Saturday, January 8, 2011

Township Deal with Indianapolis Marion County Public Library Comes Undone


Link to January7 Indianapolis Star article, "Done deal for township libraries comes undone".

Excerpt: Wayne Township's proposal to pay to restore longer hours at four nearby library branches, which seemed like a done deal, is going back to the drawing board.

New Wayne Township Trustee Andy Harris' decision this week not to release about $200,000 in surplus funds for that purpose means the proposal will have to be reviewed again by the Township Board at its Feb. 10 meeting, even though it had approved the deal last month.

Also, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library board is planning to re-examine the situation to decide what they might do if they do not get the money that had been offered by David Baird, the former trustee.

"Our board had approved (the interlocal agreement), and their board had as well," said Laura Bramble, the library's chief executive officer, on Thursday. "We need to talk things out."

The Wayne Township Board voted 6-1 on Dec. 9 to approve the interlocal agreement to make the payment, out of surplus funds, to help restore reduced hours at the Wayne, Eagle, Haughville and West Indianapolis branches, which are popular with township residents. Operating hours and some staff for those branches and others systemwide were cut back in October to help balance the library system's budget
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Related articles:
Vote to restore library hours and rehire staff: Thanking God again in Wayne Township, Indiana.  (12/16/2010)
Wayne Township's $200,000 for IMCPL:  "Thank God it's a nice purpose".  (12/8/2010)
Temporary fix (not yet approved ) to keep 4 IMCPL branches open.  (11/19/2010)
ICMPL to lay off 37 employees.  (11/12/2010)
Cuts in library hours, materials budget.  (9/15/2010)
Library announces 26% cut in hours.  (9/14/2010)
Indianapolis resident recommends book to local officials.  (9/6/2010)
Library board votes to include 'shortfall appeal' option.  (9/1/2010)
Library board to consider 'shortfall appeal'.  (8/30/2010)
In close vote, library board cuts hours, staff.  (8/20/2010)
Library grapples with its sustainable future.  (8/16/2010)
Library projects a $7.3 million deficit by 2014.  (7/29/2010)
Library board sez no branch closings in 2011.  (7/15/2010)
Library supporters question Pacers deal. (7/15/2010)
High performance government team report.  (7/11/2010)
Library board delays decision on libraries.  (6/5/2010)
Another big turnout for libraries.  (5/13/2010)
Mayor vows to keep library branches open.  (5/12/2010)
Residents speak up for their libraries.  (5/11/2010)
The neighborhood library as refuge.  (5/2/2010)
Indianapolis Star editorial board keeps library funding issue front and center.  (4/25/2010)
Efficiency experts look for ways to keep branch libraries open.  (4/23/2010)
More than 1400 sign petition to keep Glendale branch open.  (4/20/2010)
Editorial:  Find resources for library.  (4/19/2010)
What's in store for Indianapolis-area libraries?  (4/17/2010)
Indiana Pacers bailout talks continue.  (4/16/2010)
Postscript.  (4/15/2010)
Look what's at the top of Indianapolis's to-do list.  (4/14/2010)
A Challenge to Indianapolis-Marion County:  Stand Up for Libraries.  (4/13/2010)
Library rally caps?  Get real, sez IndyStar editorial.  (4/12/2010)
Will Indianapolis rally for its libraries?  (4/12/2010)
Library considers branch closings.  (4/9/2010)


Naturally, I now have this song running through my head.

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