The next major release of Libby will introduce a new feature called Content Controls.

Content Controls allow users to configure what library content appears in Libby, for themselves or for their family, based on the intended audience for each book, audiobook, and magazine in the library collection.

This feature is optional. When content controls are in effect, they apply to every library in the user’s Libby app.

Audience choices There is a new action named Content Controls in the Settings section of the Menu. To access it, the user must first add a library card to Libby.

Within Content Controls, users can make decisions about how Libby displays “mature content” available at their libraries: whether it appears in deep search results, whether it can be sampled or borrowed, and whether cover images are visible or redacted.

Restrictions that a user selects for how Libby displays “mature content” can also be applied to “general content” and “young adult” titles (except for cover image redaction, which is limited to mature content).

Simplified presets For common use cases, users can simply select a preset:

Libby for Everyone works just like Libby does today, with no restrictions by audience except those users manually choose to apply.

Libby for Kids shows only titles for “juvenile” and “young adult” audiences when searching and browsing in Libby. Users can apply deep-search, sample, and circulation restrictions to young adult titles if they wish.

Libby for Grown-ups is for people who borrow “general content” and “mature content” titles only. It prevents kids’ titles from appearing at their libraries in Libby. Users who enjoy young adult titles can re-enable that content using a toggle within the preset.

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Harrison County Public Library is developing its five-year strategic plan and is seeking public feedback. The Indiana State Library requires that all public libraries draft a strategic plan.

A strategic plan is a roadmap that outlines a public library’s key priorities, goals, and actions over the next five years. It’s designed to ensure that the library continues to meet the evolving needs of its community in a thoughtful, organized, and sustainable way. It helps the library focus its resources, make informed decisions, and measure progress. By setting clear goals around services, technology, equity, partnerships, and more, the plan guides everything from programming and staffing to facility improvements and funding strategies.

HCPL will hold community conversations on the following dates:

• Thursday, May 29 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lanesville Branch
• Thursday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Palmyra Branch
• Thursday, July 31 at 6:00 p.m. at the Elizabeth Branch
• Tuesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harrison County Community Foundation

Whether you’re a frequent visitor or new to the library, HCPL invites your input.

Please click here to complete the survey. Each person who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

It is with heavy hearts that we at HCPL share that Diana Lasky passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, after a months-long battle with acute myeloblastic leukemia. Youth in the community knew and loved Diana as “the Library Lady” from her work at HCPL and the Corydon Elementary School library. 

Diana joined the HCPL staff in August of 2007 as a library assistant in youth services. She assisted in all capacities and started a teen program she called TAG (Teen Activity Group). Under her direction, the teens took over decorating the library for Christmas, worked the life-sized Candy Land program, had poetry readings, and more. Diana became youth services manager in 2018 and guided the department into video programming during the pandemic in an effort to continue to reach the community while the library was closed. She was instrumental in getting Tyson involved in the Winter Reading Challenge, dubbing the program “Read to Feed Harrison County.” That effort continued to grow each year with other generous donors such as Duke Energy and the Harrison REMC. She carried the brunt of moving Summer Reading record keeping to Beanstack.

Diana was a dedicated, hard-working employee pitching in wherever needed, working local festivals and pop-up libraries. In January of 2023, she transitioned to the administrative assistant position where she worked tirelessly, taking on tasks such as digitizing historical library minutes, setting up and hosting receptions for library volunteers and retiring board members, working as a liaison between the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana and the library to bring Shakespeare performances to Harrison County, tackling the Water Step donation program and more. Due to her battle with leukemia and deteriorating health, she resigned effective January 1, 2025. 

Words cannot express how much we will miss her positive outlook. Diana would say, “Today is a good day to have a good day!”

Let’s Celebrate Diana on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Beanblossom-Cesar Funeral Home.

The SoIN Big Read is a regional reading event hosted by libraries and local organizations. The event promotes reading and celebrates the joy of learning as a community. This year’s Big Read book is Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut. Participating organizations: Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana, Clark County Reads, Floyd County Public Library, Harrison County Public Library, Jeffersonville Township Public Library, and the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library.

Get your copy of Player Piano at any HCPL branch!

SoIN Big Read Kickoff

Tuesday, September 24 · 6:30 – 8pm EDT

Ivy Tech Community College: Auditorium, 8204 Highway 311 Sellersburg, IN 47172

Event lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Join us for this exciting FREE event to kick off the SoIN Big Read! Reserve your spot at the kickoff event

The sponsors are excited to host artist Edith Vonnegut Squibb, daughter of literary icon Kurt Vonnegut, and celebrated author Jess Walter of The Cold Millions, Beautiful Ruins, and other titles for a compelling discussion on the significance of free speech and the lasting impact of Vonnegut’s work.

As they delve into topics related to book banning, Squibb will offer a unique perspective on her father’s fearless approach to controversial topics and his belief in the power of literature to provoke thought and inspire change.

Walter will bring his own experiences as a writer to the conversation, reflecting on how the fight for free speech continues to shape the literary landscape. Together, they will explore the ongoing relevance of Vonnegut’s voice in defending the right to read and write without restriction, highlighting the critical role of literature in safeguarding freedom of expression.

This kickoff event is sponsored by the Jeffersonville Township Public Library Foundation and Indiana Humanities.

2024 SoIN Big Read Events

Do you have interesting (identifiable) local photographs of grandpa’s business, your ancestral home, street scenes, interesting people, parades, or other historic images just sitting around in a shoebox or basement?  Share them!

Every year in May, preservation groups, historical societies, businesses and civic organizations across the country celebrate Historic Preservation Month.  This year is no different.  Presented through a series of “Scan-a-thon” events, the Frederick Porter Griffin Center is joining forces with the Historical Society of Harrison County to promote the importance of preserving local history.  As part of an ongoing collaborative project with The Corydon Democrat, the Historical Society is seeking to collect “Scenes From Yesteryear” photographs from the public.

During each scan-a-thon, Historical Society President Karen Schwartz and FPGC staff will look through photos, record details, and make high-resolution scans while you wait.  All documents will be carefully handled and immediately returned to the owners.  (**If owners wish to receive digital copies of their contributions they must provide their own flash drives at the event**) Karen stated, “This is a great opportunity to preserve your photos and information for posterity.  Please join the Historical Society of Harrison County in our mission to preserve, protect, promote and interpret the rich history of Harrison County!”  Any images and information collected may be published in the newspaper and may be featured in the Library’s Digital Archives Collection. https://cdm17251.contentdm.oclc.org/

Subjects desired include photographs, postcards, and the like, of all eras (up to the present) that the owner can positively identify of Harrison County houses, farms, businesses, schools, churches, bands, clubs, transportation, or interesting people; including portraits of prominent or pioneer residents, people participating in activities, or great snapshots of everyday life.  Help commemorate Historic Preservation Month!

Scan-a-thon Dates

Thursday May 2 (10-3) *Note the early ending – Happy Thurby!
Monday May 6 (10-4)
Wednesday May 15 (10-4)
Tuesday May 21 (10-4)
Saturday May 25 (10-4)
Friday May 31 (10-4)

The Frederick Porter Griffin Center for Local History and Genealogy is located in the county’s original Carnegie Library building directly behind the Corydon branch of HCPL at 117 West Beaver Street, Corydon.  For more information, call 812-738-5412.

Article by Kathy Fisher