Contact us: (317) 275-4700 indyplfoundation.org foundation@ indyplfoundation.org

December 2015

New Website Have you visited indyplfoundation.org recently? In October, our brand new website launched with an updated look and more news and stories about the Foundation. The site features the patrons and people who benefit from Library programs. On the site, you can share your Library story and find out when events, including the Indy Library Store Book Sales, are happening. Between IMAGINE newsletters, you’ll find more Foundation news on the site as well.

Giovanni headlines Fall Fest Poet, educator and activist Nikki Giovanni delivered the keynote lecture at Fall Fest on Saturday, November 21. Her lecture was the culmination of the day-long program, featuring local artists serving as role models and inspiring teenagers.

Giovanni’s lecture, attended by more than 350 in Clowes Auditorium plus an overflow room, ranged from the Black Lives Matter movement, to education to her interest in space and exploration. In addition to Giovanni’s lecture, attendees enjoyed

performances from North Star Capoeira (martial arts with dance), SITEAW (a basket-balancing race,) Indy Air Bears, Krash Krew and Brave Youth Society. The day also featured winners of the Slammin’ Rhymes Challenge X, a spoken word poetry contest for teens. Ten teen poets were selected to present their works during the event. Giovanni helped present the awards to the winners and signed copies of her books for them. Fall Fest 2015 was presented by the Library's African-American History Committee and is made possible by Indiana Humanities, the Donna D. Talley Story Theatre Fund, the Dr. Michael R. Twyman Endowment Fund, the Louise Lage Kirtland and Hugh C. Kirtland Endowment Fund and Friends of the Library. Job Center usage stays strong New data shows unemployed community members are still using The Job Center. The Job Center provides one-on-one job searching help for Library patrons who are unemployed or under-employed. The Job Centers are located at Central Library and eight other branches around the city and a mini-Job Center at the Lawrence Branch. Job Center users reported on surveys that the majority do not have computers or Internet access at home, making the Job Centers vital for their ability to look for work. Job Center sessions give users up to four hours of time to use computers and printers dedicated to job searching, while lab assistants can provide personalized assistance. The Job Centers are made possible with the support of TCU Foundation, the Hoover Family Foundation, the Office of Lawrence Township Trustee, Knowledge Services and Friends of the Library. Early Literacy Technology at Southport Young learners at the Southport Branch will get a boost with their technology skills thanks to new iPads at the branch getting incorporated into some story times and other activities for preschoolers. Branch staff will also take the iPads to local childcare centers to continue the technology literacy learning in the coming year. Thank you to Comcast for their support of this program. Staff Campaign Thank you to all who gave to the 2015 Library Staff Campaign, “More Than You Imagine.” Library and Library Foundation employees contributed more than $21,000. The campaign raises support, in part, for the Staff Development Fund to invest in the ongoing training of current and future Library staff.

Teen Read Week with John Green Indianapolis author John Green’s book, “Paper Towns,” was the centerpiece of the Library’s Teen Read Week activities this fall. Held through the month of October at most Library locations, teens could participate in discussions of the book, earn giveaway books or try a 3D doodler pen. The national celebration of teens reading drew more than 350 participants to Indy libraries.

Teen Read Week kicked off with a private lecture by John Green at Central Library for librarians and students from some Shared System member schools and via Skype with participants in Cologne, Germany. Green spoke about the influence of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., on his writing. Teen Read Week was

made possible thanks to the Tracy L. Haddad Foundation and Friends of the Library. Hometown Roots concert series Four Indiana-based music groups took the stage in Clowes Auditorium at Central Library this year for the 2015 Hometown Roots concert series. More than 215 people enjoyed listening to a variety of music styles through the series. This year’s performers included Oliver Nelson jazz flute ensemble, Three to One (a folk/blues quartet), Impressaria Winds (an all-women woodwind group), and Moor and the Northmen (island/reggae music). The concert series allowed attendees to be up-close to the musicians and listen to a style of music they might not otherwise have a chance to hear. On surveys, patrons commended the groups performing for not only their musicianship but for how they engaged the audience. “They kept me involved – clapping my hands, patting floor with my feet,” said one attendee at the Three to One concert. Hometown Roots was made possible by BMO Harris Bank. The concert series will be offered again in 2016. Watch indypl.org/events for details. Computer classes teach skills to adults

The Library again offered computer classes in both English and Spanish for adult patrons this year. Computer classes were offered in English at Central Library and the East Thirty-Eighth Street Branch to teach patrons how to use products in the Microsoft Office suite. Spanish-language classes

were held at Central and the Haughville Branch Library. More than 1,500 adults took part in classes in English at Central and East Thirty-Eighth Street; more than 175 adults attended classes in Spanish. Every class gives participants a flash drive, loaded with materials for the class and practice exercises. Spanish Computer Classes were made possible thanks to the Robert & Toni Bader Foundation and Fifth Third Bank. Computer classes at Central Library and East Thirty-Eighth Street were made possible thanks to gifts from Friends of the Library.

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It’s not too late! If you have not yet made a gift to support the Library Foundation this year, you can mail your check or visit indyplfoundation.org/give to make your tax-deductible gift before December 31, 2015. Your contribution will help fund programs like the Job Center and the early literacy programs. We appreciate your support.

Patrons take part in a computer class at the East Thirty-Eighth Street Branch.

Nikki Giovanni delivers the keynote lecture at Fall Fest.

John Green at Central

Nominations for the 2016 Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors

Award open on February 1, 2016.

Rock to Read Thanks to Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza and 92.3 WTTS for another year of Rock to Read concerts to support children’s reading programs. This year, Rock to Read featured three shows: Wilco, John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett and Guster. Rock to Read has been supporting the Library since 2006. In that time, the concert series has raised more than $100,000 for children’s literacy programs.

On the Road to Reading still delivers More than 2,300 children and early childhood education providers at home- or ministry-based childcare centers received monthly Library visits thanks to the On the Road to Reading Program.

The program runs September-May. During those months, the Itty Bitty Bookmobiles and Library staff make an average 140 stops each month. Each 30-minute program focuses on an early literacy skill and provides resources to the early childhood educators to use between visits. At the

end of the visit, library staff leave behind Bunny Bags (assorted board and picture books) to keep kids reading between visits. Providers can also request activity kits about topics like colors, weather, the ocean and more to help children develop other early literacy and kindergarten readiness skills. Sites which are enrolled in the Paths to QUALITY program are given priority for Library visits. All the curriculum materials provided to early educators align with Paths to QUALITY standards. On the Road to Reading and Bunny Bags are made possible thanks to the support of ExactTarget Foundation, The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund, Junior League of Indianapolis, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana and the Herbert Simon Family Foundation.

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TechZone at the InfoZone Families visiting the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on its Target Family Free Nights can take part in special technology activities at the InfoZone Branch through the TechZone Experience. To help bolster digital literacy skills for patrons of the branch and the museum, the InfoZone developed exploration activities with technology for visitors. The branch also has regular visits from school and preschool groups in the area. The increased technology presence is also helping those students learn digital literacy skills that can help them succeed in school. The program uses a number of new technologies, including Google Cardboard (virtual reality), Cubelets (robots for teaching basic computing inputs and outputs) and programming with the Dot-and-Dash robots and more. The TechZone Experience is made possible by the Haddad Family Foundation. Your dollars at work The Library Foundation supports four key areas of Library programs and services. As of September 30, 2015, the Library Foundation spent $1,445,796 in these targeted areas: Children’s Programs ($502,235) Collections & Technology ($704,891) Cultural & Community ($157,607) Lifelong Learning ($81,063)

Have you ever thought about leaving a legacy for

the Library? You can make a planned gift (contribution in a will, gift of life insurance or

retirement plan,) or other arrangements that can

generate income for you. Whatever your goals, the

Library Foundation can help you shape your legacy gift to support the Library. Call

275-4700 for more info.

Preschoolers at Liz Kids Child Care sing ‘Five Little Monsters

Jumping on the Bed’ to develop listening and memory

skills during a Library visit.

Students using the Dot-and-Dash robot at the InfoZone.