Disability Pride Month

Posted on July 10, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

July is Disability Pride Month. It is meant to honor the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that was established on July 26, 1990. Ultimately, it seeks “to honor the achievements, identities, history and contributions of individuals with disabilities, all while advocating for a more accessible and inclusive society,” according to the Statewide Independent Living Council. Every Disability Pride Month, advocates strive to reduce the stigma surrounding disabilities. More than one billion people worldwide have some form of disability – including one in four adults in the U.S.

Flag symbolism
The disability pride flag has five different color stripes, each representing a different type of disability.

Red: Physical disabilities.
Gold (Yellow): Cognitive and intellectual disabilities (neurodivergence).
White: Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities.
Blue: Psychiatric and mental health disabilities.
Green: Sensory disabilities (deafness, blindness, audio processing, etc.).
Charcoal gray background: Mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse.

The theme for Disability Pride Month this year is “The World Works Better With Us.” It is meant to underscore the importance of disabled individuals in schools, work and everyday life. The Indiana Talking Books and Braille Library embodies that theme by offering a plethora of books, magazines, resources and equipment to its disabled patron base.

During Disability Pride Month – and every month – the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library at the Indiana State Library ensures that equitable access to materials, information and programs is upheld as law. A wide range of individuals use the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library. Anyone with a visual impairment or physical impairment – and those who have a reading disability, like dyslexia – are welcome to join Indiana the Talking Book and Braille Library program. The Indiana Talking Book and Braille library offers a wide range of books in braille, large type and talking book format. Most importantly, the library offers a large selection of books with a disability focus – from fiction to nonfiction – to ensure patrons feel seen.

The Indiana State Library.

While the Indiana State library does include one assisted technology computer terminal, patrons seeking additional accessibility resources can visit the Indianapolis Public Library. The library offers accessibility workstations with assistive technology, sensory inclusive environments and universal changing stations. Six branches are officially designated as Certified Autism Centers. All locations are ADA compliant.

The Indianapolis Public Library also offers books and digital resources as part of the Expanding Our Story grant from the Clowes Foundation. Resources include online lectures celebrating Disability Pride Month and exhibits. The library occasionally presents sensory-friendly story times, too.

Securing accessibility resources is an effective step toward living an independent and equitable life. These resources are made possible by those who advocate for a more accessible and inclusive society, during Disability Pride Month and beyond.

This post was submitted by Kiley Brinker, reader advisor at the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library.

Sources
https://disability.lacity.gov/understanding-disability-pride-flag
https://www.indypl.org/
Celebrating Disability Pride Month 2026 | Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council

Summer Reading in Indiana

Posted on July 9, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

Summer is a busy time in Indiana public libraries, as most host several weeks of summer reading programming. In fact, public libraries in Indiana are required by the public library standards to offer at least six weeks of a reading program each year, and most choose summertime – when school is out – to accomplish this. During the summer, many libraries offer enhanced programming including story times, crafts, movies, games, parties and even daily lunch (in partnership with USDA’s Summer Food Service Program). Some libraries award prizes based on the number of books, pages or hours read. Some use paper reading logs, others use apps like Beanstack. Larger libraries, like the Indianapolis Public Library, even add additional temporary staff during summer months to help administer their programs.

Summer Reading programs are usually centered around a theme, so there’s no reason for library staff to start from scratch each year. All libraries in Indiana can access thematic resources through the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), an organization that creates summer reading programming and graphics that may be used by libraries around the world. 2026’s theme is “Unearth a Story,” so you may have seen dinosaurs among the stacks at your local library. These materials are made possible in part by Library Service and Technology Act grants awarded to the Indiana State Library by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The Indiana State Library’s Talking Books and Braille Library is also hosting a statewide Summer Reading program for readers of all ages with a print disability. Books are available to borrow from the library in braille, large print and digital audio formats and TBBL staff help select and ship materials to patrons. Participants will receive a gameboard and other activities to complete and prizes are also available.

A newer national summer reading offering, also sponsored by IMLS, is the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge. Children in grades K-8 are encouraged to read twelve books before Sept. 4, complete a fillable tracker and receive a certificate, small prize and chance to visit the Nation’s Capital.

Kids and police officers in foam, during a foam party.

“Lowell Public Library readers and Lowell Police Department enjoy a foam party during the 2025 summer reading program.”

Several Indiana State Library staff work behind the scenes to support summer library programs that help boost literacy and provide lasting positive memories for Hoosier children. Statewide children’s consultant, Beth Yates, provides trainings and resources for library staff statewide. These fun, interactive trainings occur all around the state during the winter months giving libraries plenty of time to prep and plan for summer. During the summer, Indiana Young Readers Center librarian Tammie Buchanan hosts readers, oversees the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award voting and lends thematic kits to libraries. Additionally, Abby Chumin, from TBBL, serves on the CSLP Board of Directors helping to guide decisions and future programming. New for 2026, Yates is planning a Summer Reading Summit for library staff at the Indiana State Library in December. Details on that will be shared on the library’s website once available.

There’s still plenty of time to check out what’s happening this summer at your local library!

This blog post was written by Jen Clifton, Library Development and Professional Development Office director.

What’s Up Wednesday EBSCO INSPIRE series webinars scheduled

Posted on June 25, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

EBSCO is a leading provider of research databases, collection development materials, e-journals and more for many libraries worldwide. The Indiana State Library has been with EBSCO since INSPIRE launched in January 1998. INSPIRE – the lifelong learning library for Hoosiers – provides free access to many EBSCO databases statewide. In early 2026, Indiana residents were given access to all EBSCO resources that had previously been available through INSPIRE, as well as a few new databases. Residents of Indiana could now access EBSCO Academic Search Complete and Business Source Complete, as well as use various research methods like EBSCO Open Dissertations.

During spring 2026, the Indiana State Library’s Professional Development Office booked Shana Ashwood-Viala, senior customer training specialist at EBSCO Information Services, to conduct a training series regarding EBSCO and the new offerings available via INSPIRE. The sessions are part of the Indiana State Library’s What’s Up Wednesday webinar series, and will give residents of Indiana, as well as librarians and librarian staff, real time training on how to access the databases and how to use certain functions. The webinars will also give the confidence to show others how to use EBSCO databases. The first series offering was completed on Wednesday, June 17. “What’s Up Wednesday: EBSCO Databases – What’s New for Indiana State Library” was hosted by Meg Pool. During the session, residents learned about:

EBSCO Management Collection: A collection of 11,117 full-text academic journals, magazines, trade publications, reports and company profiles designed to serve researchers in all fields of business management, including advertising, marketing, banking, public administration and the arts.
EBSCO Open Dissertations: Provides access to 2 million electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) from more than 300 universities worldwide.
Business Source Complete: The new interface for Business Source Complete, a full-text database with content from leading business magazines and journals.

If you missed the first offering, don’t fret! There are plenty of other sessions to attend, and you can view the first session on our YouTube channel.

We hope you can join us at our next session on Wednesday, July 29, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. For more information about the future offerings, you can find the details below or visit the Indiana State Library’s events calendar.

“What’s Up Wednesday: Get To Know EBSCO”
Wednesday, July 29, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time

You will learn what key interfaces and databases you have access to, why they are important and how to access them. We will discover articles, eBooks, journals and primary source documents in popular EBSCO databases; perform basic and advanced searches; and review custom tools and functionality.

Hosted by Meg Pool.

“What’s Up Wednesday: Business Source Complete Overview”
Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time

We will review the new and improved interface for Business Source Complete, EBSCO’s full-text database with content from leading business magazines and journals, including Forbes, Harvard Business Review and Academy of Management Perspectives. We will cover basic and advanced search, review custom content including company profiles, case studies, SWOT analyses and highlight key features including the citation tool, Google and OneDrive integrations and personal MyEBSCO accounts to organize research.

Hosted by George Bergstrom.

“What’s Up Wednesday: LearningExpress Library Complete Overview”
Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time

Join us for an in-depth review of LearningExpress Library; the interactive learning platform that provides the most comprehensive collection of resources for basic skills mastery, academic success, job preparation and career advancement. We will review the user interface, highlight the new content we’ve added and demonstrate key resources for learners of all ages. We will also uncover hidden gems you didn’t know were available and discuss ways to promote these valuable resources. Bring your questions and we’ll learn together!

Hosted by, Paula Newcom.

This post was submitted by Meg Pool, Central regional coordinator at the Indiana State Library.

Marion County birth returns: Rosalind English

Posted on June 18, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

If you have a fascination with early Marion County history or have ancestors from the area, you may be interested in the Indiana State Library’s digitized collection of early Marion County, Indiana birth returns.

Birth returns were filled out by doctors or midwives and returned to the Marion County Health Department. Once they received the return, a birth certificate would be issued. Marion County began keeping birth records in 1882, but they were optional until 1907 and not every family registered their child’s birth. This makes the records in this collection much more captivating, and they are available right at your fingertips online!

In many cases the cards are handwritten by the doctor or midwife and include important details about the family including parents’ names, where they were born, ages, father’s occupation, address and the location of the child’s birth. A few records even include details on the birth itself, like whether it was difficult or easy and a description of why.

The collection is filled with cards for interesting people and families in Indianapolis history. This is part two of a series of blog posts where I’ll be highlighting a few of the fascinating individuals included in Marion County birth returns.

William E. English and Helen Orr English’s only child, Rosalind was born March 10, 1903 in their luxurious apartment at the English Hotel. She was delivered by well-known Indianapolis Doctor, E.F. Hodges whose wife, Laura was the granddaughter of famous Indianapolis pioneer, Calvin Fletcher.

Attorney and U.S. Representative, William E. English managed the English Hotel and Opera House on Monument Circle. His wife, Helen was a prominent gardener who cared for the gardens at the family’s Englishton Park Estate and participated in floral festivals. During one festival, she awarded a prize to a Mr. E.G. Hill for a new rose, a continuous blooming pink variety newly named after her daughter, Rosalind Orr English.

Gardens at Englishton Park Estate. Indiana State Library digital collection.

Postcard showing English Hotel in Indianapolis.

Postcard of the English Hotel Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana State Library digital collection.

Rosalind grew up surrounded by the opulence and excitement of the English Hotel in Indianapolis. With its carved woodwork, marble staircase, balcony overlooking Monument Circle and famous performances, the English Opera House and Hotel was the height of luxury.

Due to the family’s wealth and prominence, she was a popular curiosity to Indiana residents in awe of her upbringing at the center of the bustling city. Frequently featured in Indiana newspapers, she was making the news for her fashions as early as the day after she was born. “Not only is little Rosalind English the richest baby in Indiana, but she will wear the most exquisite outfit ever provided for a little Hoosier … A number of the finest needlewomen in Indianapolis worked several months on the outfit.”

Evansville Courier and Press, March 13, 1903.

As an infant she was, “The baby that has Monument Place for a playground! Little Rosalind Orr English, daughter of Capt. And Mrs. W.E. English has had this big circle in front of the English Hotel for a playground all winter.” Father and daughter didn’t allow the curious onlookers to stop them from playing together. “She insists on playing ‘horse’ with the pink harness, and her imperious highness will have no driver but Capt. English. Pedestrians stop every day to watch the pretty picture of the pair going around the Circle, harnessed together with the pink reins.”

Black and white photo of man and young child.

Indianapolis Star, April 2, 1905.

She was the “best known baby in Indianapolis” with famous Indianapolis poet James Whitcomb Riley declaring her the “breath of the morning”.

Scan of newspaper article featuring photos of baby.

Indianapolis Star, May 22, 1904.

Scan of "Best Known Baby in Indianapolis" article.

Indianapolis Star, May 22, 1904.

She may have been inspired by Riley when she wrote her own book of poetry at a young age. “All of these verses were written before her tenth birthday and her first effort in that line were Christmas rhymes, which were attached to her holiday gifts on one occasion and came as a surprise to her family, whose members did not know she had the rhyming knack.” The book she authored, “Christmas Time and Other Verses” is among the holdings of the Indiana State Library.

Scan of Rosalind English from Indianapolis Star.

Indianapolis Star, Aug. 30, 1914.

Writing poetry was merely one of her many ambitions. As she grew into adulthood, she developed an interest in practicing law, like her father. Her hard work and diligence paid off as she stacked up an impressive list of accomplishments. She was class leader her senior year at Benjamin Harrison Law School, became a member of the Indianapolis Bar, was active in Republican politics, organized women voters and was a member of the businesswoman’s section of the Indianapolis League of Women Voters. Rosalind was also named executive secretary of the first Republican voters’ and college club bureau.

For all her talents and successes, she expressed feelings of conflict regarding her place as a woman in the legal profession, a reflection of a time when there were few practicing female lawyers. Regardless of the challenges, she was determined to forge ahead.

“‘It was unobliging of me not to have been a boy,” she declared. “For there has been a lawyer in every generation of the English family. My great-grandfather, Elijah English was a lawyer and I believe he would want me to be one, too. I used to go to Legislature with my father and there it was marked who had a knowledge of law and who didn’t, I have always been interested in this part of my family history and will try to make up for not being a boy by being a first-class woman lawyer. It can be done.’”

Scan of newspaper article featuring Rosalind English.

Indianapolis News, Feb. 11, 1922.

She wasn’t alone in her efforts to break new ground for women. Rosalind was frequently mentioned in the newspaper working alongside other influential women pursuing similar political and professional goals. The first woman to prosecute a criminal case in Marion County Criminal Court, Jesse Levy worked alongside Rosalind in organizing women voters. Levy also presented the motion for Rosalind to practice law before the Indiana Supreme Court in 1924. It’s likely these women offered one another support and encouragement as they worked towards a common end and entered spheres where women were only recently admitted.

Kokomo Tribune, March 15, 1924.

Indianapolis Times, Aug. 28, 1924.

Sadly, Rosalind’s life was cut short and she died at the age of 21 in a tragic automobile accident shortly before she was to enter Columbia University Law School. This was not long after the motion presented by Levy for her to practice law before the Indiana Supreme Court, when her career was just beginning and her life was full of promise.

Scan of newspaper article about death of Rosalind English.

Indianapolis Times Dec. 23, 1924.

The heartfelt inscription on the family marker at Crown Hill Cemetery reads:

Rosalind Orr English, only child of William E. English and Helen Orr English.

Taken at the age of 21 years in the flower and beaty of her youth and on the threshold of a brilliant career. A political public speaker before her majority, an attorney, admitted to the bar on her 21^st birthday, a writer of poems at 8 and at the age of 11 she wrote these words so fittingly quoted here

Sleep and rest, sleep and rest. Mourned by those who loved thee best, while holy angels guard and keep, sleep my baby, sleep.

A short life measured by years, but a long life measured by accomplishments.

If you would like to learn more about what it may have been like for members of the English family as they gazed over Monument Circle, went on vacation or spent time at their estate you can explore the Indiana State Library’s digital collections of English family photos. You may even spot Rosalind as a toddler on the balcony of the hotel looking at the hustle and bustle on the downtown streets below.

This blog post is by Dagny Villegas, Genealogy Division librarian.

Sources:
“Assist League Meeting.” Indianapolis Star, 10/28/1923, p. 65

“Baby’s Rare Playground.” Indianapolis Star, 04/02/1905, p. B29

“Best Known Baby in Indianapolis.” Indianapolis Star, 05/22/1904, p. 7

“Career of young woman lawyer ended by death.” Indianapolis Times, 12/23/1924, p. 1

“Fate of Clark Goes to Jury Early Today.” The Anderson Herald, 03/24/1934, p. 1

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45991874/rosalind_orr-parsons: accessed January 30, 2026), memorial page for Rosalind Orr English Parsons (10 Mar 1903–22 Dec 1924), Find a Grave Memorial ID 45991874, citing Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by John C. Anderson (contributor 47208015).

Helen Orr English. “Autumn Magic Transforms Englishton Park Into a Veritable Floral Fairyland.” Indianapolis Star, 10/30/1910

“Hoosier Women to Go to Polls: Organize for active fall campaign.” Indianapolis Times, 08/28/1924, p. 2

Kokomo Tribune, March 15, 1924, p. 2

“Mrs. Parsons to Work in First Voters’ Clubs: Named executive secretary of G.O.P. State Bureau.” Indianapolis News, 09/19/1924, p. 25

Richard W. Worth. “English Hotel and Opera House.” Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, https://indyencyclopedia.org/english-hotel-and-opera-house-1880-1948/#:~:text=The%20English%20was%20the%20premier,Penney%20building%2C%20which%20replaced%20them

“Richest Baby in Indiana.” Evansville Courier and Press, 03/13/1903, p. 8

“Rosalind English Writes Book of Verse.” Indianapolis Star, 08/30/1914, p. C4

“Roses, Rare and Radiant: Feature of the flower show afternoon and evening.” Indianapolis Journal, 11/13/1903, p. 12

Stacey Nicholas. “William Eastin English.” Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, https://indyencyclopedia.org/william-eastin-english/

“Woman Prosecutes Murder Case.” Indianapolis Times, 12/10/1925, p. 5

“Woman Takes Her Law Studies Seriously and Wishes to Join Father in Profession.” Indianapolis News, 02/11/1922, p. 19

Preserving a piece of our past

Posted on June 15, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

Over the past year, the Riley Hospital Historic Preservation Committee worked to create a comprehensive history of the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Medical Educational Resources Program (MERP). Their 14‑month effort brought together decades of hard‑to‑find records, archival materials and firsthand recollections into a cohesive and detailed narrative.

With the encouragement of colleagues in the IU School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics and the Office of Continuing Education in Healthcare Professions, the team adapted this history into a four‑part series now featured on the IUSM Blog. This collaboration was made possible thanks to the ongoing support of the Department of Pediatrics Communications Team and the IUSM’s Strategic Communications and Visual Media Team, whose efforts helped bring the series to publication and ensure it reaches a wide audience.

Each post explores a different chapter of MERP’s impact, from the early days of statewide instructional technology, to pioneering uses of video in medical education, to expanding continuing medical education beyond the medical center. The series also draws on valuable primary recollections from Sharon Chenoweth Green, whose early involvement with MERP provided essential historical detail.

Readers can navigate all four posts through the “Suggested for You” section on each page or via the direct links:

Building a Statewide Classroom: WAT 21 and IHETS (Dec. 18, 2025).
Building a Statewide Classroom: The Indiana Plan and early video technology (Jan. 5, 2026).
Building a Statewide Classroom: Pioneering use of video in instruction, continuing ed (Jan. 13, 2026).
Building a Statewide Classroom: Innovations in teaching include newborn care, community service (Feb. 2, 2026).

In addition to the online history series, the Indiana State Library preserves the print editions of the MERP Memo newsletter in its Indiana serials collection, providing an important primary source record of the program’s development and day‑to‑day work. These newsletters capture MERP’s innovations, milestones and evolving role in medical education, offering researchers and historians a rare and detailed look at how the program operated in real time.

Together, these entries preserve and celebrate a significant chapter in Indiana’s medical education history, offering valuable reference material for researchers, educators and anyone interested in MERP’s lasting contributions.

You can also find a bound print copy of the blog articles in the Indiana State Library Indiana Collection.

This blog post was submitted by Michelle Frost, collections and outreach manager at the Indiana State Library.

Let’s go on a genealogy road trip!

Posted on June 12, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

Summertime is the time for road trips, and if you are lucky enough to live in the state of Indiana you are surrounded by excellent institutions for genealogy research – so, let’s go on a genealogy road trip!

Day one: Newberry Library
Starting in Chicago, the first stop is at the Newberry Library, located at 60 W. Walton St. The Newberry Library is an independent research library, and genealogy is one of library’s core subjects. The Newberry Library is particularly helpful when working on Chicagoland genealogy. To use this library, you will first need to get a Reader’s Card, this can be started online or applied for in-person the day of your visit. The reader’s card allows you to request items to be brought to you in a reading room for examination. You should start your visit at the Herget Welcome Center on the first floor of the library.

Day two: Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
Three-and-half-hours to the east of Chicago is the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, located at 900 Library Plaza in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Center is home to the largest genealogy collection available in a public library. The Center has a robust collection of North American materials, British Isles materials and over 50,000 family histories. Visit Fort Wayne has provided an excellent guide for visiting the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.

Days three and four: The Hoosier History Triangle

When the Indiana State Archives finishes its move later this year, genealogists will be able to visit the Hoosier History Triangle in Indianapolis.

The Indiana State Library is located at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis. Though the earliest family history book was acquired in the 1890s, the Genealogy Division of the Indiana State Library did not open as its own division until 1934. The Genealogy Division has a healthy collection of over 40,000 print items. The emphasis of the collection is on Indiana and bordering states, as well as eastern and southern states.

The Indiana Division of the Indiana State Library complements genealogy research with its collection of Indiana newspapers, Indiana county histories, Indiana maps, and Indiana city directories. To prepare for your trip to the Indiana State Library, start at the home page for information on hours, directions, and parking.

The Indiana State Archives building is located at 350 W. Ohio St. in Indianapolis, directly across the street from the Indiana State Library. The Indiana State Archives protects and provides access to documents for the state of Indiana, this includes records from various Indiana counties; and lucky you, you can use these documents for genealogy research! Highlights of the collection include naturalization records for 81 of Indiana’s 92 counties, discharge certificates for World War II, some older civil order books for Indiana counties and records for Indiana institutions. Before visiting the Archives, start with the information page for hours and reading room policies, then visit the Archives Holdings page for indexes, the catalog and finding aids – do not miss the Collections By Subject Area found on the same page. Appointments are highly encouraged so that records can be retrieved prior to your visit. Please note that the reading room and research collection will be closed at the Archives current location of 6440 E. 30th St. location until the Archives move to its new location.

The Indiana Historical Society’s William Henry Smith Memorial Library is located at 450 W. Ohio St. in Indianapolis in the Indiana Historical Society building, directly across the canal from the Indiana Archives building. Using the Indiana Historical Library’s collection of more than 45,000 printed items, thousands of manuscript collections and 1.7 million photographs will help you fill out the social history your ancestor lived in. Highlights of the collection include church records and family papers. The Using Our Library page will help prepare for your visit to the library.

Day five: John Hay Center Genealogical Research Library
The John Hay Center Genealogical Research Library is located at 307 E. Market St. in Salem, Indiana. The John Hay Center Genealogical Research Library is the research library of the Washington County Historical Society and has a collection of Washington County records dating back to the 19th century. Non-member visitors to the library may have access by paying fees starting at $5. Before your visit, view the Genealogical Research Library page. The John Hay Center hours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. However, I would suggest contacting the library to confirm your visit.

Interested in other county genealogical libraries? Use the Indiana Counties Page provided by the Indiana Genealogical Society to plan future road trips!

Day six: Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library
The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library is located at 800 Vine St. in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library’s Genealogy & Local History Department houses one of the largest and oldest genealogy collections in the nation, with more than 100,000 books,1,500 periodicals and 12,000 family histories. Many Hoosier ancestors have connections to the Ohio River port of Cincinnati, and this library is the place to explore those connections. Before your visit, explore the Genealogy and Local History Department page – don’t forget to click on the “visit us in person” link.

Do you have Kentucky ancestors? Take a side trip to these locations:

The Kenton County Public Library is located at 502 Scott Blvd. in Covington, Kentucky. It’s 15-20 minutes away from the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library.
The Filson Historical Society, Research Library is located at 1310 S. 3rd St. Louisville, Kentucky.

Picture of the Genealogy Center at Allen County Public Library.

The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library.

Prepare for your genealogy road trip

Explore the library websites of the places you plan on visiting.
Find out ahead of your trip about parking, fees, hours (including unexpected closures) and special rules.
Search online catalogs before your visit.
Have a research plan for the library you are visiting.
Bring the family files and family notes you will need for your research.
Try to focus your research time on those materials you can only access at that particular library.
Take a walk around the research area to familiarize yourself as to how the materials are organized.
Bring your research tools: flash drives, notebooks, pencils/pens/highlighters.
Ask questions of the librarians.

This blog post is by Angi Porter, Genealogy Division librarian.

For More Information:
Getting the Most out of a Library Visit
Planning to Visit an Archive

Books from the Indiana State Library:
“Searching on Location: Planning a Research Trip.” Call number:
ISLG 929 B185S
“Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide.” Call number: ISLG 929 E375RE

Exploring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen

Posted on June 3, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

Dive into the inspiring history of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s pioneering Black aviators who broke barriers during World War II. In our reference guide, you’ll find a curated selection of books and electronic resources from the Indiana State Library’s collection.

If you want to learn more about the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, be sure to check out the free panel discussion being held at the Indiana State Museum as part of their Juneteenth Saturday Celebration on Saturday, June 20.

“History of the Tuskegee Airmen” will take place at the Indiana State Museum from 1-2 p.m., and will feature modern-day pilots from the Indianapolis Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, joined by Kisha Tandy, curator of social history. Join in as these contemporary aviators discuss the enduring legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and how their bravery continues to inspire new generations.

We invite you to explore this important history through our curated reference guide and then continue your learning by attending the “History of the Tuskegee Airmen” panel at the Indiana State Museum’s Juneteenth Celebration. Together, these resources and community conversations help bring the powerful legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen to life.

Indiana State Library Tuskegee Airmen Reference Guide

“The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s over Germany”
Ambrose, Stephen
ISLM D790 .A786 2001
General book collection

“The Tuskegee Airmen: The story of the Negro in the U.S. Air Force”
Francis, Charles E.
ISLM D810.N4 F76
General book collection

“Tuskegee Airmen Chronology”
Haulman, Daniel L.
ISLM D 301.82/7:T 87
Electronic resource

“Black Knights: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen”
Homan, Lynn M.
ISLM UG834.A37 H64 2001
Browsing collection

“United States Army Aeromedical Support to African American Fliers, 1941-1949: The Tuskegee Flight Surgeons”
Jones, David Randolph
ISLM D 301.2:AE 8/11
Electronic resource

“Invisible Generals: Rediscovering Family Legacy, and a Quest to Honor America’s First Black Generals”
Melville, Doug
ISLM U53.D38 M45 2024d
Large type collection

“Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Alabama”
National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior
ISLM I 29.6/6:T 87
General federal documents collection

“Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen”
United States
ISLM AE 2.110:109-213
General federal documents collection
Electronic resource: Text version
Electronic resource: PDF version

“An Act to Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 99 Macombs Place in New York, New Yor, as the ‘Tuskegee Airmen Post Office Building’.”
U.S. Government Publishing Office
ISLM AE 2.110:115-211
Electronic resource: PDF version
Electronic resource: Text version

“The Freemen Field Mutiny”
Warren, James C. Lt. Col
ISLI 940.54 W289F
Indiana collection

You can read more on the Freeman Field Uprising on the Indiana Historical Bureau blog.

“Tuskegee: A Retrospect and Prospect”
Washington, Booker T.
Electronic resource

“Indiana Aviation Escape Experience Kit,” Bilingual: English/Spanish
Included in this kit is (almost) everything you need to host escape experiences at your library based on Indiana history and featuring primary source documents.

*Escape Experience Kits are available to Indiana librarians and teachers.

This blog post was submitted by Michelle Frost, collections and outreach manager at the Indiana State Library.

Geospatial awareness in Indiana: Mapping our community past to present

Posted on May 28, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

Indiana has a geospatial learning community like no other. We have a supportive network of peers which rivals any other state. Why? Because we value our community and we keep learning more to contribute to the value of our work. The teaching and learning of digital mapping continues as a result of this positive cycle. Our Indiana Geographical Information Council (IGIC) conference occurs annually each May. It is attended by geospatial professionals, new and seasoned geographic information system (GIS) and data users, educators and students from Indiana and the surrounding states. This year marked the fourth conference competition for GIS students and early professionals, held by the IGIC Emerging Professional Group. Geography and GIS courses and degree programs are offered by Indiana colleges and through organizations like The Polis Center. People who are looking to learn GIS fundamentals can attend the Indiana Geospatial Training Academy (IN-GTA). GIS practitioners in this state come from a wide array of backgrounds and a number of them have gained their GISPs, an additional certification level for GIS professionals. There are also many geospatial courses and tools that can be found online at no cost. New learners are welcome!

Indiana’s geospatial history goes back to the mapping of Indiana geology and the first state geologist of Indiana, David Dale Owen (son of New Harmony founder Robert Owen), whose early geologic reports (the state’s first) precede our Indiana Geological and Water Survey (IGWS). Read more in A StoryMap: Landmarks in Indiana Geology – A Timeline. Indiana geography history harkens back to the first land surveying done in the U.S., early USGS maps and Purdue University’s early 20th century soil surveys. Today, the public can view map collections, both digital and in print, held by the Indiana State Library and by Indiana University, going back to the days of the Vincennes territory.

GIS is being used in Indiana to create new digital maps every day to answer questions and solve problems statewide. Historical paper maps remain accessible at libraries, as they can be used to discover paths to the past to verify land ownership, view location details and track geographic patterns over time. Not everything has been digitized, so call upon librarians for support!

Preview the print map collections and find digitized maps using the Indiana State Library Map Collection websites and the State Data Center Maps webpage. To view historical maps in print, you can visit the State Library weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and every second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

View a subject guide from Indiana University Bloomington about their map collection, the largest in the state, as well as GIS tools here.

If you aren’t involved yet in exploring geospatial tools, this is your chance to discover how these resources can help illuminate parts of your own research and continue to tell your stories. You do not need to have a degree or know much about the technical side of GIS to benefit from it. Check out the Library of Congress collection of story maps to see the kinds of resources being produced today on all topics.

The Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH), holds a free conference, Data Day, each spring in downtown Indianapolis at Indiana Government Center South. Many state agencies incorporate GIS and use geospatial data in their projects and demonstrate these during the conference. Visit the Data Day 2026 website to view highlights from this year’s sessions as well as session materials from previous years.

The Indiana Geographic Information Office (IGIO) holds a free conference, GIS Day, each year in the fall during national Geography Awareness Week, also at IGC-South. This year’s upcoming conference is Wednesday, Nov. 18. You can contact outreach staff for the office here. For more details about the IGIO, visit A StoryMap: 5-Year GIO Strategic Plan For the Indiana Geographic Information Office. The IGIO is also responsible for IndianaMap, the public portal to geospatial data. Here, you can use the viewer to select features and add map layers yourself from the Data Catalog.

At the IU-Indianapolis Department of Geography, you’ll find GENI, the Geography Educators’ Network of Indiana, which is especially geared towards K-12 and university-level outreach. Explore the website for lesson plans, educational resources, and opportunities for starting and supporting a career in geospatial arts and sciences.

Saturday, June 20, is the grand re-opening of the Indiana Geological and Water Survey Learning Lab, an experiential learning experience for all ages. Learning Lab open hours at the new location will begin on Tuesday, June 16.

Coming up Sunday, Sept. 20, in partnership with the Indianapolis Public Library, attend a GIS Basics program at Central Library, “Mapping Indianapolis: The Science of Somewhere.” Visit here for more information, to register and for a reading list curated by Montoya Barker, Special Collections librarian.

The wonders of mapping are here at your fingertips. There are so many ways to get involved in using maps to learn about the world around us. You can start at your library!

This blog post was written by Katie Springer, reference librarian and director of the Indiana State Data Center. For more information, contact the Reference and Government Services Division at 317-232-3678, or submit an Ask-A-Librarian request.

Analog skills in a digital-centric world

Posted on May 22, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

If you can easily read the opening sentence as “In the year 2026, some skills are fading from use,” then you were likely born before the digital era. What older generations once understood instantly now requires analog skills that today’s digital environment rarely demands. Among these skills are writing and reading cursive handwriting, deciphering Roman numerals, telling time on an analog clock and navigating by using paper maps.

There are concerns that today’s students don’t know how to read or write cursive handwriting, as schools devote less time to teaching it. In Indiana, the current handwriting standard for third grade only requires that students learn to “write legibly in print or cursive, leaving space between letters in a word, words, in a sentence, and words and the edges of the paper.” Without regular practice, future historians and genealogists may struggle to read handwritten documents. Will they depend entirely on artificial intelligence to convert handwriting into machine‑readable text?

Highlights of the Indiana State Library Manuscripts Collection, 28th United States Colored Troops correspondence, 1863-1864.

Transcript of above correspondence. "TranscriptIndianapolis Jan 7 64 Sir The bearer Saml. [Samuel] Matthews has enlisted and been mustered as a private in a white company of Greensburgh[sic] Decatur Co. by Capt. Swain. His being a man of color has subjected him to persecution & he was obliged to leave camp. He desires to be transferred to the colored battallion & of course[?] it would be best for him to have it done at once. Respy.[Respectfully], William P. Fishback Commandant Adj. [Adjutant] Gen. [General] Noble Indianapolis"

Transcription of the above correspondence.

Some online tools such as Transkribus are already using AI for handwritten text recognition and continue to improve the accuracy of results. When the 1950 U.S. Census population schedules were released in April 2022, the U.S. National Archives indexed them quickly using Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. A 2025 blog post from ISL’s Genealogy Division reported that breakthrough AI technology has transformed how genealogy records are indexed and discovered on FamilySearch.org.

Recognizing Roman numerals is another increasingly uncommon skill. No one wants to make the mistake of misreading “World War II” as “World War Eleven.” Roman numerals remain relevant and appear on monuments, movie copyright statements, Super Bowls, generational suffixes (II, III, IV), Popes, royalty and in book chapters and multi-volume works. The U.S. Government Publishing Office Style Manual (2017) has a section explaining Roman numerals (see below).

Indiana’s second-grade mathematics standard requires students to learn to “tell and write time to the nearest five minutes from analog clocks, using a.m. and p.m.” Since many classical clock faces have Roman numerals, that is an opportunity to learn both skills together.

The Indiana State Library has an extensive collection of sheet maps, atlases and even a few globes. Researchers utilize the county map collection with enough frequency that many historical maps have been digitized for preservation, wider access and downloadability.

Indiana State Library Map Collection.

Yet in an age of GPS, the general ability to navigate with printed maps is fading. Analog map reading involves interpreting scales, symbols and grids to measure distances and understand terrain – skills less practiced as many travelers rely solely on digital navigation. Before GPS, family road trips required a good road atlas or free state highway map to plot a route. In 2021, the Indiana Department of Transportation cited increased GPS usage as a reason to stop printing state roadway maps, instead offering a downloadable copy.

Indiana Social Studies Standards introduce map concepts as early as kindergarten and continue through elementary grades. By fifth grade, students should “use maps and globes to locate states, capitals, major cities, major rivers, the Great Lakes and mountain ranges in the United States.” If their GPS lets them down, will digital natives appreciate having the skillset to read a print map?

As the saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” It remains unclear whether digital natives will master analog skills, as this depends on their personal interests and the influence of those who value such skills. And with keyboards, digital clocks, and GPS handling many tasks, will future generations even need these skills?

This post was written by Andrea Glenn, Indiana Division librarian and state documents coordinator at the Indiana State Library.

Resources
Ferrante, Ricc. “Is There a Place for Paleography in Archives?” Smithsonian Institution Archives, January 23, 2018. Accessed May 21, 2026.

Indiana Department of Education. Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts (2023). Accessed May 21, 2026.

Indiana Department of Education. Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics (2023). Accessed May 21, 2026.

Indiana Department of Education. Indiana Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026). Accessed May 21, 2026.

“Reading Old Documents.” The British National Archives. Accessed May 21, 2026.

Thompson, Clive. “From Ptolemy to GPS, the Brief History of Maps.” Smithsonian Magazine, July 4, 2017. Accessed May 21, 2026.

“Transcription Tips.” U.S. National Archives, March 12, 2025. Accessed May 21, 2026.

U.S. Government Publishing Office. U.S. Government Publishing Office Style Manual. Government. U.S. Government Publishing Office, January 11, 2017. Accessed May 21, 2026.

The Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption

Posted on May 18, 2026 by indianastatelibrary

Located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Skamania County, Washington, Mount St. Helens is a stratovolcano and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

On Sunday, May 18, 1980 at 8:32 a.m. Pacific Time, Mount St. Helens erupted. An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale preceded the eruption. The eruption lasted nine hours, causing landslides and mudslides, along with the devastation of the forests, lands, vegetation, wildlife, residences and roads in the area. In addition, volcanic ash dust traveled across 11 states and even some areas of Canada several days after the eruption. A total of 57 people lost their lives. After the Mount St. Helens Eruption, the United States Army Corps Engineers began recovery and construction efforts.

In August 1982, the United States Congress passed the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Act. The act was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, officially establishing the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument where the public could visit the area and for scientists to conduct research.

In May 2025, the United States Geological Survey Library commemorated the 45th anniversary of the volcano’s eruption with a special exhibit at the United States Geological Survey National Center in Reston, Virginia.

The Indiana State Library has several titles in its federal documents collection relating to the Mount St. Helens Eruption:

"The Eruption of Mount Saint Helens" federal document cover.

“The Eruption of Mount Saint Helens: May 18, 1980.” ISLM C 55.2:ER 9

"Volcanic Eruptions of 1980 at Mount St. Helens" book cover.

“Volcanic Eruptions of 1980 at Mount St. Helens: The First 100 Days.” ISLM I 19.16:1249

"Observations of Eruptions" document cover.

“Observation of the Eruptions of July 22 and August 7, 1980, at Mount St. Helens, Washington.” ISLM I 19.16:1335

"Mount Saint Helen Hearings" pamphlet cover.

“Disaster Assistance Pacific Northwest – Mount Saint Helens Eruption, Fiscal Year 1980: Senate Hearings Before the Committee on Agriculture, 96th Congress, First Session.” ISLM Y 4.AP 6/2:D 63/7 1980 and “Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Area Act of 1982: Hearings … Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, 97th Congress, Second Session … Washington, D.C., March 12, 1982; Kelso, Wash., April 7, 1982.” ISLM Y 4.EN 2:97-93

Here are transcripts of additional hearings on the eruption of Mount St. Helens:

“Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Area: Joint Hearings … Committee on Agriculture … Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, House of Representatives … 97^th Congress, Second Session … March 11, 1982, Washington D.C.; April 3, 1982, Vancouver, Wash.” ISLM Y 4.AG 8/1:97-III

“Recovery of Forest Resources from the Greater Yellowstone Wildfires, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, and the Mount St. Helens Eruption: Hearing … Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, 100^th Congress, First Session, April 10, 1991.” ISLM Y 4.AG 8/1:102-8

“Mount St. Helens Impact: Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, 96^thCongress, Second Session … June 13, 1980.” ISLM Y 4.C 73/7:96-108

“Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Completion Act: Hearing … Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, 100^th Congress, First Session … October 29, 1997.” ISLM Y 4.EN 2:9S. HRG. 105-377

Other historical societies and government agencies have online resources about the eruption:

Footage of the Mount St. Helens Eruption via the Smithsonian Channel