Greenwood Library Lacks Funding and Gets Boost from Community

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) - The Greenwood Library has been facing a funding crisis since the start of the year.

Budget cuts and staff cutbacks have helped ease the problem, but they're still behind. “We found out that at the Board meeting that we were $500,000 in debt,” explains Jane Weisenbach the Director of Development & Marketing of the Greenwood Library.

Jane Weisenbach blames the half million dollar hole on a tax cut as well as operating well beyond the $1.6 million budget.

“We have cut and cut and cut,” says Weisenbach. “We had 12 people we laid off; I'm part time worked 4 days a week now I'm down to 3 days a week.”

After all the cuts were said and done and a taking out a tax anticipation loan, the library still needed $200,000. So the community rallied and in just a matter of months, the library raised $20,000.

“We had people coming in, we had teenagers bringing in their $100 that they saved, we had kids doing fundraisers at their schools. It’s just been amazing,” says Weisenbach.

The money raised is going toward buying the Greenwood Library new books, which was one of the many cuts. But that hasn't stopped some of its biggest fans from going above and beyond to spend a day browsing their books.

“I think it's sad because this is one of the best libraries, we actually live in Marion County and we choose to come here because it's one of the better libraries the kids love it the staff is nice there's lots of room and things to do,” says Marion County resident Wendy Wilson who pays to use the Greenwood Library.

Weisenbach explains they did not ask for a tax referendum on the ballot because that takes too long and they needed the money immediately.      

At one point they thought they might close down in March. Now they will barely make it to the end of the year.

The next major fundraiser is for October 18th at the Gathering Place in Greenwood. Bob Knight is expected to speak, in what's called "A Knight to Remember".

If you're interested in tickets go to the Greenwood Library website.