Branches To Be Trimmed from Library?

The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library may decide to close six of the the system's 22 branches in an effort to close a widening budget gap, reports the Indianapolis Business Journal. The six are Glendale, Brightwood, Flanner House, Fountain Square, Spades Park and West Indianapolis.

The library plans to hold focus group discussions and staff forums to gather feedback on the cost-cutting options, reports the IBJ. Public forums are planned for 6:30 p.m. 10 and 12 May at the Library Services Center, 2450 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis. The board is expected to make a decision in June.

The One Bright Spot...

According to Inside INdiana Business, The NCAA says the 2010 Men's Final Four in Indianapolis was the second most attendance in the history of the event. The combined attendees for this year's Final Four was 142,228, trailing only Detroit last year which attracted 145,378 for the three games. Attendance for last night's national championship contest at Lucas Oil Stadium was also the second highest ever. The NCAA says 70,930 were in the stands to watch Butler's 61-59 loss to Duke, second only to last year's mark of 72,922.

Go Dawgs!

Read more about Butler basketball here.

Go Dawgs!

It's always great when the hometown team wins (Butler 52, Michigan State 50).

Butler University's in the final matchup of the 2010 Final Four!

The Star Apologizes to Duke University

According to the Associated Press, "The Indianapolis Star newspaper has apologized to Duke University after some of Friday's editions included an illustration of coach Mike Krzyzewski with horns and a target drawn on his head.

"The illustration on the front of the sports section accompanied a story titled 'Despising Duke' that detailed how some fans strongly dislike the Blue Devils' program."

Ah! That wonderful Hoosier hospitality is on display again!

Seeing Ourselves as Others See Us

Hosting the Final Four means that lots of sites are writing about Indy. This is one of 'em:

Road Trips for Beer:

"If you are a beer-loving basketball fan or an alumni taking a road trip to this weekend’s Final Four games at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, you’d best pack your cooler and plan to tailgate – no beer will be sold in the arena. NCAA rules prohibit it."

The posting includes suggestions on where to quaff your favorite brew, depending on which team you're cheering for.

Indy Decides (Once Again) Not to Join 21st Century

As reported by Indianapolis Times blogspot, the lone Republican on the Marion County Election Board -- Indianapolis attorney P.J. Dietrick -- single-handedly killed satellite voting.

Why does this matter? "It means that tens of thousands of Marion County voters won't have the chance to vote early at satellite sites conveniently located close to their home or work."