Indianapolis Public Library Names Specialist

The Indianapolis Public Library has promoted Nichelle Hayes to specialist to develop and lead the new Center For African-American Literature and Culture at Central Library. She started at IndyPL in March 2015 as a systemwide training librarian and for the past year has acted as a business librarian at Central Library. Hayes has also served as a member of the Library’s African-American History Committee. Funded as part of a $3.1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Center for African-American Literature and Culture at Central Library will open in October 2017 as a place to study the works of local African-American writers and discover the rich heritage of Black authors from Indiana and beyond. It will feature an initial collection of 10,000 volumes as well as special programming, such as author visits, forums and exhibits, to showcase the African-American experience. The Center also will promote the activities of the African-American History Committee. The Center for African-American Literature and Culture will be located in the 3,990-square-foot Robert B. Annis West Reading Room at Central Library. Its targeted opening will correspond with the 100th anniversary celebration of Central Library.