The OLC has put together a number of tools to help you become a powerful advocate for Ohio’s public libraries.
Advocacy
2025 Advocacy Calendar (PDF)
Month-by-month calendar of advocacy activities and ideas to use at your library throughout the year.
Library Legislative Day
Grassroots advocacy event in Columbus. Scheduled for April 8, 2025 at the Ohio Statehouse.
Fact Sheets
- “Did You Know?” Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Digital Services available at Ohio’s Public Libraries (PDF)
- History of Library Funding in Ohio
- FAQs about the Public Library Fund (PDF)
- Statewide ROI Report
Recent return on investment (ROI) study of Ohio’s public libraries and the economic benefit they provide to Ohio residents.
Legislative Contacts
- 135th General Assembly Legislative Directory (PDF)
- 135th General Assembly addresses and numbers (Excel file)
- Find My District Tool (Search by address for Ohio House, Ohio Senate, and Congressional Districts)
- Format for Legislative Office Visit (PDF)
Tools and Templates
- Sample Letter from the Director on PLF 2024 (PDF) | Download Word Doc to customize
- How Our Library is Funded & How Funds Are Spent (PDF)
1. Fill in the form with your library’s financial information
2. Download it “with your changes”
3. Save it to your hard drive
4. Print it - Library Statistics Template (PDF)
Customize with your library’s data. - Who’s My Legislator? bookmark template (PDF)
Customize these bookmarks with your legislators’ information and share them with your library customers.
Local Return on Investment Calculator
Local ROI Calculator (download Excel spreadsheet)
Within the document are four tabs:
- Instructions on how to complete the calculator
- Actual ROI Calculator
- Explanation of what the ROI figures mean and how to utilize them; and
- Notes on the pricing and cost assumptions.
NOTE: It is helpful to print the “Instructions” worksheet first and gather your information before entering the data. An instructional webinar is also available at olc.org/roi-calculator.
More Facts:
- Unlike counties, cities and school districts, public libraries do not receive revenue from Ohio’s casinos.
- Not all public libraries have a local property tax levy. Forty-nine (49) public library systems rely on state funding through the PLF as their primary source of funding for day-to-day operations and providing services to their communities.
- More than half of the total funding for Ohio’s public libraries comes from the state through the PLF.
- Unlike schools and other local governments, public libraries do not receive state funding for facilities/buildings through the Capital Appropriations Bill. The only option is to utilize operating funds, pass a bond levy, or borrow extremely limited amounts of funds.
Highlight how your library:
- Offers literacy and homework help for children, including free tutoring, after-school programs and summer enrichment.
- Provides public access to the internet, computers and the latest technology, including mobile WiFi hotspots, tablets, 3-D printers, and more.
- Helps Ohioans find jobs and provide online educational courses and tech training.
- Serves as the hub for your community and a place for people to gather.
- Collaborates with schools, food banks, and state and local government entities to help deliver local services.
- Provides life-long learning opportunities and programming for all ages.
- Offers personalized, one-on-one support to find unbiased and well researched information as well as community resources.