Ohio’s Public Libraries Head to Statehouse on Wednesday

Ohio Statehouse photoOn March 29, more than 260 representatives from Ohio’s public libraries will travel to Columbus for the Ohio Library Council’s (OLC) Legislative Day. Library directors, fiscal officers, trustees, and supporters will meet with members of the Ohio General Assembly to share how their libraries are transforming local communities with essential services such as workforce development and early literacy programs. They will also urge state legislators to support Ohio’s public libraries by rejecting the cuts in the state’s budget proposal.

 

OLC Testifies Before House Finance Committee

Debbie Saunders, Director of the Bossard Memorial Library in Gallia County and Michelle Francis, OLC’s Director of Government and Legal Services will present testimony on the budget proposal, HB 49, before the House Finance Committee (10 a.m. in Room 313).

 

OLC Presents Two Advocacy Awards During Legislative Luncheon

The OLC will also present two awards during a luncheon with legislators at noon in the Statehouse Atrium. Ohio Representative Ryan Smith (R-Bidwell) will receive the Andrew Carnegie Award for his efforts to assure quality public library service to all Ohio citizens. Kim Fender, The Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, will receive the A. Chapman Parson Award for her outstanding advocacy work on behalf of Ohio’s public libraries at both the state and national level.

You can follow the day’s event on Facebook and Twitter. Join the conversation using #ProtectThePLF.

Learn more at libraryfunding.olc.org.