April 22, 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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Indiana Center for the Book celebrates National Library Week with Library of Congress card catalog kiosk at Indiana State Library
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Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library expands Discovery Passes program
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Library Con returns to Kokomo-Howard County Public Library
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Community College Month
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St. Joe County Public Library Foundation seeks community support for new outdoor space
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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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Indiana Center for the Book celebrates National Library Week with Library of Congress card catalog kiosk at Indiana State Library |
The Indiana Center for the Book - an affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book located within the Indiana State Library - has received one of 56 card catalogs brought out of retirement by the Library of Congress and distributed through its Center for the Book affiliate network. The card catalog has been transformed into a Library of Congress information kiosk to help remind library patrons that the Library of Congress is a library for all.
Every card catalog kiosk features signage that indicates the card catalog was once in active use at the Library of Congress and explains its history and original purpose. The front of each drawer includes the name of a Library of Congress service or program. Inside each of the 15 drawers is a card containing a brief description of the featured initiative, along with a QR code leading to the page on the Library of Congress website that contains more information.
“We've had many people stop by and look through the drawers and share that there are many things that they didn't realize the Library of Congress did or offered,” said Tammie Buchanan, Indiana Young Readers Center librarian and director of the Indiana Center for the Book. “The kids have enjoyed using a parent's phone to scan the QR codes and then they discuss what they find. It's great way to celebrate National Library Week!"
The card catalog information kiosk can be found in the Indiana Young Readers Center at the Indiana State Library, located at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.
National Library Week runs from Sunday, April 19, through Saturday, April 25. This year's theme is "Find Your Joy." |
Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library expands Discovery Passes program |
The Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library has expanded its popular Discovery Passes program via new partnership with the Ruthmere Museum Campus in Elkhart.
A Discovery Pass allows access to family-friendly educational experiences at partner locations. Library cardholders are able to check out a digital Discovery Pass online and use it without visiting a library location. Cardholders can reserve a pass with a timed receipt. The pass can either be printed out or presented digitally on a phone to gain access to a partner location.
“This is a great opportunity for our patrons to discover additional historic landmarks in this area. I would be surprised if many of our Mishawaka residents were aware that physician Havilah Beardsley founded Elkhart,” said Jennifer Ludwig, director of public services.
The Ruthmere Museum Campus experience begins at the Beardsley Discovery Center, and includes guided tours of both the Havilah Beardsley House and the Ruthmere Museum. The campus is open from now through the end of the year.
The Ruthmere Museum Campus joins the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum, the Mishawaka Historical Museum, the History Museum and Studebaker National Museum, the Potawatomi Zoo and Wellfield Botanic Gardens as a Discovery Passes partner location.
Read more about the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library's Discovery Passes program here. |
Library Con returns to Kokomo-Howard County Public Library |
On Saturday, May 16, Library Con will return to the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library.
The first portion of the event will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kokomo-Howard County Public Library South, located at 1755 E. Center Road in Kokomo. The library will offer a vendor hall, a Pokémon scavenger hunt, a Lego build, live action roleplay and crafts for all ages. Children can also enjoy a live Mario Kart track. At 12 p.m., visitors are invited to join the cosplay parade, immediately followed by the costume contest. Winners will receive a prize. A workshop focused on cosplay props, a game master panel and a miniature painting session will take place during the Con.
The event will then migrate to Kokomo-Howard County Public Library Russiaville, located at 315 Mesa Drive in Russiaville. “Nerdy Trivia” will begin at 4 p.m. Winners will receive a prize. Dungeons & Dragons sessions will start at 5:30 p.m. Participants are asked to register online or by calling 765-883-5112. At 9 p.m., the library will host an outdoor movie night with a family-friendly film.
Both locations will host food trucks. All activities are free and everyone is welcome to join.
For more information, including a full schedule of events, click here. |
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Upcoming workshops and important dates |
What's Up Wednesday - From Grant to Gathering Place: A Library Placemaking Journey
When: May 13, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Government Information Day 2026
When: May 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
Where: Indiana State Library and online
Webmaster Roundtable
When: May 19, 2-3 p.m.
Where: Online
2026 Public Library Budget Workshop
When: May 21, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Indiana State Library
2026 Public Library Budget Workshop - Online
When: May 21, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Online
Genealogy for Night Owls
When: May 21, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Indiana State Library
What's Up Wednesday - Microsoft Teams for Libraries
When: May 27, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Indiana State Library Lunch and Learn Series: Help with Statistical Research
When: June 9, 12-1 p.m.
Where: Indiana Stare Library and online
What's Up Wednesday - Roll for Instruction! Game Based Training for Librarian Development
When: June 10, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
What's Up Wednesday: EBSCO Databases - What's New for Indiana State Library
When: June 17, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online |
| 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. |
April is national Community College Month. There are several tools at the state and federal levels available to assist those in choosing a college.
Learn More Indiana, led by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), is a portal to resources related to conducting a college search and paying for college. The portal contains information about the entire enrollment process. For a statistical picture of the college decisions of Hoosiers, check the latest
Data-At-A-Glance
report from the CHE. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has a collection of map tools that lets researchers narrow their search by college major. They can also explore the demographics of the area surrounding their potential school choice.
The main community college in Indiana, Ivy Tech, is the largest community college system in the country. Ivy Tech welcomes potential students and parents to learn more about the school via the statistics found on its webpage. Visit the American Association of Community Colleges website for the
2026 fast facts for colleges across the U.S. |
| St. Joe County Public Library Foundation seeks community support for new outdoor space |
The St. Joe County Public Library Foundation is seeking community support to help complete a new outdoor space at the library’s future Western Branch location.
The library is transforming the former ZB Falcons building into the new home of the Western Branch on the west side of South Bend. While funding for the building renovation is already secured, the Foundation is now helping to raise funds to build a Garden Playscape - a free outdoor space designed for reading, play and gathering.
If the campaign reaches its goal of $50,000 by Monday, June 1, a $50,000 matching grant through Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program will be unlocked.
The space will replace existing pavement with greenery, seating and interactive play features. The Garden Playscape will include natural play elements, shade trees, native plantings, accessible pathways and flexible seating.
Community members can donate online or contribute at any St. Joe County Public Library branch. Gifts are matched up to $10,000 per donor.
Click here to read more about the campaign. |
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