February 25, 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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Allen County Public Library refreshes StoryScapes after donation
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'Wikipedia for Librarians and Information Professionals' scheduled for May
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Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant application now open
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Hiram Rhodes Revels
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Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library Author Fair registrations close this weekend
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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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Allen County Public Library refreshes StoryScapes after donation |
The Allen County Public Library's StoryScapes have been refreshed with the addition of new toys. The custom-designed spaces utilize hands-on learning tools and library materials to encourage young children to read, sing, write, talk and play. StoryScapes focus on promoting early literacy with children ages 7 and younger.
The updates replace well-used toys, ensuring that the StoryScapes continue to be a welcoming and engaging environment for children and families. New additions include play cars, cooking sets, MAGNA-TILES®, play rugs, a color-changing light table, sensory blocks and other hands-on materials.
The purchases were made possible via $5,000 donation from the Friends of the Allen County Public Library. The new items are now available at the Main Library and at the Pontiac, Woodburn, Grabill and Little Turtle branches.
“StoryScape has become a favorite destination for families, and these new toys help us keep the experience fresh, safe and inspiring,” said Youth Services manager Jacki Fulwood. “We’re especially grateful to the Friends of the Library for supporting spaces where children can build a lifelong love of the library.”
The first StoryScape opened at the Allen County Public Library in the fall of 2022. Click here for more information about the StoryScapes. |
'Wikipedia for Librarians and Information Professionals' scheduled for May |
On Wednesday, May 20, and Thursday, May 21, Indiana University Indianapolis and the Indiana State Library will host "Wikipedia for Librarians and Information Professionals."
The free two-day workshop for librarians and information professionals will teach attendees about utilizing Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and Wikipedia for institutions. Spanning more than two dozen edit-a-thons since 2023, cultural institutions partnering with Indiana Memory have contributed more than 300,000 images to Wikimedia Commons, collectively recording 25 million page views.
Presenters will provide a general DPLA introduction and train on topics such as Wikipedia events, multimedia uploading and editing, edit-a-thons and metrics. Image rights, metadata, model projects for various institutional contexts and curriculum for using Wikipedia in programming and other educational settings will also be discussed.
The workshop is designed for those who work with digital collections, but all are welcome to attend. The Wednesday, May 20, session will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and the Thursday, May 21, session will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Both workshops will take place at the Indiana State Library, located at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.
Click here to read more - including information about travel stipends - and to register. |
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant application now open |
The 2026 grant funding cycle is now open for Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grants, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grants support projects that provide training and professional development to library and archives professionals; develop faculty and information leaders; and recruit, educate and retain the next generation of library and archives professionals. Projects can support the recruitment, education, training and retention of pre-professionals, students, faculty and the current library and archives workforce.
Project types fall under the categories of planning, forum, community-centered implementation, national implementation, early career research and applied research. Grants range from $75,000-$1 million, depending on the category and the availability of funds.
Click here to read more and to apply. The application deadline is Friday, March 13. |
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Upcoming workshops and important dates |
Unearth a Story: Indiana's Amazing Caves
When: March 3, 10:30 -11:30 a.m.
Where: Online
Lunch and Learn Series: The Business of Archives: Account Books in the Indiana State Library
When: March 10, 12-1 p.m.
Where: Indiana State Library and online
What's Up Wednesday - How to Build a Library in a Community Center One Bite At a Time
When: March 11, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
What's Up Wednesday - Outward In: Community-Led Programming and Asset Mapping
When: March 25, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
What's Up Wednesday - The Teen Engagement Blueprint
When: April 8, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
U.S. 250 Trivia
When: April 14, 12-1 p.m.
Where: Indiana State Library
Youth Services Virtual Roundtable
When: April 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Professional Development Roundtable
When: April 16, 2-3 p.m.
Where: Online
What's Up Wednesday - From Grant to Gathering Place: A Library Placemaking Journey
When: May 13, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Webmaster Roundtable
When: May 19, 2-3 p.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. |
Hiram Rhodes Revels was sworn in as a U.S. Senator from Mississippi on this date 156 years ago, the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress.
Revels attended Indiana’s Union Literary Institute in Randolph County and a Quaker seminary in Union County. He also served as an African Methodist Episcopal pastor in Richmond and Terre Haute.
His biography can be found in the U.S. Senate Historical Office blog, and an extended biography can be found on the U.S. House website. The National Park Service writes about his life’s devotion to public service here
. His time in the Senate was short, but he made a historical impact during Reconstruction. |
| Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library Author Fair registrations close this weekend |
On Saturday, April 25, the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library will host its first-ever Author Fair.
The library is currently accepting registrations from those interested in participating. Authors must currently live in Indiana, or must have spent their formative years in the state. There is no fee to participate in the Author Fair. The fair will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Authors must submit a copy of their book - or books - to the library as part of the registration process. The copy will not be returned and will be added to the library's catalog. Books can be delivered in person to the library, located at 1110 E. Main St. in Greensburg, or sent via mail to the same address, zip code 47240. Authors are welcome to bring products that tie into their writing, such as published books, t-shirts, stickers, journals, maps or bracelets, to sell or to give away. Banners and table decorations are allowed, subject to space availability.
Registrations for the Author Fair close on Sunday, March 1. A Google account is required to register for the event. Click here to read more and to register. |
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