Library administration has learned that some customers who have contacted their Representatives in the Ohio House have been receiving responses stating that their budget bill increases funding to Ohio Public Libraries. This is not true.
How are Ohio Public Libraries currently funded?
Currently, public libraries in Ohio receive funding through the Public Library Fund (PLF). Each month, the PLF receives 1.7% of the state’s General Revenue Fund.
Does the budget introduced in the Ohio House increase funding to public libraries?
The House’s version of the budget would reduce state funding for Ohio’s public libraries by more than $100 million over the next two years as compared to the Governor’s proposal. In addition, the new distribution formula would cut funding to public libraries in 39 counties on July 1.
Public library funding has not kept up with inflation. The proposed budget for 2026 is the same amount of funding that public libraries received 25 years ago. In the year 2000, libraries received $484.1 million.
It is important to note that Ohio public libraries received $27 million less in 2024 than in 2023.
Do Ohio public libraries receive more state funding than every other state?
In Ohio, public libraries operate independently from city or county governments, unlike in other states. This means we must pay our own costs for building maintenance, human resources, legal needs, utilities, and other necessities. Ohio public libraries need funding for these expenses in addition to all of the library-specific resources and services we provide to the community.
Do Ohio’s public libraries play an important role in our communities?
- For every $1 received by public libraries, Ohioans receive $5 in library services.
- Ohio public libraries provide free access to physical and digital items, genealogy and reference resources, meeting room spaces, makerspace equipment, summer reading programs, storytimes for early literacy, assistance to job seekers, and countless other resources.
- Ohio's public libraries are extremely popular, with over 7.4 million cardholders and one of the highest library usage rates in the nation.
