Focus on Indiana Libraries :
Volume 72 Number 4, April 2018
President's Column
I’m writing this column in my office watching the snow pile up in the grass, wondering where the heck spring went.  
What a weird year.   Read More
In This Issue
  • President's Column
  • Volunteer Appreciation Month
  • Register for SW and NC Regional Conferences
  • Legislative Update
  • Intellectual Freedom
  • School Library Census Update
  • Book Awards
  • New Read Aloud Award
  • Nominate Your Peers
  • Help with Communications
  • Great Things in Libraries
We love our ILF Volunteers!
As we observe  National Volunteer Recognition Month , Indiana Library Federation celebrates the thousands of hours provided by volunteers in Indiana’s libraries AND the contributions of our ILF volunteers.

 Thank you to all our 2018 volunteers ! Whether you volunteered 2 hours helping with the School Library Census, 25 hours in a leadership role or 300 hours reviewing books for the Book Awards, we sincerely appreciate you. Volunteers are the heart of ILF.
We love our ILF Board of Directors. Front left to right after the 4/12 board meeting: Kelly Ehinger, Edra Waterman, Latrice Booker and Diane Rogers. Back row: David Peter, Susie Highley, Beka Lemons, June Kruer and Mike Williams. Other board members include Marna Hostetler, Stephanie Davis, Beth Munk, Karen Evans, Tara White, Kathy Loser, Laurel Setser and Jake Speer. A heartfelt thank you to outgoing board members Diane Huerkamp and Dan Toon.
Current Volunteer Needs :
* BOARD - has two vacancies, one trustee/supporter and one public librarian
* COMMITTEES - We need a few more academics (PU, BSU, Ivy and privates) and trustees/friends/supporters on a few committees and any members with specific marketing, social media, videography or copyright expertise.
* PRESENTERS/PANELISTS - We are still seeking outstanding presentations for our Youth Services and Annual Conference. See Call For Programs and Speaker Recommendation Survey for specific skills needed. Who is great at speaking about cross-library partnerships, the challenge of Netflix-type subscriptions on digital resources in your library, Friends' fundraising, early education, outstanding workforce development in libraries and STEM activity-based programs.
GOT THESE SKILLS OR INTERESTS? Complete the volunteer form or email us .
Register and attend ILF Conferences!
Regional Conferences - Dr. Godwin Charles Ogbeide (at left) shares his expertise in the keynote on Exercising your Hospitality Intelligence at our last two regional conferences. Both conferences feature sessions on cybersecurity, self-care , hands-on skills training in computer labs and conversation among public library directors . Sessions vary by region. Learn more and register today . Depending upon registration numbers, another breakout may be added. Group registration forms are posted. Member attend for $40; nonmembers may attend for $50.
  • Tues, 5/15 in Terre Haute, Indiana State University
  • Fri, 5/18 in Kokomo, Indiana University-Kokomo

ILF Budget Preparation Workshop - May 24 in Pendleton. This step-by-step, form-by-form workshop is designed for the new library director and supplements sessions provided by Indiana State Library. Learn more and register .

New AASL Standards Intensives - Date TBA soon - Led by faculty of IUPUI-LIS and AISLE leaders, this workshop is designed for the school librarian who certified through the test or who wants to learn more about the new AASL National School Library Standards .

Youth Services Conference - Aug. 19-20 in Muncie. Budget about $200-$450, depending upon membership, distance and hotel nights. Award-winning authors Kelly DiPucchio and Tiffany Jackson will both be speaking.

Annual Conference - Nov. 12-14 in Indy; note that IPLA will hold a pre-conference on Nov. 12. Budget about $200-$700, depending upon membership status, distance and hotel nights.
 Indiana General Assembly Special Session on May 14
The Indiana General Assembly did not complete its work by the March 14 deadline. Legislators will meet for a one-day special session to resolve a few important issues, including school safety, alignment with federal tax changes and a few other issues.

Of high interest to the library community is HB1316 , a bill that includes language clarifying sales tax exemption for sales by Friends and libraries. ILF Policy Priorities 2018 or about the weekly activities, bill summaries and more in our weekly Advocacy Updates .

Members may also access special members-only content, such as bill tracking lists and updates from Bose Public Affairs (at bottom) , our contracted legislative advocate, through login and password.
Intellectual Freedom is a core value, principle and position.
Curious about how Intellectual Freedom fits in ILF? Just in the last month...
  • Kriston Pekoll of ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom reminded Northwest Regional Conference attendees to report challenges, even when they are resolved quickly.
  • Session attendees discussed the importance of sharing collection development policies with school administrators and trustees--before a challenge occurs.
  • The ILF Book Awards Committee, ILF Advocacy Committee and the ILF Board of Directors each discussed ILF's role in upholding intellectual freedom in recent meetings.
  • ILF's goal is to embed intellectual freedom in all committees and activities of ILF.
"Sneak Peek" at Preliminary Data in School Library Census Survey

Join us for a virtual preview on Tuesday, May 8 . We will hold two virtual exchanges: one at 4pmET/3pmCT and another at 8pmET/7pmCT . You must register for access to the phone number and internet link. It is best to view on a computer with access to Adobe Connect.

During the session, we will:
* review the preliminary data;
* identify areas for deeper study in a second phase of research; and
* outline our next steps for ILF outreach, professional development, communications and advocacy.

Final Call - We want a complete data set for our School Library Census . Thank you to members and volunteers who completed over 320 responses. Only 61 school corporations (of 285) remain incomplete. Please take a look at the updated list . We need help with a few more public school districts and would like to capture charter schools and private schools.
Book Awards Voting is now Open!

Voting for the 2017-2018 Young Hoosier Book Awards will be open from April 2 to May 2, 2018.

Voting for the 2017-2018 Eliot Rosewater Award will be open from April 9 through May 5.
At the recommendation of the ILF Book Awards Committee, the ILF Board of Directors approved a new Read Aloud Champion Award , which is available for the first time in 2018.

What individual or organization has demonstrated commitment to reading aloud to children? Nominate a staff member, volunteer or community partner organization.

Reading aloud strengthens vocabulary, builds a connection between the written and spoken word, increases attention and so much more.
Who is Outstanding?
ILF Awards and Honors Deadline is June 30
Nominate a person, library or organization for an ILF Award or Honor. Who demonstrates excellence in Indiana public, academic or school libraries ? Who goes out of their way to advance literacy, marketing, intellectual freedom or library advocacy?  Learn more about eligibility, past winners or criteria. 

Please consider nominating your peers or library! Deadline for nomination packets is June 30 . Awards are presented at our Annual Conference in November.
Tweet, tag, repeat.

As the statewide messaging campaign is being developed, here are ways you can help to expand our collective reach:
Great Things
CANDLES Holocaust Museum outing Apr. 28
Chartered day trip to Terre Haute will be offered by Greentown Library The name of Eva Mozes Kor is one that not many know. Read More

Life Behind the Numbers
In November 2017, a few months after she became Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library’s (EVPL) civic data scientist—one of the few in the country at a public library—Jerica Copeny volunteered at the inaugural conference of Data for Black Lives at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab. Read More

Comic strip characters, artist histories on exhibit at Nappanee library
From Pencils to Pixels explores the adventures of comic strip characters such as Garfield, Brown County savant Abe Martin, and “Chic” Jackson’s “Roger Bean.” Read More

A New Partnership: Miami County and Peru Public Library Announce Pilot Program
Following the approval of the Peru Public Library Board, the Miami County Commissioners, and the Miami County Council a new pilot program will provide up to $75,000 of funding from Miami County CEDIT Funds to the Peru Library for county residents living outside of the Peru Library Taxing District to obtain individual non-resident library cards on a first come first serve basis. Read More

Allen County Public Library, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center to partner to help aspiring Fort Wayne-area entrepreneurs
Beginning in early April, the Allen County Public Library and Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) will collaborate to help northeast Indiana entrepreneurs turn ideas into successful businesses, products or services, the two organizations announced early this week. Read More

Business advice at library
Partnerships are helping the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center expand its footprint, which could help birth more businesses. The business incubation center along Stellhorn Road in northeast Fort Wayne last week announced it would establish regular office hours at the downtown branch of the Allen County Public Library. Read More

Startup, library work on new app
An Indiana-based startup whose founders worked out of a Columbus co-working space are testing a new library app locally that lets patrons explore library offerings through their voice. Read More

Eckhart Public Library Restoration Plans Revealed
We are very excited to release preliminary plans that will be the next phase in our fire recovery of our Historic Main Library. Read More

Dance of Hope seeks to educate, inspire
From a Ugandan orphanage to the Monroe County Public Library, Ugandan children will present Dance of Hope at 7 p.m. March 29 in the Monroe County Public Library. Read More

Indiana University announces festival dedicated to author Kurt Vonnegut, feat. Thee Oh Sees, Father John Misty, Shabazz Palaces, and more
The world undoubtedly needs more author-themed music festivals — and since a festival dedicated to George Orwell would necessarily involve the booked artists violating our personal liberties, we should all be more than enamored/supportive of the following Granfalloon-come-true : A Kurt Vonnegut Convergence, a new hybrid “conference and festival” which the Indiana University Arts & Humanities Council are hosting this May 10-12.  Read More

Cunningham Memorial Library purchases glasses to aid colorblind
Brian Bunnett stared intently at a piece of artwork hanging in the Indiana State University Art Gallery, trying to distinguish the colors that made up "The Hermit."  Read More

Centerville Library and Centerville Public Schools teamed up to recognize Vietnam War Veterans
March 29 was National Vietnam War Veterans Day and the Centerville Library teamed up with Centerville Public Schools to recognize the brave men and women who risked their lives.  Read More

An All-Digital Branch of the Floyd County Public Library Coming Soon
The historic structure…will become a digital library which will allow residents in the county access to all the online resources and services that are available to patrons at the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library’s main branch.  Read More

Indianapolis Public Library Introduces Immigrant Welcome Center Mobile Branches 
As part of the Indianapolis Public Library’s strategic goal of introducing new immigrants and non-English speaking citizens to relevant community services and resources, the Library has joined with the Immigrant Welcome Center in Indianapolis to present the “Immigrant Welcome Center Mobile Branches” at several IndyPL locations throughout the year. Read More

Jeffersonville library to add security officers
Local libraries are investing not only in resource materials and programs, but also in something directors say is increasingly needed: security.  Read More

Bookmobiles not just history for some rural libraries
It's been decades since a bookmobile traveled Allen County roads, but the rolling libraries haven't gone the way of the Model T. Stateline, an online publication of the Pew Charitable Trusts, reports there are almost 650 bookmobiles on the road today.  Read More

Nature Play is newest feature at HC Library
Natural playgrounds have been popping up all across the country, providing children opportunities for exploration, discovery, learning and, of course, playtime! Read More

Lilly Library Opens Frankenstein Exhibit Featuring First Edition
The Indiana University Lilly Library is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with an exhibit full of surprises.  Read More

History of Great Women at ISU on display in Cunningham Memorial Library
“The History of Great Women at ISU” is a display inspired by the progress women have made at Indiana State University in the Cunningham Memorial Library. Read More

Jefferson County Public Library marks 200th anniversary in Indiana
"Google gives you lots and lots of answers to your questions. But the librarian can help you find the right one," said Judi Terpening, the interim director at the oldest public library in Jefferson County, Indiana. Read More

Combat Coffee a success
The Rensselaer outlet of the Jasper County Public library wished to thank area veterans who came out on Monday, April 16 for the library’s first Combat Coffee event. Read More
Troy Cummings visits Dearborn Schools

Children's author Troy Cummings visited the four elementary schools in South Dearborn Schools and two local parochial schools. The Aurora Public Library District partnered with with the schools to cover some of the costs along with a South Dearborn Community Schools endowment grant. Kids Ink helped provide the books to sell, and the local Trav’s Fireworks supplied the “balloon goon,” the featured monster in the first book of Cummings’ Notebook of Doom series.
Quick Links
So much is happening at ILF . Here are a few quick links:
* Calendar - note that you may print a month 
* Volunteer form (at bottom)
* Renew ,  Join   (only if never a member), or Donate
Note that several of the links go to "members only" documents. 
MLS and LTA students: Plea$e apply!

ILF has scholarship funds! We want to support OUTSTANDING FUTURE LIBRARIANS.

Help support the future of librarianship by helping outstanding teachers and library staff pursue the Master of Library Science at IU or IUPUI or the AS through Ivy Tech. Help us promote ILF Scholarships.
Members Only benefits
ILF Members have access to
* discounts at conferences and events
* eligibility for certain awards, honors and scholarships
* serving in leadership within ILF--Volunteer to help with your favorite goal area in the Strategic Vision
* certain voting rights (election of the ILF Board of Directors, etc.)

Forgot your login or password?    Contact the office   and we can tell you and/or reset. A member from a prior year? Please " renew . " By clicking "join," you might create a duplicate account. 
Donations
ILF relies on charitable contributions in addition to sponsorships, membership dues and conference fees. Designate your contribution to specific awards and scholarships or to ILF general support. We post our   IRS 990 and Annual Report   for full transparency.
Indiana Library Federation
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