Indianapolis Won't Close Branches, But Will Cut Materials 20%, Seek Other Savings

Faced with decreased tax revenues and certain deficits, as well as a community outcry over closing branches, The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library(IMCPL) has proposed to cut materials by 20 percent, cut summer Sunday hours and eliminate positions, and require employees to pay a share of their Public Employees' Retirement Fund contribution. The total to be saved: about $2.56 million.

In May, the library stated that it was no longer considering closing four to six branches (of 22), given concerns raised by Mayor Greg Ballard and community members, in April the organization Stop Look Listen was formed to advocate against branch closings. However, IMCPL acknowledged, significant budget tinkering would be needed.

In a July 16 statement, Library Board president Thomas Shevlot noted that if the library had continued its previous course, it would face a deficit averaging of almost $2 million a year over the next few years. (Previous reports had that number even higher.)

The details
Beyond saving $1 million on books and other materials, IMCPL proposes to save about $440,000 by eliminating ten full-time positions and 11 part-time ones, another $440,000 by requiring staffers to contribute to retirement funds, and $311,000 from the Sunday closings.

Beyond that, employees at the top of the pay grade will get no merit increases, some paper notices to patrons will be axed, and savings will be squeezed in operations such as computer repair, printing, and freight.

New revenue
"Reducing expenses alone would not afford us the breathing room we needed in 2011," Shevlot wrote. "To complement our expense reduction strategy, the sustainable team also looked for ways internally to increase revenue."

While he didn't offer many details, he suggested that an increase in user fees-such as for a failure to pick up holds and to replace a borrower's card-could raise $59,000.

The board will hold a budget hearing August 19, submit the budget to the City-County Council in September, and should see it approved in late October.

Shevlot noted, "We may have a bit more time to work on the sustainability of IMCPL, but it is a fluid process. We anticipate many changes will occur between now and next August when our 2012 budget is due, and we will work diligently to create a budget for 2012 that best meets the community's needs."