Author Archives: indianastatelibrary

Indiana Affiliate Center for the Book celebrates National Library Week with Library of Congress card catalog kiosk at Indiana Young Readers Center at the State Library

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The Indiana Affiliate Center for the Book 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. All 50 states and six territories have received a catalog. The card catalog has been transformed into a Library of Congress information kiosk to help remind library patrons – especially during National Library Week – that the Library of Congress is a library for all.

Photo of card catalog.

The kiosk in the Indiana Young Readers Center is one of 56 distributed throughout the U.S. and its territories.

Every card catalog kiosk features signage indicating the card catalog was once in active use at the Library of Congress and explaining 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’s website that contains more information.

The 15 Library of Congress services and programs highlighted are:

“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!”

About card catalogs
Card catalogs were a familiar sight to library users beginning in the middle of the 19th century and lasting for decades. Every drawer contained hundreds of individual cards that featured information about each item in a library’s collection. Arranged by title, author and subject, the cards helped people find materials and helped libraries to keep track of their collections. In the 1970s, the digitization of library catalogs began, and soon the physical card catalogs cases were retired. The Library of Congress catalog – once held in card catalog cases – is now available online.

About National Library Week
National Library Week was established in 1958 by the American Library Association to encourage, support and promote library use while acknowledging the essential contributions of libraries and staff in strengthening communities. National Library Week runs April 19-25. This year’s theme is “Find Your Joy.”

About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the U.S. – and extensive materials from around the world – both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Researchers can explore collections and reference services, plan a visit, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information and register creative works of authorship.

About the Library of Congress Center for the Book
The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is a community of 56 Affiliated Centers, promoting reading, libraries and literacy through the Library of Congress and its Affiliated Centers across the country. These Centers also elevate and advocate for their state’s unique literary heritage – developed by writers whose works reflect distinctively American places. Their stories, novels, essays, poems and other written works, rooted in the nation’s extraordinary diversity of people and geography, are often featured in the programs supported by the Affiliated Centers for the Book.

There is an Affiliate Center for the Book in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Northern Marianas.

These Centers engage, inspire, and inform diverse audiences through author talks, web-based programs, podcasts, videos, writing challenges for young people, book festivals and other events designed to advance appreciation of the written word. They also play a role in the annual Library of Congress National Book Festival by naming a book to the Great Reads from Great Places program, and they send representatives to the festival to promote their state’s literary heritage to thousands of festivalgoers. In addition, they help to promote the activities and initiatives of the Library of Congress, the Center for Learning, Literacy and Engagement, as well as those of the other Affiliated Centers for the Book.

“We are very grateful for the Library’s Affiliate Centers for the Book,” said Lee Ann Potter, director of Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives at the Library of Congress. “Not only does this community of 56 organizations regularly help the Library of Congress promote reading, libraries and literacy across the country, but all of them played an important role in finding fabulous homes for the card catalog kiosks in their states or territories. The responses we are getting from the Affiliate Center directors have been inspiring.”

About the Indiana Affiliate Center for the Book
The Center for the Book promotes interest in reading, writing, literacy, libraries and Indiana’s literary heritage by sponsoring events and serving as an information resource at the state and local level. The Center supports both the professional endeavors and the popular pursuits of Indiana residents toward reading and writing.

Indiana’s card catalog kiosk
The Indiana card catalog information kiosk can be found at the Indiana State Library in the Young Readers Center. The State Library is at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis. The library is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on some select Saturdays. Email or call 317-232-3700 for more information about the kiosk. Click on the links for more information about the Indiana State Library, the Indiana Young Readers Center and the Indiana Affiliate Center for the Book.

This blog post weas submitted by the Library of Congress and edited by the Indiana State Library.

The great San Francisco earthquake of 1906

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April 18, 2026, will be the 120th anniversary of the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The earthquake began on the morning of April 18, 1906, at 5:12 a.m. Pacific Time. It is estimated that the magnitude of the earthquake was between 7.9 and 8.25. Over three days, the city and surrounding areas experienced several fires and aftershocks. San Francisco, the epicenter of the earthquake, sustained the most damaged. An estimated 3,000 people lost their lives in the earthquake.

The U.S. Army sent around 4,000 troops to assist local authorities with evacuation, debris removal and to stop riots and looting. The Army also helped build temporary shelters for people whose homes had been destroyed in the earthquake. Funds for disaster relief and reconstruction were approved by the U.S. Congress. It took over nine years for San Francisco to be rebuilt.

A centennial celebration was held in 2006. Among the attendees were several survivors of the earthquake, the oldest survivor being 113.

The Indiana State Library has several resources in its collection about the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906:

Inside of book reading "The San Francisco Earthquake."

“The San Francisco Earthquake” by Gordon Thomas and Max Morgan Witts. ISLM F869.S3 T44.

Inside of book showing map of San Francisco.

“The Great Earthquake and Fire: San Francisco, 1906” by John Castillo Kennedy. ISLM F869.S3 K4.

Inside of book reading "The San Francisco Relief Survey."

“San Francisco Relief Survey: The Organization and Methods of Relief Use After the Earthquake and Fire of April 18, 1906” by The Russell Sage Foundation. ISLM 361 O15s.

Book cover reading "Facing the Great Disaster."

“Facing the Great Disaster: How the Men and Women of the U.S. Geological Survey Responded to the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake,” by Elizabeth M. Colvard and James Rogers ISLM I 19.174:3 Online access only.

Book cover reading "The Art of War: A Legacy of Ashes: The US Army and the Destruction of San Francisco."

“A Legacy of Ashes: The U.S. Army and the Destruction of San Francisco” by Erik C. Alfsen. ISLM D 110.18:SA 5. Online access only.

In addition to the titles listed above, the Indiana State Library has transcripts of hearings held by the United States Congress regarding the earthquake. Here are a few:

“Relief for San Francisco: Message from the President of the United States.” Report from Secretary of War William Howard Taft submitted by President Theodore Roosevelt to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. ISLM p.d. 328 I9t, vol. 49, no. 714.

“Government Buildings Damaged in San Francisco, etc. Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury.” Secretary of the Treasury Leslie Mortier Shaw’s report to the U.S. House of Representatives. ISLM p.d. 328 I9t, vol. 50, no. 778.

“Government Buildings Damaged in San Francisco, etc. Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury.” Secretary of the Treasury Leslie Mortier Shaw’s report to the U.S. Senate. ISLM p.d. 328 I9s, vol. 7, no. 433.

Other scientific and government agencies also have resources about the earthquake:

California Academy of Science.
Library of Congress – Chronicling America.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
National Archives.
National Parks Service.
United States Geological Survey.
University of California-Berkley Seismology Laboratory.

This blog post was written by Michele Fenton, monographs and federal documents catalog librarian.

Public library audits in Indiana

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Like other public entities (such as townships and schools), Indiana public libraries are subject to regular financial audits, typically every three to five years. During the audit examination process, the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA) applies a prescribed process where an auditor works in conjunction with the library’s director, treasurer and bookkeeper (if applicable) to review the library’s financial records and practices.

In the past, auditors would physically visit the public library and sift through paper and electronic physical records, which could take weeks. In recent years, the State Board of Accounts has been able to harness available reporting technology to complete part of the audit remotely using information the library has already reported via the Indiana Gateway for Government Units. If reports have been submitted correctly and regularly, this can greatly reduce the time needed for an audit.

Decorative clipart graphic showing people performing an audit. As legislation and SBOA procedures are updated, financial best practices and audit requirements can also change over the years. Recent changes within the past decade involve a requirement that libraries must have internal controls in place. Internal controls are a set of rules and procedures involved in money handling. Some controls are specified by SBOA and others are set locally, based on the library’s staffing and cash handling model. All staff who handle money, from desk staff who collect fines and copier coins, to the library’s director who handles the library’s banking and budget, are required to complete training and follow their library’s procedures to prevent any instances of fraud or misappropriation.

Another recent change is that Indiana libraries are required to track all capital assets – items the library owns that meet a certain cost threshold. These may include land and structures possessed by the library, equipment or vehicles (like bookmobiles). Even the books in a library’s collection, as a total, are considered a capital asset, and when completing the annual financial report, a library is responsible for estimating the value of their collection as a whole and any depreciation or additions that may have occurred within the previous year. The purpose of reporting on capital assets is to make sure these most costly things are examined and reported annually.

At the completion of an audit, libraries receive a written report either confirming there were no exceptions found (a “clean” audit), or a report listing any exceptions (issues) that need to be addressed. Libraries have a chance to provide a written response explaining any issues or any corrective actions already taken. Subsequent audits will monitor for any previous exceptions. Copies of audits are also sent to the Indiana State Library’s Library Development Office for review. Most audits contain no issues or only a few minor exceptions, but this audit process has occasionally uncovered cases of fraud and mismanagement of public funds which were followed up on accordingly.

A library is responsible for the cost of their own audit. Libraries are assessed an hourly rate and the amount billed by SBOA is deducted from a future tax draw (as approximately 90% of Indiana public library funding comes directly from taxes). Good recordkeeping and reporting can help reduce the time spent and amount assessed for the audit, but some libraries are structurally more complex than others depending on number of locations, staff, complexity of their funds accounting, financials, etc. Additionally, some libraries have disputed that their audit process was inordinately lengthy or complex despite their best efforts.

All library audits are a public record and most recent audits may be viewed on the State Board of Accounts website.

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

Are Indiana public libraries “youth program centers?” What recent law changes mean for libraries

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Indiana libraries are increasingly asking whether they qualify as “youth program centers” under state law, and what that means for library operations. Even though libraries aren’t named directly in the statute, several parts of Indiana law suggest they likely fall into this category.

Decorative.Indiana Code defines a youth program center as any place that regularly provides programs or services for people under 18. Public libraries routinely offer story times, teen events, summer reading programs and other youth activities. Because of this, they likely meet the definition. This matters because certain laws apply to these locations. Offenders convicted of crimes against children generally cannot live within 1,000 feet of a public library. Sexually violent predators and offenders against children cannot work or volunteer in a public library. An Indiana Court of Appeals case, Sewell v. State (2012), supports this interpretation. The court held that a church was a youth program center simply because it held weekly youth activities.

What Senate Bill 119 changes
Senate Bill 119, recently passed by the Indiana General Assembly, adds two new rules related to where certain sex offenders may be present. The bill makes it a felony for certain offenders to work or volunteer at facilities or events directed primarily at children. For libraries, this change has little practical impact because existing laws already restrict who may work or volunteer in a library. A more notable change is that serious sex offenders cannot knowingly enter a facility where children’s programming is happening. This means entering a library during a children’s event could be a felony if the person knows the event is in progress. The law does not create new obligations for libraries. The responsibility remains with the individual offender.

Optional steps libraries may consider
While not required, libraries may choose to post a temporary sign on the door that says something to the effect of: “Children’s programming in progress” during events. Library staff may also contact law enforcement if staff become aware that a sex offender is present during children’s programming. Enforcement decisions remain with law enforcement, not library staff.

Could these rules be challenged?
A federal case from the 10th Circuit, Doe v. City of Albuquerque, ruled that a total ban on sex offenders in libraries violates the First Amendment because it is too broad. However, Indiana’s law is narrower. It limits access only during children’s events, meaning other access remains available. Because of this, it is more likely to withstand constitutional scrutiny.

Bottom line
Indiana law likely treats public libraries as youth program centers based on existing definitions and court decisions. Senate Bill 119 adds new limits for serious sex offenders during children’s programming but does not add new duties for libraries. Libraries can continue their mission of serving the whole community while staying informed about how state law affects their operations.

This blog post was written by Sylvia Watson, library law consultant and legal counsel, Indiana State Library.

Digitized genealogical resources at the Indiana State Library

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To help with your family history research, the Indiana State Library has digitized many items from our collections to make them more widely available. Our digital collections contain a variety of records and documents that can provide more details about your family and the world in which they lived.

Family Bible records
Historically, it was very common for families to record genealogical information in the family Bible. Some Bibles were even published with dedicated pages for birth, marriage and death details. These records often pre-date civil vital records, providing researchers with information that is not available anywhere else.

Family Bibles are often a treasured family heirloom. However, we have acquired copies of Bible records over the years and have digitized many of these records so that they are available to researchers everywhere.

Scan of family bible record.

These Bible records from the Genealogy Division document family history from the 1840s to the 1920s.

Scan of family bible record.

These Bible records from the Genealogy Division document family history from the 1840s to the 1920s

Maps
Maps are incredibly useful to genealogists. They present information in a different format than the written word, providing a different perspective on the people and places being researched. They can help researchers visualize what a place looked like in the past.

Looking at historic maps shows how a place looked at a specific point in time. This can illustrate how geography affected people’s lives, including where natural features such as rivers and lakes were located, or where a person lived in proximity to stores, places of worship and friends and relatives.

Maps can also illustrate boundary changes and land ownership, which can help you find where people lived and where places were located that may no longer exist today.

Scan of plat map.

This segment of a plat map shows landowners in Washington Township, Elkhart County, in 1892.

Photographs
Family photographs cover a wide variety of subjects, from formal posed portraits to casual vacation snapshots. These images show not only what people looked like, but also how they dressed, where they lived and the sights they would have seen during their life.

Because of this, family photographs are wonderful research tools, whether they depict your family or people from a similar time period or geographic area. Especially once personal cameras became widespread, photographs show so much of ordinary life that was often not captured in other media.

Black and white photo of woman with child.

Family photographs like these show reunions, babies, family businesses and many other aspects of peoples’ everyday lives.

Black and white photo of people in front of a business.

Family photographs like these show reunions, babies, family businesses and many other aspects of peoples’ everyday lives.

Black and white photo of large family.

Family photographs like these show reunions, babies, family businesses and many other aspects of peoples’ everyday lives.

Documents
Personal documents like letters and cards also show how people lived at a given point in time. Since letters were often used to connect family members living far apart from each other, they contain many details about the family and updates on local news and events. Letters may also give perspective to major historical events. In addition to letters, greeting cards are a fun way to experience the art and culture of the past just like the people who lived then did.

Scan of list of architects.

Documents like professional memberships, birth records and letters show various aspects of life in the past.

Scan of handwritten information.

Documents like professional memberships, birth records and letters show various aspects of life in the past.

Scan of handwritten journal page.

Documents like professional memberships, birth records and letters show various aspects of life in the past.

Official documents, such as government publications and vital records, provide information on individuals and in the aggregate that help document peoples’ lives and the world in which they lived. These documents may include birth and death information, details on historical events both big and small and local information that is not readily available elsewhere.

This blog post is by Jamie Dunn, Genealogy Division supervisor.

The Indiana State Library’s 2026 public programming lineup

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The Public Services Division of the Indiana State Library has an exciting public programming lineup in store for you this year and it begins this month! Come join us during any of the following events and keep your eyes open for new and updated programming information throughout the year.

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“U.S. 250 Trivia Game”
Tuesday, April 14
Gather your team and join us on your lunch break for a lively game of U.S. 250 trivia to celebrate 250 years of American Independence. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team. Sponsored by the Indiana State Library Foundation. The winning team will also receive tickets that can be redeemed for general admission at any of the Indiana State Museum’s 12 historical sites, generously donated by the Indiana State Museum. The admission tickets do not include access to special programs with additional fees or the IMAX Theater in Indianapolis. Register your team here!

Genealogy for Night Owls
Thursday, May 21
The Indiana State Library is once again hosting its popular Genealogy for Night Owls event. The after-hours research event will take place between 5-8 p.m. at the State Library and will feature a library tour, a presentation on unique items in the library’s collections and Ask-an-Expert sessions with representatives from various local historical, genealogical and lineage organizations.

The schedule is as follows:

  • 5:10 p.m. – Library tour
  • 5:30 p.m.  – Presentation – “Unique Items from the Library Collections”
  • 5:45 p.m. – Ask-an-Expert sessions begin
  • 7 p.m. – Ask-an-Expert sessions end
  • 8 p.m. – Program conclusion

The tour and Ask-an-Expert sessions are optional. Attendees may spend the entire evening conducting their own research if they prefer. The Ask-an-Expert sessions are 15 minutes in length. Attendees should have questions prepared in advance. The library tour is roughly 20 minutes in length and will cover materials available for genealogy researchers at the Indiana State Library.

Genealogy Division librarians will be on hand to answer questions about the collection. They will also answer research and reference questions and assist in locating materials. The second floor microfilm area will be open and staffed by librarians from the Indiana Division. The Rare Books and Manuscripts and Reference Divisions will not be open during Genealogy for Night Owls. Librarians will not be able to retrieve manuscript collections during this event.

Registration is free and required. Click here to register.

“Lunch and Learn: Help with Statistical Research”
Tuesday, June 9
Presented by Katharine Springer, director, Indiana State Data Center. Join us for an informative Lunch and Learn session on using public federal and state data for statistical research. You will learn new sources and tips for finding, using and citing the latest data for upcoming research, projects or reports. Register here!

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“Unlock Your Family’s DNA Story”
Saturday, June 13
The Indiana State Library’s Summer Lecture Series is back again this year, with lectures scheduled on our open Saturdays! We’ll kick the series off with a DNA workshop presented by Angela Guntz. Ready to take your genealogy research to the next level? Join us as we help you understand your DNA results, break through DNA mysteries, and connect the dots in your family history like never before. This workshop will consist of three one-hour sessions:

  • “Understanding the DNA Testing Landscape”
    Not all DNA tests are created equal. In this session, you’ll get a clear, approachable overview of autosomal, Y‑DNA and mtDNA testing, along with guidance on which test best supports your research goals. We’ll also compare today’s leading testing companies – 23andMe, AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA and MyHeritage – so you know exactly what each platform offers and how to make the most of their tools and databases.
  • “Solving Mystery Matches You Can’t Easily Place”
    Every genealogist encounters DNA matches that don’t quite fit… yet. Learn step‑by‑step strategies to analyze and organize these puzzling connections using proven techniques like clustering and targeted research. By the end of this session, you’ll feel confident tackling even your most confusing matches and turning uncertainty into insight.
  • “Breaking Through Brick Walls: A DNA Case Study”
    Stuck on a missing ancestor? Facing an unknown parentage question? You’re not alone – and DNA can help. Walk through a real‑world case study that illustrates how to form a strong research question, design an effective DNA testing plan and interpret your results with confidence. You’ll see exactly how DNA evidence is gathered, analyzed, and documented using the Genealogical Proof Standard, giving you a roadmap you can apply to your own research challenges.

“A History of the Indiana State Prison”
Saturday, July 11
Authors of the book “A History of the Indiana State Prison (1860-1910),” Dr. William Hinkle, Drew Lazzara and Charles Penfold, will join us to discuss their book, a comprehensive academic study covering the first 50 years of the Michigan City facility.

“Combining Land and Probate Records to Get the Full Story”
Saturday, Aug. 8
For the final summer lecture, we’ll hear from John Barr, professional genealogist and sole proprietor of Old Northwest Genealogy, as he presents “Combining Land and Probate Records to Get the Full Story.”

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“Lunch and Learn: Hosted Digital Collections and Indiana Memory”
Tuesday, Sept. 8
Presented by Chris Marshall, digital collections coordinator at the Indiana State Library. Description and more information coming soon.

“Constitution Day Trivia”
Tuesday, Sept. 15
This event is free and open to the public. Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 15 to celebrate Constitution Day with a lunchtime trivia showdown! Join the Indiana State Library for a fun and fast-paced trivia game focused on the U.S. Constitution, American history and civics. Participants will test their knowledge and compete with friends and coworkers! Whether participants are history buffs or just in it for fun, this event is a great way to honor the founding document of our Nation. Registration is required. The program will take place in the History Reference Room at the Indiana State Library. Participants can join a team or gather their own dream team and register together. Registration coming soon!

We hope to see you soon!

This blog post was written by Stephanie Asberry, deputy director of public and statewide services at the Indiana State Library.

Food for thought: Recipes from the Indiana State Library’s federal documents collection – Part II

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In an earlier blog post, we shared recipes from the Indiana State Library’s federal documents collection. Here are some additional recipes, cookbooks and leaflets on meal planning from the State Library’s federal documents collection:

Green Vegetables in Everyday Meals pamphlet. Potatoes in Popular Ways pamphlet. Pickle and Relish Recipes pamphlet.

Cheese, root vegetables, apple rings and a lot of cursive:

Cheese in Your Meals pamphlet. Root Vegetables in Everyday Meals pamphlet. Recipes for Evaporated Apples Rings pamphlet.

Healthy food and recipes for those with allergies:

Cooking for People with food Allergies pamphlet. Healthy, thrifty meals pamphlet.

Butter, breakfast and family:

Family Fare pamphlet. Eat a Good Breakfast pamphlet. Know your Butter Grades pamphlet.

Learn more about the Indiana State library’s federal documents collection here.

This blog post was written by Michele Fenton, monographs and federal documents catalog librarian.

New additions and a new look for Hoosier State Chronicles

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Hoosier State Chronicles, Indiana’s digital historic newspaper program operated by the Indiana State Library, will have rare newspapers from St. Joseph County, Noble County and Lake County added to its collection this year. The Walkerton Historical Society, Ligonier Public Library and the Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society contributed to the project. More than 100,000 pages have already been added to Hoosier State Chronicles this year.

Brochure advertising Hoosier State Chronicles.

The Walkerton titles feature the St. Joseph County Independent, which later became the Walkerton Independent. This series spans widely from 1886 to 1962, when it would merge into the Independent-News.

Noble County’s long-running newspaper, The Banner, started as the National Banner and changed its name to Ligonier Banner in 1879. Originally published in 1866, John Stoll’s newspaper continued under several owners until 1950, when it lost its competition with its rival, the Leader. The series is a consistent resource for local research.

Later this year, the Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society’s newspapers will be available in Hoosier State Chronicles. Originally the Whiting Times, the Lake County newspaper changed names to the Ben Franklin News, the Daily Times and finally the Times-Graphic. All iterations of Whiting-area news, from 1928 through 1974, will be provided in an open forum for genealogists and historians.

Veridian Newspaper Digitization Services, the organization that built the Hoosier State Chronicles platform, upgraded their site in January. The update should provide Hoosier State Chronicles users with greater website speed and intuitive functions. Researchers can now easily download and save a clear and crisp page of vintage Indiana newsprint. Visit Hoosier State Chronicles here.

This post was submitted by David Pleiss, newspaper librarian with the Indiana Division of the Indiana State Library. 

Two new training opportunities for Indiana library staff and trustees

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Two new professional development training opportunities have been added to the Indiana State Library’s Find Training page.

LiFT – Library Foundational Training

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LiFT courses were created to address the training needs of predominantly non-degreed library staff who are new to their current position, or new to working in libraries. Through a 2024 IMLS grant – and a partnership with the Idaho Commission for Public Libraries – WebJunction’s foundational ABLE and SABLE courses have been reimagined into these new courses:

  • “Public Library Fundamentals.”
  • “Introduction to the Library Catalog.”
  • “The Reference Interview.”

The Collection Management Series:

  • “Introduction to Library Collections.”
  • “Introduction to Collection Policies.
  • “Selection and Acquisitions”.
  • “Organizing and Maintaining a Collection.”
  • “Collection Assessment.”
  • “Weeding the Collection.”

The courses are geared toward non-MLS staff and would be great refreshers for all library staff. They are all one hour and worth one LEU for Indiana library staff. These courses build core library skills and would be great for onboarding new staff or advancing skills for current library staff. Once a course is completed, a short quiz must be taken in order to receive the learning certificate. Attendees need to get 80% correct to pass, and then the certificate can be printed or saved. They also provide badges that you can add to LinkedIn profiles for achieved skills.

United for Libraries – Short Takes for Trustees

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The Indiana Library Federation, through a grant from the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, has provided free statewide access to the American Library Association’s United for Libraries Short Takes for Trustees training series. Indiana is a current statewide training partner, and free statewide access is available to Indiana trustees and library staff through 2027.

The training includes quick, professionally produced videos designed to help trustees better understand their role.

To access the videos, visit the United for Libraries state access page, select Indiana and then select either “Register” or “Access” (individuals will need to register for an ALA account if they do not already have one).

Some topics in the Short Takes series include:

  • What it means to be a trustee.
  • Board meetings and ethics.
  • Advocacy and communications.
  • Intellectual freedom.
  • Library policies.
  • Strategic planning.
  • Working with friends.
  • Evaluation of the library director and board.
  • Succession planning and new board orientations.

A certificate worth two LEUs is available after the completion of the series.

This post was written by North regional coordinator Paula Newcom of the Indiana State Library Professional Development Office.

PS Magazine

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At their core, federal government publications seek to provide information and don’t exactly exist for entertainment purposes. They are not known to have aesthetically pleasing covers or particularly exciting content. Publications are often austere in appearance and the information contained within is both useful and concise. Illustrations exist only if absolutely necessary and when they do, the images are rarely in color.

Pages from an Army technical manual with text and drawing.

The cover and inside of a typical Army Technical Manual from 1958 (ISLM p.d. 355 Un58tma TM-11 no. 6665).

One publication that famously resisted the trend of dull and dry content was the magazine known as PS: The Preventative Maintenance Monthly, more commonly known as PS Magazine, or just PS. A publication of the Department of the Army “for the information of all soldiers assigned to combat and combat support units, and all soldiers with organizational maintenance and supply duties,” the magazine was essentially a supplement to the usual Army technical manuals. However, unlike the manuals, PS delivered information in a comic book format, complete with recurring characters, story arcs and full color illustrations.

cover of PS Magazine, resembling a comic book.

The eye-catching cover of this issue was drawn by Murphy Anderson and closely resembles that of a superhero comic. (ISLM D 101.87:323).

PS began in 1951 during the Korean War and featured the artwork of former Army Corporal Will Eisner. Prior to his military work in World War II, Eisner had created The Spirit, a popular comic series. Eisner later would write many influential long-form comic books and is credited with coining the term “graphic novel.” The comic book industry’s most prestigious annual awards are named after him.

Eisner helmed PS for many years. In the 1970s-1980s, another well-known artist named Murphy Anderson provided artwork. Like Eisner, Anderson had served during World War II and went on to have a successful comics career, creating artwork for many different titles published by DC Comics.

Back covers of PS Magazine in comic book style.

The back covers of each issue featured a full-color preventative maintenance reminder. (Left to right: ISLM D 301.87:341, ISLM D 301.87:545).

The main message conveyed in each issue of PS was to remind soldiers they had a duty to properly maintain military equipment. Readers were gently chastised on correct procedures by an attractive female civilian character named Connie. In the 1970s, an African American woman named Bonnie was added.

Two-page spread in comic book style.

“Joe’s Dope Sheet” was a two-page spread in the center of each issue often featuring one of the comic’s recurring characters. In this example, Connie reminds soldiers to take care of vehicle batteries in cold weather. (ISLM D 101.87:347).

Comic book style page featuring woman giving gun cleaning tips.

Issues contained short vignettes with illustrated instructions. Here Bonnie demonstrates how to correctly clean an M60 machine gun. (ISLM D 101.87:342).

The military equipment itself became another character in each issue. Military machinery such as tanks and machine guns were often depicted with human physical characteristics like arms and legs and even demonstrated human emotions, to underscore the importance of following proper preventative maintenance.

Anthropomorphic military equipment in comic book style.

Anthropomorphizing military equipment was a common component of each issue. In these examples, a bulldozer is sad because its operator doesn’t shift properly and causes unnecessary wear and tear on the transmission while in the accompanying image, an air filter suffers from freezing cold weather. (Left to right: ISLM D 101.87:471, ISLM D 101.87:576).

PS Magazine went completely digital in 2019, and officially ended in 2024 after 73 years of continuous publication. The Indiana State Library has scattered issues from the 1980s through 1999. Digitized versions of back issues are available from several sources, including the University of North Texas Digital Library, the Virginia Commonwealth University Digital Collections and the Internet Archive (1999-2013 only).

This blog post was written by Jocelyn Lewis, Catalog Division supervisor, Indiana State Library. For more information, contact the Indiana State Library at 317-232-3678 or “Ask-A-Librarian.”