Focus on Indiana Libraries: Vol. 74 No. 3

Focus on Indiana Libraries

February 4, 2020| Vol. 74 No. 3

President's Column

Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You written by Justice Sotomayor and illustrated by Rafael López is a colorful picture book about several different people working to build a community garden. Each of them has an illness or some other difficulty that is shared while they work together to create the garden. One person takes insulin and another uses an inhaler, and as one reads the story, the vast differences between folks is revealed. Sotomayor’s message is to “just ask” to learn more about those we encounter. Communication ultimately helps those people work together. Read More

Great Things Happening in Indiana Libraries

Library launching program to make Kokomo dementia-friendly: Staff will train businesses, offer virtual tours to build empathy for those with disease

The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library is spearheading an effort that will lead to the city becoming only the fourth community in the state to be certified as dementia-friendly in a move officials say will improve the lives of those living with the disease, as well as their caregivers. Read More

Crown Point library unveils new play area

Shopping carts, cash registers and boxes of food aren't typically found in a library. Read More

MORE GREAT THINGS

Prepping for March Disability Awareness Month.” Get your supplies.

March is Disability Awareness Month. The “People, Not Punchlines” theme acknowledges an ugly truth: Persons with disabilities are sometimes turned into objects of ridicule. Rather than being the butt of a joke, each individual in the State of Indiana's campaign uses humor to open a conversation and highlight ways in which we can all understand each other better. Check out the video below.

The Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities is providing standardized kits to conduct awareness campaigns. There’s a General / Adult kit as well as an Educator / Child kit. Place your order online at IndianaDisabilityAwareness.org by February 19, 2020.

People, Not Punchlines - Indiana Disability Awareness Month 2020

Call For Programs early deadline 2/14

The ILF Professional Development Committee needs your help in identifying potential speakers for sessions in management, youth services, tech services, hands-on technology, marketing, customer service, and more for academic, public, school, and special libraries. Suggest a speaker or submit a session.

With ILF's 2020 theme of Everyone Counts , we plan to provide high-quality sessions about diversity, inclusion, qualitative and quantitative data, self-care, family history, and all the basics of the modern library. This year, we are pleased to feature conflict resolution training from Peace Learning Center at all conferences, and a genealogy pre-conference at Annual.

Submit a proposal by 2/14 for priority consideration for:

Five Regional Conferences
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 - Aug. 16-17, Plainfield
ILF Annual Conference - Nov. 16-18, Ft. Wayne

Advancing Intellectual Freedom in Indiana

Indiana Library Federation provides resources and support related to a range of issues related to intellectual freedom. Our Intellectual Freedom Committee has prioritized formal and informal training for the library community. For example, ILF embedded sessions in every conference in 2019, and by request, will repeat in 2020. Committee members developed micro-training videos for the busy librarian and library staff. And in 2020, ILF will offer a series of Virtual Exchanges and additional member-only content and support. Submit questions in advance (may be anonymous), and plan to join the discussion.

Register for the Intro to Intellectual Freedom in ILF, scheduled for Tuesday, February 11 . Watch this space and your newsletters for future sessions.

Take ONE action on Feb. 10 for

#INLibrarySnapshotDay and

Virtual Statehouse Day

Monday, February 10, marks BOTH Library Snapshot Day (the 10th of every month in 2020) and ILF's Library Day at the Statehouse. Please plan to participate in our VIRTUAL STATEHOUSE DAY !

We are providing you the tools to participate from your library . The Statehouse Day attendees will be posting photos of their experience, which you may like, retweet, or reply. Library staff and volunteers: snap a photo of action in your library, post it with #INLibrarySnapshotDay, and tag your legislator(s).

How telling your story helps advocate for libraries

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It), ILF has been busy advocating for libraries, advancing a proactive library bill, SB410 through the Senate. See the 1/31 Advocacy Updates , or visit our Action Center .

Learn about our policy priorities, and download issue briefs

Members may participate in bi-weekly Virtual Advocacy Updates .

MEMBER NEWS

Volunteer for ILF

ILF still needs a few members to step forward for specific committees and leadership opportunities. Please complete the form to let us know your interests.

ILF's Board-approved Work Plan for 2020

ILF is in a state of continuous quality improvement. We heard you. In 2020, we have prioritized member and leader engagement, proactive advocacy, and strategic communications. See the 2020 Work Plan and 2020 Goals and Calendar . We welcome your ideas and involvement.