In This Issue

• Two Indiana Communities Selected for 2014/2015 Big Read Grants
  
  
• Information Literacy Project Seeks Your Input on Library Programming
  
  
• More Weekly Library News & Notes

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Two Indiana Communities Selected for 2014/2015 Big Read Grants

Congratulations to the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation and the Kosciusko Literacy Services, Inc. (Warsaw) on being awarded 2014-2015 Big Read grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). These two organizations were among 77 organizations nationwide to receive grants totaling over $1 million for hosting Big Read programs between September 2014 and June 2015.

Both Indianapolis and Warsaw will receive $15,000 to host a community-wide Big Read event. The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation will feature The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu for a county-wide read. Kosciusko Literacy Services chose Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury as its title. Each community will receive free promotional and educational resources from the NEA, as well as host official events such as a kick-off event to launch the program, activities devoted specifically to its Big Read book or poet, events using the selection as a point of departure, and book discussions in diverse locations aimed at a wide range of audiences.

Click here to read the full release from NEA including a complete list of grant recipients. The guidelines and application for the 2015–2016 cycle will be posted on the Big Read website in the fall of 2014.

The Hoosiers and Information Literacy study group needs your help to  develop a better understanding about information literacy programming in Indiana public libraries. The brief five-minute survey asks what libraries are doing to assist patrons in becoming better information consumers and also explores the profession development needs of Indiana public librarians and staff members.

The study is being conducted by Christina Wray of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Heather McNabb of the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library system, and Sara O’Sha of the Indiana State Library. Your input will improve our knowledge on how libraries are helping Indiana residents increase their information literacy levels as well as help the Hoosiers and Information Literacy group provide free professional development opportunities that meet your needs.

Please respond to the survey by June 30th, 2014. Your input is very important and will be kept strictly confidential. If you have any questions or would prefer to complete a paper survey, please call us at 812-855-0077 or email at ccwray@indiana.edu.

More Weekly Library News & Notes

WELCOME NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTORS
Please join the State Library in welcoming the following new directors in Indiana public libraries:

• Barbara Bonney, Lawrenceburg Public Library District
• Julie Diesman, Royal Center Public Library
• Elizabeth (Lisa) Felix, New Carlisle-Olive Twp. Public Library
• Ophelia Roop, East Chicago Public Library
• Austin Stroud, Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library

Additionally, Katie Mullins of Kendallville Public Library has been appointed as the permanent director after serving in an interim position since the beginning of the year.

Best of luck to you all!

IU-NORTHWEST'S BOOKER ELECTED TO ALA COUNCIL
Latrice Booker of Indiana University-Northwest was one of 33 librarians elected as Councilors-at-Large on the Council of the American Library Association (ALA) for three-year terms. Her term begins at the conclusion of the 2014 ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas and extends through the end of the 2017 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.

MAY 30TH DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANTS
The Indiana State Historic Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) is offering of two grant opportunities, archival assessment and digitization grants, to nonprofit organizations and units of local government in the State of Indiana. The SHRAB is providing grant funds of up to $5,000, requiring a local match in cash or in‐kind of an equal amount of the total project cost. Applications must be received by email or postmarked by Friday, May 30, 2014 and may be found at SHRAB.IN.gov.

IMLS TOOLS UPDATED WITH FY2012 PUBLIC LIBRARY DATA
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has updated its online search and compare tools with preliminary public library data for FY2012. The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) provides statistics for approximately 9,000 public libraries nationwide. Larger public libraries may find the “Compare Public Libraries” tool useful for comparing themselves to specific libraries in other states or those that meet criteria selected through the tool.

Also, remember to check out Indiana's 2013 Public Library Statistics from the 2013 Annual Report. More reading: Seven Useful Ways to Promote Your Library Statistics

Two Months Left to Complete WebJunction Courses

The Indiana State Library's contract with WebJunction will end on June 30, 2014. Now is a great time to take advantage of WebJunction courses and also complete any coursework you have started by the end of June. WebJunction is also sending emails to users advising them of the termination of service. 

In the coming months, the State Library will announce information about new continuing education vendors so library staff may continue their pursuit of LEUs at no charge.

Last chance to Register for Lyrasis eGathering

Connect, contribute and learn with your colleagues tomorrow (5/15) @ 1:00 PM (EDT) at eGathering, the LYRASIS Virtual Annual Member Meeting. Get the tools to tap into your inner futurist, while continuing to maximize the momentum for your organization.​​​​

Click here to register. Check out our full program​​ and discussion guide​ to learn more about the sessions

Upcoming Workshops
& Important Dates

IOLUG Spring Program
When: May 16
Where: Indiana Wesleyan Univ.: Indianapolis North Campus

Family History Scan-a-Thon
When: May 22 @ 5:00 PM
Where: Indiana State Library

Memorial Day
When: May 26
Where: State Offices Closed

EdCamp Indy
When: June 13 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Pike High School

Annual Public Library Budget Workshop 2014
When: June 17 @ 10:30 AM
When: June 25 @ 10:30 AM
Where: Indiana State Library or live online

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