The Indianapolis Foundation Library Partners

Abstract

In 1989 an anonymous bequest of nearly $15 million was made to The Indianapolis Foundation, creating the Library Fund, which would be used to support Marion County libraries. This group, which would come to be called The Indianapolis Foundation Library Partners, was made up of the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library (IMCPL); the libraries of all of the public, private, and parochial high schools in Marion County; and the libraries of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Marian College, and the University of Indianapolis. The donor stipulated that that The Indianapolis Foundation “shall give preference to projects which cannot be met by the operating budgets of the recipient institutions.” Further, the donor expressed a hope that, “in exercising its discretion, the Foundation will emphasize provision of books and other library materials rather than the employment of personnel and the construction of buildings.” Thus the proceeds of the Library Fund were to be used for new, innovative, and collaborative projects. Core library operation expenses and building projects were excluded. This remarkable gift created a resource, now valued at approximately $25 million and producing approximately $1.25 million a year, that is truly unique. Since its beginning in 1989, the Library Fund has made over $16 million in grants to Marion County libraries. This resource in turn fostered a collaborative environment among the libraries and librarians in Marion County that is also unique. In this article we describe the history of The Indianapolis Foundation Library Partners, its current programs, and its growth over the years.