The Wednesday Word: News from the Indiana State Library

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In This Issue Committee Formed to Update Public Library Standards New IHC Series Highlights "The Immigrant Experience" ISL Gets 3-Year Renew for Center for the Book *More Library News:* Associated Press Indiana House Panel Rejects Local Government Revamp Gary Post Tribune Libraries no longer just for bookworms Indy Star Taxpayers have huge stake in trial of Central Library lawsuit Indy Star Like libraries? Career Expo Indy Star Legislation to reform gov't hits a wall LISWire Four on the Floor: Evergreen Indiana Continues to Grow Madison Courier Poet laureate to visit Madison on Sat . Muncie Star Press 'Watered down' library bill requires study only New York Times Bernstein’s Workroom Will Head to IN Northwest Indian Times House sets showdown over local government reform *Richmond Palladium Item* Library project will tap wallets Richmond Palladium Item Kernan-Shepard 'reform' undermines local control Rushville Republican New tool for family tree climbers available at Rushville Public Library Terre Haute Tribune Star Big Read program credited with helping raise reading rates WSBT-TV (South Bend) Committee stalls Indiana gov't reform WSBT-TV (South Bend) AMBS Library one of a kind *WTHR (Indy)* Library use rises with unemployment *Your library making news?* Email your news clip to Drew Griffis for inclusion in the next The Wednesday Word. State Library's Reference Hotline 866-683-0008 eReference Important Links: Indiana State Library WebJunction Indiana INSPIRE DWD Unemployment Assistance Tools ------------------------------- The Wednesday Word is a production of the Indiana State Library	Committee Formed to Update Public Library Standards The State Library and the Indiana Library and Historical Board (ILHB) have responded to the need to update public library standards by establishing a library standards committee to modify and develop these standards last revised 15 years ago. The committee will identify best practices for public libraries of all sizes and address the role of modern technologies in libraries in order to provide all Hoosiers with excellent library services. The committee’s recommendations will be submitted to the ILHB later this spring regardless of the outcome of SB 348 or similar legislation. The standards committee met in late February to begin the process of reviewing and revising public library standards. The committee is comprised of a cross-section of public library directors and trustees from libraries of varying sizes and geographic regions throughout the state, as well as members of the Indiana State Library’s staff. Members of the library standards committee are as follows: William Bruce, Indiana Library Trustee Association Marsha Ford, Indiana Library Trustee Association John Leavitt, Indiana Library Trustee Association Laura Bramble, Indiana Public Library Association David Eisen, Indiana Public Library Association Susan Miller, Indiana Public Library Association Nick Schenkel, Indiana Public Library Association Jim Corridan, Indiana State Library Wendy Knapp, Indiana State Library Jacob Speer, Indiana State Library Roberta L. Brooker, Indiana State Librarian, Ex-Officio Public library staff, professionals and trustees will have several opportunities for input throughout reviewing and updating processes. The committee will take questions, suggestions and recommendations at regional meetings and web comment forms over the next two months. More information about the Library Standards committee will be posted online at http://www.in.gov/library/standards.htm as it becomes available. New IHC Series Highlights "The Immigrant Experience" The Indiana Humanities Council makes multiple copies of books available for loan to reading and discussion groups at libraries, senior centers, and other organizations through its Humanities to Go program. There is no charge for this service, but the books must be reserved in advance. Statewide delivery is available to INfo Express customers. This year, the Council is offering a new series on “The Immigrant Experience” in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Titles include: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri My Antonia by Willa Cather For more details, including a list of available titles, visit the Humanities to Go website or email Nancy Conner, Director of Grants, Indiana Humanities Council. State Library Granted 3-Year Renewal of Center for the Book The Indiana State Library recently received a three-year renewal to continue to serve as host of the Indiana Center for the Book. The renewal guarantees the Indiana Center for the Book's affiliation with the National Center for the Book in the Library of Congress through 2011. As an affiliate of the National Center for the Book, the Indiana Center administers national programs sponsored by the Library of Congress, such as Letters About Literature and River of Words. The Indiana Center also provides original statewide programming and has grown from two to five programs over the past two years and has several new programs in the works for the coming 18 months. "I would like to thank the National Center for the Book for renewing its partnership with the Indiana State Library,” said Roberta L. Brooker, Indiana State Librarian. “The State Library remains unwavering in its commitment to developing a more vibrant and influential Indiana Center for the Book.” The Indiana Center for the Book promotes interest in reading, writing, literacy, libraries, and Indiana's literary heritage by administering statewide literary programs, sponsoring events and serving as an information resource at the state and local level. The Center also supports both the professional endeavors and the popular pursuits of Indiana's residents toward reading and writing. Visit the Indiana Center for the Book's website for more information about current programs and initiatives.