INDIANA – A proposed bill in Indiana, Senate Bill 32, is sparking debate over the future of public library events and community access.
Authored by Senators Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) and Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville), the legislation aims to drastically change how public libraries are funded and limit the types of events they can host. Under this bill, public libraries would no longer be funded through property taxes but would instead require budget approval from local city or county governments.
This move comes in the wake of recent legislation facilitating community requests for book removals from schools. Public libraries have faced criticism for hosting events like drag queen story hours and including certain books in their collections.
Critics argue that the bill could lead to decreased funding and restrict community access to a diverse range of library services and events, potentially impacting educational and cultural exposure in local communities.
