Focus on Indiana Libraries :
Volume 73 Number 1, January 9, 2019
In this issue of your  Focus on Indiana Libraries
  • Featured "Great Things": outdoor learning plaza
  • President's Column - Susie Highley and geocaching
  • Great Things in Indiana Libraries
Editor's Note: We are trying a new format that gives you the news first, followed by items for ILF members and library staff. Let us know if you like our new format.
Presidents Column:
Welcome to 2019! As a matter of fact, our theme for the Indiana Library Federation this year is “Libraries: Where Everyone is Welcome!”

During last year’s annual and regional conferences, we had speakers on hospitality, inclusion, outreach, and other actions that lead to favorable connections with our communities. Your ILF professional development committee and board have decided to expand upon this for 2019.

In 2006, I started geocaching, which involves finding hidden “containers” or places of interest using a GPS device. By 2007, a friend and I were spending enjoyable days caching throughout the state. (Yes, we’ve now found caches in every county and each page of the DeLorme map for Indiana.) Back then, we would have to plan our routes in advance, often printing out maps and individual cache pages, but there would be times that we needed more current information or got stuck. Where would we stop? The public library!
Featured Great Things in Indiana Libraries

Outdoor library learning plaza planned for Valparaiso
The proposed outdoor Library Learning Plaza is being touted as the first of its kind in the area, Porter County Library Director Jesse Butz said."It will provide a fairly unique concept," Butz said of the project.

Thanks to recent action taken by the City Council, the Porter County Public Library System can now go forward with its next steps toward building the plaza on property purchased at 106 Jefferson St., in Valparaiso, Butz said.

The City Council recently declared the property, the former Chase Bank drive-thru at 106 Jefferson St., a blighted area, and eligible for grant funding. 

The library a few years ago had purchased the Chase property, which is across from the Valparaiso Public Library, Butz said. Read More
Greenwood library drops late fees
Greenwood book lovers who have stayed away from the library because of fear of late fees now have a reprieve. Read More

In Fishers, the public library has a free space for artists decked with an A/V studio
The college art project required a big measuring board, glue gun and good lighting.  Read More

Aurora Public Library District To Host Smithsonian Exhibit In Dillsboro
The Aurora Public Library District has been selected by Indiana Humanities to host a Smithsonian-curated traveling exhibit called “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” as part of the Museum on Main Street program, which brings exhibitions and programs to rural communities.  Read More

Library Raises $127,000 For New Facility
In August the Loogootee public library was full of chairs. The multi-colored seats were scattered throughout the building to help raise funds.   Read More

Kokomo-Howard County Public Library to Host Space Exhibit
The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library is hosting the second international tour of Discover Space: A Cosmic Journey, from January 14 through March 29. The Kokomo Tribune reports that KHCPL is one of nine libraries in the nation to be selected to facilitate the event.   Read More

Merida returns as New Albany-Floyd County Library director
Melissa Merida's car was packed. She was heading north on Interstate 65, ready to begin a new journey. Read More
2019 session of the Indiana General Assembly is underway
The Indiana General Assembly is off and running. Leaders announced their policy priorities for this bud get-writing session. Legislators are filing and posting bills by the January 10 deadline.

Indiana Library Federation advocates for all Indiana libraries through its 2019 Policy Priorities , where we actively advocate for:
  • Funding for internet connectivity for libraries and schools.
  • Stable funding for INSPIRE, the state’s virtual library, in State budget.
  • School libraries, certified librarians with library assistants and school library materials in K-12 education.
  • Increased broadband coverage.
We support, monitor and are positioned for action on a range of other library issues, including:
  • Lifelong learning initiatives.
  • Ensuring library service for all Indiana residents.
  • Library funding and the tax structures that support libraries.
  • Efforts to re-organize local government.
  • Updating the definition of library services in the Indiana Code.
  • Changes to employment, compensation and retirement programs affecting library staff.

How you can help
  1. Stay informed - Be sure to subscribe to weekly ILF Advocacy Updates, where we provide detailed updates, access to talking points and tools and calls to action.
  2. Develop library supporters and champions - Invite people to experience what your library has to offer.
  3. Third House/Meet Your Legislator Events - Plan to attend the event in your area.
Professional Development:
Call for Programs
Indiana Library Federation offers a range of professional development opportunities to develop knowledge and skills and to network with others across the library community. Members receive substantial savings on registration fees.

The Indiana Library Federation's  2019 Call for Programs  is a combined form for our seven major professional development events throughout the year, including: regional conferences, Youth Services conference, and Annual Conference. An individual or group may submit sessions for one, a few, or all of these conferences through this form. ILF would like to invite our members, unit leaders, and external experts to submit topics specific to their interests. 

Please direct any questions concerning the form to Mandy Rentschler at 317-257-2040 ext. 102.
Help share the library message every time you drive!
As a part of our strategy to elevate libraries, ILF is providing license plate covers to members for staff, trustees and friends. ILF designed them to apply to all libraries.

  • Public and Academic Library Institutional Members will receive shipments with enough to give to each staff member, trustee, Friends group member and volunteer.
  • School librarian members may request for school library staff and volunteers in their district, as we aim to consolidate shipments.
  • Affiliate members may request as well.

RENEW today and request a total number of license plate covers for staff and volunteers.

This is the PERFECT marketing tool for the introvert. Put on your vehicle and be a messenger for libraries.

Email us a photo of yours or tag us at @ilfonline . Staff are eager to spot others in parking lots and on the road.
The benefits of your ILF membership include:
  • Reduced rates for ILF events throughout the year;
  • Opportunities for professional growth and continuing education;
  • Networking and collaboration opportunities with colleagues;
  • A strong legislative and advocacy program—critically important as the Indiana General Assembly writes the biennial budget during the 2019 session and the 116th session Congress funds the Institute of Museum and Library Services;
  • Eligibility for participation in leadership, projects, awards and scholarships; and
  • Support and resources to promote intellectual freedom.

As a member, we encourage you to get involved in our programs, projects and conferences . Opportunities include attendance at eight conferences, series of virtual exchanges, three book award programs ( Young Hoosier Book Award , Eliot Rosewater Book Award and Read Alouds ), divisions and more. 

Renew by January 31 with PROMO code RENEW19. Consider giving the gift of ILF membership to an emerging librarian or staff member in your library. Contact the office whether someone has "join" or "renew" status.
ILF Photo and Video Gallery:



We are still looking for volunteers for our Regional Conference Leadership Teams. If you are interested in serving on one of our conference teams, please contact Mandy at the ILF office.
Members Only benefits
ILF Members have access to
* discounts at conferences and events
* eligibility for certain awards, honors and scholarships
* serving in leadership within ILF-- Volunteer today
* certain voting rights (election of the ILF Board of Directors, etc.)

Forgot your login or password?    Contact the office   and we can tell you and/or reset. A member from a prior year? Please " renew . " By clicking "join," you might create a duplicate account. 
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Your tax-deductible charitable contributions support our ILF mission. We post our   IRS 990 and Annual Report   for full transparency.
Indiana Library Federation
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