At its Sept. 15 meeting, the Monroe County Public Library Board unanimously approved a contract with Strauser Construction to build a new southwest branch. Strauser's was the lowest of three bids, coming in at $10.6 million – about $1.2 million over the library's original estimate. MCPL director Marilyn Wood said that the library would still be able to pay for the branch and retain about $3 million in reserves. 

MCPL plans to build the new 21,000-square-foot branch on land adjacent to Batchelor Middle School at 890 W. Gordon Pike. Earlier this year the Monroe County Council approved issuance of a $6 million bond for the project.

Watch the board's Sept. 15 meeting on CATS here. Read materials related to this issue from the board's Sept. 15 meeting packet here.

At its June 8 meeting, the Monroe County Council approved issuance of two series of bonds to pay for the construction of a new Monroe County Public Library branch and renovations at other facilities.

Series A bonds were approved to be issued in an amount not to exceed $2 million and will be payable over a period ending not later than Jan. 15, 2030. Those bond proceeds will be used for the renovation of and improvements to existing library facilities and purchase of equipment. The Series B bonds, together with the Series A bonds, will be issued in an amount not to exceed $6 million and will be payable over a period ending not later than Jan. 15, 2041. Proceeds of the Series B bonds will  pay costs of the design, acquisition, site development, construction, equipping and furnishing of a new library branch.

Read the meeting packet materials related to the bond approval here.

The Monroe County Public Library is updating its strategic plan and asking residents to help shape their future work.

The plan, for 2021-2023, will guide MCPL's technology, programs, partnerships and materials. Click here to read the current 2018-2020 plan.

​Click here to take the survey.

You can also give public commentary at the monthly meetings of the MCPL board of trustees. Their next meeting is on July 15 at 5:45 p.m. More info here.

The Monroe County Public Library board has taken several steps toward building a new branch in the southwest area of Monroe County, though a specific location hasn't yet been announced.

​At its Sept. 18 meeting, the MCPL board unanimously approved issuing a 20-year bond for up to $5 million for the project, which is estimated to cost about $10 million. The total financing would include cash from reserves as well as operating receipts. The library plans to fund this project without a tax increase.

On Sept. 18, trustees also approved hiring Bose McKinney & Evans LLP of Indianapolis to serve as bond counsel and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP, headquartered in Chicago, to serve as municipal a advisor for the library. 

Gary Lettelleir, MCPL finance manager, told trustees this was the "first step for issuing a bond to pay for the new southwest branch construction." 

Click here to view the supporting documents, including a project timeline, provided in the board packet. Marilyn Wood, MCPL director, told trustees that the timeline is "more aggressive than we anticipate."

The board has previously approved hiring Matheu Architects for this project. That firm also designed the Ellettsville branch.

Click here to watch the bond presentation at the MCPL board's Sept. 18, 2019 meeting.

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, the MCPL board will hold a public hearing on its 2020 budget. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the downtown library, 303 W. Kirkwood Ave., Room 1B.