The Wednesday Word: Library News from Around Indiana

As most The Wednesday Word readers may have heard, the State Library has contracted with a new courier, Direct Delivery Today, LLC, to provide statewide library delivery services for interlibrary loan materials and other resources between all Indiana libraries. The change in couriers will not affect the way libraries process materials for shipping. The current manifest and labeling system available at Infoexpress.in.gov will remain, as will the current INfo Express bags. Pricing and state subsidies also will remain unchanged for the current service year.

In regards to the blue tubs, Wheels Assured has a process of collecting tubs and delivering them to a central warehouse where they are scanned. On the other hand, Direct Delivery has a check and balance system by which all bags are inventoried when they are picked up. Therefore, the use of tubs is no longer necessary in accordance with Direct Delivery’s logistics system and Wheels Assured will take their blue tubs upon the courier’s final delivery

In preparation of this transition, libraries are advised to designate a specific spot for INfo Express pickups and delivery if you have yet to do so. If you believe that a box or bin helps manage your interlibrary loan processes, then you are welcome to continue using a suitable box, bin or basket. While the drivers will not be taking these bins, we do recommend that you label the bin with your library’s name.

A couple additional formalities to bring to your attention include:

All Direct Delivery drivers will be wearing I.D. badges and a logo shirt with “Direct Delivery” on the left breast. These shirts will vary in color, but are primarily either solid black or white.
Drivers may use a variety of vehicles, but will mostly likely utilize panel vans.
A small number of libraries may be approached about rearranging their delivery days. However, the number of delivery days per week will not change.

The State Library anticipates this to be a seamless transition, but please do not hesitate to contact Mike Hicks, INfo Express coordinator at dhicks@library.in.gov if you have any complications with your service.

Enhancements Made to Popular INSPIRE Resources

A number of changes were recently made to Science InContext, including new homepage spotlights. Spotlights feature cloning, floods (image of the floods in Sudan), and the nervous system, among others. The Nobel Prize Winners portal was also completely updated to reflect the recent announcement of science winners. Another 10 portals, reflecting the fields the Nobel Prize winners worked in, have also been updated, including Biomedical Engineering, Cloning, Stem Cells and Stem Cell Research, among others. On top of this, another 12 portals have been updated, including Cancer, Infectious Diseases, and Oil Spills.

Gale also added more than 40 new people portals to Biography InContext in October - bringing the total number of portal pages to 3,035! The BIC team is monitoring people associated with the upcoming U.S. election, biographies and portal pages on the candidates are being continuously updated and new portals on related figures are being created and featured. They also added new volumes of Contemporary Musicians, Encyclopedia of World Biography, and Contemporary Theater, Film, and Television were recently added.

These great free resources and more are available to all Hoosiers 24/7 at Inspire.IN.gov!

Deadline Approaching for Environmental Poetry/Art Contest

Each year, River of Words draws out the best poetry and art talent in the world. An international contest for grades K-12, River of Words focuses on watersheds as a central theme. This opportunity is designed to help youth express themselves through the arts, while exploring their environment and developing a sense of place and appreciation for discovery. River of Words is an excellent opportunity for art and literature classroom and program participants to strengthen their skills and make connections between the watershed theme and their artistic talents.

Entries are first judged in the international River of Words contest. National winners will be announced in April 2013. Indiana poetry and artwork will then be judged on a state level in May and state winners in May. Winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony at the Indiana State Library. Winning Indiana artists and poets will also receive statewide recognition and prizes showcasing their artwork!

The deadline for 2009 contest entries is February 15, 2009. Entry forms and complete contest guidelines can be found at www.riverofwords.org. River of Words is sponsored on the state level by the Indiana Center for the Book.

Every Child Ready to Read Workshop Scheduled for 12/4

Interested in how to implement Every Child Ready to Read in your library programming and collections? Suzanne Walker, Children's Services Consultant at the Indiana State Library, is hosting a free hands-on workshop that provides concrete examples for using ECRR in your library. This workshop will be held on December 4th at the Morgan County Public Library in Martinsville and will be worth 3 LEUs. Registration is required.

Upcoming Workshops,
Events & Important Dates

ILF Annual Conference
When: November 12-14
Where: Indiana Convention Center, Downtown Indianapolis

Institutional Libraries Fall Workshop
When: November 13
Where: Indiana State Library

Bookkeeping & Annual Report Workshop
When: November 15
Where: Live Online

Book Club Basics
When: November 16 @ 11:00 AM
Where: Roanoke Public Library

Marketing Your Library's Physical Space
When: November 16 @ Noon
Where: Roanoke Public Library

Advanced Cataloging for Evergreen Indiana Webinar, Part 1
When: November 28 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Live Online

Advanced Cataloging for Evergreen Indiana Webinar, Part 2
When: November 29 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Live Online

Every Child Ready to Read Workshop
When: December 4 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Greensburg-Decatur Co. Public Library

Marketing Your Library's Physical Space
When: December 5 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Greensburg-Decatur Co. Public Library

View free LEU
opportunities from:

News & Notes

The Indiana State Library will be closed on Nov. 12 for Veterans' Day.