Ohio's Public Libraries at Risk: Budget Proposal Slashes Funding

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) today called Ohioans to action in support of Ohio’s public library systems which face more than $100M cut in funding in the proposed Ohio House operating budget. 

“Since the Republican majority introduced their sub-bill of the biennial budget, my office has received an overwhelming number of messages from concerned Ohioans urging us to restore the Public Library Fund. I’m confident my colleagues across the aisle are receiving similar concerns. Libraries are vital to our communities—providing resources, fostering learning, and making knowledge accessible to all. Public libraries are essential to the educational success of our children and the well-being of our communities, and by extension, to the future of Ohio. We must listen to Ohioans when they tell us what they need and how they want us to allocate their tax dollars,” said Rep. Cockley. 

Libraries are a critical resource for Ohioans looking for work, getting training and education in rural areas, using reliable internet access, and gathering for community events and engagement. House Republicans rejected Governor Mike DeWine’s executive proposal that would have increased the Public Library Fund from 1.7% to 1.75% of the tax revenue collected in the state’s General Revenue Fund. Instead, the current proposal of the budget establishes a new method of funding public libraries through a direct GRF appropriation which will hurt libraries’ ability to predictably forecast revenue and long-term financial sustainability.

According to the Ohio Library Council:

Ohio's public libraries are extremely popular, with over 7.4 million cardholders and one of the highest library usage rates in the nation. 
 

Public libraries deliver a significant return on investment, generating $5 in economic value to Ohioans for every $1 spent. 
Ohioans visited their local libraries more than 44.6 million times in 2023. That is the equivalent of 434 sold-out Buckeye football games at Ohio Stadium.
 

To help protect Ohio’s cherished public library systems contact the offices of Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and House Finance Chair Brian Stewart and request they restore the proper funding proposed by Governor Mike DeWine. 

Speaker Huffman- office: (614) 466-6344, email: Rep78@ohiohouse.gov

Chair Stewart- office: (614) 466-1464, email: Rep12@ohiohouse.gov