More branches, fewer books for Indy libraries?; Indianapolis Star, 1/29/14

Jon Murray, Indianapolis Star; More branches, fewer books for Indy libraries? :

"As the Indianapolis Public Library faces an increasingly wireless and digital future, its leaders want to get serious about taking books out of library branches.

With fewer bookshelves, the nearly two dozen outposts would have more space for users to relax and plug in devices to peruse the growing digital collection; to gather for events put on by community partners; or to attend workforce training seminars.

After years of belt-tightening, the library system's new strategic plan calls for an ambitious — and potentially costly — building expansion drive to accommodate the plan's goals.

Its leaders were set to unveil the plan to the public Tuesday, but that meeting was postponed because of the cold weather...

Update: The Indianapolis Public Library is going ahead with community feedback meetings at all 22 branches and the Central Library about its proposed strategic plan for 2015 through 2020. The first is today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Spades Park branch, 1801 Nowland Ave. (The schedule is available on the library's website.)

The library system had postponed a Tuesday kickoff event at the Central Library because of cold weather. Library spokesman Jon Barnes says that event may be rescheduled as a wrap-up meeting in March, after the final branch meeting, but officials will make that decision later."