Tag Archives: Library

Summer Lecture Series returns to State Library with programs on DNA, medical history and probate records

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The popular Summer Lecture Series will return to the Indiana State Library this year with programs on DNA, medical history and probate records. The presentations will take place on the second Saturday of June, July and August.

Decorative.On Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., the Indiana State Library will present “Unlock Your Family’s DNA Story,” a DNA workshop. Professional genealogist Angela Guntz will help attendees understand their DNA results, break through DNA mysteries and connect the dots in their family history. Sessions include “Understanding the DNA Testing Landscape,” “Solving Mystery Matches You Can’t Easily Place” and “Breaking Through Brick Walls: A DNA Case Study.” Click here to read more and to register.

On Saturday, July 11, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., author Chris Flook will present “A Famine of Cadavers: Inside Indy’s 1902 Graverobbing Syndicate.” Flook will examine a prolific graverobbing ring operating across central Indiana in the fall of 1902 when “ghouls” robbed graves for cadavers needed by the city’s medical colleges. Flook is a public historian from Muncie who has published books of public history, including “Ghost of Old Muncie” and “Lost Towns of Delaware County.” In 2016, he co-authored and edited “Beech Grove Cemetery Comes to Life.” Click here to read more and to register.

On Saturday, Aug. 8,  from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., John Barr, owner of Old Northwest Genealogy, will present “Combining Land and Probate Records to Get the Full Story.” Barr, an active member of the National Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists, will explore a case study of the Hoffman family using probate records that led to land records citing unindexed probate records. He will also discuss types of probate indexes and records and types of deed indexes and deeds. Click here to read more and to register.

All sessions are eligible for LEUs for Indiana library staff. Registration is required for each program. An option to attend virtually is available for each program.

This post was written by John Wekluk, communications director at the Indiana State Library.

Indiana Voices at the Indiana State Library

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Did you know that the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library produces audiobooks via Indiana Voices at the Indiana State Library?

Audiobook aficionados know that a storyteller’s voice can create tangible experiences. Narrating is not just the task of reading out loud, but the art of inviting others into the story. For patrons of the Indiana Voices program of the Indiana State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Library, volunteer narrators do just that.

Together with Indiana State Library staff, volunteers bring Hoosier words and voices to people who cannot use standard printed materials due to a visual, physical or reading disabilities, and live in the state of Indiana or across the country. Cozy mysteries, local history, true crime, authors from Indiana and more are recorded in the program, but what goes into the process of recording an audiobook?

Picture of recording studio. Narrators begin work on their titles outside of the studio, reading ahead for thorny sentences and unfamiliar pronunciations. Once they are confident in their preparation, they arrive at the downtown Indianapolis studio to narrate for an hour. A monitor outside the booth follows along in the text to catch mistakes and alert the narrator.

It may take months to finish a title, but when the back cover is eventually closed, the audiobook is sent to a volunteer reviewer for a final examination. Reviews are tasked with finding any error that the monitor may have missed. Corrections are recorded, mistakes are edited out and the finished book is made available to Talking Books and Braille Library patrons.

Reading out loud may sound easy, but each title represents up to four times as many behind-the-scenes hours as the total runtime of the audiobook. It takes dedication to bring an author’s words to life!

In 2026, Indiana Voices has already completed six books:

  • “Bird Girl: Gene Stratton-Porter Shares Her Love of Nature and the World”  By Jill Esbaum. Juvenile nonfiction, biography, nature – DBC17873
  • “The Lucky One” by Lori Rader–Day. Fiction, suspense, thriller –  DBC17842
  • “I’ll Storm Hell: A Biographical Novel of ‘Mad Anthony’ Wayne” by Noel B. Gerson.  Historical fiction, Revolutionary War, war stories – DBC17823
  • “Oliver P. Morton and the Politics of the Civil War and Reconstruction” by A. James Fuller. Biography, Civil War history, war nonfiction, U.S. history – DBC17822
  • “The Improbable Wendell Willkie: the Businessman who Saved the Republican Party and his Country and Conceived a New World Order” by David L Lewis. Biography, U.S. history, presidential candidates – DBC17820
  • “Tales from the Indianapolis 500: A Collection of the Greatest Indy 500 Stories Ever Told” by Jack Arute and Jenna Fryer, forward by A.J. Foyt. Biography, sports biography, automobile racing – DBC17874

Picture of log sheet.

Volunteers are needed to do all of these task. Opportunities are open to join the work of providing Indiana-related titles to audiobook readers. Indiana is made up of many individual voices, representing different Hoosier communities, identities and experiences, all of which contribute to authentic interpretations of Indiana books. Volunteers from all the different communities and cultures in the state of Indiana are invited to apply. Volunteers are expected to work at least one hour every other week.

For those interested in learning more about volunteering with Indiana Voices as a narrator, monitor or as a reviewer, please visit the Indiana Voices website or contact Judy Gray, Indiana Talking Books and Braille Library supervisor, via phone at 317-232-0609 or via email.

Patrons interested in receiving audiobook materials from Indiana Voices should contact the Indiana State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Library at 317-232-3684.

This blog post was written by Judy Gray, Indiana Talking Books and Braille Library supervisor.

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.

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.

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 Famine of Cadavers: Inside Indy’s 1902 Graverobbing Syndicate”
Saturday, July 11
In the fall of 1902, Indianapolis police uncovered a prolific graverobbing ring that operated across central Indiana. An estimated 300 robberies had taken place in Marion County alone. Drawing on research from his book “Indianapolis Graverobbing: A Syndicate of Death,” public historian Chris Flook will examine the “ghouls” who robbed graves for cadavers needed by the city’s medical colleges and the trials related to the scandal. Register here.

“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.” Register here.

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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.

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.

2025 Indiana State Library end-of-year reflection

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As we close out the Indiana State Library’s Bicentennial year, a huge thank you goes to all our hard working staff, not only for their persistent diligence and dedication throughout the year, without which our programs and services would not be as successful, but also for their extra effort on our Bicentennial projects and events.

We went about our regular business of Vision Expo, Discovery to Delivery, the Different is You conference, DNA workshops, Genealogy for Night Owls, Evergreen Indiana library migrations and updates (and everything that goes along with those), summer lecture and lunch and learn series, web archiving born digital state publications, digitizing and uploading collections to the Indiana State Library Digital Collections, assisting other libraries with creating their own collections hosted by the Indiana State Library, etc. In addition to that, we celebrated the Indiana State Library’s Bicentennial with multiple programs and even a publication!

As part of our Bicentennial festivities, the library published “Laying the Foundation,” a book showcasing 100 items from the library’s vast and remarkable collection. The items featured cover a wide array of topics and span centuries.

Picture of Laying the Foundation book. In addition to the publication that the library’s staff worked on, the Indiana State Library also hosted a Bicentennial reception on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 200 years to the day that the General Assembly established the Indiana State Library. The reception was a celebratory reflection on the collections, history and services of the Indiana State Library. A festive occasion was held with refreshments, music by a string duet from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, tours of the library, exhibit displays and a talk by Lisa Hendrickson, the granddaughter of Edward Pierre of Pierre and Wright, the architects of the Indiana State Library and Historical Building.

Picture of Bicentennial celebration attendees in Great Hall of Indiana State Library. Several other Bicentennial programs were held, including escape rooms and trivia games during the lunch hour; a “Ghostly Gathering” that, along with fun stuff for the kids, also provided a chilling peek at spooky and creepy items from our collections; and a Bicentennial Lunch and Learn followed by a marker dedication. Capping off a year of programming related to the Bicentennial, the library held a marker dedication, dedicating a new state historical marker commemorating the Indiana State Library.

Picture of historical marker outside of Indiana State Library. While these are only a sprinkling and highlights from a year full of programs and services well-done, the staff at the Indiana State Library pulled together to ensure the year of the library’s Bicentennial was both commemorated and would be remembered as we celebrated 200 years in 2025. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!

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

2025 Indiana Library Federation Annual Conference recap

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The Indiana Library Federation (ILF) Annual Conference was held Nov. 9-11, 2025 at Union Station in Indianapolis. ILF is the statewide nonprofit organization serving all library types: academic, public, school, special and library supporters/trustees. ILF provides educational opportunities for library staff and trustees year-round with the annual conference being their premier event.

Two exhibitor booths at a conference.The theme of the 2025 conference was “On Track for the Future of Libraries.” This theme correlated with both the conference location (a former train station with active tracks occasionally rumbling throughout the day) and the 2025 legislative session, which resulted in changes to property taxes in Indiana (taxes which comprise approximately 90% of public library budgets) and a reduction of the Indiana State Library’s agency budget.

Decorative. While there were captivating keynotes and many general educational sessions, including readers advisory and staff safety, there were a number of sessions geared toward library directors and trustees to help them understand the potential effects of SEA 1 and other legislative updates on their future library budgets.

A Q&A with legislators was held which included Senator Greg Goode (Terre Haute) and Representative Danny Lopez (Carmel). Both shared their personal interest in library matters and provided recommendations for library staff in fostering relationships with their representatives and local government, a strategy that will be more necessary as public libraries fight to keep their piece of the local property tax pie.

Additional sessions were held including budgeting in uncertain times and legislative changes to municipal bonds.

Indiana State Library staff also presented sessions at the conference. Public library consultant Hayley Trefun presented “Teamwork makes the Dreamwork,” which covered the topic of library mergers, along with Liz Schoettle (Indianapolis Public Library) and Fonda Owens (La Porte County Public Library). Suzanne Walker, in the interim of her transition to the Library of Congress, presented tips and tricks for borrowing and using the ISL’S Escape Experiences in a box. Additionally, Meg Adams Pool and former ISL regional consultant Lacey Klemm provided an early morning session on “Facilitating Positive Conversations,” which was well attended for it’s 8 a.m. start time.

Despite the impending budget changes that will affect the future of libraries, the conference was an excellent opportunity to convene library champions statewide and to learn from each other.

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

Interning and volunteering in the Rare Books and Manuscript Department at the Indiana State Library

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Hello! My name is Shannon! I’m a volunteer at the Rare Books and Manuscript Department at the Indiana State Library. I got my start here as an intern as part of my final semester for my Archives Management Certification program through IU Indianapolis. I interned from January to May 2025 and came back to volunteer starting in June 2025. My background is in public libraries; I earned my Master’s in Library Science from IUPUI in 2016 and currently work as a teen-focused public librarian at The Indianapolis Public Library’s Central Library. I decided to make a career change and was drawn toward archival work.

By choosing to do an internship, I gained a general working knowledge of what it was like in an archives setting compared to the public library. One of the biggest differences between the two was how materials were processed. Therefore, my internship focused mainly on archival processing, specifically writing finding aids, the majority of which were single-item collections. Other work included digitizing photographs and creating metadata in CONTENTdm, as well as arranging and describing one large, complex collection.

With the bulk of my work writing single-item finding aids, I was able to understand how to evaluate and summarize research succinctly, gaining an understanding on how to budget my time per collection. My tasks included mainly drafting the scope and content notes, the historical/biographical notes, and the subject headings for each finding aid. I worked exclusively in Archives Space (my coursework had us working in Access to Memory or AtoM) which gave me the opportunity to familiarize myself with the application’s ins and outs.

Black card with gold text. Paper reading "Ballad of Gene Debs."

I also got to learn about digitization, with a focus on scanning photographs of Indianapolis streets taken during the earlier decades of the 20th century. Once digitized, I wrote metadata and descriptions for each photo in CONTENTdm. These photos could then be found online as part of the Rare Books and Manuscript Department’s general photograph collection. Another digitization project included digitizing photos from the Berne Witness Newspaper as part of a donor request. One of the key takeaways I learned from this work was how much labor and time go into digitization. As a result, I learned the importance of tempering patron expectations when it came to digitization, making sure to address what is and isn’t feasible with the staff you have on hand.

Scanner with photo in it. Photo of girls riding bike on bridge.

Lastly, I got to tackle one large collection: the Edythe Fitzhugh papers. Edythe Fitzhugh had been a huge supporter of the local Indianapolis jazz scene. She played multiple instruments, edited the Indy Jazz Scene newsletter, served as the Secretary of the Board for the Jazz Action Coalition and was a regular patron to many jazz clubs on Indiana Avenue. The collection was about five cubic feet and included a complex array of items including personal documents, family photographs, jazz periodicals, sheet music, songbooks, artwork and miscellaneous jazz ephemera. My work included sorting, foldering and arranging the collections, making notes of any items deaccessioned. Once arranged, I created the finding aid in Archives Space. I learned a lot about balancing the intellectual arrangement of the collection with the limited space and supplies available to me. While my work on the collection wasn’t finished by the end of my internship, when I came back to volunteer, I had the opportunity to complete the finding aid and get the collection boxes properly labeled to ensure accessibility to patrons.

Photo of books. Photo of books.

Now, as a volunteer, my archival processing work continues, but I have also had the opportunity to tackle other areas. For example, I have had the chance to handle more patron reference questions. This has included pulling materials for patron requests, scanning documents, and running the reference desk when patrons book an appointment to view a collection. I am also helping to take inventory of the oral history collection in preparation for a large digitization project. I’m excited to see what new projects I get to tackle in the New Year! I also want to thank everyone I have met and worked with in the Rare Books and Manuscript Department, the Indiana Historical Bureau and the State Library for making me feel so welcomed!

This post was submitted by Shannon O’Donnell, intern at the Indiana State Library. 

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

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When you think of government documents, do hearings, laws, history and maps come to mind?

Cookbook cover featuring salmon dishes. Cookbook cover featuring a radio.Cookbook cover with text.

Did you know that government documents include cookbooks, recipes, meal plans and tips on growing fruits and vegetables in your own garden?

Cookbook cover featuring jars. Cookbook cover featuring pasta and salad. Shopper's Coat publication from the USDA.

Also, did you know that the federal government even had a cooking show broadcasted via radio in the 1930s?

Pamphlet featuring tomato. Pamphlet featuring money saving main dishes. Pamphlet featuring potatoes.

In addition, they even published a document about a shopping coat and where to order patterns to make one of your own!

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