ABOUT THE LIBRARY
2008 Library News Archive
Other Archives
New Strategic Plan Passed by IMCPL Board of Trustees
December 26, 2008
At its regular meeting on November 20, 2008, the IMCPL Board of Trustees formally adopted a new Strategic Plan for 2008 2014. Based on recommendations of a community-based Strategic Planning Committee, the plan addresses the Library’s mission, its vision and goals.
Artist Torluemke Reads Between the Lines in His Epic Mural
December 5, 2008
Building upon the impressive precedents of painted murals in libraries and public buildings across the United States, northwest Indiana artist Tom Torluemke has taken on a task that he views as the opportunity of a lifetime.
Torluemke used the written word as inspiration for his new mural, "The Book of Life: The people we know, the experiences we have and the conditions under which we live," for the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. The recently-installed mural, located in the Nina Mason Pulliam Indianapolis Special Collections Room on the 6th floor of Central Library, was loosely inspired by the novel, The Magnificent Ambersons, written by Indiana author Booth Tarkington, who won the Pulitzer Prize for this work in 1919.
IMCPL will accept food donations as part of Mayor Ballard's "Pack the Pantries!" initiative.
December 4, 2008
From November 24th through December 19th, there will be Gleaners Food Bank bins in every branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. IMCPL will accept your donations as part of Mayor Ballard's "Pack the Pantries!" initiative.
WTTS "Rock To Read" Concert to Benefit IMCPL Foundation
November 24, 2008
This year, WTTS, along with Forum Credit Union, has announced two shows to support the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation. JJ Grey & Mofro, along with Eric Hutchinson will play the Vogue Friday November 21 at 9pm and Susan Tedeschi (with James Hunter) will also play at the Vogue Monday, November 24 at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, charge-by-phone, The Vogue box office, or online at wttsfm.com. Proceeds from both shows will benefit the children’s reading programs of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation. JJ GREY & MOFRO are known for their deep soul, blues and rock, while two-time Grammy-nominated SUSAN TEDESCHI is known as a talented guitarist and distinctive songwriter.
Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library to Help Veterans & Families Understand New GI Benefits
November 19, 2008
In coordination with the American Library Association (ALA), the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library is reaching out to local veterans and their families to help them understand new educational benefits available under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill.
A free information session is scheduled for Friday, November 21 at 11 a.m. at Central Library downtown, in the Riley Meeting Room, 40 E. St. Clair Street.
IMCPL's 2008 November Read-Aloud Program "Join the Hungry Crowd! Read Aloud!"
November 1, 2008
Families with young children are invited to enjoy spending time reading together during the 2008 November Read-Aloud Program, "Join the Very Hungry Crowd! Read Aloud!" Inspired by 40th anniversary of the popular children's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, this year's program encourages participants to spend at least four hours reading aloud together throughout the month.
Registration begins November 1 at any IMCPL branch location, Central Library downtown, and the bookmobile.
Bestselling Author Nicholas Sparks to Present 2009 McFadden Lecture
October 31, 2008
New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks will present the 2009 McFadden Memorial Lecture, sponsored by the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation and The Patricia Cornwell Foundation, on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 7 p.m. at North Central High School, 1801 E. 86th Street.
Library Promotes Environmental Education with New Wetlands Boardwalk
October 15, 2008
Library patrons can explore a unique one-half acre natural wetlands area in the heart of Indianapolis from a new Wetlands Boardwalk and observation deck at the East Thirty-Eighth Street Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, 5420 E. 38th Street.
The community celebrated the official opening of the Wetlands Boardwalk during ceremonies at the East Thirty-Eighth Street Branch on Wednesday, October 15.
IMCPL Engages Readers With the Reader's Connection!
October 10, 2008
Book lovers have a new online source to learn about recent releases and share their own reviews through the Reader's Connection on the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's web branch. Accessed from the Library's homepage, the Reader's Connection provides entry to the Library's vast collection of literary resources and gives book lovers a chance to submit or comment on reviews. It's a unique service that offers an outlet for dialogue on today's literature.
Shelby Branch to Provide Limited Services During Interior Renovations
September 29, 2008
Library services will be reduced during a month-long re-carpeting and painting project beginning Monday, October 6 at the Shelby Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, 2502 Shelby Street. The branch will be closed on Monday, October 6 and will reopen on Tuesday, October 7 with limited services for patrons out of the branch community room.
Announcing World Languages at IMCPL
September 22, 2008
Ever wanted to learn a new language or renew your knowledge of another language? Now IMCPL patrons can for free from IMCPL World Languages.
IMCPL Offers Guides to Election 2008
September 9, 2008
During this presidential election year, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library provides a number of resources to assist voters in making informed decisions. With the October 6 voter registration deadline for the November 4 elections, patrons can visit their local IMCPL branch to obtain a voter registration form which must be returned to the county voter registration office or the Indiana Elections Division.
IMCPL's 2008 Summer Reading Program Attracts Over 57,000 Readers!
August 28, 2008
Demonstrating that reading can be a fun and stimulating summer activity, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's 2008 Summer Reading Program, "Indy Adventures and the Summer Reading Spectacular," saw 57,058 children and parents sharpen their reading skills during the eight-week incentive-based program that ended in early August.
This year's participation topped 2007's total of nearly 55,000 readers. Over one million juvenile books and other materials were checked out by summer readers, an average of over 18 items per participant. More than half of the participants were aged 11 or younger.
4th Annual Plein Air, Paint Out Winners Announced
August 8, 2008
The picturesque urban setting of downtown Indianapolis provided the backdrop for artists participating in the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's 4th Annual Plein Air, Paint Out on Saturday, August 2.
IMCPL Announces New Procedure on Open Holds to Enhance Patron Security
August 4, 2008
Beginning August 18, Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library patrons will find materials waiting for them on open holds shelves organized differently. Instead of using a patron's entire name, items will be listed under the first three letters of a patron's last name and the last four digits of a patron's card number. An example would be "Paige Turner, 21978012345678 = TUR 5678."
IMCPL Sees Increased Usage in 2008
More Visitors Flocking to the New Central Library
July 25, 2008
Coming off a record year in 2007, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library continues to show increases in the number of patrons visiting the Library and the number of materials they check out.
For the first half of 2008, over 2.8 million patrons visited IMCPL's 22 branch locations and the new Central Library downtown, a 7 percent increase over the same period in 2007. Nearly 7.8 million items were circulated, a 9.3 percent increase over 2007.
Bringing Paper to Life: An Exhibit by Residents of Local Senior Centers at Central Library
June 27, 2008
Throughout July, an exhibit of life-size, three-dimensional African animals constructed from paper-mache will be on display at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair Street.
The works were created by residents of four central Indiana senior healthcare centers as part of a community art project coordinated by Renata Hickey, Activity Director at NorthWest Manor Health Care Center.
Digital Collection of World War I Posters Available on IMCPL Website
May 23, 2008
Images of over 200 posters encouraging public support of World War One can be seen on the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's website. The posters promote a range of patriotic activity, such as enlistment in the armed forces, conservation, industrial mobilization and subscription to Liberty Loans.
The images can be accessed from the "Digital Library" link in the left column on IMCPL's website, or directly at http://digitallibrary.imcpl.org/wwi.php.
May 21, 2008
The Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc., and The ROSK Group, Inc. are pleased to announce that they have reached a settlement of their respective claims in the litigation that the Library and Patriot Engineering have been pursuing related to the parking garage that is a part of the recent Central Library expansion. All of the parties have expressed relief that this portion of the litigation is concluded, and they welcome the opportunity for the community of Indianapolis to enjoy the new library addition that was opened in December, 2007. The settlement does not resolve all of the pending claims of the Library in the litigation. The Library intends to continue to vigorously pursue recovery in the litigation of damages incurred as a result of the acts and omissions of the remaining defendants.
May 15, 2008
The creator of the classic children's work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle, is the latest recipient of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's esteemed "Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Award for Literature."
IMCPL Branches Obtain Magnifiers to Assist Patrons With Visual Disabilities
May 9, 2008
As part of a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has obtained hand-held digital magnifiers at 16 library locations to help patrons with visual disabilities read printed materials.
Central Library Volunteers Sought
May 9, 2008
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library is welcoming individuals who wish to volunteer at the newly-transformed Central Library.
Library’s Secondhand Prose Booksale Rescheduled in May
May 8, 2008
the next "Secondhand Prose Booksale" has been rescheduled from May 16 18 to May 30 June 1, 2008
Indiana Black History Challenge Grand Prize Winner Announced
April 16, 2008
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Pacers have announced the winner of the 2008 Indiana Black History Challenge. The winner is Josh Monday, a sixth grader at Indianapolis Public School #78. He was honored at halftime of the March 31 game between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat at Conseco Fieldhouse.
IMCPL's 135th Birthday Celebration: Giving Back to the Community
April 2, 2008
From its beginning in 1873 as a subscription library to its current role as a center for modern information resources, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has played an essential role in the lives of local residents in support of their lifelong learning interests. Today, in addition to a collection of over two million items, IMCPL's programs and services help promote early literacy, improve computer skills, and provide patrons with the information tools that are important in the 21st century.
In celebration of its 135th anniversary of service, IMCPL invites the public to participate in an effort to give back to the community in the form of a special food drive benefiting Gleaners Food Bank.
BMV Partners with Libraries for Online Registration
March 31, 2008
Visitors to Indiana's public libraries are being encouraged to renew vehicle registrations online at the libraries' public access computers and receive the $5 discount from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
IMCPL Announces Record Usage of Library Services in 2007
March 21, 2008
Library patrons checked out more materials than ever before and continued visiting local branches in near-record numbers, according to 2007 year-end statistics announced by the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library.
Over 14.1 million books and other materials were circulated at IMCPL's 22 branch locations, the Interim Central Library, the newly-transformed Central Library and through the Library's bookmobile service in 2007, a near three percent increase over the previous record circulation in 2006.
Over 5.3 million patron visits were recorded in 2007, down slightly from the 2006 record of 5.4 million. However, the 2007 attendance was achieved despite the three-month closure of the Interim Central Library in late summer prior to the opening of the new Central Library in December, and the reduction of hours at the Glendale Branch, one of IMCPL's largest branch facilities, beginning in January 2007.
Sculpture Art Commissioned for Central Library Entrance
March 18, 2008
A contemporary artist with Midwestern ties has been commissioned to create sculptures for the pedestals flanking the transformed Central Library's south entrance to the historic Cret Building downtown on E. St. Clair Street.
Peter Shelton's work, thinmanlittlebird, will be installed this fall. Funding for the project is private, donated by Ann and Chris Stack and the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation.
Downloadable Audiobooks Unavailable March 22, 2008
March 10, 2008
IMCPL's downloadabe audiobook vendor, OverDrive, will be performing a series of infrastructure upgrades on Saturday, March 22, 2008 from 6:00 am - 4:00 pm EST. As such, downloadable audiobooks will not be available during this time.
IMCPL Begins Strategic Planning Process to Determine Community's Future Needs
March 3, 2008
A broad representation of individuals from the local education, non-profit, government and private sectors has begun the process of defining the scope of Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library services for the next five years. The 25 members of the Library's Strategic Planning Committee, led by former Purdue University President Martin Jischke and Patty Jischke, will identify the needs of local citizens and determine how IMCPL can address them. A key part of the plan will describe how to allocate resources according to community priorities.
Central Library Volunteers Sought
February 20, 2008
Enthusiastic volunteers are being sought to serve as Tour Guides and Hospitality (information) volunteers at the transformed Central Library, located at One Library Square, 40 E. St. Clair Street. If you wish to be an ambassador for Indianapolis’ new downtown library and enjoy interacting with the public, please call 275-4045 before Monday, March 17 to schedule an interview.
IMCPL Launches "Baby Bunny Book Bag" Initiative
February 15, 2008
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has announced a new service that will assist parents in their efforts to read to their babies and toddlers.
The Baby Bunny Book Bag program, made possible through the combined support of the Comcast Foundation and the Library Fund, a fund of The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, will provide materials appropriate for infants, such as tactile books and board books, that parents or caregivers can use to introduce books to their young ones.
Announcement on Central Library Litigation
February 14, 2008
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library and the settling construction companies listed below are pleased to announce that they have reached a settlement of their respective claims in the litigation that the Library has been pursuing related to the parking garage that is a part of the recent Central Library expansion. As a result of a succession of court-ordered mediations, the Library will receive $17,650,000 along with a mutual release of pending claims by and between the Library and the construction companies that are parties to the settlement.
The settlement will be paid by a number of insurance carriers on behalf of several construction companies. The companies who will be released from the litigation by way of the settlement are: Ambassador Steel; Premier Concrete; Quantum Steel; Shiel-Sexton Company; Shook, LLC; Trotter Construction Company; Turner Construction Company; and Turner Trotter Shiel Sexton Joint Venture. All of the released construction firms and their insurers have denied liability throughout the litigation and continue to do so, but by entering into this settlement, the settling construction companies are able to end their participation in protracted, expensive litigation that will remain ongoing.
IMCPL Offers New Online Reference Databases
January 25, 2008
Library patrons now have access to 65 full-text online databases through the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's website at www.ilibrary.org
Online visitors with a valid IMCPL library card can find databases in the areas of business, health, literature, history and science, as well as standard library reference sources, e-books and full-text articles from magazines and newspapers. The databases provide researchers of all ages with timely, accurate and reliable information. Three new databases recently have been added...
IMCPL Cited for Excellence in Financial Reporting
January 23, 2008
The highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting has again been bestowed on the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library.
For the 17th consecutive year, IMCPL has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
Wayne Branch will re-open at 10 a.m. Monday, January 14, 2008.
January 13, 2008
The Wayne Branch will re-open at 10 a.m. Monday, January 14, 2008.
When driving to the Wayne Branch, please use the Girls School Road entrance, which is the main front entrance to the library. Clean-up equipment will fill the back half of the library parking lot, blocking other access.
