Status Update: Markle Branch Library
A Message from the Director
March 30, 2026
It has come to our attention that there is a great deal of concern over the future of the Markle Branch Library. We are happily overwhelmed with the amount of feedback that we have seen from Markle residents who support their library. We truly value our library patrons and we know that libraries are important to our communities.
It is important for us to be transparent about the conversations that we are having regarding library services. If you would like to hear directly from myself and the Library Board on the initial conversation about the Markle Branch, you can listen to the recording of the Library Board meeting on our website. (The discussion on the Markle Branch begins at 26:15 in the March meeting recording.)
In short, yes we are looking into the hours and operations of the Markle Branch. With some upcoming staffing changes and some budget challenges, we need to carefully consider all of our decisions. However, at this time we are not recommending the closure of the Markle Branch.
While it is likely that there will be some changes to hours and staffing, full closure is not the preference of either the Library Board or the Library Administration and will be considered only as a last resort. It is important that we examine all of our options in order to make the most informed decision. That is why you may occasionally hear us talking about what would happen with a full closure (the worst case scenario).
The Library Board will be hearing more information about the use and operations of the Branch and will be discussing this information at their regular meeting on April 15 at 5:15 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Huntington Library and everyone is welcome to attend. There will be limited time for public comment at this meeting. The Board will also hold their May 20 meeting at the Markle Branch at 5:15 p.m. This will allow Markle residents easier access to speak to the Board about their concerns and preferences. We will provide specific additional public input time for this meeting. Please understand that we are taking this discussion very seriously and we will likely not have a final decision until June or July.
Many people have asked me what they can do to support the library to keep the Markle Branch in full operation. My first answer to this is always to use the library frequently and to encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.
In this case, there is another option for anyone who is concerned about the Markle Branch Library and Indiana libraries in general. That option is to support funding for libraries at state and local levels whenever you can. A large part of the concern and reason for this discussion about the Markle Branch is the pressure that has been placed on library budgets in recent years at a state level. Changes to property taxes have meant that we stand to lose more than $100,000 in funding this year alone.
We have been focusing on cutting spending at every opportunity for the last 9 months. We have already left one staff position unfilled in Huntington, and we have reduced spending on supplies, electronic databases, and periodicals, as well as eliminating some expensive processes like RFID tagging. We will continue to carefully monitor all of our decisions to ensure that we are spending money in the most effective way and this conversation about the Markle Branch is part of that.
This year, the state legislature has again severely reduced our ability to grow our budgets by limiting libraries to half of the growth limit that other government units are allowed. This will make it more difficult to afford higher costs in staffing, insurance, supplies, materials, and utilities while maintaining the same levels of service that everyone has come to expect.
If you value your libraries and want to continue to see them provide critical services and materials to our communities, I encourage you to contact your State Representative and State Senator to let them know that libraries and library funding are important to you.
As always, we value the feedback and comments of our residents. I encourage you to contact me directly at rlemons@hctpl.info and I will gladly answer any questions or address concerns.