The Indiana Library and Historical Board earlier today took public questions and comments about the proposed changes to the public librarian certification rule. Approximately 50 library professionals, who represented a large cross-section of public libraries statewide, attended the hearing at the Indiana State Library. The ILHB will vote to approve, amend, or deny the proposed rule at its next board meeting scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) at the State Library.

Should the rule be adopted by the ILHB, it must then be approved by the Attorney General and Governor. Upon approval, the new rule is expected to go into effect by July 1, 2008. If the rule is approved, the State Library will provide a certification manual during the week of May 18th that explains implementation and requirements for librarians.

More information about the proposed certification rules, including FAQ’s, Certification Taskforce information and recommendations, and the presentation given at the ILF Annual Conference and regional certification meetings, is available on WebJunction Indiana. You are also welcome to contact Wendy Knapp at (317) 232-3718 or wknapp@library.in.gov with questions.

STATE LIBRARY WELCOMES NEW STAFF, INTERNS; NAMES NEW INDIANA COLLECTION SUPERVISOR

The State Library is excited to welcome Leigh Anne Johnson, Genealogy Librarian, to its staff. Leigh Anne previously worked for the Brownsburg Public Library as a reference assistant. She is currently working toward her MLS at IU-Indianapolis School of Library and Information Science (SLIS).

The State Library also welcomed aboard two summer interns. Gene Ann Fausett of IU-Indianapolis SLIS is the new Indiana Memory intern and Virginia Vought of IU-Bloomington SLIS will serve as the Center for the Book/PR intern.

Also this week, Rachael Adele Heger was promoted to Supervisor of the Indiana Collection. She previously served as the Newspaper Collection Librarian. Prior to joining the State Library staff, Rachael served as Librarian at ITT Tech Library in Indianapolis. She received her MLS from Simmons College in Boston, Mass.

Rachael replaces Diane Sharp, who graciously served double duty as both the Indiana Collection Supervisor and Genealogy Collection Supervisor over the past year. Diane will remain the Library’s Genealogy Collection Supervisor.

HAVE REFERENCE QUESTIONS? CALL THE STATE LIBRARY’S REFERENCE HOTLINE AT 866-683-008 OR SUBMIT QUESTIONS ONLINE THROUGH e-REFERENCE