In Indianapolis, Optimistic Leaders and Some Frustrated Staffers

-- Library Journal, 08/16/2006

As noted previously, the Indianapolis Star recently completed a major investigation of cost overruns in the Central Library expansion project of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, but we hadn't included the library's response. A July 30 letter to the newspaper signed by library CEO Linda Mielke and the library board congratulated Star reporter Kevin Corcoran on his investigation and said, "What can clearly be seen as missteps and errors in judgment have led to significant alterations in how the library does business now." New leadership, they said, has gotten the project back on track, and "the board and staff have reduced operating overhead without cuts in service," even as circulation grows.

Some of those changes have not sat well with staff. Some 50 library employees demonstrated inside and outside the library board's July meeting, chanting "Recognition now," according to the Star. The board has not yet recognized the effort to form a union and is not required to do so, though some other library boards in the state have done so. Advocates say that 65 percent of 300 salaried employees support unionization. The board plans to cut staffers' usual 2 percent raises in half. Union advocates have suggested cuts in the hiring of temporary workers and spending on consulting and legal services.