Focus on Indiana Libraries
Dec. 22, 2020| Vol. 74 No. 24
In this issue:
Great Things from IN libraries

Volunteers needed on Committees, Division Leadership Teams, and Affiliation Advisory Boards for 2021.

Member Only - Member Documents and Online Learning
Gearing up for 2021
As 2020 comes to a close, your ILF office is busy preparing for 2021. We welcome our new Board members and recruit member leaders to carry out our Work Plan. We are preparing for a socially distanced legislative session to advance our policy priorities. Please take a few moments to read our updates.

May you enjoy a little time over the holidays--whether meeting online with family or curling up with that book you have been meaning to read all year.
Great Things Are Happening in Indiana Libraries
Northwest Indiana Libraries Receive Materials on Mental Health
As an unexpected surprise to end the year that is 2020, several libraries in the NW part of the state received a wooden bookshelf, brochure holder, a collection of books for all ages on mental health, and brochures on topics such as COVID, self-harm, and depression. This project was made possible by Healthy Communities and White County H.E.A.L.T.H. 4ALL Coalitions, with funding from IU Health Community Outreach and Engagement. The Libraries hope to continue to add new resources to the display in the coming months. 

Auburn Rotary Club donates bike racks to library
The Auburn Rotary Club has donated bike racks to Eckhart Public Library.
The club was able to purchase 16 bike racks through a Rotary Foundation grant along with local contributions. Read More
ILF Seeks Member Leaders
LEAN INTO LEADERSHIP FOR 2021
Now is the time that we start planning to fill open and expiring terms on various leadership roles throughout ILF for 2021. Terms are generally for two years. We need ILF members with passion and specific skills to lean into leadership!

  • Advocacy - seeking an academic and a trustee/supporter
  • Ad Hoc Committee on Racial Justice and Inclusion - seeking individuals committed to authentic inclusion of Blacks in libraries (collections, workforce, policies, etc.); meets 2x/mo
  • Annual Conference /Professional Development - seeking an academic, school, public, and trustee/supporter to help plan and carry out the Annual Conference
  • Awards & Honors - seeking a few discrete individuals who are committed to recognizing excellence through awards and to advancing librarianship through scholarship programs
  • Book Awards - While Rosie is full, Read Aloud Indiana needs several, and YHBA needs a few; we also are creating a committee of folks on the waiting list and/or who will read new releases to offer nominations.
  • Communications - seeking specific marketing expertise to help carry out strategic communications plan developed in 2020
  • Intellectual Freedom - seeking a library director and trustee/supporter
  • Leadership Development - seeking individuals for this new committee which will focus on ILF goals to help ILF members grow as in their leadership as individuals, in ILF, and in their library and community.

Division Leadership Teams - ILF convenes sectors within the library community through Divisions.
  • Management - seeking middle managers committed to helping librarians and library staff flourish
  • Marketing - seeking individuals with responsibilities for marketing or promotions
  • Public Services - seeking individuals interested in transforming library services in the new normal--specifically to develop best practice guides and related online learning
  • Technical Services - seeking a few to help develop online learning content
  • Youth Services - seeking representatives from far northern and southern Indiana

Affiliation Advisory Boards - Advisory Boards for AISLE, Association of Indiana School Library Educators, and IPLA, Indiana Public Library Association, are currently full, but let us know if you are interested in this as openings come up sometimes.
  • IALA, Indiana Academic Library Association - seeking academics from a variety of institutions throughout the state to help carry out 2 goals in 2021--relaunch our journal and convene the Transitions project to improve the school to college experience
  • ILTSA, Indiana Library Trustee and Supporter Association - seeking trustees, Friends and Advocates to bring these voices to ILF

Workgroups - Small groups work on specific tasks, such as updating the AISLE Rubric, Broadband Adoption Task Group, and Remote assistance from the library (telehealth, legal assistance, court access).

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.
Library Advocacy Updates
The Indiana General Assembly January 4. Legislators have two objectives: 1) pass the two-year state budget, and 2) redraw legislative districts.

See the Governor's legislative agenda. Caucus agendas will be released soon.
ILF's 2021 Policy Priorities

Using input from the Member and Advocacy surveys, the ILF Advocacy Committee developed our policy priorities for 2021. Below lists the priorities that Indiana Library Federation...
ACTIVELY ADVOCATES for…
  • Stable taxing structure that supports libraries
  • Funding to support internet connectivity for schools and libraries
  • Expanded broadband that is affordable, reliable, and at a speed practical for remote work and eLearning
  • Effective school library programs with qualified teacher librarians supported by library assistants and school library materials
 
SUPPORTS
  • Funding for INSPIRE, Indiana’s virtual library
  • Lifelong learning initiatives to increase literacy, educational attainment, and workforce development.
  • Ensuring library service to enhance a quality of place for all Indiana residents

WILL MONITOR AND BE POSITIONED FOR ACTION related to the following:
  • Efforts to re-organize local government.
  • Updating the definition of library services in the Indiana Code to reflect how libraries are responsive to changing needs in communities.
  • Efforts to restrict the ability of libraries to deliver services.
  • Changes to employment, compensation and retirement programs affecting library staff.
 
Policy briefs will be posted in the coming weeks.
Teacher Pay Commission Report and School Librarians

The Indiana Teacher Pay Commission released its report last week, which is the result of more than 18 months of research and input. In addition to explaining the importance of competitive teacher pay, the Teacher Pay Commission Report provides 37 recommendations and strategies to increase teacher pay and retention.

ILF's member school librarian leaders met and convened a discussion on 12/21 with school librarians about the report. The group identified areas of agreement and other areas of misunderstanding.

Here is how you can help:
School librarians - Please complete this survey.
ALL Library Stakeholders - Please help share these basic messages about school libraries and school librarians, including:
  1. school librarians are certified teachers;
  2. research illustrates the connection between student success with the presence of an effective school library program supported by a certified school librarian and trained library assistants; and
  3. school libraries routinely collaborate and participate in sharing initiatives for cost-efficiencies.
Library Advocacy Training Series
Prepare yourself for the 2021 legislative session. Access the entire series of 9- to 17-minute trainings.
  • Library Advocacy 101
  • Library Districts, Cards, and Deserts
  • How ILF Works in Advocacy
  • Public Library Funding
  • Libraries and the State Budget
  • Resource Sharing
  • Communications and Advocacy
Stay informed about library advocacy
Indiana Library Federation offers many ways to stay informed and to get involved in library advocacy.
Member-Only Access To Tools and Resources
Your ILF membership gets 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
ILF Staffing
Most members already know and rely on Tisa Davis, as she is often your first "go-to" for all things ILF. We are pleased that Tisa is moving into the position of Member Services Manager. Tisa is a natural in this position, knowing our members from her nine years with ILF.

ILF has been working with reduced staffing since March and is ready to rebuild. ILF is reorganizing the staff roles to reflect the changing work of ILF. The ILF Board adopted a new business model aligned with the member survey, strategic vision, and goals. We are hoping to hire 1-2 positions soon. See ad.
New Positions
  • Heather Barron will be taking Helen Leinbach's position as Director of the North Webster Community Public Library.


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