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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library board of trustees has postponed a decision on whether to close up to six library branches until its July 15 regular meeting, the board announced Friday morning.
The library board had been expecting to make decisions about the closures at its June 10 regular meeting.
“The Library is extremely gratified by the public's response and offers of support related to this issue,” board president Thomas S. Shevlot said in a prepared statement. “We are committed to thoughtfully considering all options. This extra time will serve the Library and the public well.”
The library system says it faces revenue reductions of more than $4 million per year due to property-tax reductions and lower total tax levies.
The board is considering several options to reduce the deficit. The most drastic option would mean closing six of the system's 22 branches: Glendale, Brightwood, Flanner House, Fountain Square, Spades Park and West Indianapolis in 2011 and 2012.
The closings would mean cutting 35 to 55 full-time equivalent staff members.
Other options range from keeping open the branches but reducing their hours.
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