OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting - July 28, 2026

Other Meetings (I) — Tuesday, July 28, 2026
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionOther Meetings (I)
DateTuesday, July 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:33:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Good evening, everyone.

0:06

I'd like to call to order the um July 27, 2026 meeting of the uh library board.

0:12

Can we have a call of the role?

0:14

Yes, Mr.

0:15

Peterman.

0:15

Present.

0:16

Miss Johnson, present.

0:17

Dr.

0:18

Martada, present.

0:19

Dr.

0:19

Classio.

0:20

Present.

0:20

Dr.

0:20

Riolo, present.

0:22

And there to write.

0:23

Probably.

0:23

Would you have a quorum?

0:25

Excellent.

0:25

Uh, good evening, and welcome everyone to the July meeting of the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees.

0:31

My name is Ray Bieterman, president of the library board.

0:34

Uh, I'm looking forward to a productive meeting as we continue to advance our mission, vision, and values, and goals of the Indianapolis Public Library.

0:43

I'll start by sharing my gratitude for the staff of our historic East Washington branch for hosting us tonight.

0:49

We'll hear from the branch manager in a few minutes, but first I'd like uh to recognize our library staff across the system for another outstanding summer reading program.

1:00

Their hard work has made this uh memorable summer for thousands of readers throughout our community.

1:05

It's hard to believe that one of our most beloved uh summer traditions is wrapping up this week.

1:12

Our summer reading program once again inspired our community to embrace reading.

1:16

I'm pleased to share uh that we have exceeded our goal of 22 million minutes uh as a reading community.

1:24

Uh, we're actually as of today at 25 million minutes.

1:28

Whoa.

1:29

Yeah, so that's great.

1:33

And 24 million of them were Dr.

1:35

Classians.

1:36

Can you believe that?

1:37

It's crazy.

1:40

Uh, with a few more days, there's still time to log your last bit of reading uh minutes before the end of summer.

1:46

I understand there are still some prizes to be claimed, so please visit your branch by August 1st.

1:53

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year's program such a success.

1:58

Uh the conclusion of the summer reading program signals the start of the school year for Indianapolis students K through 12.

2:05

I know that because my kids are already talking about it and how how little they're looking forward to getting back.

2:12

So there we go.

2:14

Um, Indianapolis Public Library is ready to support the students through our shared system, which connects 91 public and private schools, museums, and special libraries with the Indianapolis Public Library.

2:27

This massive collection provides more than two million physical items, plus more than 340,000 ebooks and downloadable audible uh audiobook titles along with research databases and other essential reading resources.

2:44

This uh robust shared library collection.

2:46

Uh through through that, students can access their school library materials as well as all of the resources of the Indianapolis Public Library.

2:56

On behalf of the board, a special thank you to our partner schools and to our librarians, library staff, and collection management professionals who make this work uh possible.

3:08

Together, you're helping strengthen literacy and expand opportunities for students across Indianapolis.

3:14

So thank you to the shared system.

3:16

As the school year begins, I encourage students, families, and caregivers to carry the joy of summer reading into the months ahead.

3:24

Our branches remain ready to help with personalized reading recommendations, homework support, research assistance, and welcoming study spaces where students can learn and thrive.

3:37

Um so before we get to um the branch report, uh Dr.

3:41

Mertada wanted to give a special thank you.

3:43

Oh, yes, yeah.

3:45

Yes.

3:45

This past Saturday, um, the staff of our central branch and others across the system had a wonderful event, and it was an opportunity for chess champions around the whole region.

3:59

And we saw young folks, older folks, folks from every kind of background there playing chess, thinking about chess, wishing they could play chess.

4:09

It was just an awesome event.

4:11

And so I just wanted to give a shout out of appreciation for the staff that pulled it together and stayed for hours.

4:17

Even our board member Lisa Dr.

4:19

Riolo did how many hours, Lisa?

4:22

Eight hours.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Library Services█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Audit█████████10%
Fiscal Sustainability████████8%
Financial Reporting████████8%
Marketing and Communications███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Insurance█████5%
Library Foundation███3%
Homelessness█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees convened on July 28, 2026, at the East Washington branch. The meeting began with a call to order, roll call (quorum present), and a moment of gratitude for staff. President Ray Bieterman announced that the summer reading program exceeded its goal of 22 million minutes, reaching 25 million minutes. Note: The transcript references July 27, 2026, but the provided meeting date is July 28, 2026. This summary uses the required date.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the regular meeting held June 22, 2026, were approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 30-2026: Regarding financial, travel, and personnel matters between board meetings, approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Hearing on Bond Financing: The board convened a public hearing to discuss the proposed issuance of property tax-supported bonds (not to exceed $19 million) for the Irvington branch renovation and other capital improvements. No members of the public offered comments. The hearing was closed.

Discussion Items

  • East Washington Branch Report: Branch Manager Lasada Sparrow reported on the branch's team (seven members), service area demographics (13,910 population, 46% people of color), partnerships, and programs including a summer reading kickoff and a new Wednesday Matinee program.
  • Communications & Marketing Report: Chief Communications Officer Mary Barr and Senior Marketing Manager Justin Clark presented digital marketing highlights. Key points:
    • Email marketing and social media generated nearly 97% of impressions for Meet the Artists, McFadden, and Juneteenth (over 1.5 million total impressions).
    • Moving to two all-patron newsletters per month (starting March 2026) led to a 55% increase in impressions from Q1 to Q2 vs. 2025.
    • Meet the Artists: 319,000+ impressions (17% increase). McFadden: 589,000+ impressions (78% increase). Juneteenth: 624,000+ impressions (slight decrease, but email openings up 3.9% and attendance up 55.4% to 345).
    • Over 2.1 million emails delivered, 589,000+ opens (84% increase), 84,000+ clicks (104% increase).
  • Bond Financing Presentation: Municipal advisor Jason Tansell (Baker Tilly) and bond counsel Jeff Quackenbush (Barnes & Thornburg) presented parameters for up to $19 million in bonds to fund the Irvington branch project and other improvements. Maximum borrowing $19M, repayment term up to six years (anticipated four years), annual payments up to $13.61M, interest expense up to $3.615M at a maximum 5.5% rate (current market ~4%). The library expects to issue bonds without increasing its debt service levy or tax rate (current rate 3.18 cents). Resolution 26-2026 (preliminary determination) and Resolution 27-2026 (appropriation) were advanced from the finance committee and approved unanimously.
  • 2025 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR): The independent auditor presented an unmodified (clean) opinion. General fund balance: $54.2 million (increase of $2.8M). Total governmental funds: $94.9 million (increase of $8.9M, driven by bond proceeds). No material adjustments or disagreements. The board accepted the report.
  • Treasurer‘s Trend Report – June 2026: Revenue at 54% of budget ($26M), favorable due to property taxes and interest. Expenditures: personal services and benefits at 42% of budget (under due to medical benefit savings and vacant positions). Report was accepted for filing.
  • Resolution 28-2026 – Database Renewal: Renewal of Marion County Internet Library databases (10 databases) costing $486,233, funded by the Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund. This is the 27th year of the program; 39 new libraries were added in 2025/2026. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 29-2026 – Insurance Renewal: 2026-2027 general liability insurance renewal with Gallagher. Premium increases: workers compensation up ~16% (salary increases), automobile up ~47% (added vehicles, claims history). Total increase 12.14% ($59,512). Already included in budget. Approved unanimously.
  • CEO Report – Gregory Hill:
    • Typical day in June: 113 new cardholders (+6%), 24,495 items circulated (down 0.38% due to physical decline, e-circ up 5%), 8,108 visitors (+5%). East Washington branch: 6,000 visitors, 2,100 items circulated, 27 programs with 607 attendees.
    • Key engagement: Michigan Road Art Garden (250 attendees), Wayne summer reading kickoff, Day of Play at Central Library (800+ patrons), Chair Robix programs.
    • Patron Experience Teller Survey (Q2): 851 responses; 98% positive, 4.9/5 customer service, 99% satisfied with staff communication, library cleanliness 4.8/5. Glendale had most responses (184).
    • Staff Recognition: Second quarter award winners were honored at a reception on July 20.
  • Quarterly Operational Report – Mary Ann McKenzie (Chief Strategy & Analytics Officer):
    • Cardholders: Total decreased slightly due to end of academic year; active cardholders growing. New online auto-renewal system launching.
    • Total circulation decreased slightly due to temporary closures at Central and Franklin Road branches for carpet replacement. Physical circulation down, e-circulation growing.
    • Branch visits: Overall steady; Spades Park and West Indianapolis saw significant growth. New laptop checkout program began (129 sessions in Q2).
    • Study room usage continues to grow.
    • Community room reservations: Over 34 partners tabled more than 75 times in Q2.
    • Reference assistance: Social work reference grew from 400 to 1,200 (intern support).
    • Programs and attendance: Active programs increased due to summer reading. New metrics for one-on-one appointments (~400) and in-branch activations (pilot, 4,500 in June).
  • Future Agenda Items: Board member requested updates on the East Washington branch entry steps (already scheduled for replacement after summer reading) and the water leak that occurred during the meeting. The facilities manager will provide a report.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions (26-2026 through 30-2026) were approved unanimously by roll call vote.
  • The public hearing on the $19 million bond was held with no public comment; the board authorized proceeding with the project and financing.
  • The 2025 audit was accepted; no material findings.
  • The treasurer‘s report for June 2026 was accepted for audit.
  • The next regular board meeting was scheduled for August 24, 2026, at the Lawrence Branch (7898 Haig Road) at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. I'd like to call to order the um July 27, 2026 meeting of the uh library board. Can we have a call of the role? Yes, Mr. Peterman. Present. Miss Johnson, present. Dr. Martada, present. Dr. Classio. Present. Dr. Riolo, present. And there to write. Probably. Would you have a quorum? Excellent. Uh, good evening, and welcome everyone to the July meeting of the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees. My name is Ray Bieterman, president of the library board. Uh, I'm looking forward to a productive meeting as we continue to advance our mission, vision, and values, and goals of the Indianapolis Public Library. I'll start by sharing my gratitude for the staff of our historic East Washington branch for hosting us tonight. We'll hear from the branch manager in a few minutes, but first I'd like uh to recognize our library staff across the system for another outstanding summer reading program. Their hard work has made this uh memorable summer for thousands of readers throughout our community. It's hard to believe that one of our most beloved uh summer traditions is wrapping up this week. Our summer reading program once again inspired our community to embrace reading. I'm pleased to share uh that we have exceeded our goal of 22 million minutes uh as a reading community. Uh, we're actually as of today at 25 million minutes. Whoa. Yeah, so that's great. And 24 million of them were Dr. Classians. Can you believe that? It's crazy. Uh, with a few more days, there's still time to log your last bit of reading uh minutes before the end of summer. I understand there are still some prizes to be claimed, so please visit your branch by August 1st. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year's program such a success. Uh the conclusion of the summer reading program signals the start of the school year for Indianapolis students K through 12. I know that because my kids are already talking about it and how how little they're looking forward to getting back. So there we go. Um, Indianapolis Public Library is ready to support the students through our shared system, which connects 91 public and private schools, museums, and special libraries with the Indianapolis Public Library. This massive collection provides more than two million physical items, plus more than 340,000 ebooks and downloadable audible uh audiobook titles along with research databases and other essential reading resources. This uh robust shared library collection. Uh through through that, students can access their school library materials as well as all of the resources of the Indianapolis Public Library. On behalf of the board, a special thank you to our partner schools and to our librarians, library staff, and collection management professionals who make this work uh possible. Together, you're helping strengthen literacy and expand opportunities for students across Indianapolis. So thank you to the shared system. As the school year begins, I encourage students, families, and caregivers to carry the joy of summer reading into the months ahead. Our branches remain ready to help with personalized reading recommendations, homework support, research assistance, and welcoming study spaces where students can learn and thrive. Um so before we get to um the branch report, uh Dr.

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