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2010 Library News Archive
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IMCPL Financial Management Honored
December 16, 2010
Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Chief Financial Officer Rebecca Dixon is among three central Indiana financial officers honored in the Government category as 2010 CFO of the Year by the Indianapolis Business Journal, the city's leading business news publication. Dixon was cited for her efforts in managing library finances during a time of declining tax revenues and increasing demands for services. Among her recent achievements, Dixon worked to increase interest income while refinancing and restructuring bond issues to reduce the Library's long-term debt. Dixon has served as the Library's CFO since 2005.
Central Library’s Clowes Auditorium Now Available for Business or Personal Events
December 10, 2010
Businesses, organizations and individuals are encouraged to take advantage of the aesthetically-pleasing Clowes Auditorium at Central Library downtown as their destination for corporate, club or personal events. The Clowes Auditorium is now one of a number of attractive venues within Central Library that are available for rental either during or after library operating hours.
IMCPL Expands Offering of Free Downloadable E-Books!
December 6, 2010
Over 15,000 e-books that never expire or count against a patron's loan limit have been added to the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's collection of downloadable materials. These free public domain e-books can be saved onto personal computers that feature either the Windows or Mac operating systems, or added to the Adobe Digital Editions Library, an e-book reader software product.
Clowes Foundation Grant Provides for Improved, More Efficient Services at the Shelby Branch Library
December 1, 2010
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation has received a grant of $393,787 from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation that will better equip the Shelby Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library to provide 21st century library services and showcase new green technologies.
IMCPL Announces Reduction in Force
November 4, 2010
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has announced a reduction of 37 staff as part of its plan to meet an estimated $4 million revenue shortfall in 2011. The announcement by IMCPL CEO Laura Bramble is the final step to achieve savings resulting from the reduction of system wide hours of operation by 26%, which took effect October 3.
Central Library Public Art Recognized Among Best in U.S. & Canada
November 3, 2010
The 21st century-defining works of California sculptor Peter Shelton that adorn the south entrance of Central Library downtown have been named among the 40 best public art works in the United States and Canada by the arts advocacy group Americans for the Arts in its 2010 Public Art Year in Review.
Join the Crowd! Read and Rhyme Aloud! IMCPL's 2010 November Read-Aloud Program
October 28, 2010
Beginning November 1, families, especially those with preschoolers and toddlers, are invited to enjoy time reading aloud together during the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's 2010 November Read-Aloud Program, "Join the Crowd! Read and Rhyme Aloud!"
Comcast Foundation Supports 2011 Summer Reading Program
October 21, 2010
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation has received a grant in the amount of $30,000 from the Comcast Foundation in support of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's 2011 Summer Reading Program.
New Digital Collection Highlights Local Firefighters' History
October 12, 2010
The Indianapolis Fire Department's 150-year history has been brought to life with a digital collection of over one thousand photographs, logbooks, audio and video clips, 3-dimensional objects and miscellaneous items from the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum now available through the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's online Digital Library.
IMCPL Receives "America's Star Library" Designation
October 8, 2010
For the second consecutive year, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has been rated among the nation's top urban public libraries, according to the recent Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. IMCPL's 4-star "America's Star Library" status places it in the top 10 of the nation's largest library systems with expenditures of at least $30 million annually.
Central Library Recognized for Services to Homeless
September 24, 2010
IMCPL's efforts at the Central Library to reach out to the city's homeless population have received special recognition from the local Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP). Central Library was the recipient of the William A. Crawford Public Service Award, a Blueprint Champion Award, presented by CHIP on Thursday, September 16 at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Library was cited for promoting the goals set forth in the "Blueprint to End Homelessness" through extraordinary efforts of library staff time and talents.
IMCPL Announces Reduced Hours of Service Effective October 3, 2010
September 14, 2010
In order to bring its operating budget in line with reduced property tax revenues, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has announced a 26 percent reduction in public service hours systemwide to take effect as of Sunday, October 3, 2010.
It's Library Card Sign-Up Month at IMCPL!
September 3, 2010
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library wants to make sure that all children and adults in Marion County have the smartest card of all -- a library card.
View Shortridge High School Yearbooks on IMCPL Web Branch
September 1, 2010
A 70-year collection of yearbooks from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis is the latest addition to the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's digital library. Entire yearbooks of most years from 1898 to 1968 are represented, giving viewers an opportunity to see photos of famous Shortridge alumni, including author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Don Mellett, civil rights lawyer and activist Henry J. Richardson, and Madelyn Pugh Davis, who wrote for the popular television show, "I Love Lucy." Photos of clubs, athletic teams, administrative personnel, and other school activities are also featured.
Central Library Recognized for Services to Homeless
August 20, 2010
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's efforts at the Central Library to reach out to the city's homeless population are receiving special recognition from the local Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP). Central Library will be the recipient of the William A. Crawford Public Service Award, a Blueprint Champion Award, to be presented by CHIP on Thursday, September 16 at Conseco Fieldhouse. It is being cited for promoting the goals set forth in the "Blueprint to End Homelessness" through extraordinary efforts of library staff time and talents.
Going Green at the Library! IMCPL Initiatives Reduce Costs, Conserve Resources
August 13, 2010
With an eye toward reducing operating costs while encouraging conservation, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library is finding success in various projects that focus on lowering energy usage, recycling and more electronic communication with patrons.
IMCPL Features Images of Historic English’s Opera House Programs
August 4, 2010
Re-live a period of Indianapolis history when the world’s leading actors and musicians appeared onstage as part of the latest collection of digital images available at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library.
IMCPL Unveils New World Language Learning Service
July 22, 2010
A new online language learning tool that is easy to use and uses multiple approaches to meet different learning styles is available at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Powerspeak Languages is available to patrons who can access computers at any IMCPL location or from home through the Library's website. It offers instruction on the most popular languages, including Spanish, French, German, Mandarin and English ESL. In guiding learners toward proficiency in any of these languages, Powerspeak focuses not just on words and phrases, but on listening, speaking, reading, grammar and pronunciation skills.
IMCPL Moves to Keep All Libraries Open in 2011
July 19, 2010
A series of proposed cost reductions and revenue enhancements would allow all Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library facilities to continue operations in 2011, while providing more time to develop a plan for the long-term sustainability of the library system.
IMCPL Provides Assistance With Patent Searches
June 30, 2010
Individuals with an inventive idea can receive help with their patent search from the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library at the downtown Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair Street.
Central Library receives support from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, meaning that library patrons have access to the same patent database, PubWest, used by the federal government to examine, award or deny patents. This database can be found on dedicated computers on the 4th floor of Central Library, where certain librarians have been trained by the Patent Office in Washington, D.C. in using this patent database and can explain what constitutes a viable patent search.
'Citizen's Read to Feed Day' Kicks off Summer Reading Program, Benefits Gleaners Food Bank
June 22, 2010
Law Library Resources Available at IMCPL
June 10, 2010
For individuals who may choose to represent themselves in court, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has acquired a small share of legal materials formerly housed at the Marion County Law Library in the City-County Building, which closed due to budgetary constraints in December 2009.
These materials, now available at Central Library downtown on the third floor, are for pro se litigants, those who wish to represent themselves in court without an attorney. These include a general yet comprehensive encyclopedia set and various legal form books.
Digital Bookmobile Comes to Central Library!
June 9, 2010
A high-tech version of the traditional bookmobile that has served local communities for decades will soon visit Indianapolis and provide an immersive experience for all ages. The Digital Bookmobile, a 74-foot, 18-wheel national touring vehicle operated by OverDrive, Inc., will appear on Tuesday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Library downtown, 40 E. St. Clair Street, and help promote the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's collection of downloadable eBooks and audiobooks.
The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high-definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players. Its interactive computer stations will give visitors an opportunity to search IMCPL's digital media collection of eBooks and audiobooks.
IMCPL Sustainable Library Decision Delayed Until July
June 4, 2010
Library Snapshot Day Captured IMCPL's Role in the Community
May 4, 2010
Nearly 19-thousand patrons visited the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library and over 20-thousand items were checked out during Library Snapshot Day on April 13, 2010, a day set aside during National Library Week to document a typical day in the life of the library and to underscore its importance in the lives of families and individuals.
Library Snapshot Day not only provided a statistical look at library usage, but also gave staff an opportunity to chronicle through photographs the range of activities that serve the public and take place behind the scenes that allow the library to operate efficiently. These include the cataloging of books, loading delivery trucks, opening boxes of materials and placing items on library shelves.
IMCPL Board Committee Hears Options to Sustain Library Services
April 8, 2010
The Finance Committee of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Board of Trustees on Thursday, April 8, 2010 received a preliminary report on options to effectively maintain library services as IMCPL faces severe revenue reductions from a combination of property tax caps and the total tax levy.
IMCPL will need to scale its budget requirements for multiple scenarios as the Library system faces a loss of up to $2.6 million in 2010, $3.1 million in 2011, and $3.2 million in 2012 in property tax revenue, or an estimated 7%-8% of its yearly operating budget. The Library is funded by a combination of taxes, grants and fees and charges. The property tax is the Library's primary source of revenue and accounts for 86% of the Library's projected income in 2010. In 2009, actual property tax revenues accounted for 80% of the Library's operating revenue. IMCPL receives no County Option Income Tax (COIT) and only a small portion of revenue comes from Local Option Income Tax (8% of revenue in 2010), and fines and fees (4%). State statute requires most services be provided free for residents of the district.
Indiana Heart Gallery Features Images of Children Available for Adoption
April 2, 2010
An inspiring photo exhibit that features candid images of Indiana children waiting to be adopted will be on display through April 15 at the Glendale Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, 6101 N. Keystone Ave., in the Glendale Mall complex. The Indiana Heart Gallery, which portrays children currently involved in Indiana's foster care system, is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Gallery of professionally produced photographs is designed increase awareness among families about Indiana children of all ages who are currently available for adoption. Photographers volunteered their time and talents to capture each child's unique spirit in portraits that have helped many find homes.
Library Snapshot Day: A Day in the Life of IMCPL!
April 2, 2010
From the delivery of books and materials to providing one-on-one computer assistance and a range of other services, the faces and activities of Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library staff and patrons will be chronicled during Library Snapshot Day on Tuesday, April 13. As one of the major events during National Library Week, April 11 - 17, Library Snapshot Day will document a typical day in the life of IMCPL, including the many varied activities that serve the public and those that occur behind the scenes that allow the library to function efficiently. There are many activities that patrons never see, such as the cataloging of books, loading delivery trucks, opening boxes and placing items on shelves, that are as vital to the library’s success as story times for children and assisting patrons with reference questions.
Haughville Branch Hosts Announcement of 2010 Census Job Opportunities
February 16, 2010
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Congressman André Carson visited the Haughville Branch on Tuesday, February 16 in an effort to encourage members of the community to take advantage of opportunities for employment with the 2010 Census. The Census is currently hiring individuals to serve as Census takers who work to collect data, conduct interviews and locate households in Marion County.
IMCPL Cited for Excellence in Financial Reporting
February 3, 2010
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has received the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. For the 19th consecutive year, IMCPL has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
