The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Board of Trustees will postpone any decision on options to effectively maintain future library services until July. That meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in Central Library (Riley Meeting Room), 40 E. St. Clair St.
Consideration of various proposals to reduce the cost of operations, which include the possibility of closing up to six IMCPL branch locations by 2012, originally was scheduled to occur at the library board’s June 10 regular meeting. The delay will allow the board’s finance committee enough time to thoroughly review subsequent proposals and suggestions received from the public, the high performance government team and library staff that can sustain the library system in the short-term and support its long-term planning.
“The library is extremely gratified by the public’s response and offers of support related to this issue,” said Thomas S. Shevlot, president of the IMCPL Board of Trustees. “We are committed to thoughtfully considering all options. This extra time will serve the library and the public well.”
The one-month delay will still allow adequate time for the library to formulate and present its proposed 2011 budget to the City-County Council by September.
IMCPL faces severe revenue reductions of over $4 million per year from a combination of property tax caps and the total tax levy. While the library has already implemented a number of cost-cutting strategies, it is necessary to consider additional measures to assure its long-term viability.
More information on the Library’s Sustainable Library Plan can be found at www.imcpl.org.
