An Open Letter from JTPL Library Director, David Seckman

Dear Community Members

Indiana state legislation, Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), has passed through the Senate and will now be considered by the Indiana House of Representatives. I wanted to share with you its impact on public libraries, and what this could mean for the communities we serve.

Public libraries are a public service; they do not operate for profit. The Jeffersonville Township Public Library relies on public funding, primarily from property taxes, to provide access to information, educational resources, and opportunities many in our community would not otherwise have.

With the passage of SEA 1 in 2025, public library funding sourced from property taxes has already been significantly reduced. The addition of SB 8 places our ability to sustain, maintain, and grow services at further risk. SB 8 could risk the remaining library funding.

The Current System

For decades, the Jeffersonville Township Library’s Board of Trustees has served as the official fiscal and governing body of the library. Board members are appointed by elected local officials (Greater Clark and Clarksville Community School Boards, Clark County Council, and Clark County Commissioners), and strict state statutory protections are in place to ensure every tax dollar is used legally, ethically, and transparently.

Currently, Trustees adopt library budgets within the prescribed limits, and must receive approval from our elected fiscal authority to issue bonds, spend funds outside our operating budget from library savings, or any budget increase above the state-established growth quotient.

What SB 8 Changes

New Thresholds: Currently, the state allows the Library’s Board of Trustees to grow the library’s spendable budget by 4.0% for 2026.

Binding Reviews: Under SB 8, if the library proposes a budget increase of 2.0% or more, it would trigger a mandatory “binding review” from our fiscal oversight body, the Clark County Council.

Risk to Library Budget Sustainability: SB 8 does not include existing statutory protections that cap budget reductions at 10% during a binding review, exposing libraries to potentially severe and unlimited cuts that threaten long-term financial sustainability and essential services.

Why This Matters

Simply stated, SB 8 would significantly limit the library’s ability to plan responsibly, maintain our buildings, respond to community growth, and even maintain current services. The Jeffersonville Township Public Library strives to support our growing communities with reliable, forward-looking services, that emphasizes early literacy and economic development and additional financial instability would make that mission far more difficult.

Take Action Now

• Educate yourself. Read Senate Bill 8
• SB 8 is currently being debated in the Ways and Means Committee. Contact Representative Jeffrey Thompson, the chair of that committee.
  • email: h28@iga.in.gov
  • call: 317-232-9651
  • For a complete list of representatives who service on the Ways and Means Committee, click here.
• Call or write Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser and tell her NOT to support SB8.
  • email: wendy.dantchesser@iga.in.gov
  • call: 317-232-9716
• See sample language for calls or emails.
• Calculate the value of your public library with the Public Library Value Calculator.
• Support the Jeffersonville Township Public Library by gifting to the JTPL Foundation or Friends of JTPL and sharing this message with other library lovers.

Thank you for supporting your Jeffersonville Township Public Library.

David Seckman
dseckman@jefflibrary.org
direct line: (812) 285-5633