Indiana libraries receive $500 gifts from 2024 Indiana Authors Award winners

In addition to winning a $5,000 cash prize and a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted limestone award, the Indiana Authors Award-winning authors were each given the opportunity to make a $500 donation to an Indiana library of their choice. The libraries receiving donations, as well as the authors who selected them, are listed below.

Winning Libraries

• The Oaks Academy Pre-K Educational Center Library, Indianapolis — Janna Matthies, Children’s winner (pictured above)
• Library at the Kheprw Institute, Indianapolis — Maurice Broaddus, Middle Grade winner
• Georgetown Branch, Allen County Public Library — Kekla Magoon, Young Adult winner
• St. Joseph County Public Library — Tess Gunty, Fiction winner
• The University Library at Indiana University Indianapolis — Edward Fujawa, Nonfiction winner
• Allen County Public Library — George Kalamaras, Poetry winner
• Martinsville Branch, Morgan County Public Library — Brittany Means, Debut winner
• Delphi Public Library — Rebecca McKanna, Genre winner
• Kennedy Branch, Muncie Public Library — Jennifer Blackmer, Drama winner
• Southwest Branch, Monroe County Public Library — Tony Brewer, Literary Champion honoree
• Glendale Branch, Indianapolis Public Library — Susan Neville, Lifetime Achievement honoree

The donation can be used to support the library’s mission through programs, collection development or any other needs the library may have. The authors selected their respective library in recognition of the important role that libraries play within the community and for the support of reading and writing in Indiana.

Here’s what Susan Baier, executive director of the Allen County Public Library, had to say about receiving their gift:

“As a public library, we believe in the power of literature to connect people and communities. It’s an honor for our library to be recognized by two respected award-winning authors with strong ties to Fort Wayne. These funds help us further invest in our mission to enrich the community through lifelong learning and discovery.”

The Indiana Authors Awards are administered by Indiana Humanities with support from Glick Philanthropies.

“Libraries often act as a gateway to a journey of lifelong reading,” said Marianne Glick, chair of the Glick Family Foundation and daughter of Eugene and Marilyn Glick, founders of the Indiana Authors Awards. “It’s always a distinct pleasure to support the meaningful work that libraries do, and to open the doors for more readers throughout the state.”

In August, the Indiana Authors Awards announced the nine titles being honored with awards in 2024. Chosen from more than 50 shortlisted works, the winning submissions were written by a diverse collection of authors who all have deep connections to Indiana. To learn more, visit www.IndianaAuthorsAwards.org.