MCLS is pleased to announce that 10 individuals from nine Indiana libraries were selected to receive a scholarship from MCLS to participate in the Harwood Virtual Public Innovators Lab, June 23 to August 11, 2016.

The funds were made available to MCLS member libraries through a grant program established by the MCLS Board of Trustees from the proceeds of the sale of the former INCOLSA building in Indiana.

The Harwood Virtual Public Innovators Lab takes their signature 2.5-day training and transforms it into an interactive 8-week online course to help libraries learn what it means to turn outward – to use the community, not the conference room, as the reference point for choices and action. Participants will get the same quality training delivered in an innovative, new way.

According to MCLS Executive Director, Randy Dykhuis, “MCLS has been using the community engagement tools of the Harwood Institute and sharing them with libraries in Indiana and Michigan since 2013.  We are excited to be able to support training for Indiana librarians in this proven community engagement method.”

The selected libraries represent a spectrum of library types, sizes, and geographic locations in Indiana, all with a common goal to engage more deeply in their communities.

The following libraries were selected:

• Bristol Washington Township Public Library
• Eckhart Public Library (Auburn)
• Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library
• Hagerstown Public Library
• Jackson County Public Library
• Ohio Township Public Library (Newburgh)
• Tipton County Public Library
• Vigo County Public Library
• Wells County Public Library

MCLS is committed to continuing to support the community engagement efforts of Indiana and Michigan libraries beyond the Lab, and will offer communication forums through social media and community engagement roundtables for libraries as they begin to put the Harwood tools into practice in their community.