Monday, August 16, 2010

Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Grapples with Its Sustainable Future


Link to August 17 Indianapolis Star article, "Library system grapples with need to change while also cutting back".

Excerpt: Preparing for the 2011 budget, she [Laura Bramble, CEO of Indianapolis library system] said, made it difficult for the library to commit time to in-depth surveying and overarching strategic planning.

The library last conducted phone surveys in 2008 in advance of its 2008-2014 strategic plan.

Feedback also has been gathered at branches, community forums and library board meetings, Bramble said.

She said the library hopes to conduct more comprehensive community surveying in the fall.

As libraries address these challenges, though, Bramble and others in the field stressed that the library is not moving away from its core.

The library will circulate books, they said, as long as books are being printed.

And adoption of new digital formats that change how people access the library is a continuation of -- not a departure from -- the library's mission.

Gorman, who was president of the American Library Association in 2005-06, said he often hears that "libraries are no longer the dusty bookshelves they used to be."

Libraries never were those places, he said. New technologies -- be it the 35 mm film, audio recording or Internet -- always have been accessible to the public at libraries
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Related articles:
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)

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