What's happening with funding for the ACPL?

"Sure, the library is an old-fashioned concept. So is democracy, so is equal opportunity, so is knowledge.” -Carri Randall, Indiana resident and library volunteer, concerned about losses to library budgets statewide due to SB1.

Last week, funding for the Allen County Public Library’s 2026 budget took center stage at City Council where eight residents spoke in favor of the library. Council sparred across party lines about whether or not to hold the budget and review it for cost-savings, with some suggesting capping the ACPL’s proposed cost of living wage increase for staff at 2% – compared to a 3% raise recently granted to county employees. In the end, council opted to discuss the library’s funding again at its Oct. 7 meeting with a decision required by Oct. 14.

So... What are a few key considerations? What might be on the chopping block? And why is council reviewing the library’s budget this year in the first place?

For more context, we conducted email interviews with:

• Aja Michael-Keller, Director of Communications for the ACPL
• Councilman Geoff Paddock, D-2, who spoke against holding the library’s budget

* We also sought comment from Councilman Nathan Hartman, R-3, who led the motion to review the budget more closely, but did not hear back in time for publication.

Let’s start with the basics: 

Why is council reviewing the library’s budget this year in the first place?