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The Wednesday Word: News from the Indiana State Library
 

In This Issue

  1. ALA, OCLC Issue National Library Reports
     

  2. Grassroots Preservation Roundup Coming to Whiting
     

  3. Libraries Statewide Participate in Snapshot Day

More Library News:

 

Associated Press
6 Indy-Marion County library branches could close
Columbia City Post & Mail

Work underway on library
Evansville Courier & Press

Central Library hosting story hour with mayor
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

City CSI takes case, reveals results
Greencastle Banner Graphic

PCPL celebrates National Library Week
Greenfield Daily Reporter

Week acknowledges libraries’ contributions
Greensburg Daily News

Having A "Hoot" Shelving Books And Fighting Fires
Hendricks County Flyer

Writer creates a little mystery at libraries
Indianapolis Star

Let's make stand for libraries
Indianapolis Star

Fishers, Noblesville libraries forgo raises to cut budget
Indianapolis Star

Library's saga takes fateful twist
Indianapolis Star

Cities push back against library closings
Indianapolis Star

Report: Story is grim for 6 library branches

Indianapolis Star

Hendricks County author to promote new book, contest

Lafayette Journal & Courier

Library week packed with events

Madison Courier

Residents check out new Hanover library

Muncie Star Press

New Castle Library to mark National Library Week

Northwest Indiana Times

Indiana needs to return to stocking school libraries well

Northwest Indiana Times

Educators in Griffith know how books help youth

Perry County News

Offering books to all of Perry County, one stop at a time

Seymour Tribune

Library keeps rolling

South Bend Tribune

Cooking at the library

Terre Haute Tribune Star

With Charity For All: Indiana State Museum display features Lincoln

Washington Times-Herald

Library gears up for National Library Week

 

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ALA, OCLC Issue National Library Reports

ALA: State of America's LibrariesALA: The State of America's Libraries

The ALA reports that when jobs go away, Americans turn to their libraries to find information about future employment or educational opportunities. This library usage trend and others are detailed in the 2010 State of America’s Libraries report. The report shows that Americans have turned to their libraries in larger numbers in recent years.

Since the recession took hold in December 2007, the local library, a traditional source of free access to books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs, has become a lifeline, offering technology training and workshops on topics that ranged from résumé-writing to job-interview skills.

The report shows the value of libraries in helping Americans combat the recession. It includes data from a January 2010 Harris Interactive poll that provides compelling evidence that a decade-long trend of increasing library use is continuing—and even accelerating during economic hard times. This national survey indicates that some 219 million Americans feel the public library improves the quality of life in their community. More than 223 million Americans feel that because it provides free access to materials and resources, the public library plays an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed.

And with more businesses and government agencies requiring applicants to apply on line, job-seeking resources are among the most critical and most in demand among the technology resources available in U.S. public libraries. Two-thirds of public libraries help patrons complete online job applications; provide access to job databases and other online resources (88 percent) and civil service exam materials (75 percent); and offer software or other resources (69 percent) to help patrons create résumés and other employment materials.

However, the report also shows that increased library use did not lead to an increase in funding for libraries. Research by the ALA and the Center for Library and Information Innovation at the University of Maryland suggests a “perfect storm” of growing community demand for library services and shrinking resources to meet that demand. While library use soars, a majority of states are reporting cuts in funding to public libraries and to the state library agencies that support them.

OCLC: How Libraries Stack Up

The new OCLC report, OCLC: How Libraries Stack Up, examines the economic, social and cultural impact of libraries in the United States. As the current economic environment is impacting library budgets and library usage is increasing, particular attention is paid to the role that libraries play in providing assistance to job-seekers and support for small businesses. Information includes statistics on:

  • Americans receiving job-seeking help and career assistance at public libraries
  • Libraries as a resource for small businesses
  • The prevalence and scope of library activity in the United States
  • Libraries as providers of free services to the community such as Wi-Fi access, technology training and meeting rooms
  • Comparisons of library activities to various retail and entertainment businesses

This information may be useful to librarians as they develop budget proposals and discuss the value of library services in the context of community needs. Two versions of the report are available for download; one in color and one optimized for black-and-white printing.

Grassroots Preservation Roundup Coming to Whiting

IDHPA: Grassroots Preservation RoundupThe Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology will once again host its informal gathering of historic preservation organizations, Grassroots Preservation Roundup,  on May 1, 2010  in Whiting, IN, with the City of Whiting as our co-sponsor. The Roundup will take place at the Hoosier Theatre in Whiting. This event will be informal, is open to anyone, and is FREE!  It is intended to help local preservationists make connections with each other and the State Historic Preservation Office for the common cause of preserving local landmarks and heritage.  

Participants will have the chance to learn about the DHPAs programs, give brief presentations about their organizations successes, challenges, and activities, and network with colleagues from other communities.

If you are interested in joining in this exchange of ideas RSVP no later than April 24, 2010 by email to Ashley Lichtenbarger at assistants@dnr.in.gov or by calling (317) 234-1268. More information can be viewed at www.in.gov/dnr/historic/2835.htm.

Libraries Statewide Participate in Snapshot Day

Snapshot of Indiana LibrariesThe Indiana State Library would like to thank the many libraries participating in Snapshot of Indiana Libraries. If you still have not registered, libraries of all types are still invited to host a Snapshot Day between now and Saturday.  To register, email snapshot@library.IN.gov and include the name of your library, and the name and contact information of the person coordinating the effort at your library.

The Snapshot of Indiana Libraries Online Reporting Form is currently live and will be available until Monday, April 19. Also be sure to check out the official Snapshot Flickr page throughout the week as new snapshots of library events are added daily.

Snapshot of Indiana Libraries was developed by the Indiana State Library and is supported by the Indiana Library Federation and Indiana Public Library Association. The event is being held during National Library Week - an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians. Snapshot Day statistics will be made available by May 1, 2010 followed by a full report and recap available later this summer.

 

The Wednesday Word is a free publication produced by the Indiana State Library, distributed weekly in an electronic format. Past issues are archived at www.in.gov/library/newsroom.htm

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