Public Library Funding Update and CALL TO ACTION

Yesterday the Budget Conference Committee released its version of the State Budget which aligns with the Senate’s proposal to change the Public Library Fund into an appropriated line item and redirect a portion of that fund intended for public libraries to library support agencies.

While this will mean a major cut in funding to Ohio’s libraries, we must also address another concern that will have an even greater impact and in turn could cost libraries even more to implement.

The recent budget proposal includes a vaguely written provision that will require libraries to “place material related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in a portion of the public library that is not primarily open to the view of persons under the age of eighteen.”

Whether you agree with the implied sentiments of this or not,

· the overly broad language of this bill paves the way to unconstitutional censorship and will challenge our basic mission to provide free access to information.

· Libraries do not act in place of parents. It is the responsibility and right of the patron to make choices on behalf of their children.

· This could cost libraries millions in building expenses and collection management if it were implemented.

We ask that patrons reach out to Governor DeWine before June 30 and ask that he veto this line item of the bill.

Governor Mike DeWine: Address: 77 S. High Street – 30th Floor
Main Line: (614) 466-3555 Columbus, Ohio 43215
Governor’s Hotline: (614) 644-4357

Online Contact Form: https://governor.ohio.gov/contact

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Earlier this month the Senate released its version of HB 96.  Despite the current Public Library Fund accounting for less than .5% of the total state budget, the Senate’s version keeps with the House’s proposal to remove the Public Library Fund from permanent law and change it to an appropriated line item within the state’s budget.

The Senate’s version also proposes funding library support agencies within that appropriated amount without increasing funding.   Currently these agencies receive funding through their own sources via the General Revenue Fund each year and the Senate’s proposal would cut funding even further to local libraries.

Here are the proposed funding differences between the Governor, the House, and the Senate versions that will be sorted through during the Budget Conference Committee.

Governor’s PLF (1.75% of GRF) Estimates in HB 96:
FY 2026 – $531.7 million
FY 2027 – $549.1 million

The House’s Version PLF Line-items proposed in Sub. HB 96:
FY 2026 – $490 million
FY 2027 – $500 million

The Senate’s Version – PLF Line-items proposed in Sub. HB 96:
FY 2026 – $490 million   *Actual total $479.7 million to local public libraries

FY 2027 – $500 million   *Actual total $489.7 million to local public libraries

*$10.2 million would be redirected from local libraries to the State Library of Ohio, Ohio Public Library Information Network, Library for the Blind, Regional Library Systems, and Ohioana Library Association

The results, if the Senate version passes, would be almost a $25 million cut in state funding in comparison to FY25.

We will keep you updated as the process at the Statehouse continues during the next couple of weeks.