Indiana State Library Foundation, Inc.

10/13/2026

Cute Story for Halloween! I bought this to read to my sweet Great Niece, Loretta...

"The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt" is a charming children's picture book about a ghost who is a quilt instead of a sheet, celebrating uniqueness and self-acceptance.

About the Book
Written by Riel Nason and illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler, the story follows a small ghost nicknamed Scrappy, who is different from all other ghosts because he is made of quilt fabric rather than a light, floating sheet.

Unlike his friends and family, Scrappy cannot whirl, twirl, or soar easily, and he gets very hot when he tries to fly. His great-grandmother was a lace curtain, but this does little to cheer him up. Feeling left out, Scrappy struggles with his identity until a special Halloween experience shows him that being different can be valuable and rewarding.

10/01/2026

Grab a book, and read with your child!

10/01/2026

09/18/2026

Genealogy and Local History Fair returns to Indiana State Library on Oct. 24

The popular Genealogy and Local History Fair will return to the Indiana State Library on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This year's theme is “America 250: Researching Our Early American Ancestors." The fair will feature a full day of genealogy presentations and exhibitors.

Military historian and professional genealogist Michael Strauss will present “The Road to Independence: Defiance, Crises and Coming War.” In the decade before the Battles of Lexington and Concord marked the start of the American Revolutionary War, the forces that would make revolution necessary were already at work. Strauss will explore the events and tensions that carried the colonies to the breaking point while reviewing records that place families squarely within the prewar struggles.

Strauss will also present “In the Cause of Liberty: Voices from the Revolutionary War.” He will examine compiled military service records, pension files, state and federal bounty land warrants, local militia rolls and Continental Navy and Marine Corps records of those who served in the Revolutionary War. The lecture extends beyond the war itself and examines the national emergencies that followed.

Professional genealogical researcher, writer and speaker Anni Parsons will present “The Hunt for Patriots in Your Ancestry.” Parsons will detail how to trace a family tree back to the Revolutionary War and how to establish if one has Patriots or Loyalists in their lineage. Genealogy resources will be discussed and will be based on records in America during the colonial years.

Registration is not required for the in-person event but is preferred. Click here https://isl.libcal.com/event/17404682 to register and to read more details about the presentations and speakers. This year, participants may attend virtually. Click here to register for the virtual sessions.

Indiana library staff can receive up to three LEUs for attending.

Parking validation will be available for attendees who park in the Senate Avenue parking garage directly across from the library and bring their ticket in for validation.

For questions, or to register as an exhibitor, please email: [email protected]

09/03/2026

Indiana Young Readers Center 10th Anniversary Celebration In-Person

The IYRC is turning 10! The Indiana Young Readers Center opened in October 2016. It is a place for kids to learn more about Indiana and explore the literary works of Indiana authors and illustrators. On October 10 we will celebrate with author visits, activities, storytime, writing workshop, special presentation, displays, information tables, and even a surprise guest or two! Come enjoy as we celebrate the Indiana Young Readers Center!

Date:
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time:
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Time Zone:
Location: Indiana State Library
2nd Floor, ISL - In-Person Event

09/02/2026

WATCH HERE FOR MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW!

08/27/2026

The Geography Educators' Network of Indiana is currently accepting applications from organizations who are interested in receiving a free Giant Map of Indiana.

The lightweight vinyl map measures 10 feet east to west by 16 feet north to south and contains a plethora of information about Indiana. The map can be used for classroom lessons, community outreach and spatial thinking programs.

Libraries are eligible to apply for one of the 20 available maps. Applicants must be willing to participate in a required Giant Map of Indiana professional development training; engage educators, students and the community in the teaching and learning of geography utilizing the map; employ the map monthly in a teaching and learning environment; and complete an evaluation after each session.

The map distribution is made possible via an ATLAS Grant from the Indiana Geographic Information Office. Read more and apply here.
https://geni.indianapolis.iu.edu/lessons-resources/indiana-map-grant.html
The application deadline is Thursday, Sept. 3.

08/27/2026

AUTHOR RYAN COLE TO VISIT INDIANA STATE LIBRARY.

In celebration of the Library of Congress National Book Festival, the Indiana State Library will welcome author Ryan Cole next month. Cole was chosen by the Indiana Affiliate Center for the Book to represent Indiana at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. The Indiana Center for the Book is one of 56 centers affiliated with the Library of Congress Center for the Book. The affiliates promote reading, libraries and literacy across the country.

Cole’s adult nonfiction book “The Last Adieu: Lafayette’s Triumphant Return, the Echoes of Revolution, and the Gratitude of the Republic” was part of the festival’s Great Reads from Great Places program. Each year, each Center for the Book selects one juvenile and one adult Great Reads title. “The Last Adieu” is this year's adult selection. Selections are written by authors from their state or territory, take place in their state or territory or celebrate local culture and heritage.

Cole will visit the Indiana State Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m. The Indiana University graduate has delivered talks at venues such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the Library of Congress and his writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal. Cole will discuss his book, which details the Marquis de Lafayette’s return to the U.S. in 1824 as an aging hero of the American Revolution.

The program is free and will take place in person with an option to attend virtually. Registration is required for the virtual presentation and can be completed here.

The Indiana State Library is located at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.

08/26/2026

https://indianastatelibraryfdn.org/dolly-parton-imagination-library-indiana/

The Indiana State Library Foundation is proud to partner with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Indiana, a program dedicated to fostering a love of

08/26/2026

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