Category Archives: Professional Development Office (PDO)

Interview with Jefferson County Public Library Director Mark Mellang

Posted on by

Southwest Regional Coordinator Amber Painter recently had the opportunity to Mellang - Library Photointerview Jefferson County Public Library Director Mark Mellang. The following is an excerpt from their conversation.

AP: Are you from the Area?

MM: I’m not from Jefferson County, but I grew up in Southeastern Indiana, specifically Rising Sun. After graduating from IUPUI and applying for library jobs throughout the Midwest, the best offer I received was from the Aurora Public Library, which is the town just north of Rising Sun. After getting married and starting a family, I had deep roots in the area. The chance to become a director and remain in Southeast Indiana was a dream come true. Continue reading →

Life on the Road

Posted on by

“Woah, all I want is on the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin’ music with my friends
And I can’t wait to get on the road again”

The song by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash describes my life here as the Northwest Regional Coordinator. I began my journey here in the Professional Development Office June 22, 2015; since that time I’ve had the pleasure of visiting 21 different libraries!   From Bremen and Bourbon to Chesterton and Whiting I’ve learned the various counties and cities in Indiana — did you know there’s a Mexico, Indiana? I’ve also been privileged to see and learn about the many wonderful libraries in Northwest Indiana and all the services they provide to Indiana citizens. Libraries in Northwest Indiana work hard to meet the needs of Indiana residents, with programs and services ranging from 1,000 Books before Kindergarten to Makerspace labs.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Continue reading →

Innovative Library Program: Westchester Public Library’s MakerSpace Lab

Posted on by

Northwest Regional Coordinator Kimberly Brown-Harden recently had a conversation with Automation and Serials Manager Rhonda Mullin from the Westchester Public Maker Space Lab9Library in Chesterton, Indiana. They discussed Westchester’s innovative MakerSpace Lab and the impact it is having on both patrons and the library.

Kim: Can you give me some background on how the program was created?

Rhonda: Our library prides itself in offering the latest technology to our patrons. Because of this we saw a need to introduce 3D printing as well as a MakerSpace Lab. Unfortunately, space is very limited within our library. We did some serious brainstorming and decided to create space within an existing space. So we literally created our MakerSpace Lab within the space of another room. We hired a contractor who constructed an interior wall with a sound barrier, cut in a door frame and door, installed a peek window and trimmed it out. From there we outfitted the room with equipment and supplies. Continue reading →

Happy 199th Birthday to Indiana!

Posted on by

On December 11, 1816, Indiana was admitted as the 19th state to join the Union. This means that in 2016, Indiana will be celebrating its Bicentennial – 200 years as a state!Bicentennial_Logo_Color

All Indiana students are taught Indiana history as part of their fourth-grade curriculum. On Friday, December 11, 2015 downtown Indianapolis will come alive with many opportunities for 4th grade groups to celebrate Indiana’s 199th birthday through Statehood Day celebrations.

Fourth grade students from across Indiana have a special opportunity to attend the Statehood Day celebration in four different locations – Indiana State House Tour Office, Indiana State Library, Indiana State Museum and Indiana Historical Society. Continue reading →

Innovative Lego program at MPL

Posted on by

SnipImageTylanna Jones is the Head of Youth Services at the Marion Public Library. The library has been running a fabulous Lego program for the past few years.

PAULA: Can you give some background on how the program was created?

TYLANNA: We saw that other libraries were hosting Lego programs and we thought that our community would really enjoy a Lego program. Our director put a request in the newspaper for donations of Legos. One person donated 99 percent of the Legos so we were very fortunate to receive this gift. They donated over a dozen extra large totes of Lego pieces! Continue reading →

Interview with Marion Public Library Director Mary Eckerle

Posted on by

Mary Eckerle is the director of the city I currently call home! I worked with Mary previously when I was in the Reference Department at the Marion Public Library. They have a wonderful facility with a unique feature – their Carnegie Library is now a Mary Eckerlemuseum. Among their treasures is a Crosley car which is on permanent display in the lobby. Mary has a passion for the library and the Marion/Grant County community and is very civic minded. She is fortunate to have a wonderful staff who are like an extended family.

PAULA: Are you from the area? If not, where are you from originally?

MARY: I am from South Bend. Moved to Marion from Harvey, Illinois.

PAULA: What inspired you to work in libraries? Continue reading →

Hartford City Public Library’s New Director Michele Ogle

Posted on by

Northeast Regional Coordinator Paula Newcom, and I recently visited the Hartford City Public Library and met the new director, Michele Ogle. Michele gave a tour of the building, a Carnegie library that has been remodeled and modernized. Patrons in the library were engaged in genealogy research while others browsed the book resources.

Michele Ogle_editI asked Michele about her journey to her present position. It is a return to her roots having grown up in Montpelier, Indiana. As a child she regularly visited the Montpelier-Harrison Township Public Library and as a teenager worked as a circulation clerk at the library. She also worked there in the summers between college terms, before deciding to pursue her Masters in Library Science.

Michele is excited about serving the population where she grew up. She finds it difficult to pick one favorite book but is partial to the Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. Meeting non-famous people in history interests her, learning about how they lived and trials they faced. Other interests are playing videogames, gardening, all sorts of creative hobbies, and spending time with pets and her family.

This blog post was written by Karen Ainslie, Library Development Librarian and Professional Development Office Librarian. For more information, contact the Library Development Office at (317) 232-3697 or email statewideservices@library.in.gov.

Interview with Northeast Regional Coordinator Paula Newcom

Posted on by

Northeast Regional Coordinator Paula Newcom and I recently sat down and had a conversation about her first year working for the State Library. She and I have something in common – we both started working for the State Library last November. The following is an excerpt from our conversation.Paula Newcom 1

RB: It has been almost a year now that you have been working for the Indiana State Library. Tell me about how the year has gone and what the biggest differences are between your current job and what you did as a librarian in the public libraries…

PN: I think that the last year has been very good! I’ve had a lot of new challenges and have learned a lot, but I enjoy the freedom of being able to work at home as well as travel to my different libraries and often drive to the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis to attend meetings.

I have 60 libraries in my region – the Northeast region – and I think I have gone to almost half of them since I have been hired. I have been very blown-away by what I have seen with the different libraries in my area from the smallest to the biggest. They all seem to be doing something unique in each place. And a lot of libraries have had building/renovating projects which has pleasantly surprised me.

RB: Could you give me an example of that? Continue reading →

Interview with April A. Bonomo, Librarian at Rockville Correctional Facility

Posted on by

Are you from the area?  If not, where are you from originally?

I’ve lived in Rockville since 1976, however I am originally from beautiful Brown County. As I like to say, specifically, the suburbs of Gnaw Bone.20150701_133240_resized (2)

What inspired you to work in libraries?

Between the order of a library and the multisensory experience books bring, a library is a very peaceful environment to me. When I learned of the available position at Rockville Correctional Facility (RCF) I knew that is where I wanted to be. Even though I had no previous experience in corrections, I knew I had found my vocational home. The ease of becoming acclimated to the position and the continued enthusiasm for it confirms my initial notion.

What is your favorite thing about working for your library? Continue reading →

Nominations needed for the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award

Posted on by

The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is an initiative of the Indiana Center for the Book. This state award, administered by the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Committee, highlights picture books for young children. Picture books serve an important role in theFirefly_Award first years of the life of a child. The purpose of this award is to encourage parents, caregivers, and very young children to interact together with exceptional picture books.

Indiana librarians may nominate picture books for the award from June through October 1st each year. What does that mean? That means that we need your nominations now. Have you read a fun picture book in your storytime?  Did you run across a winner during your Summer Reading Program? Have a book that makes you laugh every time you read it? Continue reading →