Beech Grove/Indianapolis public libraries may merge

BEECH GROVE, Ind. (WISH) — In today’s high tech world, the struggle to grow the public library is taking center stage in one central Indiana town.

At a meeting tonight in Beech Grove, the community was invited to come out to talk about possibly merging the Beech Grove Public Library with the Indianapolis Public Library.

Beech Grove held focus groups last year asking library users what they wanted in their branch.

They heard things like more online resources, expanded programming, and updated technology.

Library board members say that can’t happen with a declining budget.

Carol Fred was on the Beech Grove Public Library Board for more than a decade.  She says without the merger, the community may lose the library entirely.

“A lot of people say that they think that merging with the Marion County Library system will mean us losing our library,” said Fred.  “But you know that’s not true, in fact, we’re probably going to lose the library if we don’t merge, because the city of Beech Grove does not have the funding that Marion County has. And there will be so much more to offer our residents.”

A merger would give Beech Grove residents access to 25 times more books, 10 times more e-books, and countless other resources.

If the board decides to move forward with the merger, a committee will be formed, and that committee would have a year to figure out logistics, and make the merger happen.