May 6, 2026
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Indiana library jobs
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In the news
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Upcoming workshops and important dates
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Avon-Washington Township Public Library to host official IMS Porch Party
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North Manchester Public Library receives Libraries Transforming Communities grant
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Lunch and Learn 'Help with Statistical Research' scheduled for June 9
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Indiana Unclaimed
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Indiana state historical marker application cycle for 2026-2027 now open
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This week's new Indiana library jobs |
| Those who would like their Indiana library job posting to be listed in the Wednesday Word must submit the position and its description to the Indiana State Library. Click here for submission guidelines and to submit. |
| Is your library making news?
Email news links for inclusion in the Wednesday Word's "In the news" section.
To be featured in the Wednesday Word, please email a press release and a photo. |
Follow the Indiana State Library's blog for weekly posts covering all aspects of the State Library.
Indiana library employees who would like to contribute a guest blog, please send an email with an idea. |
Miss an issue of the Wednesday Word?
Back issues of the Wednesday Word are available here. |
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Free training for librarians and library employees on LinkedIn Learning |
The Indiana Library Passport, a creative digital experience that encourages everyone to visit libraries across the Hoosier state, is open to Indiana residents and outside visitors alike. The passport has more than 170 libraries and branches to explore.
Read more about the passport here. Libraries interested in joining the Indiana Library Passport – free of cost – should contact the communications director at the Indiana State Library. |
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Avon-Washington Township Public Library to host official IMS Porch Party |
The Avon-Washington Township Public Library will host its second Porch Party on Friday, May 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This special event, with activities for all ages, is one of 10 official Porch Parties in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in celebration of the Indianapolis 500.
According to the IMS website, "Porch Parties are an annual tradition that bring neighbors and race fans together in celebration of the Indianapolis 500. Race fans are encouraged to demonstrate what 'This is May' means to them by hosting racing-themed gatherings and outfitting their gathering spaces in the spirit of the Indianapolis 500 through checkered flags, odes to Indy 500 traditions and Indianapolis Motor Speedway icons."
Participants will be able to pick up a kit with everything needed to decorate for their own Porch Party (while supplies last), as well as play some Brickyard Crossing-themed mini golf, engage with a racing simulator and get registered for the library's summer reading program.
Last year, more than 500 racing fans came to the library to pick up porch kits, attend a presentation from the Harrison Center and meet IndyCar driver Callum Ilott.
No registration is required for the free event. The Avon-Washington Township Public Library is located at 498 N. Avon Ave. in Avon. |
North Manchester Public Library receives Libraries Transforming Communities grant |
The North Manchester Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in the fourth and final round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.
The competitive award comes with a $20,000 grant that will help the library to replace the changing tables in the main restrooms with accessible models. The North Manchester Public Library was one of 50 libraries in the nation awarded the larger grant amount.
“In Wabash County, where the majority of our library users live, an estimated 4,614 people - approximately 15% of the population - are living with a disability according to the American Community Survey,” said Andrea Zwiebel, library director. "This grant from the American Library Association is another step forward in our efforts to make the library building a space that works for everyone!”
Library staff will attend online training sessions this spring and host community conversations this summer as part of the process laid out by ALA. The library will complete the install and open the accessible changing tables to the public by spring of 2027. |
| Lunch and Learn 'Help with Statistical Research' scheduled for June 9 |
As part of its Lunch and Learn series, the Indiana State Library has scheduled "Help with Statistical Research" for Wednesday, June 9, from 12-1 p.m.
The free session will include information on using public, federal and state data for statistical research. Attendees will discover sources and learn tips for finding, using and citing the latest data for research, projects or reports.
"Help with Statistical Research" will be presented by Katharine Springer, director of the Indiana State Data Center at the Indiana State Library. The presentation will take place in-person in the History Reference Room at the Indiana State Library with an option to attend virtually.
Click here to read more and to register for the in-person program. Click here to register for the online program.
The program is eligible for one LEU for Indiana library staff.
The Indiana State Library is located at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis. |
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Upcoming workshops and important dates |
| 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. |
So far this year,
Indiana Unclaimed
has helped return $47,112,219 to Indiana residents. A service provided by the Office of Attorney General, Indiana Unclaimed allows individuals to search for unclaimed property. Unclaimed property is any financial asset that has no activity for an extended period of time. Examples include unclaimed wages, deposits, overpayments or credit balances.
Users can search by name or business to see if they have unclaimed property. If someone has unclaimed property, their name or business will appear with a link detailing the item that is unclaimed. A no results response means there are no unclaimed items. Unclaimed property is held by the state for 25 years before it is considered property of the state. Once a claim is placed, a tracking number is issued to help the recipient know the status of their claim.
Unclaimed Indiana also has a FAQ page to help answer any questions about the process for claiming property or listing. It only takes a few moments to check for unclaimed property. |
Indiana state historical marker application cycle for 2026-2027 now open |
The 2026-2027 Indiana state historical marker application cycle is now open.
State historical markers commemorate significant people, businesses, organizations and institutions, as well as notable events in Indiana history. Administered by the Indiana Historical Bureau - a division of the Indiana State Library - the Indiana State Historical Marker Program, which began in 1946, is a public-driven program, and its success rests on the partnership between applicants and the Indiana Historical Bureau.
"We’re thrilled to share that several new markers will be installed and dedicated over the coming months, and we look forward to receiving applications for new marker topics for the 2026-2027 program," said Casey Pfeiffer, Historical Marker Program director.
Those interested in submitting a topic can learn more about the application process and download copies of the application here.
Topics must demonstrate statewide or national significance and be supported with primary source documentation. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, July 8.
Please contact the Indiana Historical Bureau with any questions about the Indiana State Historical Marker Program. |
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