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Johnson County Public Library touts record circulation, warns of state funding changes
Summary
Lisa Litner, director of the Johnson County Public Library, presented 2025 service statistics — including 1.3 million items circulated and nearly 78,000 program attendees — and told the Greenwood council that recent state laws will reduce local income-tax revenue that currently funds 40–50% of the library’s budget.
Lisa Litner, director of the Johnson County Public Library, told the Greenwood Common Council on June 1 that the library circulated 1.3 million items in 2025 and provided 3,400 programs attended by nearly 78,000 people.
"Last year our library circulated 1.3 million items," Litner said. She told council members the system recorded about 388,000 in-person visits, issued roughly 11,000 new library cards, and checked out about 420,000 digital items. Litner also said community programs such as the summer reading effort drew thousands: "Explore Summer last year had over 6,000 people participating," she said.
The director framed the statistics as an argument for maintaining steady local funding. Litner told the council that recent state legislation — cited in her presentation as Senate Enrolled Act 21 of 2025 and other house-enrolled acts — will change levy-growth calculations and reduce the share of revenue libraries receive from local income tax. "For libraries, [the changes] make up 40 to 50% of our budget," Litner said, adding that the library is adjusting planning timelines and that the board is weighing a renovation of the White River Branch once an existing bond is paid off.
Litner outlined facility and program plans for 2026, including a children’s-department expansion concept for the White River Branch that could increase space by roughly 30–35% if the board moves forward. She also highlighted community events tied to America's 250th, a planned concert series at the Trafaler Amphitheater, and a countywide "Longest Table" program scheduled for Sept. 4.
On legislative impacts she described procedural deadlines and penalties linked to recent bills. Litner said certain new provisions will impose a steeper penalty for a missed budget deadline and alter the maximum levy growth available to libraries starting in later budget cycles; she emphasized the library will file on time to avoid automatic reductions. Litner also noted grants and private donations that are funding some upcoming programs.
The council did not take action on the presentation; staff offered to provide the library’s presentation materials and strategic-plan updates to council members for follow-up.
