This message is a departure from our usual communications to you, our valued patrons and supporters. On April 1st, the Ohio House of Representatives released its proposed state budget. In it, they recommend eliminating the Public Library Fund, a fund protected by law and responsible for the majority of Ohio’s public library funding.
Ohio's public libraries have had a partnership with the state to deliver services at the local level for almost 100 years. This proposal wants to remove the protection of law and make library funding a lump-sum dollar amount in the State’s overall budget, making it much easier for legislators to cut funding for libraries in the future.
If this proposal passes, it means $100 million LESS for Ohio public Libraries over the next two years and NO GUARANTEE OF FUNDING after 2027.
The unprecedented elimination of the Public Library Fund comes at a time when libraries across the state already saw a $27 million shortfall in state funding in 2024. Ohio's libraries are currently funded at the same level we were in the year 2000 with no adjustment for inflation. Since then, our community has grown while the cost of library resources and services has increased, and we have evolved to serve our patrons.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT YOU?
We rely on funding from the state's Public Library Fund (59% of our budget for 2 libraries) to support not just operations, but the library collections, resources, programs and services our community relies on. This includes:
- Library of Things Collection
- Digital Collections
- Reading Dragons Program
- Early Literacy Programs
- Local History Initiatives
- Homebound & Outreach Services
- and so much more...
Eliminating the Public Library Fund and replacing it with the same level of funding libraries received 25 years ago is a threat to all library programs, resources and services.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Contact your state representative and Speaker Matt Huffman TODAY. Tell them to restore the Public Library Fund to the amount designated in the Governor's proposed budget and share how important the library is to you and your family and how a cut to libraries would impact you. You can reach your representatives at the information below.
Speaker Matt Huffman (614) 466-6344 or rep78@ohiohouse.gov
ELMORE: Rep. D.J. Swearingen (614) 644-6011 or rep89@ohiohouse.gov
GENOA: Rep. Josh Williams (614) 466-1418 or rep44@ohiohouse.gov
You can also click the link below to send a message to Ottawa County House Members and House Speaker Huffman.
