Library Faces Temporary Change
The unclear property tax situation in Indiana has made it difficult for many organizations, such as schools and libraries, to pay the bills. The Kendallville Public Library is no exception.
The last time the library received money from property taxes was in December. If the system was running smoothly, the library would receive another disbursement in June. However, it’s not running smoothly. The state has fallen behind in providing Noble County with the necessary assessment information to mail out tax bills on time. As a result, you won’t be paying your property taxes in May as regularly scheduled, and the organizations depending on that money won’t receive it.
While other libraries are cutting hours and services to patrons, the Kendallville Public Library has decided against that. After all, you’re still paying the same amount in property taxes, so you are still entitled to the same great service you’ve come to expect.
The changes at KPL and LPL are expected to take place behind-the-scenes, with some minor cuts in part-time staff and a slight reduction in purchasing of mainly AV materials, such as audio books, CDs and DVDs. But the library has alternative options for you, which you won’t find on our shelves.
If you can’t find an audio book you’d like to listen to on the shelf, there is an alternative. You can take advantage of the library’s downloadable audio books system, which is free to all who have a library card. Books can be downloaded at home or in the library and then transferred to an MP3 player. MP3 players are now relatively inexpensive. For audio book use, we recommend at least 512MB capacity, and Creative is a good brand that’s compatible with the download system. If you already have an MP3 player, a list of proven compatible brands and models is available. Just stop in the library to sign up on one of our computers, and you’re ready to go. Need assistance? Just ask a staff member, or go online for detailed instructions. Link: http://www.kendallvillelibrary.org/audiobooks_instruction.htm
If you can’t find that book you’re looking for on the library shelves, ask about our free InterLibrary Loan Service. Books that are at least 6 months old can be sent from another library just for you. Print an ILL form to fill out and drop off at the library: http://www.kendallvillelibrary.org/Downloads/interlibrary_loan_form.pdf
To help keep a cash flow, the library will be seeking a line of credit for up to $250,000. This will be paid back over time, so there’s no major impact on the library’s budget for the coming few years. Even if the library Board of Trustees had made the decision, as other libraries have, to cut hours and services, there would still be a need to borrow funds to make the money last until whenever the library receives it’s next disbursement.
In the meantime, Library Director Jenny Draper is in the forefront of the state’s efforts to secure alternative funding sources for libraries in the future. In the short term, the library has been seeking grants to fund specific projects. Most recently, money has been given from Noble REMC’s Operation Round-Up and the Ruth Lemmon Rupert Fund. You could also help by donating to the library’s READ Program, which supports programming for all ages. For now, the entire staff will simply continue to work hard with less money to make sure that you receive the same friendly, helpful service you’ve come to expect and deserve from the Kendallville and Limberlost Public Libraries.