New Spine Labels Available to Identify and Promote Books Written by Hoosier Authors

      Seven middle school librarians participated in a pilot project to determine the usefulness of Hoosier author spine labels.  The pilot librarians were Jo Adams, Helfrich Park Middle School, Evansville; Jane Gorman, Woodside Middle School, Fort Wayne; Carol Helton, Northside Middle School, Columbus; Artis Hoffmann, McCulloch Middle School, Marion; Eden Kuhlenschmidt, River Valley Middle School, Jeffersonville; Leslie Preddy, Perry Meridian Middle School, Indianapolis; and Beth Schulte, New Castle Middle School.

      The pilot librarians found a total of 970 books written by Indiana authors, the average being 139 per school with a range of 65 to 250.  They used a list of Indiana authors provided to them and added many other names.  The list of authors on page 11 includes those found in the Directory of Indiana Children’s Authors and Illustrators, by Sara Laughlin, and additional names from the collections in the seven schools. 

      The list of Hoosier authors includes living and deceased authors as well as those who were born in Indiana but now live elsewhere and those born outside of Indiana but who now reside in the state.  School librarians may find additional books by Indiana authors in their collections.

      Recommendations from the seven librarians involving Hoosier author books include the following:  

  Use parent and student volunteers to  locate books by Hoosier authors.

l   Promote the books with displays and booktalks.

l   One month a year have a special display that highlights and promotes Indiana authors.

l   Create a showcase in the library.

l   Make and display posters in other areas of the school.

l   Invite an Indiana author to visit your school.

l   Highlight Hoosier authors in school newsletters.

l   Use books for an Indiana Read-Aloud event.

l   Find information about Hoosier authors at <http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/www/ldo/childrens/>.

Hoosier author spine labels are available from the Middle Grades Reading Network.  Requests may  be made by e-mail, fax, telephone, or letter.  Please indicate the number of labels needed.