Focus on Indiana Libraries: Vol. 74 No. 10

Focus on Indiana Libraries

May 20, 2020| Vol. 74 No. 10

PL2030 and Uncertain Times

Guest column by Melissa Merida and Edra Waterman

Now more than ever, thriving public libraries are essential as our communities move forward into an uncertain future. As we discuss matters related to policy in our state today, it is clear that not all of our citizens and decision makers truly understand what public libraries should be and are doing to reflect and support the needs of their community members. Public libraries, our operations, and our public funding mechanisms are increasingly coming under scrutiny in Indiana, especially as tax caps and other legislative changes have created an increasingly competitive environment for available tax dollars. PL2030 was formed to honestly and unflinchingly look at ourselves, look at what our laws say we do vs. what we really do, and help chart a path forward for public library long-term success that includes sustainable funding, meaningful... Read More

See related article below.

Great Things Are Happening in Indiana Libraries

The hidden gem of history in Grant County: Taylor research team helps create history exhibit

Research when combined with passion and proximity has power. Professor of Anthropology Robert Priest of Taylor University and Associate Professor of Social Work Kersten Priest of Indiana Wesleyan University’s research culminated in the opening of a museum exhibit, currently being shown at the Marion Public Library’s department of Indiana History and Genealogy. Read More

‘Spinning Silver,’ a retelling of ‘Rumpelstiltskin,’ to be featured Big Read book

Purdue University’s Department of English is partnering with West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County public libraries to bring Naomi Novik’s “Spinning Silver” to local readers. Read More

Taking steps to a new normal

COUNT ME IN! Registration open

Youth Services Conference

August 16-17

Embassy Suites

Plainfield, IN

(near Indy airport)

Registration is open ! We will offer sessions on literacy in the home, childhood grief, creating an efficient and effective team, teens in the library and more! Check out the preliminary for registration rates, hotel accommodations and session descriptions.

It's time for self-assessment in ILF's PL2030 , public library sustainability initiative. After eight months of research and planning, PL2030 Committee members shared the data analysis and PL2030 self-assessment tool developed to help public libraries thrive into the future. Indiana's public libraries are asked to submit their self-assessment scores by the end of May.

Learn about library services, finances, population, and workforce trends, or view the slides or recording .

How Indiana's Libraries Serve during the Pandemic

Libraries have always innovated to meet the needs of communities. While most library meeting spaces and stacks remain restricted to protect the health and safety of the public, libraries are creative in the way that they work to meet the evolving needs of communities. A few examples are below:

Over 375 Public Library Branches Offer FREE Wi-Fi

Most of Indiana's 236 public libraries extended their Wi-Fi to the parking lots. ILF compiled a map of Wi-Fi across Indiana's 432 library branches, where you may hover over a branch for its address and website.

Phasing in Library Services

The Back on Track Indiana plan allows libraries to phase in services according to l ocal needs, staff capacity, and the community’s situation. From curbside services to limited access grab-and-go, the map below illustrates how Indiana's public libraries staging services.

Sample promotions

Check out a few videos from:

Kokomo-Howard County Public Library announcing its reopening.
Monroe County Public Library about phasing in services.

Below you will find a sample bitmoji from school librarian leader Leslie Preddy and a social media post from North Manchester Public Library announcing their document services.

How ILF, your state association, serves during the Pandemic

Response, Recovery, and Re-imagining Library Services

ILF is transitionin g from crisis response to recovery in the pandemic . We seek volunteers to serve on five special ad hoc work groups to help Indiana's libraries respond to needs and re-imagine library services for the future.

Do you, or someone you know, have specific expertise or passionate interest in one of the following areas?

Technical skills in Virtual Programming and Online Instruction – video, recording, various technologies, platforms, tracking, YouTube Channels, etc.
Teaching how to teach – matching teaching to different learning styles; teaching methods for in-person, virtual and hybrid
Contact center skills – managing multiple reference type questions via telephone, chat, and email with superb customer service skills
Application/eGovernment Assistance – Unemployment, SNAP, Health Coverage, Legal Assistance/Court Case look-up, eGovernment
Adult worker re-training – Which libraries have best examples of workforce development initiatives and partnerships with industry? Which staff have best skills in planning and implementing these programs?

Our standing Committees , Affiliation Advisory Boards , and Division Leadership Teams will adapt their work plans for 2020 to reflect the changing work in libraries. And ILF will rely heavily on two additional small ad hoc teams in areas of Human Resources and Communications/Marketing/Social Media.

Interested? Please complete a volunteer form .

Nominate a peer or library for an ILF Award today!

It's time to nominate a person, library or organization for an ILF Award. 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 for ILF's 22 awards.
Consider nominating someone for the new “Everyone Counts” Award, which recognizes commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
Help us promote ILF Scholarships.

Deadline for nomination packets is June 30 .

Member-Only Access

Live and Archived ILF Webinars for Members

ILF provide members access to archived webinars, which include modified content that was planned for our five regional conferences and is available to personal & institutional members . ILF also offers members access to its Virtual exchanges , including the Public Library and School Library series. Use your login and password to access these recordings. Public Library Members are listed here.

Criminal History Check Policies , part of the series on Understanding SEA410, the New Library Law, will be held on Thursday, May 28.

Special Updates from Bose Public Affairs

Indiana Library Federation contracts with Bose Public Affairs for government affairs representation and supportive services. During the legislative session and now during the pandemic, Bose has provided weekly updates with inside information about COVID-related issues and resources. Visit the Advocacy News page , login with your password and scroll down. You may find issues from 5/8 , 5/13 , and 5/15 .

Leadership in ILF

ILF has openings for members to serve in leadership. As we transition from pandemic crisis response to our "new normal," we are eager to orient new member leaders. Volunteer here . Megan Zanto, member engagement manager, will contact you to explore possible matches within the organization. Current open positions include Youth Services (SW), Technical Services, Advocacy and Intellectual Freedom Committees--especially looking for trustees, academics, and managers.

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