Ohio House Budget Reduces Public Library Funding by $100 Million
The Coshocton County District Library and libraries across Ohio urgently need your help! Contact Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman and Representative Mark Hiner now and tell them not to cut Ohio's public libraries.
The Ohio House of Representatives introduced their version of the proposed state budget which eliminates the Public Library Fund (PLF), a fund that provides 51% of total funding to Ohio's public libraries. The proposal creates a line-item appropriation representing a $100 million loss to library funding compared to Governor DeWine's proposal (1.75% of General Revenue Fund to PLF).
Funds received from the Public Library Fund to Coshocton County District Library (Coshocton location, West Lafayette Branch, and Bookmobile) represent 75% (2024) of the library's total revenue. These funds support:
Library programming for all ages- early childhood literacy, Summer Reading, history programs, book clubs, and more
Collection additions in a variety of formats- print books for all ages, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, and special collections such as yard games, Tonieboxes and Tonies, adult activity kits, mobile hotspots, and more
Hoopla Digital- digital audio, eBooks, music, streaming television shows and movies
Mobile Printing- a service that allows you to print from a device (cellphone, laptop, etc.)
ProQuest Historical Newspaper Index- access to digital newspaper archive
Value Line- access to digital investment research
And more!
Ohio libraries are currently operating with the same level of funding as 25 years ago.
Tell Speaker Huffman and Representative Hiner:
Don't cut Ohio's public libraries!
Restore the Public Library Fund to 1.75% of the General Revenue Fund.
Include a personal story about how the library makes a difference in your life and impacts the lives of others.
Speaker Huffman can be reached at rep78@ohiohouse.gov or (614) 466-6344.
Representative Hiner can be reached at rep98@ohiohouse.gov or (614) 466-2994.
Thank you for taking the time to share what the library means to you and for supporting Ohio's public libraries.