The Indianapolis Public Library board of trustees has named Nichelle M. Hayes its new interim CEO. Hayes has led the Center for Black Literature and Culture at Central Library since its opening in 2017.

Roughly 22 percent of Black library employees reported receiving offensive comments or harassment from their colleagues related to their race in the past year, according to the climate study.

A measure to remove a legal defense for Indiana schools and public libraries accused of sharing harmful material failed during this year's legislative session. The Senate voted down the proposal as its final move before adjournment.

The General Assembly left a pair of bills aimed at libraries and school referendum funding with uncertain futures this week, but lawmakers are still eyeing them for next steps before session ends next month.

Libraries play a central role in many communities, providing books and information and helping people navigate challenges. Increasingly, those challenges are beyond the scope of what librarians are trained to handle like housing insecurity and mental illness. To meet the need, some libraries are hiring social workers.

The Indianapolis Public Library board of trustees named chief public information officer Jack Helling as interim CEO during a regular board meeting Monday. The board will conduct a national search for a CEO.

Noble County is mostly rural and sits in the northeast corner of Indiana. When local officials looked for vaccination sites, they sought a place that was centrally located and accessible.

After the death of George Floyd by police and the ensuing protests, many libraries were overwhelmed by requests for materials.

The Owen County Public Librarys trustees voted last month to end overdue fines on Jan. 1. And last week the Monroe County Public Librarys trustees voted both to end their overdue fines and cancel patrons past debt.