Focus on Indiana Libraries
January 8, 2020| Vol. 74 No. 1
ILF Quick Links

President's Column
Welcome to 2020! New year’s are full of new hope, new enthusiasm, and new challenges. 

As we face the year ahead, we are like the boy in Ruth Krauss’ The Carrot Seed. Read More
Kokomo middle school gets facility dog to benefit students
Students at Northwestern Middle School in Kokomo have a new tool to help them with everything from emotional distress to reading literacy.  Read More

‘Human Library’ Celebrates Diversity
What is a Human Library? Like all libraries, this one is filled with books. The difference in this library is that all of the books are humans with lived experiences and compelling stories. At a Human Library event, books and readers come together at a specific time and place to engage in dialogue. Read More
Don't Forget ! ILF Library Snapshot Days begin Jan. 10

Library Snapshot Day provides an easy means to collect statistics, photos and stories that will increase public awareness and show the value of libraries to decision-makers. ILF has set aside the 10th of each month as Indiana Library Snapshot Day. We encourage you to participate by tagging photos, videos, infographics, and patron comments with  #INLibrarySnapshotDay . Encourage patrons to take their own photos and share their own content using the hashtag. Be sure to track statistics and collect patron testimonials, too! We are hoping that Snapshot Day serves as a reminder to our communities of Indiana libraries value and impact on their lives.
We Love Our Library Yard Sign Campaign
We invite all to participate in a Yard Sign campaign during the week of Valentine's Day and our Statehouse Day, when library advocates will meet with legislators at the Statehouse. Plan to place yard signs in your community for at least a one-week period, February 9-15, to help us elevate libraries.

Many vendors print and ship signs at different rates, with optional customization. Two companies have agreed to prioritize signage for our members: The Friends of Pendleton Community Public Library used The Signage, which offers a online order form . Public libraries in Knox, Pike and Daviess counties used StickersandMore.com, which offers this order form . Order by mid to late January for February use.

If you are participating this year, or if you have an idea to help promote libraries statewide, please contact us .
First of ten short weeks of the 2020 Legislative Session
Legislators reconvened yesterday and are already debating bills. The 121st Indiana General Assembly is a short session. The ILF Advocacy Committee , staff and members have been working to educate policy makers about the value of the modern library and its work in meeting the needs of children and families affected by abuse and neglect.
What YOU can do!
  • Review ILF's 2020 Policy Priorities. Policy briefs and talking points coming soon.
  • Stay informed.
  • Subscribe to ILF Advocacy Updates, which are delivered weekly to your email box.
  • Participate in member-only Virtual Advocacy Exchanges during the session. Mark your calendar for these dates: Jan. 20, Feb. 3 and 17, March 2 and 16.
  • Bookmark our Action Center (more tools are coming soon).
  • Help your community members show their support for libraries by participating in the “We [heart] Our Library” Yard Sign Campaign during the week of Valentine’s Day (see above).
  • Communicate with legislators
  • Plan to attend Library Day at the Statehouse, scheduled for Feb. 10. You may register here if you know you will attend. More information is coming soon.
  • Attend your local Third House, Crackerbarrel or Meet Your Legislator events. Email us if our calendar is missing a date or if you would like help with an "insiders" view or preparation to attend.
  • Provide excellent library service and share your story
  • Every interaction with a library staff member or library service provides the foundation for advocacy.
  • So much of our work in advocacy is reintroducing policy makers and influencers to the range of services available in the modern library (eBooks, eGovernment, makerspace, library of things). Help us by sharing your story--with family, friends, neighbors, store clerks, and with us. We would love to know 1-2 unique services or points of pride for every library in Indiana.
ILF's 2020 Professional Development Schedule
2020 Combined Call For Programs is Open - Priority Deadline is February 14.

Mark Your Calendars. Submit a conference session proposal. With the theme of Everyone Counts , we plan to provide high-quality sessions about diversity, the Census, qualitative and quantitative data, self-care, family history, and all the basics of the modern library. Consider submitting a proposal by 2/14 for priority consideration for one of the following:

Five Regional Conferences are planned around the state so that Indiana's library staff may attend a session within about a 90-minute drive from their home or library.
  • 4/3 - Regional Conference in Crown Point
  • 4/8 - Regional Conference in Elkhart
  • 4/15 - Regional Conference in Vincennes
  • 4/22 Regional Conference in Indianapolis
  • 4/28 - Regional Conference in New Albany

ILF Youth Services Conference is THE conference experience for librarians and library staff whose focus is serving children, teen and young adults. Save the dates of August 16-17 for Youth Services in Plainfield.

ILF Annual Conference is THE conference for Indiana's library community. With a full exhibit hall, evening awards banquet, book awards luncheon, and up to 10 concurrent sessions each session time, this conference is not to be missed. 2020 will feature a Genealogy Pre-Conference on Nov. 16. Mark your calendar for November 16-18 in Ft. Wayne.
MEMBER NEWS
New Membership Year Begins Jan. 1
Join/Renew NOW!
Renew your membership in Indiana Library Federation this month so that you do not miss out on any of the benefits, including the good feeling that you are supporting our work in advancing library services in Indiana. Use promo code RENEW20 for a $10 (must use at checkout for renewals). See this graphic describing the benefits of personal and institutional membership.
* Personal members (individuals) receive access to member-only resources, conference discounts, participation in leadership, and more. Over 1,100 individuals join each year, including staff at academic, public, school and special libraries.
* Institutional members (public and academic libraries) receive access to member-only resources, and certain discounts (staff may attend Regional Conferences and Fall Forum at the member rate). Public Libraries are reminded to request membership , as we no longer automatically invoice per the advice of auditors. Trustees of member public libraries gain personal membership access. See 2019 list .
* Affiliate members (partners, vendors) receive member-only access to ILF resources and discounts on exhibiting.
2020 Virtual Exchanges

Wednesday, January 15
10:00 AM

Join two public library directors ( Cheryl Dobbs, Greenwood Public Library & Lissa Krull, Nappanee Public Library ) as they discuss the love-hate relationship between statistics and how to track quantitative and qualitative statistics for non-statisticians. 
Host a conference in your facility or city?
ILF is finalizing 2020 meetings and 2021 conferences. If you would like us to add your library to the list for possible meeting or regional conference, or your city for possible Youth Services or Annual Conference, email us with "Conference Host?" in the subject line.
Indiana Library Federation
941 E. 86th St., Suite 260
Indianapolis, IN 46240 www.ilfonline.org