In November 2014, I began an exciting chapter in my career as a Librarian. I became the Northeast Regional Coordinator for the Indiana State Library. I have sixty libraries in the northeast region that I will eventually visit. During my travels I have been totally blown away with what I have seen at these libraries!!! Whether small, medium or large, all of these libraries are doing unique things and are a jewel in their communities. I want to do a brief recap of what I’ve done so far as a regional coordinator with the Indiana State Library:

Questions, questions, questions

I field questions from my region’s librarians and act as a liaison between them and the Indiana State Library. Similar to a typical Reference desk, I get all sorts of questions: from Centennial celebrations to how to work on a WordPress website. With every question that comes my way I learn something new, so keep the questions coming!!

Indiana State Library building

I have helped with school tours of the Indiana State Library (and so far haven’t gotten lost)! The Indiana State Library is amazing and very beautiful. The librarians also want to make sure you know that you can contact them with your questions (the information they have access to is incredible)! If you are able to visit, I highly recommend taking a look at what this library has to offer:

“To arrange for your class, organization, department, or group to tour the Indiana State Library, please call the library at 317-232-3675, or our IN-Watts line at 1-800-622-4970. Tours may take place Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., but must be arranged at least two weeks in advance.”

LEU Trainings

We have over 50 diverse presentations available (I have presented about 15 or 16 so far)! Take a look at what we offer at this link:  http://continuinged.isl.in.gov/isl-trainings/.  We can come to your library to do presentations (4 times a year Library staff days and counterparts groups are excluded from this number) or via webinars.

Visit my region’s libraries

Since November 2014 I have visited 16 of my libraries (just 44 to go). There is no “typical library” in my region – they are all so diverse: rural, suburban and inner city. Some are situated next to lakes or wetlands and others are in the heart of their city – each with their own unique style and strengths. I have seen amazing renovations and additions as well as beautiful community gardens and outdoor programming spaces. All the library staff I have met are so excited to serve their patrons with innovative ideas and programs. I feel very privileged to be able to tour these wonderful places and make connections between these libraries. When you are working day to day in one location you don’t have the ability to see what others are doing. If I have been blown away with these first 16 visits I can hardly imagine what is in store for me at the next 44!

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