 This week's new Indiana library jobs
Children’s Coordinator
Batesville Memorial Public Library
Public Service Specialist
Eckhart Public Library
Youth Services Assistant Kendallville Public Library
Circulation Clerk II
Michigan City Public Library
Reference Clerk
Michigan City Public Library
Library Assistant (part-time)
Middlebury Public Library
Security Technician (part-time)
Monroe County Public Library
Youth Services Manager
Monticello-Union Township Public Library
Collection Development/Programs Assistant
Westchester Public Library
Those who would like an Indiana library job posting to be listed in the Wednesday Word should submit the position and its description to the Indiana State Library. Click here for submission guidelines and to submit.
Garrett library reports successful summer reading program
Garrett Public Library
Director no longer with Indiana Library Federation after racism, homophobia investigation
Indiana Library Federation
'Time for something different': IndyPL board member offers unique approach to morale study
Indianapolis Public Library
Library board meets in Crothersville
Jackson County Public Library
History on the move: Library brings local history to life
Kendallville Public Library
New Chicago Architecture Center exhibit highlights Helmut Jahn's works, including Michigan City Public Library
Michigan City Public Library
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 As part of the Indiana State Library's What's up Wednesday series, "An Empathetic Approach to Customer Service Training" will be presented on Aug. 25, from 10-11 a.m.
Presenter Molly LaBadie will discuss approaching customer service training by growing and nurturing empathy toward patrons and by empowering staff to navigate the gray areas in their policies. Using storytelling and group interaction, LaBadie will also look at special and challenging situations, such as code of conduct violations and difficult patrons. Discover how understanding implicit biases and not assuming the worst of patrons can help library staff offer consistent customer service to everyone.
LaBadie, deputy director at the Delaware County District Library, has been in library service for nearly 20 years. Four of those years were spent as a library trainer, which allowed her to train staff in customer service and spend time learning what really made a difference. Currently, as a deputy director, she finds that empathy for both staff and patrons is a powerful tool in offering exceptional customer service.
The program is eligible for one LEU for Indiana library staff. Click here to read more and to register.
Please contact Courtney Brown, Southeast regional coordinator at the Indiana State Library, with any questions regarding registration or the webinar itself.
 The National Book Festival is a premiere event on the literary calendar. During the course of its 20-year history, the festival has become one of the most prominent literary events in the nation. In 2020 and again in 2021, the festival has gone virtual and organizers hope that Indiana libraries and cultural institutions will participate in the festival in a myriad of ways. Watch parties of author talks; book discussions about one of the featured speakers; and podcast parties are all possible way to participate.
The Indiana State Library and Indiana Humanities have partnered together to create a toolkit that encourages meaningful participation in the festival at a local level.
The toolkit can be used to connect to the National Book Festival. The toolkit encourages readers to explore the writings of an unfamiliar author; learn more about the Library of Congress, the national library; listen to a podcast interview in a group and discuss it afterwards; and share the ways the toolkit can be used so others can benefit from their creative ideas in the future. Above all, the State Library and Indiana Humanities hopes that readers enjoy connecting with Hoosier literary heritage because, "The Golden Age of Indiana literature isn’t in the past. It’s here right now!"
Click here to read more.
Please contact Suzanne Walker, Indiana Young Readers Center librarian and Director of the Indiana Center for the Book, with any questions about the toolkit.
 The Porter County Public Library System was recently honored by the Valpo Chamber for its completion of the Rotary Library Garden in downtown Valparaiso. PCPLS received a Community Improvement Award at the chamber’s 54th annual ceremony honoring construction projects that have improved the community.
The garden is a joint endeavor between the library, the Valparaiso Rotary Club, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Porter County Community Foundation, Valparaiso Now and numerous private donors who shared a vision to create a vibrant and engaging outdoor library space. The garden is filled with inspiring works of art, native flora and interactive features.
Porter County Public Library System director Jesse Butz said the new library garden “is a true community effort. We’ve seen it used every single day.”
The Rotary Library Garden is located at 106 Jefferson St. in downtown Valparaiso. The garden is open to all members of the public, and can be reserved for private events and gatherings.
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What’s Up Wednesday - Get INSPIRED: Live Demo/Q&A with Laura Jones
When: Aug. 11, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Webinar
Summer Reading Wrap-up Roundtable
When: Aug. 12, 1-2 p.m.
Where:Webinar
What’s Up Wednesday: An Empathetic Approach to Customer Service Training
When: Aug. 25, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Webinar
What’s Up Wednesday-Get INSPIRED: Top INSPIRE Databases for Assisting Students
When: Sept. 8, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Webinar
Difference is You Conference
When: Sept. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Virtual Conference
What’s Up Wednesday
When: Sept. 29, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Webinar
What's Up Wednesday - Get INSPIRED: Using ISL Digital Collections through INSPIRE
When: Oct. 13, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Webinar
Welcome to the Government Information Minute. Every other week, government information librarians at the Indiana State Library cover current resources on governmental data at the state, national and international levels, all to keep the public well-informed. Follow the Indiana State Data Center on Facebook and Twitter and feel free to leave comments and suggestions.
 Created in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education plans, coordinates and defines Indiana’s postsecondary education system to align higher learning with the needs of students and the state. The CHE also administers Indiana’s financial aid programs, including the 21st Century Scholars early college promise scholarship, which celebrated 30 years in 2020. The Commission’s 2020 strategic plan, Reaching Higher in a State of Change, provides a vision and a blueprint focused on pathways for student success.
The annual College Readiness Reports are designed to provide information on students entering college. Reports with data from 2011 through 2019 are available online. The reports encompass the first year of college for students who graduated from high school during the previous academic year, and the College Readiness dashboard provides a closer look at longer-term outcomes such as early college success and completion.
Designed as a companion piece to the Commission’s annual College Readiness and College Completion reports, the College Equity Reports provide a snapshot of Indiana’s college achievement gap progress – measured by the college-going rate, early success in college and college completion – for low-income and minority students. The annual College Equity Reports from 2018 through 2021 are online.
Additional reports about college enrollment, completion, value and state financial aid are available on the CHE’s Reports and Analysis webpage.
 The Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library has set Sept. 11 as the date for the 2021 Indiana Vision Expo. The expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Indiana State Library, located at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.
Vision Expo provides an opportunity for people with vision loss - and their friends, families and service providers - to learn about the resources available that help promote independent living. It's also a great opportunity to meet the Talking Book staff as well as fellow Talking Book patrons.
This year's Indiana Vision Expo will feature a presentation by Bosma Enterprises in addition to a presentation about the LuxIQ lighting diagnostic tool.
Parking will be available for $10 in the Senate Avenue Parking Garage. The entrance to the garage is located on New York Street between West Street and Senate Avenue.
Please visit the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library's newly-created Facebook page for all of the latest updates regarding the 2021 Indiana Vision Expo.
Please contact Laura Williams, Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library supervisor, with any questions about the 2021 Indiana Vision Expo or the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library.
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