Indiana libraries feel budgetary crunch

FORT WAYNE – The small crowd of people waiting outside the Eckhart Public Library’s front door after Labor Day made it clear: The message hadn’t reached everyone.

The Auburn library began opening its doors at 10 a.m. Sept. 7, an hour later than usual to save money.

Across the state, libraries are dealing with the dual demands of diminishing tax support and greater need, causing some to take the drastic steps of closing branches and others – including Allen County’s – to develop contingency plans for cutting branch hours.

A plan to close branches in Indianapolis drew widespread public protest, but in Auburn, the reaction was muted and, in a community that knows about belt-tightening, understanding.