Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting - June 24, 2025
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Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting - June 24, 2025
The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees held its regular meeting on June 24, 2025, at the newly renovated Pike Branch. The meeting was called to order at 6:15 PM by President Ray Biederman, with a quorum present. Key agenda items included a presentation on the Pike Branch renovation, a public hearing on proposed bond financing for capital projects, approval of several resolutions, and updates on training initiatives and library operations.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The board approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on May 19, 2025, with a vote of 3 in favor (Mr. Biederman, Dr. Matata, Dr. Passio) and 1 abstention (Dr. Riolo, who was absent from that meeting).
- Treasurer’s Report: The board accepted the treasurer’s report for May 2025 for filing and audit. The report showed revenues at 10% of the annual budget (typical cadence, with property tax receipts expected to catch up) and expenditures at 37% of the budget, both under budget. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Scholarship Presentation: Melinda Mulligan (Wayne Branch Manager) and Lindsay Haddock (West Perry Branch Manager), representing the Staff Association Program and Scholarship Committee, awarded scholarships to several library science students. Recipients included Katrina Barnett (graduated), Umerie Cobb (PSA at Wayne), Emily Grayleck (PSA at Michigan Road), Kayla King (PSA at East 38th Street), Corey Minor (Program Development Administrative Assistant), Kelsey Nielsen (East Region Floater), and Amber Powell (PSA at Southport). The next application deadline is December 1, 2025. No board discussion followed.
Discussion Items
- Pike Branch Renovation Update: Branch Manager Michael Jenkins presented a detailed history and update on the Pike Branch, which reopened on March 29, 2025, after a comprehensive renovation. Highlights include a new podcast studio (first of its kind in the system), a vibrant teen room with gaming and art supplies, expanded study rooms, and a community room. Usage metrics since reopening are modest but growing. Jenkins noted that the service area has higher educational attainment and broadband access than the county average. Staffing challenges and successes were shared, including the return of key team members. The board thanked Jenkins and the Pike team.
- Public Hearing on 2025-2026 Multi-Facility Long-Term Capital Maintenance and Equipment Update Project Bonds: The board convened a public hearing to discuss a proposed bond issuance of up to $15 million. Jeff Quackenbush (bond counsel, Barnes & Thornburg) outlined the required two-step public hearing process, with a second hearing scheduled for July 28, 2025, at the Southport Branch. Adam Parsons (Chief Operating Officer) identified the West Indianapolis Branch renovation as the primary project, with an RFQ for architectural services already issued. Belvia Gray (Baker Tilly) presented financial parameters: maximum borrowing of $15 million, repayment over six years (but anticipated three-year repayment), conservative interest rate assumption of 6% (current rates ~3%), and a history of maintaining a debt service tax rate of 3.18 cents. The library has ample debt capacity (over $355 million remaining). No public comments were received. The hearing was closed unanimously.
- Resolution 22-2025 – Symantec Endpoint Security Complete Bundle Subscription: The board approved an annual subscription for endpoint security, protecting all library devices and networks from cyber threats. The item was recommended by the Finance Committee. Motion passed unanimously.
- Resolution 23-2025 – OCLC Cataloging and ILL Subscription Services: The board approved a three-year contract for cataloging and interlibrary loan services, with capped annual price increases (3.75% for cataloging, 1.5% for ILL). The total cost is $111,502.37. Motion passed unanimously.
- Library Foundation Update: The foundation announced the hiring of new Development Officer Kelly Kierce. In the past month, 234 donors contributed, and the foundation provided over $212,000 for programming, including the East 38th Street Career Center, Summer Reading Program, and LGBTQ+ competency training.
- CEO Report: Gregory Hill presented the monthly conformatory resolution (24-2025) for financial, travel, and personnel matters, which was approved unanimously. He also reported on May 2025 library statistics: average daily physical circulation of 13,251, top branch Glendale (45,271), study room bookings 147, new cardholders 79, 24 programs with 605 attendees (37% increase from April). Branch visits in May were 203,613, a 4% increase over May 2024. Summer Reading Program participation is up: 12,428 juvenile readers (18% increase), 6,415 adult readers (15% increase), plus 6,034 through daycare/preschools/camps. Advocacy efforts included meeting with Senator Banks’ staff to discuss IMLS funding for small and rural libraries. Staff Star Awards were recognized.
- Training Initiatives Presentation: Kim Ewers (Access, Belonging, and Culture Officer) outlined 2025 training initiatives: neurodiversity and disability awareness training with Tangram (virtual, all staff), and a staff book discussion program featuring two titles: Say the Right Thing and The Building Blocks of Belonging. Staff have choice in which book to read, and 27 discussion sessions are scheduled. The board commended the staff choice element and the focus on professional development.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Minutes of May 19, 2025 (3-1).
- Approved: Treasurer’s report for May 2025 (unanimous).
- Closed: Public hearing on bond financing (unanimous); second hearing set for July 28, 2025 at Southport Branch.
- Approved: Resolution 22-2025 (Symantec endpoint security subscription) – unanimous.
- Approved: Resolution 23-2025 (OCLC cataloging and ILL contract) – unanimous.
- Approved: Resolution 24-2025 (CEO conformatory report) – unanimous.
- Future Agenda Item: Board member suggested an update on sustainability issues facing the library for the July 2025 meeting.
- Next Meeting: Monday, July 28, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the Southport Branch Library (2630 E. Stop 11 Road).
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call to order the June 23rd, 2025 board meeting of the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library. Uh, Board of Trustees. Can we have a roll call, please? Yes, Mr. Biederman. Here. Dr. Matata. Here. Dr. Passio. Press it. And Dr. Riola. We do have a quorum. Alright, great. The chair recognizes a quorum. Thank you very much. Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the June 2025 meeting of the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees. My name is Ray Bieterman, and I have the honor of serving as president of the board. Thank you for joining us this evening at our newly renovated Pike Branch. Thank you to the Pike Branch staff for being such welcoming hosts. Before we hear more about the new Pike Branch, I want to take a moment and commend everyone involved in the launch of this year's summer reading program. Our branches have been buzzing with activity. Story times are packed, and we've even heard that some prizes are running low because so many readers have already reached their summer reading goals. Let's clap for that. Just last week, the Wayne Branch had the special honor uh of having our very own board member, Dr. Pat Payne reading stories to kids during uh outdoor story time. Uh so thank you to Dr. Payne for that. All right. Uh the summer reading program is one of the highlights of the library's calendar in a powerful way to engage readers of all ages. This year's theme, Unearthing Imagination digs into the worlds of natural history. Like all of our branches, it was fun to see the Pike Branch all decked out with dinosaurs to inspire summer reading, uh, inspire reading all summer long. Three months ago, the Pike Branch reopened their doors following a comprehensive renovation, including this community room. The Pike Branch features a brand new podcast studio, which is officially up and running and the first of its kind at NDPL. Uh, it's very cool. I I saw it. Uh, you should check it out. There's a perfect example of how our library brings to life its vision to be a premier urban public library that delivers world class service and champions equitable access to knowledge and resources for all. I feel uh that we must take a moment to celebrate our Indiana Pacers and their exciting NBA final showing. Our our hearts go out to Tyrese Halburton and his family. We wish him a speedy recovery and thank him for his part in an untold number of come from behind wins this postseason. Even though we didn't get the big win last night, we're very proud of our hometown team. However, I hate to report that this means our CEO Gregory Hill now has to make good on his friendly wager with Oklahoma City Library. That's right. Uh our CEO will soon be donning Oklahoma City Thunder Blue and Orange, posing with books about Oklahoma basketball, and yes, smiling through it all. Even so, thank you, Mr. Hill, for taking one of our taking one for our team and putting literacy at the center, uh, highlighting books, even though unfortunately they're all about Oklahoma City. As you can imagine, in recent weeks, the library books on the pacers and who's your basketball are in higher demand than ever.
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