Focus on Indiana Libraries: Vol. 74 No. 11

Focus on Indiana Libraries

June 3, 2020| Vol. 74 No. 11

President's Column

As I write this, my television is full of coverage of peaceful protests and dangerous riots after the death of George Floyd. This week marks the 99th anniversary of the Greenwood Massacre in Tulsa, OK, which killed 300 blacks and burned to the ground the wealthiest black community in America. Also called the Black Wall Street Massacre of 1921, days of riots, internment of blacks, shootings, and fires raged over 35 blocks of black-owned businesses after allegations from a white female elevator operator against a black man.

The latter is covered in one of our Eliot Rosewater books for 2020-2021, Dreamland Burning , which shares a story of a murder in Tulsa that is told from alternating perspectives from a contemporary biracial teen and a 1920s white young man. Read More

Summer Reading

Diverse Narratives for your Summer Reading

During their Monday Meet-up 6/1, teacher librarians shared their anguish over the current racial tensions around our country . They discussed ways to maintain the welcoming culture and safe space for open discussion about difficult issues--especially in this new socially distanced environment.

As they discussed ways to support their students, school librarians offered a quick list of of books you might read, add to your collection, and share with families . (PB=Picture Books, IG=Intermediate Grades, MG=Middle Grades, YA=Young Adult, A=Adults)

Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights by Rob Sanders, PB
On The News: Our First Talk About Tragedy by Dr. Jillian Roberts, PB
Something Happened In Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins and Ann Hazzard, IG
A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee for IG
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks. IG
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds, MG/YA
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas, YA
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, A

AISLE leaders offered to make this a standing series (see idea lists from librarians at IPS and Indy PL ). Intentional diverse collection development, integration into faculty instruction, and authentic relationships with students illustrate the life-changing power of the school library.

Great Things Are Happening in Indiana Libraries

North Madison Public Library partners with local dentist to make 3D masks

The North Madison Public Library has partnered with a local dentist to make personal 3D masks. A local dentist knew the library had a 3D printer from seeing it at a local health fair last year. He approached library director, Jamie Scott about printing the Bellus 3D's Face Mask Covers. The 3D files are made by facial recognition software; therefore, each one is made to fit the person's face! The library has partnered with the local dentist to make 50 per week for his office.

Association of Indiana School Library Educators receives AASL Past-Presidents Planning Grant for National School Library Standards

The Association of Indiana School Library Educators (AISLE) has been named one of four recipients of the 2020 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Past-Presidents Planning Grant for National School Library Standards. Read More

COUNT ME IN! Registration open

Youth Services Conference

August 16-17

Embassy Suites in Plainfield, IN (near Indy airport)

Registration is open ! We feature Peace Learning Center. We will offer sessions on literacy in the home, childhood grief, creating an efficient and effective team, teens in the library, dyslexia, virtual programming and more! Check out the preliminary for registration rates, hotel accommodations and session descriptions. See our Statement of Safety (bottom).

Assess your experience with Indiana Library Federation

Please help assess your experience with Indiana Library Federation. We are asking members and non-member stakeholders to complete this 10-minute survey that asks you about your awareness, use, and value of ILF services. Please share what you value most and how we can improve. Take the survey now .

How ILF, your state association, serves during the Pandemic

Indiana Library Federation continues to support the library community as library services innovate and meet needs. See ILF's COVID-19 page .

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.

Plus ILF continues to elevate the work of libraries to external stakeholders .

Tools and Resources

ILF developed planning tools and compiled sample policies, practices and promotions for sharing ( email us to request access to the hidden page).

Networking & Sharing

ILF continues sessions as services evolve due to the pandemic. Register through the ILF Calendar.

Public Services : Tues, 6/16 @ 2 ET

Management : Wed, 6/17 @ 2ET

Marketing : Fri, 6/19 @ 10ET

Phasing in Library Services

The Back on Track Indiana plan allows libraries to phase in services according to local 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 phasing in services. Hover over a library for its details.

Resources from our partner organizations

IndianaLegalHelp.org is a website that provides legal information, self-help court forms, and connections to legal help around the state. Libraries may refer to this site or use its resources directly to help residents.

The Indiana Afterschool Network 's Summer Activity Guide provides resources you might consider for summer programming.

Outstanding librarians? Innovative programs? Nominate!

Awards Nominations Deadline Quickly Approaching

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 nominations 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.

Management Division sponsored Virtual Exchange

Tuesday, June 9 @ 10:30 am

As managers, we want our staff to be productive, but we should also want them to be happy at work. As libraries look for their "new normal," how can we show our staff that they are valued and safe in a way that's genuine and motivating? Are there ways to build fun and community in to the work day? This session will provide tips and suggestions for practicing positive leadership techniques that can boost employee morale, productivity, and optimism . Led by Pendleton Community Public Library Director, Lynn Hobbs and Greenwood Public Library Assistant Director, Emily Ellis. RSVP here.

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 5/22 and 5/29 .

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. We also have a number of work groups working on specific areas of COVID-19 recovery and re-imagining libraries for the future (see Recovery section in last newsletter ).

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