Focus on Indiana Libraries: Vol. 74 No. 7

Focus on Indiana Libraries

April 7, 2020| Vol. 74 No. 7

In this issue:

ILF's support to all IN libraries during the COVID-19 crisis: tools, daily opportunities to meet with peers, technical assistance.

How Indiana's libraries are serving in the pandemic

Young Hoosier Book Award and Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award VOTING is open, online, and extended til 6/1

Advocacy and PL2030 Virtual Exchanges for a sustainable future

"Everyone Counts" Award and time to nominate for ILF Awards

Your ILF member benefits includes FREE Webinars ! Register today.

President's Column

Last summer I read Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, native of Kentucky, about the Kentucky Blue People and the Pack Horse Librarian Project that evolved as part of the Works Progress Administration. This work of fiction follows a young woman’s journey into what is for her the job of a lifetime--as a Blue Person, her options were very much limited, much as they were for other minorities.

In the story, Blue at 19 has few prospects for a husband or a job, but she learns about this new position that would allow her to travel on horseback to remote Kentucky homes, swapping out library items and encouraging reading for the hill people who often were poor and illiterate. Along with reading material, she found herself doing a lot of other jobs--finding food options, caring for the sick, comforting the distraught, and tending to young even at times. Read More

The COVID-19 global pandemic has changed everything for libraries. We opened our COVID-19 resources to all in the Indiana library community, regardless of personal or institutional membership.

Review our COVID-19 Resources page, which is your one-stop shop for ILF-developed tools for Indiana libraries, government-issued memos, guidance docs, idea compilations, highlights from sharing meetings, and sample policies. ( updated daily ).

View a short video message from Lucinda Nord, repeated from 3/23 newsletter. You are NOT alone. We will get through this together.

Networking & Sharing

Join your colleagues around the state as we come together to to offer support, best practices, challenges and successes. These discussion opportunities are open to everyone in Indiana libraries.

Watch the ILF Calendar for more (click Month View for ease).

Public Library Directors Only (4/8, 4/9, 4/13, 4/15, 4/17)
Small Library Directors (4/7)
Academic Librarians (4/15)
Monday Meet-ups for School Librarians ( 4/13, 4/20)
Management -(4/17)
Marketing (4/10)
Public Services (ILL/Circ, Ref) (4/14)
Technical Services (4/16)
Youth Services (4/13), (4/20)
If you have an idea for a topic-based meeting or learning to share, please contact us.

How Indiana's Libraries Serve during the Pandemic

While library facilities are closed to protect the health and safety of the public, library staff are rising to the occasion to serve their communities in different ways. Libraries are providing online instruction; streaming Storytime, book clubs, and programs; expanding eResources like eBooks, games, downloadable music and movies; offering temporary library cards and Ask-a-Librarian; extending Wi-Fi into the parking lot; and partnering with local government units and other community agencies for food distributions, blood drives, and other services. A few examples are below:

Above: Social Media - Whiteland Community High School Media Center School librarian Raenell Smith connects with her students through a very active webpage, email, and Twitter feed.

Below: Newspaper ad - Fort Branch-Johnson Township Public Library placed ads in their local newspaper to let area residents know how to access temporary library cards and eResources.

Above: Wi-Fi Sign - Like many libraries that have extended their Wi-Fi into the parking lot, Johnson County Public Library had signs created to place around their community letting people know about their free WiFi.

Below: Call Center - The Floyd County Public Library set up a "socially distanced and sanitary" call center in their big meeting room to assist the County Health Department with calls.

Online voting is open for YHBA and Rosies through June 1

Indiana Library Federation is proud to offer three Book Award Programs: Young Hoosier Book Award (YHBA) for early readers through middle school, Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Rosies) for high school students and adults who love Young Adult literature, and Read Aloud Indiana for all ages. Students vote on their favorite YHBA and Rosie book. Now is the perfect time to start reading from the 2019-2020 lists if your students or children have not yet participated. Online books are available!

Students Vote for the 2019-2020 Young Hoosier Book Award

April 1 - June 1; now online!

Because Indiana students will not be returning to their school buildings this year, voting for the Young Hoosier Book Award is now online for the first time and extended until June 1.

How to participate:

Select books from the list that matches a student's interest:Picture Books, Intermediate Grades, or Middle Grades.
Students read, or are read to, the minimum number of books from their list to vote on their favorite.

Students vote one of two ways:

Students vote online for their favorite from the list. Students may provide the name and email address of their teacher or librarian.
Librarians and teachers may submit the collected the student votes and submit their class or school totals online here. to vote: developed student voting forms for each category.

Check out this video that describes the program and how to participate and vote in the YHBA program.

Students Vote for the 2019-2020 Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award

Voting extended through June 1

The Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Committee annually creates a list of recently published books so that every high school student will find a book they would love.

In 2019, the Rosies introduced student online voting in 2019. Students may read any books from the list and vote one time for their favorite.

High School student voting is extended until June 1.

How to find eBooks:

Tumblebooks (for teachers & libraries)

Overdrive

Or visit your local school or public library website.

Join the PL2030 Update on Monday, April 20, 10amET . The PL2030 Committee members will share the data analysis and PL2030 self-assessment tool developed to help public libraries thrive into the future. Learn about library services, finances, population, and workforce trends. This session is open to ALL in the Indiana public library community.

Advocacy Virtual Updates

Senate Enrolled Act 410 , PL88, was signed into law by Governor Holcomb on 3/18/20. ILF proactively advocated for this new library law in response to members and stakeholders.

Over 125 individuals joined the first of three sessions on Understanding SEA410 on 4/6 . Watch the recording or view the slides . In the coming weeks, watch for sessions about updating your criminal history check policies and serving foster children. These sessions are open to all , regardless of membership.

Awards Time: Nominate Your Peers!

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 eligibi lity, past winners or criteria.

Consider nominating someone for the new “Everyone Counts” Award , which recognizes any personal or institutional member who or that has demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in policies, practices, programs, and/or initiatives. ILF encourages creativity in responses to this pilot award, which may evolve into a permanent award.

Help support the future of librarianship by helping outstanding teachers and library staff pursue the Master of Library and Information Science at IU or IUPUI or the AS through Ivy Tech. Help us promote ILF Scholarships.

Please consider nominating or applying. Deadline for nomination packets is June 30 .

Member Services

ILF Webinars for Members

Join us for webinars scheduled through April. These webinars include modified content that was planned for our five regional conferences and is available to personal & institutional members . Public Library Members are listed here.

You can find dates & sessions below with the ability to RSVP with your ILF login . If your library is an institutional member, contact Megan to help you join as the webinars.

April 8, Spreadsheets: The Basics
April 9, Using Canva to Create Marketing Materials
April 14, 10 Techniques for a More Productive You!
April 16, Services to Patrons with Disabilities
April 21, The Copyright Decision Tree

Update on ILF as your association

The COVID-19 pandemic affects all organizations differently. How is ILF responding?

Our members and the Indiana library community relies on ILF for its leadership, advocacy and lobbying, and professional development and networking support. We immediately offered new COVID-19 support beginning 3/16.
ILF staff are following guidance. Communications Manager Tisa Davis and Member Engagement Manager Megan Zanto are teleworking, while Executive Director Lucinda Nord and Finance Manager Dave Cochran are working in the office.
ILF canceled its five regional conferences in April, and is considering contingencies for the remaining large-gathering conferences and events through 2020 and 2021.
As a nonprofit membership association that depends upon sponsorship and conference revenues for more than 50% of our annual budget, we are already implementing cost-cutting measures.
Just like our member libraries, we are exploring ways that our services will evolve in the new pandemic and post-pandemic realities.
What will not change: our commitment and tireless work to advance our mission to lead, educate, and advocate to advance libraries for the benefit of Indiana residents.

We will get through this together. Thank you for your support.