INDIANAPOLIS — After 10 months of citizen input, research and assessment, The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees has approved a strategic plan, “Yours to Experience,” to define the Library’s role and scope of services in the community for the years 2015-2020. The plan includes realigning branch locations to maximize access, reducing or eliminating the leasing of facilities, and developing new relationships with community centers and other partners.
To reduce geographical gaps in service, the Library will add a new location in Lawrence Township, relocate the Eagle Branch to a site that will provide ADA access, and relocate the Brightwood and Glendale branches to Library-owned facilities in the area.
The plan also would move library branch resources currently in the Flanner House Community Center to an expanded location farther north along the M.L. King/Michigan Road corridor to reduce a service gap in southeastern Pike and southwestern Washington Townships. Similarly, resources of the Fountain Square Branch, also a leased facility, would be relocated to an expanded location in Perry Township north of I-465 to fill a large service gap between the existing Garfield Park and Southport branches.
Other goals include strategies for enhancing the Library’s contributions to foster personal growth and learning, establishing the Library as a civic focal point and resource center, and positioning the Library as an agent of innovation through technology and a well-targeted collection. Maintaining a strong commitment to early childhood learning, leading individuals in their digital journeys with technology, providing full access to those with different abilities, and meeting the needs of diverse populations are other key aspects of the plan.