In This Issue

• AWE, Indiana Libraries Team Up on Early Literacy Initiative
  
  
• New Pew Reports Examines American Sentiment Toward Libraries
  
  
• A Day of Learning Coming to Fishers Library on Jan. 8
  

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AWE, Indiana Libraries Team Up on Early Literacy Initiative

A total of 107 Early Literacy Station™ computers have been acquired by public libraries across Indiana as part of a funding-assistance plan administered by the Indiana State Library.

The Indiana State Library offered a subsidy of $499 per Early Literacy Station to all public libraries in the state that placed orders during a designated time period earlier this fall. This reimbursement program was paid for by funding from the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services & Technology Act.

“This funding program enables Indiana libraries to enhance their early literacy programming by introducing one or more Early Literacy Stations to patrons,” said Roberta L. Brooker, State Librarian of Indiana. “The Early Literacy Station empowers children and their parents to begin the process of family reading and developing critical early literacy skills in a fun, educational, and interactive manner.”

AWE's Early Literacy Station offers children an appropriate, secure computer solution that features over 60 pre-loaded educational software programs that deliver hundreds of educational activities. Designed to be completely safe for children 2-8 years old, the Early Literacy Station does not require an Internet connection to operate. The included material spans all curriculum areas: reading, math, science, social studies, language arts, music, and creative arts. The Early Literacy Station is designed to support school readiness and technology access for all children while making learning exciting and engaging.

New Pew Reports Examines American Sentiment Toward Libraries

A Pew Internet study released today outlined that Americans strongly value the role of public libraries in their communities, both for providing access to materials and resources and for promoting literacy and improving the overall quality of life. Most Americans say they have only had positive experiences at public libraries, and value a range of library resources and services.

Some 90% of Americans ages 16 and older said that the closing of their local public library would have an impact on their community, with 63% saying it would have a “major” impact. Asked about the personal impact of a public library closing, two-thirds (67%) of Americans said it would affect them and their families, including 29% who said it would have a major impact.

Moreover, the vast majority of Americans ages 16 and older say that public libraries play an important role in their communities:

• 95% of Americans ages 16 and older agree that the materials and resources available at public libraries play an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed;
• 95% say that public libraries are important because they promote literacy and a love of reading;
• 94% say that having a public library improves the quality of life in a community;
• 81% say that public libraries provide many services people would have a hard time finding elsewhere.

The report goes on to outline consumer sentiment and utilization of libraries in much greater detail. Click here to read the report in its entirety.

A Day of Learning Coming to Fishers Library on Jan. 8

Registration is now open Focus on Excellence: A Day of Learning at the Fishers Library at the Hamilton East Public Library - Fishers Branch on January 8th. Earn up to five LEUs by attending any three of the following seven courses scheduled throughout the day:

• Storytime Bootcamp: 9:00am-12:00pm
• Affordable Care Act Overview and Resource Checklist: 9:30am-11:30am
• Read out LOUD! Active Learning at the Library: 1:05pm-2:00pm
• Weeding: 1:05pm-2:00pm
• STEM for Libraries: 2:05pm-3:00pm
• Storytime for Children with Disabilities: 2:05pm-3:00pm
• Customer Service: 2:05pm-3:00pm
  

This event is free and open to all Indiana library professionals. Click here for the schedule, workshop descriptions and to register.

Summer Reading, Rock Star Training Coming to a Library Near You

Indiana State Library Children's Services Consultant Suzanne Walker has scheduled a statewide tour to discuss summer reading and Rock Star Start-Up kits. Attendees at any of the 17 statewide locations can earn up to five LEUs via the following workshops:

• 2014 CSLP Training: Ages 0-12 (2 LEUs)
• 2014 CSLP Training: Ages 13-Adult (2 LEUs)
• Rock Star Training (1 LEU)

If you would like to attend one or both CSLP trainings on the same day as your Rock Star training, you must sign up for each training separately. A complete listing of times, dates and locations is available on the WebJunction Indiana Calendar of Events. Please contact Suzanne Walker at suwalker@library.in.gov for more information about the workshop series.

Upcoming Workshops
& Important Dates

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

Every Child Ready 2 Read - 2nd Edition
When: Dec. 18 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Hancock Co. Public Library (Greenfield)

TeachingBooks.net Introduction & Overview
When: January 7 @ 2:00 PM
When: January 7 @ 4:00 PM
When: January 8 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Live Online

PLA Conference
When: March 11 -15, 2014
Where: Indiana Convention Center - Downtown Indy

Discovery to Delivery V: Better Together
When: Apr. 25, 2014 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Indianapolis Public Library - Central

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