President's Column:

 I had the pleasure of attending ILF’s Library Legislative Day for the first time this week: what a whirlwind and worthwhile experience! Here are some of my top takeaways:

·        This event takes a huge amount of coordination. Not only were appointments and possible meetings set up for 70 ILF members, they were constantly subject to change, delays, illness, jury duty—you name it. Read More

Featured Great Things in Indiana Libraries

Monroe County Public Library starts podcast

The Monroe County Public Library does a monthly podcast. This month, they focused on Women in History.

Jasper County Library gets IPEP safety grant

The Jasper County Public Library had received its 2019 safety grant award, according to Indiana Public Employers’ Plan Inc. officials. Read More

University Library's Pop Shop offers tabletop games

Noting the popularity of the Gen Con event and other gaming, University Library has introduced tabletop games into its collection. Now you can check out games like you would a book from the Pop Shop on the second floor. Read More

TURNING 100: Greentown Library celebrating anniversary with facility makeover: Director says library is the only one like it in the state

When the Greentown Public Library was first established in 1919, it was housed in a small area inside the town hall. Read More

Community Library Offers All Kinds Of "Things"

The Pendleton Community Library had been looking to create a library of things since their reference librarian Chris Bellesis saw the library of tools in Berkeley, California. Read More

Pioneer Grant to Reduce Library Barriers for Domestic Violence Survivors

After years of working in west coast bookstores and developing a specialty in rare books, Shannon

Bowman-Sarkisian is now studying to be a librarian at Indiana University and working as an Information Assistant at the Library. Read More

Seed library added at BMPL

The grand opening of The Library of Seeds at Batesville Memorial Public Library was celebrated Jan. 31 with a presentation by Michigan farmer Ben Cohen. Read More

The Library is Sparking Imaginations This Spring and Summer

The Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library (HMMPL) is all about sparking the imaginations of not just children but adults these spring and summer seasons. HMMPL is adding more services and programs to its already expansive menu after an incredibly successful 2018, a record-breaking year in fact. Read More

Carmel Clay Public Library is So Much More Than Books

Modern-day libraries are so much more than books, digital files and databases. They are also active community centers that offer an array of services, programs and events for people of all ages. The Carmel Clay Public Library (CCPL) is always looking for ways to connect the library to the Carmel community.  Read More

Mike Lunsford: 'The Big Smoke' lives on in 'The Big Read'

Indiana’s poet laureate, Adrian Matejka, told an enthusiastic audience at the annual “Big Read” kick-off party and keynote at the Vigo County Library 10 days ago that he had boxed a bit when he was younger, but added, “Something about being hit in the face didn’t appeal to me.”  Read More

The Studio provides a maker-space at Greenwood library

Being creative has never been so easy. Inside the Greenwood Public Library, people will be able to create fabric art on a loom, use pastel chalks or craft an architectural masterpiece using Keva wooden planks.   Read More

Library prepares for first Women's Expo

March is Women’s History Month and a taste of spring in the air. Those two things sparked the idea for Monticello-Union Township Adult Services Librarian Candace Wells to give a women’s expo a try in Monticello.   Read More

The Untapped Potential of Public Libraries to Help Close the Justice Gap

There are more than 16,000 public libraries in the United States, offering free public access to computers, the internet, and to trained staff equipped to help library patrons access information. Read More

$1.25 million earmarked for broadband, library, park

One day, youngsters in the farthest, most remote corners of Indiana County will log onto the internet from their own homes and, at the same lightning-fast speeds already enjoyed for years by internet users in Indiana, do their research on state Sen. Don White’s service to the 41st District. Read More

Regional Conference Registration is now open!

We have five excellent regional conferences planned for April.

You are invited to attend any conference that is convenient for you due to location or date.

This year’s overall professional development theme is “Libraries, Where Everyone is Welcome.” We are focusing strongly on inclusivity and diversity.

You can view one-page programs and register now. Please note that preliminary programs will be updated as we finalize content descriptions for a few session. This year’s member rate is $45 and the nonmember rate is $55 (includes lunch). An institutional member can take advantage of the member pricing IF they send more than two of their staff to the conference. Please complete a group registration form so that we can ensure you receive the correct pricing. We ask that you share the information about regionals with your staff, coworkers, neighbors, etc.

Join the "We [heart] Our Library" Yard Sign Campaign for April

We invite all to participate in a  Yard Sign campaign this April . Plan to place yard signs in your community for at least a two-week period in April, either April 1-14 or April 7-20 , to help us elevate libraries. National Library Week is April 7-13, 2019. This is timed perfectly with the final weeks of the Indiana General Assembly, where legislators are making final decisions about support for libraries and INSPIRE.

National School Library is April. If ordering signs without customization, support your school library by sharing 1-2 with your school. The main goal is to see as many signs around the state at the same time.



There are many vendors that print and ship signs at different rates, with optional customization. We are familiar with two companies that have agreed to prioritize signage for our members:

On March 12, over 70 library staff, trustees and advocates spent the day meeting with legislators to discuss bills that would affect libraries. Thank you to all who attended this very important day.

At right is just an excerpt of the photos from the day.

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 eligibility, past winners or criteria. 

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

Please consider nominating your peers or library! Deadline for nomination packets is June 30 . Awards are presented at our Annual Conference in November.

Budget Workshop set for May 16 at Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library

Grab your budget information and laptop and join us for a one-day workshop on Budget Preparation.

Are you a new director who feels overwhelmed by the budget process or a director who has always relied on another staff member to complete the budget for your library? This workshop is for you!

Understand

Complete your library budget step by step, form by form. Registration rate: Members - $50/Non-members - $65. Register now! Space registration is limited to 30 participants.

Members Only benefits

ILF Members have access to

* monthly reports from Bose Public Affairs

* 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.  NOTE: ILF Membership is on a calendar year.