The Wednesday Word: Library News from Around Indiana

The Indiana State Library on January 30 will officially launch the Public Library eGovernment Costs and Broadband Survey. Next week, all public libraries will receive data collection tools to assist in preparation for this survey.

The purpose of this study is to better describe and understand the costs, services, and benefits related to public library provision of e-government services in Indiana. Access to and use and delivery of government materials and services through the public library continues to expand at a rapid rate and public libraries are developing a range of service roles related to e-government. Ultimately the project will result in outcomes that assist the Indiana State Library and public libraries to develop and implement strategies for improved e-government services and to leverage and better manage associated costs of public library e-government service provision.

The study is lead by renowned broadband expert Dr. Charles McClure of the Florida State University Information Institute. McClure noted that this study will build on previous e-government research that the Information Institute has completed which are available at the Information Institute website at www.ii.fsu.edu. This project is made possible by an LSTA grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library.

Foundation Offering Grants for Small, Rural Libraries

The Libri Foundation, a nationwide non-profit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries, has donated over $4,600,000 worth of new children's books to more than 3,000 libraries in 49 states since 1990. This year, the Foundation is offering “Books for Children” grants of up to $700 for rural libraries. In an effort to encourage and reward local support of libraries, the Libri Foundation will match any amount of money raised by your local sponsors from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. This could amount for up to $1,050 worth of new children's books. After a library receives a grant, local sponsors (such as formal or informal Friends groups, civic or social organizations, local businesses, etc.) have four months, or longer if necessary, to raise their matching funds.

Grantees will be able to select books from a booklist provided by the Foundation. The 700-plus fiction and nonfiction titles on the booklist reflect the very best of children's literature published primarily in the last three years. These award-winning titles for children ages 12 and under have received starred reviews in library, literary, or education journals. The booklist also includes a selection of classic children's titles.

Libraries are qualified on an individual basis. In general, county libraries should serve a population under 16,000 and town libraries should serve a population under 10,000 (usually under 5,000). Libraries should be in a rural area (generally 30 miles from a city with a population over 40,000), have a limited operating budget, and an active children's department.

Application deadlines in 2012 for the “Books for Children” grants are (postmarked by) January 23rd and May 15th. Consider applying for a January grant if you want your books in time for summer reading programming. Application guidelines and forms may be downloaded from the Foundation's website at www.librifoundation.org. For more information about the “Books for Children” program, contact Ms. Barbara J. McKillip, President, The Libri Foundation, at 541-747-9655 or libri@librifoundation.org.

Register Today for the 2012 LSTA Grant Application Assistance Webinar on Jan. 19 at 2:00 p.m.

LEU Opportunity Days

When: January 12 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Indiana State Library

When: February 7 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Jasper-Dubois County Library, Ferdinand Branch

When: February 21 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Vigo County PL

When: February 28 @ 10:00AM
Where: Batesville Memorial PL

When: March 14 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Kendallville PL

When: March 21 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Jasper County Public Library - Wheatfield

When: March 29 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Tippecanoe Co. PL

Upcoming Workshops,
Meetings & Events

Evergreen Circulation Training
When: January 19 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Indiana State Library

LSTA Application Assistance Webinar
When: January 19 @ 2:00 PM
Where: Live Webinar

Digitizing Photographic Collections Workshop
When: January 23 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Peabody Public Library

Basic INSPIRE
When: January 24 @ 2:00 PM
Where: Live Webinar

Advanced INSPIRE Business Resources
When: February 7 @ 2:00 PM
Where: Live Webinar

Deadline for LSTA Grant Applications
When: February 10 @ 11:59 PM

Evergreen Indiana Overview
When: February 23 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Live Webinar

Discovery to Delivery III: Resource Sharing Core Service
When: March 9 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Ball St. University

Evergreen International Conference
When: April 25-29
Where: Indianapolis

View free LEU
opportunities from:

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Indiana State Library, 315 W. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202. www.library.IN.gov

The Wednesday Word is a free publication of the Indiana State Library, distributed weekly in an electronic format.
Past issues are archived at the State Library's Newsroom.