Focus on Indiana Libraries
Sept. 15, 2020| Vol. 74 No. 18
In this issue:
Great Things from IN libraries

We're Going VIRTUAL! Register for upcoming ILF Update, Coaching Mask Use, and Legislative Fall Forum. Management Cohort.


ILF and libraries in the news.

Resources from ILF featured partners ENA, and nominations for I Love My Librarian award.

Volunteers needed on several committees.

Member News and Member Only - Member Documents and Online Learning
Message from Member Engagement Manager
Megan Zanto
When I started at ILF, I did not realize ALL that libraries offered, even though I’ve grown up in them. Every week you could find me awkwardly standing outside the storytime circle, filling my book bag to the brim, and volunteering at youth programs when I was a teen (Hi Ms. Sharon!). Since then, I’ve, of course, learned that libraries are MUCH more than a house of books. Read More
Great Things Are Happening in Indiana Libraries
Black Cultural Center’s library receives grant to expand community resources
The library at Purdue’s Black Cultural Center has been recognized by Indiana Humanities with a grant to add more resources. Read More

Local schools awarded grants to add racial injustice materials to collections
Libraries, schools, universities and nonprofit organizations across Indiana are receiving grants to purchase highly sought-after books, digital materials and films addressing racial injustice in America to add to circulating collections in their communities. Read More
Indiana Library Federation - Key Updates and Registration
Indiana Library Federation is preparing the slate for the 2021 Board of Directors, and has leadership openings.
Have you considered becoming one of our 200 volunteer member leaders?

  • ALA Councilor - This position represents ILF on ALA Council and serves on the ILF Board for a 3-year term. Must be a member of both ILF and ALA, with preference for candidates to be knowledgeable and supportive of the Forward Together efforts. STILL OPEN
  • Board - Board members typically have served in one or more capacities in ILF before being nominated to the Board. However, our bylaws allow open nominations.
  • Committees - Advocacy, Ad Hoc Committee on Racial Justice and Inclusion, Book Awards (YHBA, Rosie, Read Aloud Indiana), Communications, Intellectual Freedom, Professional Development
  • Division Leadership Teams - Management, Youth Services, Technical Services
  • Affiliation Advisory Boards - AISLE, IPLA, IALA, ILSTA

Interested in learning more about any of the above? Complete the volunteer form and/or contact Lucinda Nord. ILF works to match member leaders to positions that fit your skills, interests, and availability.
Register for Upcoming Events

In order to serve more people, ILF Board voted in August to move the Annual Conference to VIRTUAL. Additionally, we have other upcoming virtual sessions:

Have you wanted to improve your management skills? Consider applying for the ILF Management Cohort. Apply TODAY for this immersive 4-month training cohort.
Update about IN Libraries and ILF
this Thursday, 9/17
Libraries have always changed to reflect the changing needs in communities. Join the ILF Board Officers for an update about IN Libraries and ILF on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4pmET/3pmCT. OPEN to ALL, regardless of membership.
VIRTUAL Legislative Fall Forum on October 6
Social distancing requirements will make for a very different legislative session. The coincidental and chance meetings by staff with policymakers, their friends and families will become more important. Join this Fall Forum to learn the basics and to prepare for the important 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Registration includes both pre-recorded micro-trainings and live sessions for one low price. Institutional members are encouraged to consider sending a team of staff, trustees, and friends.
ICYMI - In case you missed it - Election and Statehouse info

Be sure to check out all the election information in our ILF Advocacy Update issued 9/11/2020. Learn about National Voter Registration Day, how to check your voter registration, the law on absentee ballots and much more. The issue also includes info on current legislative study committees.
Consider cross-promoting your library's digital resources with IN eLearning Lab. Distribute this flyer with your own information about accessing your digital access card, eBooks, Audiobooks, music, and more.

The IN eLearning Lab offers a suite of digital resources for educators, parents and others working to support children with remote learning. Don't how a child's Chromebook works? Ever wanted to learn how to use Kahoot, Padlet,or Screencastify? Create a login to access a range of 2- to 10-minute micro-trainings. Public libraries will mark the primary school system in their profile.

Want to learn more? Access the 9/10 training we hosted with Instructional Designer Nate Walden.
Elevating the value of libraries to children and in recovery during Library Card Sign-up Month

Variations on a "Children Need Books and Libraries" op-ed appeared in newspapers throughout the state, including the IndyStar, Elkhart Truth, Courier and Press, and News & Tribune, among others.
Early in the pandemic, ILF joined with other statewide associations to being planning for recovery. See Joint Statement or listen to the WFYI radio program All IN from Sept. 10, where ILF E.D. Lucinda Nord was interviewed.
Information and Resources from our Partners
ENA offers training sessions

The pandemic underscored the digital divide. Libraries and Schools are providing more devices and extending Wi-Fi to parking lots, gazebos, parks, bookmobiles, and vans. Learn about trends, Wi-Fi 6, Cat 2 of eRate.

Public libraries are asked to complete this 2-minute Survey from ENA.

OPEN to ALL - Upcoming sessions with ENA
Sept. 22 at 10am EST–Register here and 
Sept. 30 at 1pm EST–Register here
Nominate a Superstar Librarian for the I Love My Librarian Award

Has a librarian made a difference in your life? Nominations for this year’s I Love My Librarian Award are open until November 9, 2020. Ten amazing librarians from public, school, and college/university libraries will win $5,000 each in recognition of their outstanding service to their communities. If you know a librarian who’s gone above and beyond, especially during the pandemic, submitting a nomination is the perfect way to thank them. Learn more and submit a nomination at ilovelibraries.org/ilovemylibrarian.
Member-Only Access To Tools and Resources
Your ILF membership get you access to so much more than a discount to a conference. Have you checked out the Online Learning? For any of the opportunities below, please contact us if you need assistance logging in. 

Be sure to update your member profile
What's your area of work? Management? Youth Services? Technical Services? Marketing? Do we have both your home and work email and physical addresses and cell phone numbers? As we work to deepen our relationship with our members, it is important to be able to reach you. We do not share your personal information.

Member News
Retirements
  • Culver-Union Township Public Library Director, Colleen McCarty is retiring after 12 years as director.
Have some member news you would like to include in an upcoming Focus on Indiana Libraries? Email Tisa with your news!
Indiana Library Federation
941 E. 86th St., Suite 260
Indianapolis, IN 46240 www.ilfonline.org