City Partners With Monroe County Public Library To Establish Collection At Banneker Community Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2006

For more information contact:
Bev Johnson, Adult/Family Services Manager, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, 349-3773
Margaret H. Harter, Community Relations Coordinator, Monroe County Public Library, 349-3050, ext. 4050
Maria Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

[image:2154,left]Bloomington, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department has formally approved an agreement that will enhance library services available to residents of Bloomington's west side. The announcement marks the fourth of six Community Collaborations Kruzan pledged in his April City Vision 2006 to announce within 60 days.

Through this partnership, the City's Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th St., will provide space through its Evans-Porter Library for Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) to establish a satellite location.

"The library offers a wealth of knowledge in books and resources and we are excited to collaborate to extend these services to the broader community," Kruzan said. "This new program will provide west side residents with convenient access to library resources without having to travel far."

The library at Banneker was dedicated the Evans-Porter Library in February 2005 to honor former Banneker School teachers Alice Evans and Georgia Porter.

"It is our intention," said MCPL Director Cindy Gray, "that this partnership initiative will be just the first step in further securing library service throughout the county. This project is an example of how taxpayer dollars can be wisely and effectively spent to provide equal access to the library's collections, services and online resources to the citizens of Monroe County."

In addition to providing equipment such as desks and shelves for the Evans-Porter Library, MCPL will contribute to the initial collection of library materials. These materials will be cataloged, updated and refreshed by MCPL on a regular basis. They will also work toward developing Internet access to their entire collection of materials. Banneker staff will provide support to assist with check out procedures and organization.

"This pilot program attests to Monroe County Public Library's efforts to reach out to serve neighborhood residents," said Mick Renneisen, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Director. "Not only will this partnership enhance the offerings of the Evans-Porter Library, but it provides the groundwork for future collaboration."

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