Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting - August 26, 2025
Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting - August 26, 2025
The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees held its regular meeting on August 26, 2025, at 6:15 PM at the College Avenue Branch. President Ray Bitterman called the meeting to order with a quorum present. The board heard reports on summer reading program achievements, senior services, collection management, and the annual audit. Multiple resolutions were adopted, including the 2026 budget, purchase of box trucks, and a design contract for the West Indianapolis branch renovation.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from the regular meeting held July 28, 2025 was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jimmy Bennett (representing group Epic) requested a fee waiver for using a library meeting room on September 7, 2025, citing the group is new and charges for food. He asked if the room charge could be eliminated as an ongoing exemption. The request was noted.
Discussion Items
- President's Report: Bitterman announced the library was featured in the Indiana Chamber of Commerce magazine BizVoice for employee well-being. He also highlighted statewide improvement in third-grade reading scores and the library's role in literacy through summer reading, shared system, and early literacy initiatives.
- Branch Manager Report (Stacey Hurt, College Avenue): Hurt reported the branch is fully staffed for the first time in years. She highlighted community partnerships, family game nights, and upcoming Flava Fresh art show (September through January 2026). The branch also hosts a health department clinic for vaccines and Narcan training.
- Summer Reading Program Presentation (Kate Coyton & Devrie North): The 2025 program (theme: paleontology/geology) achieved a community reading goal of 20 million minutes, with a total of 26.9 million minutes read. Over 30,000 people participated, a 62% increase in adults and 106% increase in seniors. 80% of registrants participated, and 58% completed the program. Survey responses increased from 3 to 1,624. Prizes included museum passes, 529 scholarships, and partnership with Indy Parks. Early literacy tracker for ages 0–5 was highlighted.
- Senior Programs Overview (Kate Coyton): In 2025, over 3,000 seniors attended 264 programs (19% of adult/senior program attendees). Services include financial literacy, caregiver support, dementia-friendly certification at 11 branches, and bookmobile stops at 29 senior locations. AARP-supported programs (caregiver support, outsmarting scammers) were noted.
- Collection Management Presentation (Pam Sweatner & Angela Carson): Cataloging processed 22,000 items for INDPL in 2025 (year to date) and supports over 90 shared system libraries. Processing included preparation of materials, book club kits (600+ kits), and the upcoming Library of Things pilot. A major project was onboarding 34 IPS schools in 2023–2024.
- Audit Report (Scott Nickerson, Crowe): The 2024 audit received a clean (unqualified) opinion. Total assets were $160 million, liabilities $67 million, fund balance $86 million. General fund net change was +$4.2 million. No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies were reported.
- Treasurer Report (Mary Rankin): July 2025 revenues and expenditures were reviewed. Property taxes remain level; year-to-date revenue is at 54% of budget (4% under projection). Expenditures are 9% under budget overall, primarily due to lower supplies and capital outlay.
- Strategic Plan Update (Mary McKinsey): First quarterly deep dive into strategic priorities (learning, belonging, well-being). Key performance indicators showed changes: physical circulation down 5% year-to-date but e-resource usage up 35% quarter-over-quarter (expected summer shift). Belonging metrics showed strong program attendance. New care plans for cardholder engagement were introduced.
- Other Reports: Facilities committee reported approval of resolutions for box trucks and West Indianapolis branch design. Library foundation update noted $600,000 provided to library in July, a matching gift campaign (Sept–Oct), and recognition of foundation president Roberta Jaggers as outstanding fundraising professional.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 33-2025: Adopted appropriations and tax rates for the 2026 budget (total budget $89 million, adopted tax levy $79 million). Passed unanimously.
- Resolution 34-2025: Approved purchase order for two CMSA box trucks ($120,324) from Tom Wood Ford, funded via bond fund 485. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution 35-2025: Approved planning, programming, and design services contract for West Indianapolis branch renovation (not to exceed $500,000) awarded to KRM Architecture, funded initially from rainy day funds (reimbursed from future bond 491). Passed unanimously.
- Resolution 36-2025: Approved confirmatory resolution for financial, travel, and personal matters. Passed unanimously.
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the Martindale-Brightwood Library Branch (2434 North Sherman Drive).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Like to call to order the um August regular library board meeting here at the College Avenue Branch. Uh, can we have a call of the roll? Yes, Mr. Federman. Present. Dr. Matada. Present. Dr. Classio. Present. Dr. Payne. Present. Dr. Riolo. Present. Dr. White. Brother. And welcome to our newest board member, Miss Woodard. Yes, welcome to the board. Thank you. Okay, I recognize a quorum. Good evening. Thank you everyone for joining us here at the College Avenue Branch or on our live stream. Welcome to the August 2025 meeting of the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees. My name's Ray Beterman, and I serve as your president of our Board of Trustees. We have a very full agenda this evening, but I'd like to begin with some timely and meaningful news. Of the four key pillars uh in the Indianapolis Public Library Strategic Plan is being a workplace of choice. As part of that commitment, we value the well-being of our employees and volunteers. With that in mind, I'm proud to share that the Indianapolis uh public library is featured in the August edition of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce magazine Bizboys. Right here. We got a little nice, nice pictures in here. Very cool. Um, and I think you guys got a copy too. Yes, we all got a copy. Excellent. There we and it's got a star. Multiple stars. Yeah, it's even stars on the inside. Um, so we're part of the cover story titled Mindful Manners Leading with Humanity, uh, which highlights uh employers across the state who are prioritizing employee well-being. In this feature, we're recognized alongside other outstanding organizations like IU Health, Meridian Health Services, and Purdue University. Congratulations to our entire team, especially our talent and development staff for this meaningful recognition from the Indiana Chamber. All right, switching gears to more local news. Uh we want to celebrate a major milestone in education. The Indiana Department of Education recently announced that third grade reading scores have improved at a record breaking rate statewide, with an even greater progress here in Indianapolis. As proud champions of literacy in our community, we know that Indianapolis Public Library has played a role in this success. I see firsthand the impact of our dedicated staff in the vibrant library spaces that inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning to our young readers.
openpublica.com