The Wednesday Word: Library News from Around Indiana

Entries are now being accepted for the popular "What Indiana Means to Me" Essay Contest for fourth graders statewide. The Indiana Statehouse Tour Office and the Indiana Center for the Book sponsor the annual contest held in conjunction with Indiana Statehood Day - a celebration of Indiana’s birthday.

The contest is open to any Indiana public, private or home-schooled fourth-grade student and asks them to convey what living in the state of Indiana and being a Hoosiers means to them. Essays can range from 100 to 400 words, handwritten or typed, and all essays must be postmarked by October 29th, 2012 for consideration. The contest winner and finalists will be asked to read his/her essay at the Statehood Day Celebration on December 11, 2012. More contest information and complete guidelines can be found on the contest webpage.

Additionally, several state agencies, cultural & historical organizations, and government officials have planned a complete schedule of Statehood Day festivities. If your group or school is interested in attending Statehood Day at the Indiana Statehouse, contact Jennifer Hodge in the Statehouse Tour Office at 317-233-5293 or jhodge@idoa.in.gov.

State Records Board Offers Grants for At-risk Collections

The Indiana State Historic Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) is seeking applicants for both the archival assessment and digitization grant opportunities. The archival assessment grant enables institutions to hire a consultant to analyze the conditions of historical records and report recommendations. Digitization grants are available as a means for local entities to digitize specific types of records that may currently be at risk. The digitization of these documents will enable greater access through preservation and online availability.

The SHRAB is providing grant funds of up to $5,000, which requires a local match in cash or in-kind contributions at least equal to the grant amount. These grants will be available to nonprofit organizations and units of local government in the Indiana. Priority will be given to institutions whose records are currently at risk.

Applications are due to the SHRAB by no later than Friday, September 14, 2012 and may be found online at SHRAB.IN.gov. Grantees will be announced September 28, 2012.

Conference to Tackle Library Diversity Issues in Indiana

Join library leaders from around the state at the 2012 Indiana Library Diversity Conference this August 24th at the Indianapolis Public Library.

The conference will examine the state of diversity within Indiana's library community, investigate current issues and challenges, and highlight the success of the Indiana Librarians Leading in Diversity initiative. Additionally, the conference welcomes Jerome Offord, Dean of Library Services and University Archives at Lincoln University of Missouri, who will give the keynote address.

This conference is FREE for the first 40 people who register online and is worth two (2) Library Education Units (LEUs) toward public librarian certification. For more information, contact Marcia Smith-Woodard, Indiana State Library Development Office, at (317) 232-3719, toll-free (800) 451-6028 or mwoodard@library.IN.gov.

Register today for the 2012 Our Heroes’ Tree program

War of 1812 Content Sought
for Poster Contest

The Indiana Archives Month Committee is requesting high-resolution images of paintings, manuscripts, artifacts or documents for use in the design of the 2012 Indiana Archives Month poster. The Archives Month Committee seeks historically-significant submissions relating to both Indiana and the bicentennial of the War of 1812. All submissions must be turned into the Indiana State Historic Records Advisory Board at shrab@icpr.in.gov by no later than August 20, 2012.

Upcoming Workshops,
Events & Important Dates

New Director's Workshop
When: August 16 @ 8:00 AM
Where: Indiana State Library

She Blinded Me With Library Science (Certification Workshop)
When: August 21 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Live Online

Indiana Library Diversity Conference
When: August 24 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Indianapolis Public Library

CYPD 2012 Conference
When: August 26 & 27
Where: Indianapolis Marriott East

2012 Updates to the New American FactFinder
When: August 29 @ 2:00 PM
Where: Live Online

Association for Library Service to Children National Institute
When: September 20-22
Where: Sheraton Indy City Centre Hotel

SAMS Conference -
When: September 20 - 21
Where: Lebanon Public Library

IPLA Conference
When: October 2 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Oak Hill Mansion, Carmel

Legislative Fall Forum -
When: October 3 @ 8:30 AM
Where: Oak Hill Mansion, Carmel

Indiana Vision Expo & Vision Walk
When: September 29 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Indiana State Library

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