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Mail a check: P.O. Box 2078
West Lafayette, IN 47996
Learn how property tax districts affect funding for the West Lafayette Public Library.
Recent legislative changes will lead to a reduction in library funding.
Who does the WLPL serve?
The West Lafayette Public Library has a legacy of serving all residents of Tippecanoe County. This was formalized over five decades ago with a reciprocal borrowing agreement, which now resides with the state library.
In the map to the left, the West Lafayette Public Library location is marked in blue, and the patrons who have borrowed materials in the past year are shown as red dots.
Libraries are primarily funded by property tax dollars.
But did you know that not all West Lafayette neighborhoods’ property taxes contribute to the West Lafayette Public Library?
West Lafayette Public Library Property Taxing District:
The West Lafayette Public Library’s property taxing district is represented in the map to the right. Residents in green on the map pay property taxes to the library.
That means that the property taxes of approximately 20,000 residents (out of 44,000) of the City of West Lafayette do not provide funding through their property taxes to the West Lafayette Public Library.
Why are the library funding boundaries drawn this way?
The WLPL gets approximately 60% of its budget from residents within its property taxing district.
However, the property tax districts are based on 1970 maps. The City has expanded since then, and so has the community it serves. But property taxing district lines don’t automatically update with every annexation or neighborhood change. They’re set through formal processes and can lag behind real-world growth.
What this means going forward
Now that you know how the boundaries work, it’s easier to see why budget reductions add one more layer in an already complex funding puzzle. The library team works hard to stretch every dollar, plan, and keep services strong for everyone who relies on the library.
How you can help (no matter where you live)
Stay informed. Share this page so neighbors understand how library funding actually works.
Use your library. Check out materials, attend programs, and spread the word. Usage helps us plan and advocate.
Support directly. Donate to the West Lafayette Public Library Foundation to help keep the library thriving now and in the future.
Your donations make a direct impact on programs and collections including:
Mail a check: P.O. Box 2078
West Lafayette, IN 47996
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