Advocacy Tools for Libraries

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:

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.

Key Messages

We are urging lawmakers to:

Make public libraries a priority in the state budget (HB 33).
Maintain PLF funding and set the permanent law language at a minimum of 1.7% of the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF).
Hold public libraries harmless from any additional reductions in state funding (HB 1).

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.

Ohio Library Council