Indianapolis Libraries to Fire 37

Indianapolis branch libraries are laying off a total of 37 employees in anticipation to a budget gap of $4 million next year.

“I want to express how difficult this decision has been during a time of tremendous financial stress facing the library,” said the library’s chief executive officer, Laura Bramble. “However, the reality of today’s economic climate requires the library to provide a leaner and more efficient model of service.”

Union president Michael Torres said the first employees were notified late last week.

“If they had looked closer at upper management” — having been bloated for some time according to the union — “they may not have had to lay off so many,” said reference assistant Torres.