Beech Grove Library Explores Merger With Indianapolis Public Library

The Beech Grove Library is considering a merger with the Indianapolis Public Library and people are invited to a public open house Tuesday night to talk about the idea.

Uniting with the Indy Library would provide Beech Grove residents with 25 times more books, 10 times more e-books and other resources.

Beech Grove Library Director Elizabeth Schoettle says that during focus groups conducted last year, residents said they wanted services that the current library system is unable to provide.

"The residents asked for things like improved online resources, expanded collections, expanded children and teen programming and updated technology," explained Schoettle.

Schoettle says property tax caps limit funding for the library.  "It's just harder and harder to provide those services that people want and expect."

Under the proposal, the library could not be closed and all staff members would keep their jobs.

The Indianapolis Public Library board plans to discuss the issue at a meeting Monday night.  If it’s approved, a planning committee would be formed and then a resolution would have to be approved by both boards.