In This Issue

1. New INSPIRE Marketing Materials Available Online
    

2. Judges Sought for National Reading/Writing Contest
    

3. Website Recaps ILLID Project, Tracks Fellow Progress

More Library News:

Anderson Herald Bulletin
Library making tough, right decisions on cuts
Associated Press
Lincoln items expected to be magnet for library
Brazil Times
Large grant to help literacy program
Gary Post-Tribune
Media center event shows children it's fun to read
Greencastle Banner-Graphic
Friends of Library hosts appraisal road show
Indianapolis Star
Agency might be created to preserve, protect Indiana's heritage
Indianapolis Star
Lincoln collection will be available online
Library Journal
Change Agent: Kristin Centanni, Class of 2008
LISWire
Evergreen Indiana Continues to Grow with 4 additional Library Systems Live on Evergreen
New Albany News & Tribune
Library honoring military heroes
South Bend Tribune
Elkhart resident is a true bookworm
Terre Haute Tribune Star
Terre Haute to host Arts Midwest World Fest

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

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The Wednesday Word is a production
of the Indiana State Library

New INSPIRE Marketing Materials Available Online

If you have visited INSPIRE's marketing resources webpage recently, you may have noticed several new materials available for you to help promote Indiana's Virtual Library in your library. Specifically, check out resources that draw attention to INSPIRE's most popular new feature, the Testing & Education Reference Center (TERC). This coming spring, high school juniors throughout the state will be gearing up for their SAT's & ACT's, and TERC has them covered with practice tests, study guides, and eBooks that are essential when prepping for these exams. Help connect students to this resource with TERC bookmarks, video tutorials, and other promotional materials from Gale.

In addition to TERC, bookmarks, flyers, graphics and other promos are available for all INSPIRE products, including NetLibrary, Biography Resource Center, Kids Search, and many more. Additionally, the marketing page provides resources that assist patrons and students with properly citing INSPIRE information, and it connects catalogers to information on obtaining NetLibrary MARC records that allow patrons to directly access INSPIRE eBooks through your OPAC.

If you cannot find INSPIRE promotional items that suit your needs, the Indiana State Library can assist you in developing custom INSPIRE materials. Please contact the INSPIRE helpdesk for more information.

Judges Sought for National Reading/Writing Contest

The Indiana Center for the Book is currently seeking judges for this year’s Letters About Literature competition. Letters About Literature is a national reading-writing contest sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in cooperation with the Indiana Center for the Book, and in partnership with Target Stores. Students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, from any genre, explaining how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves. This program promotes reflective writing.

Approximately 1,500 Indiana students enter the contest annually. However, judges will only be required rate semifinalist essays in one category, which averages 30-35 essays per level, per judge. The deadline to submit essays for this year’s contest is December 12. Judges will receive their semifinalist essays and judging materials in early February and submit their winners the following month.

If you are interested in being a judge for the 2009 contest, Contact Drew Griffis at agriffis@library.in.gov or 317-650-6158. To learn more about Letters About Literature, visit the Indiana Center for the Book's website.

Website Recaps ILLID Project, Tracks Fellow Progress

The Indiana State Library and the Indiana University School of Library Science (IU SLIS) recently closed applications for their third and final cohort of 10 Indiana’s Librarians Leading In Diversity (I-LLID) fellows. The 30 total fellowships for ethnically/racially diverse students are funded by a $1 million grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. A new ILLID website allows you to take a look at the successful program and track the progress of ILLID fellows as they work toward their Master of Library Science degree at IU SLIS and eventually begin careers as leaders in Indiana's library community.

In addition to a full scholarship to IU SLIS, fellows have been linked with experienced library professionals as mentors and resources. Many fellows are already working or volunteering in various Indiana libraries, museums, or historical societies. The I-LLID project coordinators and supporters will continue to expose the Indiana library community to these fellows as potential employees, co-workers, and future library leaders. Look for them at library functions across the state throughout the year and stay up to date on their progress at http://in.gov/library/3703.htm.