In This Issue

• Indiana State Librarian Announces Retirement
  
  
• Volunteers Sought for 2014 PLA Conference in Indianapolis
  
  
• ILF Announces New 2014 Board Members
  

Welcome New
Library Directors

Please join the State Library in welcoming these new library directors from around the state:

• Eric Hinderliter, Director, Jay Co. PL
• Tamara Gibbs, Director, Camden-Jackson Twp. PL

Best of luck to you both!

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Indiana State Librarian Announces Retirement

Roberta L. Brooker is retiring after serving as Indiana State Librarian for seven years. She has spent 25 years at the State Library, starting as a Reference Librarian in 1988. She went on to serve in several other capacities, including as Coordinator of the Indiana State Data Center and as a Consultant for the Library Development Office.

Ms. Brooker is responsible for overseeing the external affairs of the State Library, which include developing and providing library services to Indiana citizens and the state government, encouraging and supporting the development of the library profession, and strengthening the services of publicly and privately supported libraries in the state. She is also charged with maintaining a 2.5 million item collection of Indiana and federal materials, as well as one of the largest genealogy collections in the Midwest. 

“This has been an extremely difficult decision for me to make and I would like to thank you for the many great opportunities that have been available to me as the Director and employee of the State Library,” said Brooker. “I have enjoyed working with and learning from my colleagues for the past 25 years, but now I am ready to pursue new interests.”

Under Ms. Brooker's direction, the State Library has succeeded in making its collections more accessible to the public, while preserving them for future generations. The Library, once one of the best kept secrets in Indiana, is now being promoted more aggressively and entertains various groups for public and private events. During her tenure, the Library has developed one of the nation's most comprehensive library professional development programs, as well as a shared library catalogue consortium of over 100 Indiana public libraries that is among the largest in the world. The Library is also actively pursuing new opportunities and partnerships that will benefit the entire statewide library community.

“The current staff is excellent and is the best staff that I have seen since I began working at the Indiana State Library. They are bright, enthusiastic and work very well together,” added Brooker. “Both public services and statewide services staff work very hard at providing excellent customer service. This would be an excellent job for any interested person.”

Connie Bruder, Associate Director of Public Services, has been appointed Interim Director effective December 28, 2013. The Indiana Library & Historical Board will conduct a nationwide search for Ms. Brooker’s replacement.

Volunteers Sought for 2014 PLA Conference in Indianapolis

Courtesy of the 2014 PLA National Conference Local Arrangements Committee

Excitement is building for the PLA 2014 Conference to be held March 11 – 14 in Indianapolis. This biennial event has a reputation for excellence in the public library world and will feature thought-provoking speakers, professional development programs, exhibits and networking opportunities. To ensure that out-of-state public library professionals get the most out of their experience, volunteers are being sought to serve as greeters, strolling ambassadors, information assistants, dining hosts, exhibit booth sitters, and more.

While some volunteer opportunities require a general knowledge of the city of Indianapolis, many don’t. Volunteers who aren’t registered for the Conference can receive some enticing benefits courtesy of PLA, including free attendance at the opening and closing sessions, the morning “Big Ideas” sessions that will inspire creativity and innovation, and the all-conference reception, as well as access to the Conference Exhibition Hall.

To take advantage of this rare opportunity, simply complete the PLA Volunteer Interest Form and submit by January 31, 2014. We look forward to seeing you in Indy!

ILF Announces New 2014 Board Members

Courtesy of the Indiana Library Federation (ILF)

ILF welcomes several new board members with terms beginning Jan. 1, 2013. Some individuals are appointed by their association and some were nominated and won in an election this past fall. Joining the 16-member board in alphabetical order are:

• Marcia Learned Au (president), Director, Evansville Vanderburgh PL
• Kathy Burnette (secretary), Librarian, Discovery Middle School (Granger)
• Kelly Ehinger, Director, Adams Co. Public Library System
• Karen Evans, Librarian, Indiana State University Cunningham Memorial Library
• Hon. Beverly Gard, (vice-president), Trustee, Hancock County PL
• Heather McNabb, ILF member-at-large, Director of Poseyville Carnegie PL
• Gigi Shook, School Librarian at Center Grove High School ( Greenwood)
• Ruth Szpunar, Librarian, Roy West Library at DePauw University

Retirement Open House at the State Library

Indiana statewide library community is invited join the Indiana Library & Historical Board, State Library staff for a retirement celebration in honor of Roberta L. Brooker.

The event will take place on Friday, December 27, 2013 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM in the State Library's Indiana Authors Room.

Click here for the formal evite and feel free to share with interested parties.

2013 Annual Report
Now Available

The 2013 Indiana Public Library Annual Report is now ready for completion and instructions were emailed to all Indiana public library directors. If you did not receive an email containing your login info or if you have any questions, please contact the Library Development Office at (800) 451-6028 or LDO@library.in.gov

Upcoming Workshops
& Important Dates

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

A Day of Learning at the Fishers Library (5 LEUs)
When: January 8 @ 8:30 AM
Where: Hamilton East PL - Fishers Branch

2014 CSLP Training: Ages 0-12 (2 LEUs)
When: Multiple Dates
Where: Multiple Locations

2014 CSLP Training: Ages 13-Adult (2 LEUs)
When: Multiple Dates
Where: Multiple Locations

Rock Star Librarian Training (1 LEU)
When: Multiple Dates
Where: Multiple Locations

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

View free LEU opportunities from: