialist, Kathy Retzke.
Elementary students are on a 6 day cycle and Middle School students visit weekly
- Each visit starts with an introduction to an author, topic or theme to get students sparked about reading!
- During this time students may choose any books that interest them. Depending on their age they will check out 1-2 books each visit. Books are checked out for 2 weeks.
- If they need more books for a project they can always check out additional books. The libraries are open daily and if they finish a book they are welcome to visit on their own to check out new materials or renew books.
- We ask that children return books in a timely manner so that others can enjoy them. Students will be notified each visit of materials that are checked out to them. Notes may also go home to families via backpacks or email.
- If a book is lost or damaged it is the responsibility of the student to pay for its replacement. This can be discussed with the library paraprofessional that works in each building.
High School
- The High School library is open a bit before and after school each day. Students are welcome then or ANYTIME during the school day to check out materials. We always have the latest HOT titles for our students and are open to requests!
- Each time new books are received in the HS library, an email is sent out to all students with a slide show describing the titles!
- The High School library is also the hub for all textbooks. Textbooks and calculators are checked out for the entire school year whereas general choice reading is checked out for 2 weeks.
- We ask that students return books in a timely manner so that others can enjoy them. If a book or textbook is lost or damaged, it is the responsibility of the student to pay for its replacement. Emails will go home throughout the year to remind students/families to return items.
Battle of the Books (BOB), is a statewide program organized by the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association. We have teams at EVERY building in the school district and are very pleased with our successes at every grade level! Pictured is our high school teams including our staff who participated this year being led by our mascot and the high school band on a parade throughout the building.
Book lists went live on June 1st and are included in this newsletter, please see the links below. We use SORA the digital reading APP to make them available to all of our students in both digital and audio book versions.
We will also purchase paper copies of all of the books and they are available in our libraries now. Our public library also has them on display. We will start forming teams in November, with club meetings being held during the school day in the morning or at lunch time starting the end of November. Teams can have up to four people and they do not need to stay the same from year to year unless the team wants to stay together!
We are excited to see what our 2026 competitors can do! Click on the Blue BOB lists below to see the titles of books in this year's competition. Happy Reading!
Book Fairs take place during our fall and spring parent conferences at the elementary and middle school buildings. Our first one this year will be the week of October 26th. Our winter one will be the week of February 15th, 2027. Your child will have an opportunity to visit the book fair during the day and make a "wish list" if they desire. Fairs will only be open for shopping during conference times.
Lincoln Elementary Library Paraprofessional, Mrs. Sedmak, is standing next to the new Free Library bookcase in the foyer of Lincoln Elementary. This bookcase was purchased with donations in honor of Patti Rohrs, former Whitewater Unified School District teacher and librarian. This bookshelf is a gift from those who remember her. It brings the books she loved to the children she cared for so deeply during her lifetime. Please feel free to visit it and take some titles home!
Need more information, please contact me!
Email: kretzke@wwusd.org
Website: wwusd.org
Phone: (262) 472-8373