| Home | |||||
ABOUT THE LIBRARYCentral Library Transformation Reflects IMCPL's Commitment to Equal OpportunityNew statistics demonstrate that the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Board of Trustees is moving toward surpassing its goals to increase opportunities for minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises to do business with the Library. The progressive policy approved by Library Trustees in 2001 focuses on higher levels of outreach to cultivate MBE/WBE business opportunities, as well as efforts to provide assistance to these emerging businesses for obtaining bonds, letters of credit or insurance. Activity relating to the $104 million transformation of Central Library is an early indication of the policy's successful implementation. To date, nearly $10 million in contracts and billings have been awarded to emerging businesses for professional or construction services, representing 19% of total awards. (See list of participating MBE/WBE contractors/vendors). Additionally, ongoing tracking of the project through the end of 2002 finds that 31% of the project's on-site workers were representative of minority groups. There are 17 bidding opportunities remaining in the project, scheduled for completion in early 2006. IMCPL's policy also seeks to increase the utilization of minority-owned and/or women-owned businesses in the procurement of goods and supplies throughout the Library system. In 2002, the Library spent over $412,000 with MBE/WBE vendors, compared to nearly $60,000 in 2001, a 592% increase. "The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's mission of providing services to all citizens is enhanced by its commitment to being an equal opportunity employer," commented Steve Nelson, President of the IMCPL Board of Trustees. "It follows that we take aggressive actions to provide practicable opportunity for emerging businesses to participate in our projects." More information on IMCPL's opportunities for emerging businesses may be found on our web site, or by calling 269-5301.
|
|||||