The Indiana State Library is inviting the public to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its Indiana Young Readers Center. A Legacy Project of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, the center was officially opened on Oct. 6, 2016, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Modeled after the Young Readers Center in the Library of Congress, the room is dedicated to Indiana authors and illustrators. The center houses interactive exhibits featuring famous Hoosiers, such as Jim Davis, Norman Bridwell, Meg Cabot and John Green.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the Indiana State Library will celebrate the anniversary with author visits, activities, story times, a writing workshop, community information tables, a special presentation and surprise guests.

Dori Graham, author and library media specialist at Fort Wayne Community Schools, will read her children’s picture book “Brave Miss Muffet.” John David Anderson, best-selling author of several critically acclaimed novels for young people, including “Posted” and “Ms. Bixby’s Last Day,” will lead a writing workshop for teens and will also give an author talk. Each author will be available for a meet and greet and a book signing.

A special presentation about the history of the Young Readers Center with Christy Franzman, the Young Readers Center’s first librarian, and Suzanne Walker, former Young Readers Center librarian and current Center for the Book program manager at the Library of Congress, is scheduled. The presentation will also feature 2025 Statehood Essay Contest winner Marichka Khakhula, who will read her winning essay, and Lincoln Heddleston, 2024 Letters About Literature contest winner, who will read his letter to John Green.

The program is free and will take place at the Indiana State Library. Registration is not required. The Indiana State Library is located at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.

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