Indiana Library Federation to honor First Lady Maureen Braun for literacy advocacy

The Indiana Library Federation will recognize Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun with its 2026 Library Advocacy Award for Exceptional Impact at its annual conference in Indianapolis on Nov. 10, 2026. The award reflects her role in securing funding and statewide support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library after state funding was cut.

Why it matters: - The award highlights a statewide effort that kept Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library running in Indiana after a budget cut threatened the program. - The initiative now reaches every Hoosier child from birth through age five, expanding early literacy access across the state. - About 165,000 children are enrolled, equal to 40% of Indiana’s eligible children.

What happened: - The Indiana Library Federation will recognize First Lady Maureen Braun with the 2026 Library Advocacy Award for Exceptional Impact at the 2026 Annual Conference: Libraries at the Crossroads of Learning. - The recognition is set for Nov. 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. - ILF said Braun earned the award for leadership in securing funding and building statewide support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. - Braun said she was honored by the recognition and thanked libraries, community partners and supporters who helped ensure children can access books and develop a love of reading.

The details: - The award cites Braun’s advocacy, collaborative leadership and commitment to early literacy. - Over the past two years, Braun played a central role in protecting the program’s survival and expansion in Indiana. - The program traditionally relied on a 50-50 cost-sharing model, with half funded at the state level and half raised locally. - State funding was eliminated during the last budget cycle, creating a funding gap. - Braun led a philanthropic push that brought together public libraries, community organizations, community foundations and corporate and individual donors. - That effort preserved monthly book deliveries for families across Indiana. - ILF President Austin Stroud said Braun’s leadership showed the power of collaboration and a shared commitment to literacy. - Julie Wendorf, co-chair of the ILF Advocacy Committee and immediate past ILF president, said Braun’s work preserved one of Indiana’s most impactful early literacy initiatives.

Between the lines: - The award signals that library groups see literacy advocacy as broader than library operations alone. - Braun’s effort shows how public-private fundraising can replace lost state support when a program has broad local backing. - Reaching full statewide access suggests the Imagination Library has become a major early childhood education tool in Indiana, not just a reading program. - ILF’s recognition also frames early literacy investment as a long-term economic and community strategy, not only a child development issue.

What's next: - Braun will be formally recognized at ILF’s annual conference in Indianapolis. - The award may help reinforce continued support for the Imagination Library and similar literacy initiatives across Indiana. - ILF says its advocacy award honors leaders who create lasting improvements for Indiana libraries and the communities they serve.

The bottom line: - Indiana’s library federation is honoring Braun for helping turn a funding crisis into statewide early literacy access.