Briefs: May 10-17

Library Revises Loan Policies

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees has approved reduced fines for the late return of juvenile and teen materials from $.25 to $.15 per day. Limits for DVDs loaned on juvenile borrower cards have been reduced from 12 to six items. For all borrowers, the fee to replace an Indianapolis Public Library card has been reduced from $5 to $3. The fee to cancel an item on hold, previously $2, has been eliminated.
The Library Board also increased the loan limit on the number of items per Library card at a given time from 50 to 75 items, mainly benefitting local teachers and day care leaders who check out large numbers of books for children with each Library visit.
To learn more about the Indy Library’s loan and circulation policies, extended use fees, and ways to obtain a Library card, visit www.indypl.org.


Sunnyside Receives United Way Student Success Grant

INDIANAPOLIS — United Way of Central Indiana recently awarded three public elementary schools grants totaling $743,607 to improve student outcomes. Sunnyside Elementary in Lawrence Township received the largest award, $393,100. United Way’s Student Success grant will fund an extended school day for 300 English learners, along with increased professional development for teachers, and support for families including how to assist students with homework. The funds will also enable the school to hire translators and a family liaison to strengthen communication between the school and homes.


Soccer Complex Gets New Fields

INDIANAPOLIS — Visitors at the Frank and Judy O’Bannon Soccer Park located near 16th Street and the Monon Trail will see work begin as early as this week to prepare the park for much-needed improvements. Indy Parks, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Indianapolis Parks Foundation are beginning the implementation phases of major improvements at the park.
The first phase of work involves renovation of the park’s three soccer fields. Work will include removal of the existing grass, minor reconditioning and re-grading of the soil, placement of new sod, and renovations to the irrigation system.  This phase is scheduled for completion by late summer, 2013.
The fields will be fenced off during construction and for a few months following completion to allow the sod to grow and establish itself.  During this establishment phase, the new sod and fields will be professionally maintained and managed by a specialty sports turf contractor to ensure that the fields will be in top notch condition for the Spring 2014 soccer season.
While access to the fields will be temporarily restricted during the establishment phase, access to the park’s walking path and the Monon Trail will remain open.