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2009 Library News Archive
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IMCPL Continues Its 4-Star National Reputation
November 19, 2009
Its response to the growing demand for library services has earned the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library a rating among the nation's top urban public libraries, according to the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, sponsored by Baker & Taylor's Bibliostat Connect web-based statistical analysis software.
November 13, 2009
92.3 WTTS Indianapolis, along with sponsor Forum Credit Union, has announced its 2009 Rock To Read event, including a concert and a CD release to support children's programs of the Indianapolis-Marion County Pubic Library.
Library's Energy-Saving Project Guarantees Cost Savings
November 6, 2009
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has embarked on a multi-year pilot project designed to lower energy consumption and guaranteed to reduce operating costs. The Library's Guaranteed Energy Savings Project initially will focus on the Library Services Center, 2450 N. Meridian Street, IMCPL's second-largest building that serves as its administrative and processing headquarters. By upgrading the building's lighting and heating and cooling systems, IMCPL will achieve an annual savings of over $145,000 in energy and operational expenses. Over the six-year period of the project, that amounts to over $964,000 in savings, adjusted for inflation.
Indy's Choice for 2009 One Book, One City: "Some Buried Caesar" by Rex Stout!
October 16, 2009
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library and the Office of Mayor Greg Ballard invite the entire community to uncover a classic mystery by Indiana native Rex Stout during the 2009 One Book, One City reading initiative. Some Buried Caesar, Stout's 1939 novel featuring the larger-than-life fictional detective Nero Wolfe, has been chosen for the program that continues through November 30. The announcement came during the Indiana Mystery Authors Celebration at Central Library on October 16 in support of the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention in Indianapolis.
IMCPL Offers Live, Online Tutoring for Students of All Ages from Tutor.com
September 28, 2009
With school in full swing, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has expanded its popular online tutoring program, Live Homework Help®, to offer more services for every member of the community.
Powered by Tutor.com and accessed from the Library’s website, Live Homework Help® now includes the Student Center, College Center and Career Center that provide live, one-to-one tutoring, a real-time writing center and 24/7 access to worksheets, videos and tutorials in just about any subject.
Central Library Participates in Lights Out Indy
September 23, 2009
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library is doing its part to help reduce bird mortality by extinguishing unnecessary lighting at Central Library downtown. It’s participating in the Lights Out Indy initiative begun by the Amos W. Butler Audubon Society.
Along with the City of Indianapolis and numerous businesses in the metro area, Central Library is turning off its exterior architectural building lighting from midnight to 7 a.m. During that time the library’s interior lights also are being turned off except for emergency lighting. The goal is to reduce the number of birds killed or injured by colliding with the library’s glass and steel-framed six story addition and four-story Atrium.
Major Gift Promotes Early Childhood Literacy in Indianapolis
September 9, 2009
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation has announced a $1 million gift from The Herbert Simon Family Foundation to expand the Library’s Ready to Read early childhood literacy initiative.
IMCPL Computer Expansion Planned
August 12, 2009
With demand for free computer access on the rise, most locations of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library are increasing the number of public computers available for patrons to access the Internet, conduct job searches, improve basic computer skills, and do their personal business.
IMCPL’s PC Expansion Project will be administered in three phases with scheduled completion by October 31. Throughout the IMCPL system, 81 new computers will be installed, bringing the number of public Internet computers available for free access to 619. The total cost of the project is approximately $187,000.
Booklovers Find Relief at the Secondhand Prose Booksale!
July 28, 2009
It's regarded as the best place in town to buy new and used books, CDs and specialty items at greatly reduced prices. But in today's economy, the Secondhand Prose Booksale has become a popular refuge for book lovers looking for bargains to satisfy their literary needs. With most materials ranging from 50 cents to $2, including recent adult and juvenile hardbacks, paperbacks, CDs and DVDs, booksale patrons share similar views on what they can find.
IMCPL Records Nearly 3 Million Patron Visits in 2009
July 21, 2009
Whether it's checking out popular materials or taking advantage of free computer access, library patrons are continuing to use the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library in growing numbers. New statistics reveal that over 2.9 million patron visits were recorded at IMCPL 23 locations during the first half of 2009, a 3% increase over the same period in 2008, a year that set a record with over 5.6 million patron visits and nearly 16 million items circulated.
It's Not Too Late to Register for "Undercover Readers!"
July 7, 2009
There’s still time for children of all ages and parents to become part of this summer’s reading extravaganza by registering for the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library’s 2009 Summer Reading Program, Undercover Readers," continuing through Saturday, August 1 at all IMCPL locations.
InfoZone Reopens in New Location at The Children's Museum
June 23, 2009
The InfoZone, an innovative learning laboratory for young people that also serves as a neighborhood branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, has a new home within The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis at 3000 N. Meridian Street.
May 19, 2009
Enhancing the reading skills of Marion County youth underscores the major support provided by the Comcast Foundation in its role as Presenting Sponsor of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library’s 2009 Summer Reading Program, Undercover Readers, which begins Monday, June 8.
IMCPL's 2009 Summer Reading Program,"Undercover Readers," Kicks Off on June 8!
May 19, 2009
Children of all ages and parents are invited to experience the joy of reading during the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library’s 2009 Summer Reading Program, “Undercover Readers,” which begins on Monday, June 8 and continues through Saturday, August 1 at all IMCPL locations, as well as the Beech Grove Public Library.
IMCPL Receives ALA "Library of the Future Award"
April 17, 2009
The American Library Association has named the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library the 2009 winner of the ALA/Information Today, Inc. Library of the Future Award. This award is presented annually to a library demonstrating innovative planning and development of patron training programs about information technology in a library setting. The winning initiative was IMCPL's "The Learning Curve" at Central Library, a programming space (both physical and virtual) that provides a high tech, high energy, hands-on information environment for today's children. In a flexible environment surrounded by books, children in The Learning Curve participate in activities infused with digital elements reflecting the ideal synthesis of technology and traditional literacy that children need to successfully face the future.
IMCPL Statement on Litigation Decision
April 15, 2009
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Board of Trustees is disappointed with the verdict. We continued to seek legal redress because we believed in the validity of our claim that there were issues with Thornton Tomasetti's work, and that we would have been remiss in our responsibility to Marion County taxpayers if we had not pursued legal remedies in this case. We stand by that claim.
National Library Publication Rates IMCPL a 4-Star Library
March 17, 2009
A new national public library rating system has designated the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library a 4-star library for performance among large urban libraries. The Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, sponsored by Baker & Taylor's Bibliostat Connect web-based statistical analysis software, rated public libraries on four per-capita service indicators: library visits by patrons, circulation of materials, program attendance, and public Internet computer usage. Libraries were evaluated relative to others in their peer group based on total yearly operating expenditures.
February 26, 2009
Nominations for the inaugural Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award are now being accepted by the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation through April 8, 2009. This award seeks to recognize the contributions of Indiana authors to the literary landscape in Indiana and across the nation, and is funded by the generosity of The Glick Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation.
From start to finish, the Indiana Authors Award will invite participation from people around the state beginning with the nomination process. Participation will then continue throughout the year with outreach to organizations serving readers and writers, an interactive Web site, public programs and more.
Nomination forms are available from now through April 8 at www.indianaauthorsaward.org. Complete information and eligibility guidelines are included on the nomination forms.
Tour the Historic Central Library!
February 23, 2009
Experience the classic ambience of early 20th century architecture and revel in today's high-tech information environment during free public tours of Central Library downtown, 40 E. St. Clair Street.
Trained escorts are available to provide tours to groups or individuals every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m., originating in Central Library's Atrium on the 2nd floor at the Information Desk.
IMCPL Reports Record Year of Library Use
January 28, 2009
Library patrons are using the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library in record numbers, with over 5.6 million patron visits and nearly 16 million items checked out in 2008, according to year-end statistics announced by the Library.
IMCPL Cited for Excellence in Financial Reporting
January 22, 2009
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has received the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. For the 18th 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).
