Library Leaders From Across Ohio Join the OLC’s Advocacy Efforts
Ohio’s public libraries were at the forefront today as more than 260 trustees, administrators and friends converged on the Statehouse for OLC’s Legislative Day. Library supporters spent the morning meeting with members of the Ohio General Assembly to share how their libraries are transforming local communities. They also urged state legislators to support Ohio’s public libraries by rejecting the proposed budget cuts in the state budget bill, HB 49.
OLC Testifies Before House Finance Committee
Debbie Saunders, Director of the Bossard Memorial Library in Gallia County and Michelle Francis, OLC Director of Government and Legal Services, testified this morning before the House Finance Committee on the state budget bill proposal, HB 49. They shared examples of how public libraries around the state are serving Ohio’s 8.7 million cardholders and asked legislators to maintain the current funding level of the Public Library Fund (PLF) at 1.7% of the General Revenue Fund.
Read Complete Testimony (PDF)
OLC Presents Two Advocacy Awards
The OLC also presented two awards during a luncheon with legislators in the Statehouse Atrium. The Andrew Carnegie Award was presented to Ohio Representative Ryan Smith (R-Bidwell) 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, received the A. Chapman Parsons Award for her outstanding advocacy work at both the state and national level.
You can see pictures from today’s events on the OLC’s Facebook and Twitter pages. You can also join the conversation by using the hashtag #ProtectThePLF.
