Join us for a presentation about the 2026 Unearth a Story “dinosaur” theme, including suggested resources for planning and other general information.
Date Recorded: 1/7/2026
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenter: Beth Yates, Indiana State Library
Resources:
The Fort Ben Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library was given the opportunity to become a Certified Autism Center through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) in 2023 when the branch first opened. Branch Manager, Shelby Peak, and Children’s Librarian, Sarah Tadsen, both disability advocates in their community, will share Fort Ben’s story of pursuing accreditation and the impact this process has had on the branch staff, the local community, and the entire IndyPL system.
Shelby Peak is the Branch Manager of the Fort Ben Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library, the library’s newest branch location which opened to the public in August of 2023. She has been in multiple youth services roles for IndyPL over the last ten years across the system. While working with youth, she noted the challenges with developing sustainable programs and services for patrons with disabilities and sensory sensitivities and realized how it is overlooked in the design and management of programs and services for patrons, staff, and volunteers. Her experience and relationships with the local disability community contributed to her input for the new library during construction. She is a current board member for the Lawrence Advisory Council on Disabilities and helps host their annual Disability Resource Fair at the library.
Sarah Tadsen is a children’s librarian at the Fort Ben Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library. Starting as a shelving page in 2015, she has been in multiple roles at IndyPL during her nearly ten years with the system. Since she discovered the inequities faced by library users with disabilities and the lack of accessible services, she has been an outspoken advocate for accessibility. She is the Communications Chair for the Lawrence Advisory Council on Disabilities and a member of the disability community.
Date Recorded: 7/9/2025
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenters: Shelby Peak / Branch Manager and Sarah Tadsen / Children’s Librarian both of Fort Ben Branch of the Indianapolis Public library
We’re compelled, as librarians, to try and answer to all of our communities’ needs. But with growing demands and tightening budgets, it becomes increasingly challenging to stretch our capacities. Sometimes all we have to be is the connectors! Community Outreach Manager Katie Reineke will discuss ways the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Outreach Department has leveraged successful community partnerships by connecting subject experts to their residents. She will also share clever tools EVPL Outreach has applied to continuously expand its reach with the same staff and budget for 3 years. 1 hr / 1 LEU
Date Recorded: 9/4/2025
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenter: Katie Reineke, Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library
Resources:
Need more adult programming ideas? Lacey Klemm has got you! She has gathered 12 more programming ideas, complete with instructions, for your library to use. These programs are adaptable to any budget.
Date Recorded: 8/13/2025
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenters: Lacey Klemm, East Chicago Public Library
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The Indiana Collection at the Indiana State Library offers a wealth of published material about our great state. Among the most widely used are local daily newspapers, maps, local histories, and state agency documents, including historical laws. Our collection includes historical runs of many titles, essential for researching the past and preparing for the future. In this webinar, you’ll be introduced to fascinating items within the collection, receive tips for exploring the resources, discover where to find online materials, and learn how you can help us grow this unique collection.
Date Recorded: 04/09/2025
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenter: Monique Howell, Indiana Division Supervisor, Indiana State Library
In 2024 the Institute of Museum and Library Services launched a new website to resources to teach about the different types of literacy there are including information literacy, digital literacy, financial literacy, health literacy, and science literacy. The website includes programming resources to help develop skills in using and understanding information in a quickly changing world. In addition, the website includes training resources specifically for professionals, funding opportunities to promote information literacy, ready-made lesson plans, evaluation tools and more. Please join us for a look at what can be accomplished using the materials available on the website.
Date recorded: April 30, 2025
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenter: Kara Cleveland, Professional Development Office Supervisor, Indiana State Library
Caregivers often face overwhelming physical, emotional, and mental challenges while balancing caregiving with their own well-being. In this session, librarians will learn how to support caregivers by connecting them with trusted health resources from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other key organizations. Participants will explore effective strategies for making libraries welcoming, resource-rich spaces for caregivers and gain practical tools to help prevent caregiver burnout within the community. Join us to strengthen your library’s role as a supportive hub for caregivers, fostering resilience and connection.
Date Recorded: 01/08/2025
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenter: Bobbi L. Newman, MLIS, MA, Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist, Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) Region 6, Wellness Ambassador, Senior Librarian, The University of Iowa Libraries
Indiana Disability Resource FINDER, administered by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC), is a FREE 24/7 online state-wide disability-related database designed to connect individuals to providers, resources, and events across Indiana. We will explore program features and demonstrate how to use FINDER to help individuals with disabilities and family members connect with services and resources in Indiana.
Date Recorded: 2/25/2025
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenters: Peggy Holtz, Research Assistant, and Joel F. Fosha, Director of communications / Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University, Bloomington.
Resources:
Kick-off summer reading 2025 with this presentation about the Collaborative Summer Library Program’s Color Our World “art” theme, including suggested resources for planning and other general information.
Date Recorded: 1/7/2025
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenters: Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant at Indiana State Library
Resources:
Resources for Summer Program Planning
Summer Program Ideas for Current Year
Financial fraud and exploitation results in the loss of billions of dollars every year. These crimes often go unreported because victims are scared, embarrassed, or don’t know who to call. The U.S. Department of Justice National Elder Fraud Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, provides services to adults aged 60 and older who experience financial fraud and exploitation to help them report the crime and access appropriate resources. In addition to the financial impact of these crimes, the emotional toll older adult victims of fraud suffer can be devastating. Professionals that interact frequently with older adults can play a critical role in identifying potential frauds and scams and utilize the opportunity to raise awareness of and share resources that may be available to assist victims of financial fraud, such as the NEFH. This presentation will cover some common scams, warning signs to look for, available resources, and steps to take should one suspect a fraud or scam is taking place.
Date: 07/31/2024
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenter: Helen Supanich, Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline
Ms. Supanich has ten years’ experience providing services to older adults. She is currently a Case Management Shift Supervisor for the Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline. Previously, Ms. Supanich worked as an Advocate for the VOCA-funded Holistic Elder Abuse Response Team (“HEART”) at the non-profit WISE & Healthy Aging, where she partnered with Adult Protective Services and Long Beach Police Department; she provided case management and advocacy services to older/dependent adult abuse survivors. Prior to this, Ms. Supanich was an Ombudsman with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in Los Angeles County (Region II), where she investigated abuse, neglect, and other issues at long-term care facilities in her assigned region and served as an advocate for residents at these facilities.