In This Issue

1. Winners, Finalists Announced for 2013 Indiana Authors Award

2. Pew Internet Report Studies Library Habits of Young Americans
   
   
3. Library News & Notes from IMLS

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Winners, Finalists Announced for 2013 Indiana Authors Award

The Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award recently announced the winners and finalists for the 2013 Award. The National Author Award will go to Michael Martone, along with a $10,000 cash prize. Indiana University Professor and renowned historian Dr. James H. Madison was named as the Regional Author Award winner and will receive a $7,500 prize. Tricia Fields, Mike Mullin and Kelsey Timmerman were selected as finalists in the Emerging Author category. The Emerging Author winner will be named at the Award Dinner and will receive a $5,000 prize.

Each winner will select a public library in Indiana to receive a $2,500 grant as part of their prize. An eight-member, statewide Award Panel determined the winners and finalists from more than 130 nominations received for this year's award. The winners and finalists will take part in the Indy Author Fair held on Saturday, October 26, 2013. That evening, they will be honored at the ticketed Award Dinner. Both events are held at the downtown Central Library in Indianapolis. 

Pew Internet Report Studies Library Habits of Young Americans

A recent Pew Internet study (Younger Americans’ Library Habits and Expectations) shows that young Americans from the ages of 16-29 have an interesting mix of habits when it comes to libraries and library resources. Although the youth of America is greatly technologically oriented and rely heavily on the internet, 75% of young Americans say they have read at least one print book in the past year.

This statistic implies that young Americans are still tied to libraries, print books, and the library experience. According to the study, American youth feels that it is “very important” to have librarians and traditional library services such as renting books. Very few feel that these services should be automated. Although these figures reflect the importance of print books and traditional library services to American youth, the study also revealed that this demographic is much more likely than people over 30 to access a library’s online and database resources.

This study gives an insightful viewpoint of youth in an age where technology is quickly evolving and challenging libraries to stay current for the digital generation. According to Pew Internet, “This report explores the changing world of library services by exploring the activities at libraries that are already in transition and the kinds of services citizens would like to see if they could redesign libraries themselves.”

Library News & Notes from IMLS

Purdue Wins Sparks! Ignition Grant from IMLS
Purdue University was announced as a winner of the 2013 Sparks! Ignition Grant. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded Purdue University a $23,831 grant to develop CrowdAsk, a web-based help system for academic libraries. The program will allow students, faculty, and librarians to ask questions regarding the academic library’s tools and resources. The program will address the issue of fragmented library and academic help channels as well as lack of user participation. Crowdask will promote better understanding and use of library services and research tools and will be open source and shared with the public.

Purdue was chosen along with 20 other winners from a total of 99 applications received. For more information about the Sparks! Ignition Grant, visit Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries.

2011 Public Libraries Survey Data Released
The IMLS released the 2011 Public Libraries Survey (PLS) data. Every year, all 50 states and the District of Columbia participate in the survey. Statistics include data on visitation, circulation, the availability and use of library computing resources, staffing, library collections and services, and fiscal information such as operating revenue and expenditures.

Nominations Being Accepted for 2014 National Medal
The IMLS is now accepting nominations for the 2014 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Museums and libraries that would like to be considered for the National Medal should complete the nomination form by October 15, 2013. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for exemplary service by these institutions.

The National Medal honors museums and libraries that make extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions. All types of nonprofit libraries, including public, school, academic, research, and archival, are eligible to receive this honor. The winners are honored at a National Medal award ceremony held in Washington, D.C.

Register Today for 21st Century Literacy Days

Is your library ready for the future? Skills for the 21st century are needed now more than ever by patrons statewide.

The FREE 21st Century Literacy Days workshops offers a unique professional development experience and opportunity to earn LEUs in areas such as government, legal, health, early childhood, and adult literacy. Click here for more information or to register for the event in Indianapolis (8/1), Kokomo (8/9) or Columbus (8/16).

Upcoming Workshops,
Events & Important Dates

Family Medical Leave Act (Library Law Workshop Series)
When: July 31 @ 1:00 PM
Where: Live Online

Fair Labor Standards Act (Library Law Workshop Series)
When: July 31 @ 2:30 PM
Where: Live Online

ILF Reference Division Conference
When: August 6
Where: Flagship Center - Anderson

National Conference of African American Librarians
When: August 7-11
Where: Cincinnati/Northern KY

eContent in the Library
When: August 7 @ 11:00 AM
Where: Live Online

Bond Issues: Manage Public Library Project, Debt and Tax Rate
When: August 14 @ 1:00 PM
Where: Indiana State Library & Live Online

New Director and Refresher Workshop
When: August 20
Where: Indiana State Library

2013 CYPD Conference
When: August 25 & 26
Where: Marriott East - Indianapolis

Storytime Boot Camp
When: August 27 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Rushville Public Library

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