Frustrated Gary Public Library employees still haven’t received the 5% cost-of-living pay increase promised last year.
Library officials contend uncertainty over new state and federal laws has complicated the issue and clouded the budget outlook.
On June 24, five library employees sent a letter to the Post-Tribune about the 5% COLA raises they expected to take effect Jan. 1. They said the library board approved the raises last year.
Employees Danyell Cooper, Devon Dorsey, Lakeisha Bridgeman, Kathleen Yon, and Toyin Aginbobuyi signed the letter. They’ve also been appearing regularly at the library board’s monthly meetings to ask about their raise, but they say their questions have gone unanswered.
Library board president Jacquese White said library officials have met with the employees and given them updates.
“We approved it in the budget to make sure the money was set aside for them,” she said.
That action took place months after state lawmakers approved a sweeping property tax relief measure, Senate Enrolled Act 1. Layered on top of that was House Enrolled Act 1406, another budget reduction law that impacts libraries with appointed boards.
White said the impact of the tax reform laws will become clearer when the library receives its state tax draw expected on June 30.
“We didn’t know what we were going to get,” she said. The strain on state finances from President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” could also filter down to libraries, White said.
“It’s important to note they have received pay raises and bonuses for the last seven consecutive years,” White said.
“We plan on giving the raise, all done in good faith.”
She said the library has cash reserves of about $4 million, not the $5.6 million alleged by employees. “They have a benefits package that’s stellar and second only to U.S. Steel. I don’t think they understand that’s part of the compensation, as well.”
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She said the library is now being cautious as it copes with anticipated budget decreases from SEA 1, which slashed funding for schools, cities, libraries, and other local tax entities.
An estimate by the Indiana Legislative Service Agency in 2025 showed the Gary Public Library could lose as much as $426,100 this year and by 2028, $700,300 to $709,600.
House Enrolled Act 1406 set budget growth limits on public libraries with caps of less than 50% of what other local government units are permitted. Also, libraries that miss administrative deadlines could receive penalties.
White said the library is also struggling with much higher bills from the Northern Indiana Public Service Co.
Danyelle Cooper, an acquisitions associate, disputed White’s statement saying employees haven’t received seven straight years of raises.
“That’s not accurate,” she said.
“I’ve been employed here 27 years and there have been times we went six years without a raise and then three years without a raise… Our costs have increased but we haven’t gotten any funds,” she said.
“In November 2025, they approved a 5% pay increase across the board for everyone and that’s what we’re fighting for,” said Cooper.
She said employees also asked library officials to update job descriptions because some workers’ duties have been expanded without additional pay.
“They say we are rich in benefits but the problem is we’re struggling to make ends meet,” said Cooper.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.