Government Information Day Conference 2026

Minimalist designed logo reading GID Government Information Day.

Friday, May 15th at the Indiana State Library

The Indiana State Library is excited to announce the date for the next Government Information Day conference (GID26): Friday, May 15,2026. The event is free to attend, and offers a great learning opportunity for librarians, library staff, information professionals, and members of the public. GID26 is a free one-day hybrid conference that promotes federal, state, and local government information and resources. Indiana public librarians can also earn LEUs at the event.

In-Person Registration

In-person registration for GID26 is live! Register for in-person attendance, Government Information Day 2026 – LibCal – Indiana State Library.

Virtual Registration

Virtual attendees must register for every session they wish to attend. All virtual sessions will be recorded and uploaded for later view. All session times listed are Eastern Standard Time:
1. GID26: Introduction to U.S. Government Information: Reference Questions at the Information Desk (9:30-10:30 AM)
Registration link: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_ETc0NAayTLavqBsWOpPpww
2. GID26: Keynote Address (11:00 AM – Noon)
Registration link: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_UbJdwCPGSnW_mtcycmElHA
3. GID26: Understanding Government Mistrust and Enhancing Transparency: The Role of Libraries (1:00-2:00 PM)
Registration link: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_7ED3GehYQ8CwjJdKxMPYEg
4. GID26: Talking Books: Audiobooks, Large Print, and Braille (2:30-3:30 PM)
Registration link: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_RrzsXsdEQG2eylCe0iVuBQ

Conference Schedule

Registration8:30 AM (Great Hall)
Welcome & Opening Remarks9:00 AM (History Reference Room)
Concurrent Session 19:30 – 10:30 AM
Break10:30 – 11:00 AM (Visit Exhibitors)
Session 2 – Keynote Address11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (History Reference Room)
Lunch (Boxed Lunch Options)12:00 – 1:00 PM
Concurrent Session 31:00 – 2:00 PM
Break2:00 – 2:30 PM (Visit Exhibitors)
Concurrent Session 42:30 – 3:30 PM
Closing Remarks3:30 – 4:00 PM (History Reference Room)

Conference Sessions

CONCURRENT SESSION 1 (9:30 – 10:30 AM)
Introduction to Government Information for Reference Librarians (History Reference Room)
Amy Laub, Senior Outreach Librarian from the Library Services & Content Management Division of the U.S. Government Publishing will highlight some information on U.S. Government resources, including a brief overview about the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). Attendees will learn key attributes about U.S. Government information to consider when conducting a reference interview at the information desk and will go over a series of sample questions grouped into four general topic areas: the Legislative Branch, the Judicial Branch, the Executive Branch, and data and statistics. (*Hybrid Session)

Providing Indiana Newspaper Collections and Using Them Efficiently (Indiana Authors’ Room)
Caught between the worlds of digital and paper publishing, newspaper archivists are pivoting to save local journalism. How is the Indiana State Library saving today’s local newspapers for future research? How can you most effectively use the current digital, film, and print collections to help your patrons?

SESSION 2 (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Keynote Address with Director Hugh N. Halpern, U.S. Government Publishing Office (History Reference Room) (*Hybrid Session)

CONCURRENT SESSION 3 (1:00 – 2:00 PM)
Understanding Government Mistrust and Enhancing Transparency: the Role of Libraries (History Reference Room)
Mistrust in government isn’t just about politics. It often comes down to how people find and make sense of information. This session examines how complexity, scattered search tools, information overload, and misinformation contribute to confusion and skepticism. Even with more access to government information than ever, trust doesn’t always follow. The session highlights how the U.S. Government Publishing Office helps ensure authenticity through GovInfo, its official online platform for federal documents. Attendees will learn practical strategies to guide users to reliable, understandable sources. (*Hybrid Session)

Senior Services Roundtable (Indiana Authors’ Room)
Join Nick Parker (Office of Court Services), Nancy Moore (Senior Medicare Patron), and Lynn Clough (Indiana’s State LTC Ombudsman) as they discuss various services available to the senior community and answer any questions from the library community.

SESSION 4 (2:30 – 3:30 PM)
Talking Books: Audiobooks, Large Print, and Braille (History Reference Room)
Come and learn how the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library at the State Library serves Indiana’s disability community and how they can help your library reach others and supplement your collection. (*Hybrid Session)

New Facility and Records of the Indiana State Archives (Indiana Authors’ Room)
Chandler Lighty, Executive Director of the Indiana Archives and Records Administration, will provide the latest updates about the new Indiana State Archives building and programs, as well as how to access their extraordinary collection of records and resources.

Photo of GPO Director Hugh Halpern with American flag in the background.

Keynote Speaker Set for GID26
The Indiana State Library is proud to announce Director Hugh Halpern, U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), as the Government Information Day 2026 keynote speaker. As the Agency’s chief executive officer, Director Halpern is responsible for overseeing the publishing and printing information for the three branches of the Federal Government. He is the 28th person to lead GPO since the agency was created by Congress on March 4, 1861, the same day Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States. President Donald Trump nominated Mr. Halpern to be GPO Director on October 17, 2019, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him on December 4, 2019.

Lunch

Boxed lunches will be offered at the event. Lunch break is noon to 1 pm (EST). Attendees are welcome to lunch alternatives near the Indiana State Library.

LEUs

Indiana public librarians will be able to earn up to 4 LEUs for attending. Instructions for reporting LEUs will be provided at event.

Parking

Attendees are encouraged to park at the Indiana Government Center North Parking Garage (220 N Senate Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202). Ticket validation is available in the Great Hall at the Registration Table or at the Circulation Desk on the 1st floor. Attendees will also need their parking ticket to re-enter the parking garage.

Questions

Please contact Brent Abercrombie at babercrombie@library.in.gov with any questions or concerns related to Government Information Day 2026 conference.