The Indiana State Library will open to the public by appointment only beginning June 15.  Patrons are encouraged to continue to use our online services such as Ask-A-Librarian, INSPIRE  and the Digital Collections.  To make an appointment or to request online assistance, email isl@askisl.libanswers.com, call (317)232-3675, or chat with a librarian by clicking on the “Ask-a-Librarian” tab on the side of this page.

A message from the Indiana State Data Center:
2020 Census field operations have been delayed by COVID-19. However, it is important that Hoosiers are counted. The data collected by the Census Bureau impacts how we respond to pandemics like the current one. Answer the 2020 Census now safely from home online at https://my2020census.gov or by phone at 1-844-330-2020.

If you have questions about the 2020 Census or need assistance with 2020 Census outreach, please contact the Indiana State Data Center.

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Events

News

A virtual National Book Festival featuring the Road Map to Reading and Indiana’s ‘Wake Up, Woods’, September 21, 2020
Like most things in 2020, the National Book Festival looks nothing like it has in the past. Last year, tens of thousands of attendees crammed themselves into long lines to meet their favorite authors. They joined hundreds of other literary buffs in giant halls at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. to watch interviews with Pulitzer Prize-winning writers and famous politicians. They snaked their way through the crowded vendor hall, picking up free bookmarks, posters, and other swag from the hundreds of booths and stages, all catering to the book-loving public who swarmed the festival in droves...
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Explore the Will H. Hays Collection online, September 15, 2020
The Indiana State Library is pleased to announce that the Will H. Hays Collection is now accessible for online research in the ISL Digital Collections. A native Hoosier from a small town, Will Hays became a mover and shaker in Republican party politics, business and the motion picture industry in the first half of the 20th century.
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‘Celebrating Diversity’ Statehood Day essay contest now accepting submissions, September 8, 2020
The Indiana Center for the Book is hosting an essay competition to commemorate Indiana’s 204th Statehood Day. This year’s theme is “Celebrating a Diverse Indiana.” The Statehood Day Essay Contest takes place annually in the fall and is open to all Indiana fourth graders. The essays are judged by a panel of Indiana State Library staff and volunteer educators.
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Highlighting new INSPIRE databases, September 3, 2020
In July, the Indiana State Library announced the addition of a new set of databases – and more content – to INSPIRE, Indiana’s virtual library. INSPIRE is a service provided by the Indiana State Library and is free to all Indiana residents.  
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Considerations for reopening if the library board or staff still have concerns, April 14, 2020
Once the current COVID-19 public health emergency is over and the executive orders limiting movement have expired, some library board members or staff could still have concerns. It is imperative that if additional restrictions remain in place, the library enforce those restrictions universally. Some of the things a library could continue to do to encourage social distancing for the public without risk of legal recourse are as follows:
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