GREENWOOD, Ind. — Libraries across Indiana are bracing for budget cuts as a new state law alters their primary funding sources, forcing them to consider a range of cost-saving measures from hiring freezes to reduced book collections.

Emily Ellis, the Executive Director at the Greenwood Library said they are already preparing for a future with less revenue. They explained that a new state bill, Senate Bill 1, is expected to create a gap of about $550,000 in their budget. The library anticipates an initial loss of $78,000 to $83,000 in property tax revenue alone over the next three years.

A New Funding Reality The new legislation marks a major shift in how libraries are funded. Traditionally, Indiana libraries receive revenue from both property taxes and local income taxes (LIT). The Johns

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