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Don’t Cut Ohio Libraries

Ohio Libraries Need Your Help

The Ohio House of Representatives is currently working on the state budget for the next two years. The House's state budget proposal eliminates the Public Library Fund (PLF) and replaces it with a line-item appropriation, representing a $100 million cut to library funding compared to Governor DeWine’s budget proposal.

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.

The House's budget, Sub. HB 96:

  • Eliminates the requirement that a percentage of the state General Revenue Fund (GRF) be dedicated to the PLF.
  • Reduces state funding for Ohio’s public libraries by more than $100 million over the biennium as compared to the Governor’s proposal.
  • Creates a new distribution formula that would cut funding to public libraries in 39 counties on July 1. There are 93 library systems in these 39 counties of which 20 do not have a local levy.

Learn more about library funding.

How Does This Impact You?

Ohio's public libraries depend on funding from the state’s Public Library Fund to sustain not only our day-to-day operations, but also the books, resources, programs, and services that all Ohioans, from children to seniors, rely on.

Take Action

Contact your State Representative and Speaker Huffman TODAY. Tell them to restore the Public Library Fund to the amount designated in the Governor’s proposed budget. Be sure to share how important the library is to you and your family and how a cut to libraries would impact you and your neighbors.

You can find your state representative’s phone number and email by searching your home address here. Speaker Huffman can be reached at rep78@ohiohouse.gov.

Tell Ohio House members

  1. Don’t cut Ohio’s public libraries!
  2. Don’t cut my library!
  3. Restore the Public Library Fund to 1.75%  (the amount in Governor DeWine's proposed budget).
  4. Include a personal story. Tell them what you love about your library and how the library makes a difference in your life and impacts the lives of others.