The Wednesday Word: Library News from Around Indiana

The Indiana State Library recently awarded $150,000 in technology sub-grants to 23 Indiana libraries. In all, the State Library received 38 technology sub-grant applications requesting $316,726 in LSTA funds. The 2012 LSTA technology grants will fund the purchase of mobile laptop labs, improved connectivity and networking infrastructure, eReaders and iPads, among other items. An additional six technology projects will also be made possible in part through a new partnership with Net Literacy. All projects involve the provision or replacement of public access computers.

Eleven more Indiana libraries received over $154,000 in LSTA funds for digitization projects. The theme for the 2012 Digitization Grant Program is the approaching Indiana Bicentennial in 2016. Many of the awarded projects focus on materials with statewide significance related to the Statehood Bicentennial.

All LSTA applications were reviewed by members of the Indiana State Library Advisory Council and State Library staff. Applications for grant opportunities with rolling deadlines (Innovative Library Technology Grant & Information Access for the Unserved Grant) are accepted year round. Guidelines for 2013 technology and digitization grants will be released this fall.

Contact Jennifer Clifton at (317) 234-6550 or jclifton@library.in.gov for more information about these opportunities and the LSTA program. Learn more about past grants, projects and statewide library services funded through LSTA at in.gov/library/lsta.htm.

Digital Bookmobile Making 2-Day Stop in Indiana this May

The Digital Bookmobile is scheduled to make its only stop in Indiana on Thursday, May 24 and Friday, May 25 at the Indianapolis Public Library. The 74-foot, 18-wheel tractor-trailer is visiting communities nationwide to promote downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video.

Sponsored by Overdrive, the Digital Bookmobile creates an engaging download experience around the host library's digital media collection and 'Virtual Branch' download website. The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high-definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players. Interactive computer stations give visitors an opportunity to search the digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and sample eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video from the library.

IMCPL to be Featured in ALA Advocacy Webinar

“Rallying Your Community: Mobilizing the Grassroots” will be the topic of a free webinar sponsored by the American Library Association’s Committee on Library Advocacy from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 2. The webinar will demonstrate how two community organizations, the Sustainable Library Citizens Coalition of Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library and Urban Librarians Unite of New York City, have used their voices to impact library funding.

Marci Merola, director of the ALA Office for Library Advocacy, will moderate the webinar and demonstrate practical applications of resources from the ALA Office for Library Advocacy. Registration is required. Visit ala.ilinc.com/register/thvbchx to register.

Workshop to Examine Methods to 'Save Your Treasures'

The Indiana State Library is offering an evening of preservation tips and tricks on Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. The workshop will offer instruction on how to protect fragile documents and photographs, steps for preserving water-damaged items, and may other preservation-related topics and practical advice on how to care for your treasured collections.

The workshop is worth three (3) Library Education Units and registration is available online. Visit the State Library's Preservation & Conservation Services webpage for more information.

Deadline Nears to Apply for Leadership Academy

Applications for the Indiana Library Leadership Academy (ILLA) are being accepted until Sunday, May 13, 2012. The application available online.

The State Library’s Professional Development Committee established the Academy to prepare future library leaders for 21st-Century challenges. The inaugural 10-month academy will begin this July for a group of 50 cohorts with a five-day workshop at the Canyon Inn at McCormick’s Creek State Park. The cost of the Academy is just $150 ($2,100 value) for participants thanks to a significant subsidy from the Indiana State Library.

Additional details are available on the ILLA webpage or by contacting Wendy Knapp at wknapp@library.in.gov.

Upcoming Workshops,
Events & Important Dates

ILF District Conferences
When: 8:30 AM (local time)
Where: Multiple Locations

5/04: District 2 * 5/10: District 5&7
5/15: District 4

Spring Institutional Workshop
When: May 14 @ 9:15 AM
Where: Indiana State Library

Spring LEU workshops
When: May 17 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Spencer Co. Public Library

Preservation Night: Save Your Treasures
When: May 17 @ 5:30 PM
Where: Indiana State Library

Budget Basics Workshop
When: May 21 @ 9:45 AM
Where: Live Online

Serving Seniors
When: May 24 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Live Online

Overdrive Digital Bookmobile Visit
When: May 24 & 25
Where: Indianapolis Public Library

EdCamp Indy
When: June 12
Where: Plainfield High School

2012 Indiana Vision Expo
When: September 29 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Indiana State Library

View free LEU
opportunities from:

© 2012 Indiana State Library. All rights reserved. The trademarks used herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Indiana State Library, 315 W. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202. www.library.IN.gov

The Wednesday Word is a free publication of the Indiana State Library, distributed weekly in an electronic format.
Past issues are archived at the State Library's Newsroom.