The Wednesday Word: News from the Indiana State Library

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In This Issue Letters About Literature Kicking Off '09-'10 Contest Cultural/Historical Grants Available for Indiana Libraries *More Library News:* *Anderson Herald Bulletin* APL launches photo site on web Associated Press Fort Wayne library adjusts to Burmese patrons Evansville Courier Press Dillinger files open at State Library Greene County Daily World Bloomfield-Eastern Greene library to celebrate 100th anniversary Indy Star Indiana Supreme Court will hear library renovation suit Indy Star Greenwood library lays off workers, cuts hours Kokomo Tribune Library evacuated after “bang” *South Bend Tribune* St. Joseph County library fund drive reaches $75,000 South Bend Tribune St. Joseph County Public Library trims service hours Terre Haute Tribune Star Casualties mounting in Union-Anthem conflict Terre Haute Tribune Star FamilySearch Pilot Project continues to add databases *Your library making news?* Email your news to Drew Griffis for inclusion in The Wednesday Word. Indiana State Library's Reference Hotline 866-683-0008 eReference Important Links: ------------------------------- The Wednesday Word is a production of the Indiana State Library	Letters About Literature Kicking Off '09-'10 Contest Entry forms for the '09-'10 Letters About Literature contest are now available on the Indiana Center for the Book's website. The national reading-writing competition, sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in partnership with Target Stores, calls for entrants to write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, from any genre (fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic, etc.) explaining how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or their self. As in previous years, state contest winners will receive a cash award, plaque, and frameable copy of their letter from the Indiana Center for the Book during a summertime awards ceremony. Top winners also receive a Target GiftCard and advance to the national level competition. National prizes include $10,000 LAL Reading Promotion Grant for the community or school library of the winner's choice. National winners will also receive a $500 Target GiftCard. Additionally, the national honorable mentions will each receive a $100 Target GiftCard and a $1,000 LAL Grant for the community or school library of their choice. Visit http://www.lettersaboutliterature.org for contest updates and valuable teaching materials, such as lesson plans, writing samples, assessment checklists, and teacher tips. Letters About Literature is open to legal U.S. residents enrolled as a student in grades 4 -12 during 2009/2010 school year and 9 years of age or older as of 9/1/09. Entries must be postmarked no later than December 12, 2009 for consideration. Cultural/Historical Grants Available for Indiana Libraries Family and Youth Programs in American History As part of the We the People initiative, NEH invites proposals for public programs that encourage intergenerational learning about and reflection on significant topics in U.S. history and culture. Grants will support programming tailored to youth and/or family audiences at museums, libraries, historical societies and sites, parks, and other places in the community. The projects should strengthen knowledge and appreciation of American history among young people through activities outside the classroom or encourage families to explore themes and ideas from American history together. NEH encourages projects that: Highlight documents and artifacts significant to American history; Make humanities content central to the project; or Collaborate with other organizations to extend the reach of the project. The deadline to apply for the National Endowment for the Humanities' Family and Youth Programs grant is Aug. 26, 2009. Fore more details about this project, including a list of sample projects, visit NEH's grant webpage. *The Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant Program* The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation awards $500 to school and/or public libraries to support children’s programs the encourage creativity and literacy. While the program does not have to be new, it must add to the library’s normal educational activities. Programs funded in the past include ongoing pen-pal projects, multi-cultural portrait projects, art projects, bookmaking, and creation and performance of puppet shows, among many others The annual deadline to apply is September 15. Additional information, including program guidelines and the grant application, is posted on the Ezra Jack Keats mini-grant website. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applications sought for final round of diversity fellowships, visit the State Library's Diversity Advisory Council webpage for details.

In This Issue

Letters About Literature Kicking Off '09-'10 Contest