July 15, 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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Final Summer Lecture Series program of season explores land and probate records
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Tipton County Public Library celebrates America 250 with 'We the People' exhibit
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Indianapolis Public Library to host Author Fair at Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest, seeking authors
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National Grilling Month
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North Webster Community Public Library to present family heirloom program
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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.
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| 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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Final Summer Lecture Series program of season explores land and probate records |
On Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the Indiana State Library will conclude its 2026 Summer Lecture Series with a program that will explore land and probate records.
John Barr, owner of Old Northwest Genealogy, will present "Combining Land and Probate Records to Get the Full Story." Barr, an active member of the National Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists, will explore a case study of the Hoffman family using probate records that led to land records citing unindexed probate records. He will also discuss types of probate indexes and records and types of deed indexes and deeds.
The program is eligible for one LEU for Indiana library staff.
"Combining Land and Probate Records to Get the Full Story" will take place at the Indiana State Library, located at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis, with anoption to attend virtually.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to read more and to register for the in-person or virtual program.
The Summer Lecture Series will return to the Indiana State Library in 2027. |
Tipton County Public Library celebrates America 250 with 'We the People' exhibit |
The Tipton County Public Library has announced the launch of its latest community exhibition, “We the People of Tipton County,” a photo project created to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The exhibition, which is currently on display at the Main Library in Tipton through Thursday, July 30, serves as a visual chronicle of life in Tipton County from the 1800s to the present. Curated through the dedicated work of several library staff members, the project features hundreds of photographs contributed by local patrons and community groups.
“Belonging means seeing yourself reflected in your community's narrative,” said Shelly Powell, communications manager at Tipton County Public Library. “This display is more than just a collection of old photos; it is the story of our home. We are incredibly grateful to every community member who contributed to this project, helping us piece together the history of our county so we can share it with everyone.”
From its early history to modern-day moments, the "We the People" project offers a unique opportunity for residents of Tipton County and the surrounding areas to explore the local faces, places and everyday life that have shaped the community over the last two-and-a-half centuries.
The Tipton County Public Library invites everyone to visit, view the exhibit and celebrate the history, culture and future of the community. |
Indianapolis Public Library to host Author Fair at Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest, seeking authors |
The Indianapolis Public Library is partnering with Indiana Humanities to host a Local Author Fair on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The fair will take place at Herron High School during Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest, a growing fall literary festival entering its third year.
The Local Author Fair is open to the public, offering readers the opportunity to meet and connect with authors from across Indiana.
Indiana authors are invited to apply for one of up to 30 free table spaces at the event. Selected participants will have the opportunity to showcase and sell their books while connecting with the literary community. Author applications are due by Wednesday, July 29. Authors will be notified of acceptance on or after Sept. 4.
“The Indianapolis Public Library has a long history of connecting local writers with readers and providing space for storytellers to learn and grow,” said Alexander Hampton, program specialist at the Indianapolis Public Library. “Partnering with Indiana Humanities for Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest was a natural extension of that charge, allowing us to celebrate the incredible talent of Indiana authors while creating opportunities for community connection. We look forward to sharing the library’s collections, services and bookmobile with festival attendees and helping more readers discover local voices.”
Authors who apply must live or work in Indiana, with priority given to authors with work published in 2025 or 2026. The application can be found here. |
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Upcoming workshops and important dates |
Professional Development Roundtable
When: July 16, 2-3 p.m.
Where: Online
What's Up Wednesday: Get To Know EBSCO
When: July 29, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Roundtable Informational Interest Meeting
When: Aug. 6, 11-11:45 a.m.
Where: Online
Summer Lecture Series: Combining Land and Probate Records to Get the Full Story
When: Aug. 8, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Indiana State Library and online
How to get the Most out of Your TeachingBooks for Schools Account
When: Aug. 11, 3:30-4:15 p.m.
Where: Online
Webmaster Roundtable
When: Aug. 18, 2-3 p.m.
Where: Online
What's Up Wednesday - Community Compass Information Session
When: Aug. 26, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Every Child Ready to Read In-Person Workshop
When: Aug. 28, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library
Indiana State Library Lunch and Learn Series: Hosted Digital Collections and Indiana Memory
When: Sept. 8, 12-1 p.m.
Where: Indiana State Library and online
What's Up Wednesday - Youth-Focused Tabletop Role-Playing Game Programs in Public Libraries
When: Sept. 9, 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. |
July is National Grilling Month, a time for people to gather with family and friends for some outdoor cooking. Multiple government resources are available to help ensure the safety of those participating in outdoor grilling activities.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), common grilling hazards include fires, burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. CPSC recommends inspecting grills and gas hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks before use. CPSC also reminds those grilling to use grills outside only - in well-ventilated areas - and to only use appropriate fire starters.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), offers several tips on grilling food safely. Tips include information on cleanliness, the separation of raw and cooked foods and safe minimum internal temperatures. The agency also provides information on safe smoking and pit roasting.
In Indiana, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) provides dry weather safety tips that include outdoor cooking guidelines. IDHS recommends keeping a fire extinguisher near any grill and to avoid placing a grill on dry grass or near plant materials. IDHS also emphasizes to never leave an outdoor charcoal or gas grill unattended, as flames can become uncontrollable and start a large fire.
The provided resources offer valuable information for anyone preparing to grill. |
| North Webster Community Public Library to present family heirloom program |
On Tuesday, July 21, at 10:30 a.m., the North Webster Community Public Library will present "Preserving the Past: Caring for Family Heirlooms."
Presenter Michelle Nash, curator of collections at the Elkhart County Historical Museum, will teach attendees practical tips for caring for photographs, documents, textiles and other treasured keepsakes so they can be enjoyed for generations to come. Nash earned a master's degree in applied history at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Registration is requested for the program. Click here or call 574-834-7122 to register.
The North Webster community Public Library is located at 110 E. North St. in North Webster. |
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