Another hurdle for library to jump. (Indianapolis Star, 4/30/2011)
Excerpt: Limping along as it may be from revenue shortfalls and budget cuts, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has been clearing political hurdles with Olympian ease.
Whether that means gold at the end of the day is another question.
A bill to give the library system a share of county income taxes has passed the Indiana House and Senate unanimously, and is expected to win the governor's signature. In February, the City-County Council likewise voted as one to ask the General Assembly for permission to add the libraries to the list of recipients.
The outcome reflects bipartisan leadership by state and local officials, as well as fervid, astute grassroots support by the Sustainable Library Citizens Coalition.
Obviously, IMCPL is meeting a need, given its burgeoning patronage -- and showing a need, having sliced deeply into staffing, service hours and book purchases to cope with a $4 million budget gap due to shrunken property tax revenues.
The problem: It's tough all over.
The 1.62 percent county income tax will generate $250 million this year, down from $323 million last year, and local government units share only about $155 million. Whether there will be enough to give the libraries a cut after users such as police and fire departments are served is anything but guaranteed, the mayor's office and council leaders warn.
Related articles:
No rest for IMCPL 'library loyalists'. (2/9/2011)
'Library loyalists' provide a remedial lesson in funding priorities. (2/8/2011)
Legislative effort to provide more funding for IMCPL continues. (2/4/2011)
Show of support by IMCPL advocates. (1/25/2011)
Library angel. (1/17/2011)
Indianapolis Star editorial: "Give library a fair share of tax" (1/13/2011)
Sustainability in the form of a share of county income taxes. (1/12/2011)
Township deals comes undone. (1/8/2011)
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)
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