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.