John Helling News Today

Hayes, the librarian at the center of a months-long controversy over the Indianapolis Public Library CEO selection process, left as part of a mutual decision, according to the library system's board of trustees.

The Hamilton East Public Library board sought to protect kids from books. But when kids and others pushed back, their resolve faltered.

The Indianapolis Public Library kicked off National Banned Books Week Oct. 3 with a fireside chat conversation with John Green and State Senator and educator Andrea Hunley.

The Hamilton East library board called for a review of books in its libraries' teen and young adult sections, based on content in the texts.

Every fall, a centuries-old tradition takes place in the Ozarks—gigging for suckers at night. Afterward, there's a hell of a bonfire party.

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.

The change in interim leadership comes as the library reviews criticism of the board and racial tensions among employees highlighted in a new survey.

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.

John Helling has been interim CEO for the Indianapolis Public Library since Jackie Nytes retired in 2021.

Yanna McGraw works at the Central Library in downtown Indianapolis. A big part of her job is building relationships with visitors and helping answer their