Technology

State Library Launches Indiana Library Passport

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Explore over 60 libraries and branches, including HCTPL, with the Indiana Library Passport.
Photo courtesy of the Indiana State Library.

The Indiana Library Passport has officially launched!

Showcasing over 60 libraries and branches to be explored across the state, Indiana Library Passport is a free, mobile passport program that allows users to check in at destination libraries and enter to win a prize. Users should visit https://passport.library.in.gov/ to sign up for the program, providing a name, email address and mobile phone number.

Prizes are awarded on a quarterly basis and may include historical tour tickets, architecture books and gift cards from local and national merchants.

The Indiana Library Passport is brought to you by the Indiana State Library and Bandwango, a technology company in the travel sphere, and sponsored by the Indiana State Library Foundation.

Huntington City-Township Public Library is one of many libraries in the area participating in this statewide program. Click here for more information and an interactive map of destination libraries.

HCTPL uses grant funding for smartboards, self-checkout stations

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Smartboards and new self-checkouts made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Indiana State Library and funding through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Accessing materials and collaborating with your peers has never been easier with the addition of three smartboards and two self-checkout stations at your library.

Last year, the Huntington City-Township Public Library received a $25,116.34 grant through the Indiana State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)  from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

These funds were designed to fill needs brought to light by the pandemic, and libraries were encouraged to use the funds for technology- and safety-related upgrades.

The library purchased two new self-checkout stations, allowing patrons to socially distance themselves from others and to check out books, movies and other items to their library card without having to interact directly with staff.

Also purchased were three smartboards, fully interactive whiteboards for streaming of lessons, videos and presentations, which increase ability for collaboration in the meeting rooms while maintaining safe social distancing practices.

This project would not have been possible without the ARPA-funded support of IMLS, the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums, inspiring these institutions to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement.

Since their installation the new self-checkouts have been active and an overall success for patron use. Library staff is working on training and documentation for the smartboards and hope to have them available for public use soon.