The Wednesday Word: News from the Indiana State Library

Nearly $325,000 in LSTA Technology sub-grants has been awarded to 38 Indiana libraries. Overall, forty-six libraries applied for the grants, requesting $387,265 in grant funds. Grants were distributed between 29 public libraries, three academic libraries and six school media centers.

The 2011 LSTA Technology grants will fund the purchase of public access computers, mobile laptop labs, accessibility equipment, microform machines, eReaders and iPads. The grants will also continue to aid public libraries working to meet technology requirements in the new public library standards. The 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. For more information about these opportunities and the LSTA program, contact Jennifer Clifton at (317) 234-6550 or jclifton@library.in.gov.

State Library Welcomes Additions to PDO Staff

The Indiana State Library recently welcomed Hannah Cox and Emily Kruse to its Professional Development Office (PDO). Hannah will be the new Eastern Indiana Regional Coordinator and will serve as State Library liaison for libraries of all types in the eastern part of the state. Hannah received her Master of Library Science from Indiana University (Indianapolis) and bachelor's degrees in both Anthropology and History from Ball State University. She is an Indiana Libraries Leading in Diversity Fellow and previously interned with State Library's conservator and at IUPUI for the Frederick Douglass Papers Project.

Emily Kruse recently became the State Library's Certification Coordinator. She administers all aspects of the Public Librarian Certification Program and serves as a consultant to Indiana library staff and trustees on certification issues. Emily will graduate from SLIS - Indianapolis in August and is the former director of the Osgood Public Library in Ripley County.

Contact information for Hannah, Emily and the entire PDO staff is available online.

New Report Highlights Technology Use, Funding in Libraries

A new national report shows that U.S. public libraries continue to expand as technology centers for communities, providing essential resources for job-seekers and support for critical e-government services. In addition, as the demand for e-books increases, libraries are the starting place for free downloads. However, budget cuts have forced libraries across the country to scale back drastically on operating hours and access to services, just when resources are most needed.

The 2011 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study reports that virtually all public libraries (99 percent) provide public access to computers and the Internet. More than 87 percent of libraries provide technology training, and more than two-thirds (67 percent) of libraries offer access to e-books, up 12 percent from two years ago.

The complete study with more useful facts and statistics be found online at http://www.ala.org/plinternetfunding

eResources Website Launched to Complement New Listserv

The State Library recently launched its official eResources website. This resource along with the eResources listserv will discuss current issues and developments regarding eReaders, eBooks and other emerging digital content. Both the list and website will examine best practices for the use of eResources and help shape how digital content is made available statewide.

UPCOMING EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

Advanced INSPIRE Medical
When: July 7 @ 10:00 AM-Noon
Where: Live Online

Evergreen Circulation Training
When: July 14 @ 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Where: Indiana State Library

Evergreen Intro Cataloguing
When: July 20 @ 9:00 AM-Noon
Where: Indiana State Library

Evergreen Admin/Reports Training
When: July 20 @ 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Where: Indiana State Library

Advanced INSPIRE K-12
When: July 27 @ 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
Where: Live Online

New Director's Workshop
When: August 4 @ 8:00 PM-3:30 PM
Where: Indiana State Library

ILF Reference Division Conference
When: August 10 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Flagship Center - Anderson

Advanced INSPIRE Newspapers & Magazines
When: August 16 @ 2:00 PM
Where: Live Online

Director's Refresher Workshop
When: August 18 @ 8:00 PM-3:30 PM
Where: Indiana State Library

2011 CYPD Conference
When: August 28 & 29
Where: Indianapolis Marriott North

ACPL Library Camp 2011
When: September 16
Where: Allen County Public Library

Indiana Vision Expo/Vision Walk
When: September 24 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Indiana State Library/ Downtown Canal - Indianapolis

Indiana Genealogy & Local History Fair
When: October 22 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Indiana State Library

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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.