In This Issue

• Applications Now Being Accepted for 2014 The Big Read Grants
  
  
• Department of Revenue Preparing to Ship 2014 Tax Forms
  
  
• Website Enables Curious Viewers to Spy Legendary Library Ghost

More Library News

Your Library Making News?
Email your news for inclusion in The Wednesday Word

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2014 The Big Read Grants

The Big Read is now accepting applications from libraries to develop community-wide reading programs between September 2014 and June 2015. The Big Read is a national program designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.

Libraries and nonprofit organizations selected to participate in The Big Read receive a grant, educational and promotional materials, and access to online training resources and opportunities. While K–12 schools are not eligible applicants, they may partner with public libraries in their community. Approximately 75 organizations from across the country will be selected.

Three Indiana communities are participating in current The Big Read programs. They include:

• Jennings County - Jennings County Public Library (The Call of the Wild)
• Evansville - University of Southern Indiana (The Grapes of Wrath)
• Fort Wayne - Easter Seals of Northeast Indiana (The Call of the Wild)

To review the Guidelines and Application Instructions, visit The Big Read website. The deadline to apply is January 28, 2014 by 5:00pm EST.

Department of Revenue Preparing to Ship 2014 Tax Forms

In last week’s The Wednesday Word, we reported on the revised version of the VRG-7 Indiana Registration by Mail Application. This week, Indiana libraries should have received a letter from the Indiana Department of Revenue regarding the popular Indiana state income tax forms and online services. They reported their intentions to provide tax forms and booklets to Indiana libraries, along with downloadable forms and booklets (available Dec. 2). Many libraries make these files available to their patrons by saving the files, or linking them directly to the desktop of each public access computer. This makes it easy for patrons to access and print whatever form they need.

Because the department offers so many electronic options to taxpayers, fewer people are filing by paper (only about 20 percent). Due to the decline in paper filings, the department will mail forms and booklets based on last year’s orders with a reduction of 10 percent. You should receive your supply of forms/booklets by December 20, 2013. Please note the IT-40PNR Booklet will not be included in the library shipments this year due to a very limited number of taxpayers who filed it last year. Taxpayers can download the IT-40PNR as well as other forms or booklets online or call 317-615-2581 to have an IT-40PNR Booklet mailed to them. For other tax filing questions, please direct patrons to www.in.gov/dor/3392.htm.

Reorders online will be very limited this year. To make the forms and booklets your library receives last longer we ask you to encourage patrons to file electronically and to limit the number of tax forms taken to one per patron. Indiana will again offer INfreefile as a free electronic filing alternative. The benefits to using INfreefile include:

• Receiving refunds as quickly as possible
• Allowing Hoosiers to file both federal and state tax returns at no cost assuming certain income criteria are met
• A simple question-and-answer format from professional tax companies

Website Enables Curious Viewers to Spy Legendary Library Ghost

More than 110 years old, Willard Library is the oldest public library building in the state of Indiana. The Willard Library Ghost Cams were inspired by the question "Is Willard Library Haunted?" The legend of the “Lady in Grey” attracts thousands of ghost hunters annually. However, you don’t have to make the trek down to Evansville to investigate. Willard Library offers a virtual tour with Library Director Greg Hager at Libraryghost.com.  Three cams located in the Children's Room, Research Room cam , and the Basement refresh every 20 seconds for up to the second opportunities to spy the spooky legend.

According to reports from visitors, the most frequent encounters with the “Lady in Grey” have occurred in the children's reading room in the basement of Willard Library. The first reported incident happened sixty years ago to a library employee who trekked through the snowy cold for his nightly duty. Since then, countless other employees and patrons have reported seeing this apparition, each giving an eerily similar description. Click here for a complete history of the legend.

Digital Inclusion Survey Deadline Extended

Library directors across Indiana are encouraged to take part in a national survey on Digital Inclusion through November 22. This study explores the digital inclusion roles of public libraries. Your participation will help provide Indiana libraries with accurate demographics about the areas they serve.

Upcoming Workshops
& Important Dates

Every Child Ready 2 Read - 2nd Edition
Plainfield-Guilford Twp PL:
11/4 @ 9:00 AM
Hancock Co. PL (Greenfield):
12/18 @ 9:00 AM

Storytime Boot Camp
Whiting PL: 11/12 @ 9:30 AM (CST)

Due Date for Draft of 3 Year Technology Plan
When: November 1 @ Midnight

Bookkeeping/Annual Report Workshop
When: November 6 @ 10:00 AM
When: November 19 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Indiana State Library & Online

Health Literacy and Affordable Care Act Resources
When: November 13 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Akron Carnegie Public Library

ACA Overview & Preparing for ACA
When: November 13 @ 2:00 PM
Where: Huntington City-Township Public Library

Fall Institutional Libraries Workshop
When: November 18 @ 8:30 AM
Where: Indiana State Library

Storytime for Children with Disabilities
When: December 16 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Vigo Co. Public Library

Find us on: