Why Does the Library Matter to You? Tell Your Elected Officials Today
Let your elected officials know why the library matters to you by writing a message on one of the provided postcards, and our library director will hand-deliver them on February 3 at the Indiana Library Federation’s Statehouse Day.
- Stop by the library and write a message on the provided postcards for Senator Rick Niemeyer and State Representative Julie Olthoff.
Your voice matters. Personal stories are powerful in helping elected officials understand the real impact of library funding decisions. - Drop your postcard in the box provided or return your postcard to the library by January 31.
- The Library Director will hand-deliver all postcards on February 3 during the Indiana Library Federation’s Statehouse Day.
Libraries help families every day. From storytimes and school support to access to books, technology, and community programs, libraries are essential to daily life in our community. Right now, Indiana libraries—including Crown Point Library and our Winfield Branch—are facing significant funding challenges due to state budget cuts, federal funding uncertainty, and new legislation that reduces local property tax revenue. These changes threaten essential library services that communities rely on every day.
Why This Matters
Recent funding cuts and proposed legislation at the state and federal levels are creating uncertainty for libraries across Indiana. While changes may not be visible right away, they affect how libraries plan for the future and sustain the services our community relies on.
If funding challenges continue, libraries could face:
- Fewer programs for all ages
- Reduced access to popular library resources
- Shorter hours and fewer staff
- Less collaboration with community organizations and partners
Indiana Libraries At Risk: Funding & Policy Impacts
Key Funding Impacts
State Budget Cuts
- Major reductions to the Indiana State Library budget undermine statewide support and shared services.
Elimination of State Funding
- INSPIRE Databases: State funding eliminated this budget line, putting education and research resources at risk.
- Internet Connectivity: State funding cut, shifting rising internet costs to local library budgets.
Federal Funding Uncertainty
- Potential elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) threatens:
- Statewide library resources
Early Literacy Programs
- State funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was cut, so the program now relies on fundraising to keep free books available for children ages 0–5 in Indiana.
Legislative Impacts
Property Tax Reductions (SEA 1)
- New property tax legislation is projected to reduce public library funding by millions statewide by 2026.
Shift to Local Budget Control
- Proposed legislation (SB4/SB8) moves approval of some library funding to county councils, creating uncertainty and requiring libraries to repeatedly justify core services.
What This Means for Communities
If these trends continue, libraries may be forced to:
- Reduce hours
- Cut staff
- Limit access to ebooks, streaming, and databases
- Reduce programs, outreach, and early literacy services
Smaller and rural libraries will be hit hardest, increasing inequities in access to education, technology, and community resources.
Questions?
Contact Julie Wendorf, Library Director at jwendorf@crownpointlibrary.org
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