The OLC has put together a number of tools to help you become a powerful advocate for Ohio’s public libraries.

Advocacy

libraryfunding.olc.org
Fiscal Year 2024-2025 state budget news, testimony, advocacy alerts, talking points and more.

2023 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.

Fact Sheets

• “Did You Know?” Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Digital Services available at Ohio’s Public Libraries (PDF)
• History of Library Funding in Ohio (PDF)
• 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

• How Our Library is Funded template (PDF)
  Customize with your library’s information.
• Who’s My Legislator? bookmark template (PDF)
  Personalize these bookmarks with your legislators’ information and share them with your library customers.
• Library Statistics Template (PDF)
  Personalize with your 2022 data.

Local Return on Investment Calculator

Local ROI Calculator (download Excel spreadsheet) – Updated for 2023!
Within the document are four tabs:

1. Instructions on how to complete the calculator
2. Actual ROI Calculator
3. Explanation of what the ROI figures mean and how to utilize them; and
4. 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 their community and a place for people to gather.
• Collaborates with private groups, 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.

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Statewide Survey Results

• Urgent Facility Needs for Ohio’s Public Libraries (PDF)
• Ohio’s Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19 Crisis (PDF)
• Public Libraries Support Students, Parents, Entire Communities During Pandemic (PDF)