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

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

“Access to our public libraries is essential for our underserved and rural communities,” said Rep. Rader. “Instead of guaranteeing stable funding through the state budget, Republicans are shifting library funding to a line-item block grant model—one that can be reduced or eliminated at any time. This change puts the future of our libraries at risk and threatens the millions of Ohioans who rely on them every day for far more than books. Libraries provide internet access, job training, mental health support, housing and benefits assistance, COVID tests, voter registration, legal resources, afterschool programs, and so much more. Undermining libraries isn’t just bad policy—it’s an attack on opportunity, equity, and democracy itself.”

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