August 12, 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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Firefly Award winner announced
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North Manchester Public Library Awarded $25,000 Literacy Bridges grant
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Jefferson County Public Library to host virtual program with New York Times bestseller Lucy Foley
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Computing history: Aug. 12, 1981
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Indiana Library Bookkeeper Workshop scheduled for Aug. 27
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This week's new Indiana library jobs |
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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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Firefly Award winner announced |
The Indiana Center for the Book at the Indiana State Library has announced the 2026 recipient of the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award as “Little Freddie Two Pants,” published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, “Little Freddie Two Pants” is a picture book about a dog who doesn't know how many pairs of pants to wear or where to wear them.
The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is in its 12th year. Since The inception of the program in October of 2014, more than 34,000 votes have been cast for the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award.
More than 4,400 Indiana children aged 0-5 voted for their favorite book from a ballot of five books. "Freddie" earned 1,242 votes.
"This is phenomenal news. I believe that just by existing, a picture book has succeeded because there’s a special book for every child. And to think that our book was chosen by so many children is heartwarming, and frankly, a little overwhelming. I’m honored to be part of this, and I’m honored to get to partner with Lucy who is a genius artist and storyteller," said Daywalt, a New York Times bestselling author.
The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is an initiative of the Indiana Center for the Book to promote early childhood literacy in Indiana. The nominees are chosen by the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Committee from a list of books nominated by library staff who work with children all over Indiana. |
North Manchester Public Library Awarded $25,000 Literacy Bridges grant |
The North Manchester Public Library has been selected to receive a $25,000 Literacy Bridges: Empowering 21st Century Communities Grant, a national initiative funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and administered by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries. This two-year program supports Carnegie-built libraries in small and rural communities as they expand adult basic and digital literacy services.
Literacy Bridges is an invitation-only grant awarded to a select group of libraries across the U.S. The program provides funding for new or enhanced adult literacy programming, along with participation in a professional development cohort focused on designing responsive, sustainable literacy initiatives. Through learning sessions, mentorship and collaboration with peers nationwide, cohort members strengthen their skills in program design, community partnerships and long-term planning.
North Manchester Public Library director Andrea Zwiebel will represent the library in Cohort 2, which runs from June 2027 through September 2028.
“Adult literacy is foundational to community well being,” Zwiebel said. “We are deeply honored to be chosen for Literacy Bridges and grateful for the opportunity to expand services that help adults build confidence, strengthen skills and access new opportunities. This grant allows us to invest in programs that meet people where they are and support them in meaningful, practical ways.”
Grant funds may be used over a 24-month period for a wide range of literacy focused needs, including staff training and program delivery, outreach materials, educational supplies, technology upgrades, community collaborations and travel for cohort members to attend ARSL conferences. The library will finalize its specific plans for the grant in the coming months. |
Jefferson County Public Library to host virtual program with New York Times bestseller Lucy Foley |
On Thursday, Aug. 27, at 2 p.m., the Jefferson County Public Library will host New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley as part of its Virtual Author Talk Series.
Foley is the author of the first full-length official Miss Marple continuation novel, "Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel," which will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Foley will discuss the novel, in which a polite, unassuming woman with an extraordinary mind, Miss Marple, tries to solve a Swiss murder mystery.
Foley is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of "The Hunting Party," "The Guest List" and "The Midnight Feast." More than 10 million copies of her books are in print worldwide.
During the free live event, participants may ask questions via chat feature. The program is made possible via the Library Speakers Consortium, a community of libraries cultivating lifelong and connection through a wide selection of literary experiences.
“We've subscribed to the Library Speakers Consortium since 2024, and it has been quite popular. We have access to at three or four bestselling authors' programs a month, and it has greatly increased our programming variety,” said Ann Inman, programming coordinator at the Jefferson County Public Library.
After the talk concludes, access to the library's Library Speakers Consortium archive will be available and the recorded programs may be viewed.
Click here to read more and to register. |
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Upcoming workshops and important dates |
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Computing history: Aug. 12, 1981 |
Today marks the 45th anniversary of the release of the original IBM PC 5150. Considered a standard for personal computers at the time, it could fit on a desktop for personal use at home or for educational use in a classroom. It was called a microcomputer due to its size in comparison to the mainframe computing machines that filled offices at the time. In 1981, the IBM PC 5150 cost $2,400, in addition to $600 for the printer and $650 for an extra drive. There were also costs for the installation of an operating system and word processing software and for opting for monochrome or color graphics. Compared to the tabulating machine
invented by Herman Hollerith in the 1880s to process the 1890 census data - which was instrumental in the founding of IBM - the company had come a long way to advance an individual’s capacity for computer usage for work and play by 1981.
Access to technology has grown vastly since then. Today, users can buy computers with excellent video and graphics capabilities for much less than $2,400. Machines are now routinely available for free use in libraries and makerspaces. Those interested can take classes online and learn how to do almost anything using their phones.
Recent advancements in artificial intelligence allow work to get done in an efficient manner, however there are ethical implications. While IBM no longer manufactures personal computers, the company still provides data analysis tools, including those that use AI. The Association for Computing Machinery has a useful code of ethics that can be read here. The American Library Association recently released its guidance on the use of AI in libraries
. These resources remind users to be mindful in their research and computer use as technology continues to evolve. |
| Indiana Library Bookkeeper Workshop scheduled for Aug. 27 |
The third annual in-person Indiana Library Bookkeeper Workshop will take place on Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Jasper-Dubois County Public Library from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sessions in the workshop include "Strategic Budgeting," presented by Lisa Huntington, senior manager at Baker Tilly Financial Advisors; "Paperless Retention," presented by Amy Christiansen and Anna Lucas, records management liaisons at the Indiana Archives and Records Administration; "Earth, Wind & Fire: Be Prepared For a Disaster," presented by George Bergstrom, regional coordinator at the Indiana State Library; and "Gift Fund Appropriations," presented by Beth Goss, government technical assistance compliance director at the Indiana State Board of Accounts.
If time permits, a roundtable discussion will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
The cost of registration is $25 per attendee, payable by check. Registration includes a light breakfast and lunch. Checks should be made payable to Jasper Public Library and can be mailed in advance or presented on the day of the workshop.
Click here to register. Registration closes on Monday, Aug. 17.
The Jasper-Dubois County Public Library is located at 100 Third Ave. in Jasper. The address also serves as the location where checks should be mailed.
Please contact Angie Schitter, business manager at the Jasper-Dubois County Public Library, with any questions about the Indiana Library Bookkeeper Workshop. |
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