Indianapolis Library System Eyes Expansion

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Public Library system wants to spend $59 million to upgrade existing branches and erect new buildings.

CEO Jackie Nytes tells the Indianapolis Business Journal the plan calls for renovating five branches, replacing four buildings and adding new branches in Lawrence and Perry townships.

She says she hopes the City-County Council will approve a proposal authorizing borrowing the money through a series of bond issues over the next six years.

Library statistics show that use is on the rise despite readers' move toward digital media. The library reported more than 4 million patron visits in 2013 and saw a nearly 9 percent increase in computer use.

The proposal calls for opening new branches starting in 2016 and completing construction of all of them by 2020.