In This Issue

1. Participation in Indiana Memory is Free and Easy
    

2. Poetry Judges Needed for River of Words Contest

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Participation in Indiana Memory is Free and Easy

The Indiana State Library encourages Indiana’s public libraries and historical institutions to investigate the benefits of showcasing their digitized books, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, maps and other historic collections on Indiana Memory. The ever-expanding digital library provides free online access to Indiana's unique cultural and historical heritage through the collaborative efforts of academic and public libraries, historical societies, archives and museums. The main purpose of Indiana Memory is to support and enhance scholarship for all Hoosiers for an increased understanding of Indiana's past and its role in preparing for Indiana's future.

Currently, Indiana Memory features 92 collections from more than 40 organizations consisting of 12 public libraries, seven academic libraries, eight historical societies, seven museums and three government agencies.  Thus far, 10 institutions host collections on the website, including Ball State University, the Indiana Historical Society, the Indiana State Library, IUPUI Fort Wayne, IUPUI Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library, the Morrisson-Reeves Library, Purdue University and Wabash Valley Visions & Voices.

Organizations interested in participating in Indiana Memory may do so in a variety of ways. The easiest process is to apply to use the State Library’s statewide CONTENTdm license for their digital project.  This method is expected to grow increasingly more common through OCLC's provision of a limited CONTENTdm license and hosted server with its FirstSearch subscription package. Libraries using a different collection management software program can supply the Indiana Memory program with display images and a tab-delimited file containing metadata.  This may then be uploaded onto the state’s hosted server.

The State Library also make its statewide license available to those organizations requesting the use of Mobile Scanning Units. These units are perfect for organizations ready to begin digitizing collections, but do not have access to the necessary scanning hardware. In addition to providing the hardware for free, the State Library offers training in scanning and metadata creation at no cost.

Additionally, the State Library offers LSTA digitization grant each year for larger digitization projects. Grantees automatically have their collections included in Indiana Memory, and the State Library provides free access to its statewide license and hosted server. View digitization grant opportunities on the State Library’s LSTA webpage.

All digital collections, regardless of method chosen, must meet the provisions of the Indiana Memory collection development policy and the standards set by the scanning and metadata guidelines. Organizations are strongly encouraged to discuss their digitization projects with the State Library before they begin the actual scanning process.  Organizations interested in participating in Indiana Memory should contact Connie Rendfeld with questions at crendfeld@library.in.gov.

Indiana Memory is made possible through a grant from the Institution of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.

Center for the Book Seeks Poetry Judges for River of Words

A handful of judges are needed to judge the poetry entries for this year's River of Words contest. Judging the contest takes just a small time commitment, but is crucial to selecting statewide winners. Anyone interested in judging or that would like more details please contact Drew Griffis at agriffis@library.in.gov.

Anyone interest in getting their students or young patrons involved in the one-of-a-kind program should check out Indiana's River of Words webpage for more information. Entries may be submitted now through December 1, 2009 to be eligible for the current competition.

Each year, River of Words draws out the best poetry and art talent in the world. An international contest for grades K-12, this program is designed to help youth express themselves through the arts, while exploring their environment and developing a sense of place and appreciation for discovery.