Have you ever said, “why don’t people come to our library programs?” Often events grow from ideas someone at the library has for what they think will be a great program, but what if we instead look outward, asking our communities to help develop programming that will be of interest to them. Attendees will learn how they can move from a library-centric approach — to program planning — to one that more effectively engages our communities. You’ll feel both recognized in the library’s programming offerings, but also feel engaged in the process of program development, and explore how IMLS’s asset mapping tools can reshape the way we look at collaboration.
Date Recorded: 3/25/2026
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenter: Barry Trott, Adult Services Consultant / Library of Virginia
Join director Nicki Kirchoff on a recorded tour of her new library, inside the Love Community Center of Rushville, Indiana. This event will be hosted by Meg Pool from the Indiana State Library, and the tour will showcase the new Rushville Public Library, the Love Community Center’s other services inside the building, and the Love Community Center’s background. As we navigate the future, Nicki will share why this special opportunity to be part of Rushville’s community center was the best decision for them, and how it has impacted the community they serve. Come join us, and bring your questions!
This webinar will discuss foresight (or futures thinking) and how strategically thinking about the future can support the people that work in libraries, the library organization, and the community the library serves. With insights from a group of library staff across the state of Idaho, library consultants at the Idaho Commission for Libraries have been investigating how to incorporate thinking about the future into library work and developing fun ways to share what they’ve learned. Their newest toolkit, the Things From Future Libraries Toolkit, provides a guide for anyone to put on a creative, participatory design workshop where attendees imagine and prototype an object from a library in a future they select.
Learn how our library works closely with community partners to bring fun adventures to our patrons. By working closely with our local game shop, toy store, comic book store, volunteer GMs, a local brewery (the list could go on and on), we’re able to provide an array of fun events related to gaming, filmmaking and more. These events bring new users to the library who sometimes have never set foot inside before. Find out how we make it work and strategies we suggest to work with partners in your community.
The Indiana Historical Bureau has worked with communities and organizations on the installation of state historical markers dating back to the 1940s. These markers serve as tangible reminders of the state’s past and help return stories to the physical landscape. In this program, learn about the process and criteria for obtaining a state historical marker, why markers matter, and their continued relevance in today’s digital age, using examples from the collection of over 750 state markers that currently exist.
The national network of State Data Centers in every U.S. state and territory provides the public with access to data and training on current data tools. We partner with the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure you have the most recent population data. Here at the Indiana State Data Center, we also partner with several other state agencies and organizations to create a strong network of data and geospatial professionals to help provide insight into to today’s top social and economic questions. Katie Springer, Director of Indiana’s SDC Program, explains what our State Data Center @ the State Library does for the public and what kinds of questions we handle. Librarians and Educators alike can learn how to be ready for demographic questions and how our connections strengthen our network.
Equip library staff with foundational AI knowledge to support patrons. Cover AI fundamentals, common misconceptions, and practical applications, enabling librarians to educate and guide users effectively.