Councilor donates four years of salary to Marion County libraries

Steve Talley said his wife, Donna, loved books. He said his wife especially loved reading books to area children.

"Quite often she would come home from work and she would sit down on the step of our home," said Talley. "She would have a bag of books that she would read to the children."

The Talleys spent many hours at the library on East 38th Street.

Tuesday, the District 11 City-County Councilor announced he is donating his salary over the next four years, plus the job's retirement benefits, to libraries in Marion County.

"It is mind-blowing, I was shocked," said Emily Lynn, library employee. "I knew something really, really great was coming, but I had no idea it was that much. I was floored."

Talley's donation is already paying off at the library on 38th Street. It paid for a tree house inside the building, it also paid for a place to put on puppet shows. It all comes back to one centralized theme, to honor Donna Talley, while helping children.

Lynn said Talley's gift has changed the face of the entire building and it has people talking.

"We get compliments all the time on how nice the children's department is here," said Lynn. "We have a lot of parents who enjoy bringing their kids to this branch because they say it is a nice and open and pretty."

Lynn said the tree house and Story Theatre are just the beginning. She said Talley's gift is allowing the library to think up more big picture ideas to continue to foster young minds.

"She would really be excited, not because it is set up in her name, but the impact that it is going to have on so many living in our community," said Talley.

Lynn said it is already happening, and she could not be happier.

"It is really wonderful and anytime Mr. Talley wants to read stories to the kids he is more than welcome to, because he is really good at it," said Lynn.