Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting - September 24, 2025
Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting - September 24, 2025
The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees held its regular meeting on September 24, 2025, at the Martindale Brightwood Branch. The meeting included a presentation from branch manager Ms. Coleman, approval of previous meeting minutes, a financial report, approval of two cybersecurity resolutions, updates to public services policies, a facilities contract award, the library foundation report, and the CEO's monthly report. The transcript indicates the meeting was called for September 22, but the official date provided is September 24, 2025.
Branch Manager Presentation
- Ms. Coleman, branch manager for two years, highlighted the branch's history, community demographics, and recent improvements. The branch serves a population of 12,578, 84.34% African American, with a median household income of $38,000–$43,000. The branch has seen 49,877 visitors in 2025, 8,990 active card holders, 263 new registrations, and 170 programs reaching 692 individuals. The seed library distributed 3,942 packets. Key partnerships include the Avondale Meadows YMCA and the monthly MBES (Martindale Brightwood Education Zone) meetings. The branch features a senior room, art exhibits (Charlotte Brown Parrott and Sandra Holliday), and a mural by Tasha Beckworth.
Consent Calendar
- No consent calendar was presented.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made.
Discussion Items
- Finance Committee Report (Dr. White): The treasurer's report for August 2025 showed total revenue of $32 million year-to-date, slightly above the previous year. Expenditures were at 57% of the annual budget. The report was approved for filing.
- Cybersecurity Resolutions (Shanika, CIO): Resolutions 37-2025 and 38-2025 were presented jointly. The library was selected as one of 50 libraries out of 707 total recipients for an FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Program. Resolution 37 authorizes a contract with Logicalis for an advanced network firewall at $78,000 over three years. Resolution 38 authorizes a contract with CDWG for extended detection and response (XDR) services at $112,000 annually for three years ($336,000 total). Both contracts were approved.
- Diversity Policy and Human Resources Committee (Dr. Palacio): Resolution 39-2025 was presented to update multiple public services policies, including tables of information, food in the library, animals in the library (allowing service animals but not personal pets), youth supervision, unexpected large groups, law enforcement requests, deletion of a controversial topics policy, social work policy, and public forum clarification. The policies take effect January 2026. The resolution was approved.
- Facilities Committee (Dr. Riolo): Resolution 40-2025 approved a contract with Design 27 for a network security camera review and design project, not to exceed $100,000, funded by bond fund 486. Design 27 is a city-certified WBE. The project will proceed in Q4 2025 with design and bid documents, followed by installation in 2026 starting at Central Library. The resolution was approved.
- Library Foundation Update (Dr. Riolo): An anonymous donor will match up to 250 donations in September and October. The foundation received 196 gifts in the past month and provided over $100,000 for program support, including the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis and the Black Health Fair.
- CEO Report (Gregory Hill): Resolution 41-2025, the monthly confirmatory resolution for financial, travel, and personnel matters, was approved. The CEO highlighted August statistics: 409,000 physical circulations (down 4% from 2024), 218,734 visitors (up 2%), 247 adult programs and 320 youth programs. Top branches included Glendale, Franklin Road, Lawrence, and Nora. Staff training covered FMLA, ADA, and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The Beach Grove Branch received a Partner of the Year award from the Beach Grove Comprehensive Drug Free Coalition.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Minutes: Special meeting minutes (August 12, 2025) and regular meeting minutes (August 25, 2025) were approved with an amendment to include recognition of foundation president Roberta Jaggers.
- Resolution 37-2025: Approved (unanimous) – Library cybersecurity pilot program advanced firewall contract with Logicalis.
- Resolution 38-2025: Approved (unanimous) – Library cybersecurity program XDR contract with CDWG.
- Resolution 39-2025: Approved (unanimous) – Public services policy updates.
- Resolution 40-2025: Approved (unanimous) – Network security camera review and design contract with Design 27.
- Resolution 41-2025: Approved (unanimous) – Confirmatory resolution for finances, personnel, and travel.
- Future Agenda: A suggestion was made to discuss community partnership development at the October 2025 meeting. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2025, at Spades Park Branch Library.
Meeting Transcript
All right, so I'd like to call to order um the September 22nd, 2025 board meeting, uh regular board meeting of the library board. Can we have a call of the role? Mr. Biederman. President. Dr. Mertada. Present. Dr. Pasio. Present. Dr. Riolo. Dr. White. And Miss Woodard. Present. We do have a quorum. Thank you very much. Good evening, everyone. On behalf of the board, it's my pleasure to welcome you to the September 2025 Board of Trustees meeting for the Indianapolis Public Library. My name's Ray Beterman, and I serve as your president of the Board of Trustees. I want to take a moment to reaffirm what is at the center of the library's mission, vision, and values. Our commitment to openness and the free exchange of ideas. According to the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, the library has a long history of openness and sharing knowledge and perspectives. More than a hundred years ago, the library established a presence at the Flanner Guild settlement to serve African American residents. That commitment has only deepened over the decades. From our ever growing world language collection, our braille collection, and our accessibility computer stations at every branch, to the creation of the Black Center for Black Literature and Culture. Our library has continued to be a welcoming destination in in Indianapolis for all. Freedoms are especially important to reflect on. As the library will soon be celebrating the freedom to read during the week of October 5th. The board remains steadfast in our support for intellectual freedom at the library. The Indianapolis Public Library cultivates and protects resources to support independence to choose materials and to make informed decisions. Thank you for joining us, the beautiful Martindale Brightwood Branch. And thank you for being a part of our positive contribution to the story of Indianapolis. Okay. Welcome. Well, thank you. Good evening, everyone. Good evening, President Peterman and members of the library board and the community. Welcome to the Martindale Brightwood Branch. Thank you. Dr. Mertato, you have a joke? Yes. One day. I think there's a new uh advancer, right? Then didn't they say it was a new advancer? Loading advance. We got a slide loading issue.
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