Library Legislative Day highlights funding concerns

On April 8, Ohio’s library supporters (directors, library trustees and staff) gathered at the Ohio Statehouse for their annual Legislative Day.

Wayne County Public Library Director Jennifer Shatzer said the yearly event is an opportunity to advocate for libraries and their funding and to touch base with legislators, share stories and discuss issues facing libraries.

This year, the event was especially significant for Ohio’s public libraries, as it took place during critical discussions surrounding the state’s biennial budget, where public libraries are facing significant funding concerns due to proposed changes.

“The day served as a vital platform to voice concerns, share the impact libraries have in their communities and emphasize the need for reliable funding to continue providing essential services to Ohioans across the state,” said Shatzer. “... Under Amended Substitute House Bill 96, the Public Library Fund would no longer receive a fixed 1.7% of the state’s General Revenue Fund as currently stated in permanent law. Instead, library funding would become a line-item appropriation, making it more vulnerable to cuts or elimination in future budgets.”

In other words, the proposed change would leave libraries vulnerable in a new way to funding cuts. These state changes come when federal funding for libraries faces drastic cuts.

In response to proposed state cuts, the Ohio Library Council put out a call to action. Library patrons responded by sending thousands of emails and calls.

During Legislative Day, Wayne County representatives met with Senator Al Landis and Representative Meredith Craig.

“Both legislators were sympathetic to our concerns,” Shatzer said. “… We appreciated that [Representative Craig] let us know … that there was some effort to increase funding even though it was less than the governor’s budget [and] that she recognizes and supports the work we do, which was very much appreciated. …Senator Landis … listened to our concerns but expressed that he felt the way Ohio libraries were funded was antiquated and needed an overhaul. He said that state funding was tight, especially after all the COVID funds the state had been receiving had ended.”

Shatzer said that those present with the senator explained to him that libraries did not receive any of those funds and that Ohio’s public libraries experienced a $27 million loss in state funding in calendar year 2024 as compared to 2023, resulting in libraries being funded at the same level they were 25 years ago.

On April 9, the Ohio House of Representatives passed the amended Sub. HB 96, which falls $90.8 million short of Governor Mike Dewine’s original proposal.

What can the community do to support the library?

“Right now, we are not encouraging our patrons to contact their state senators,” Shatzer said. “If there is a call to action, we will get the word out through social media channels and/or email. In the meantime, the community can show support by encouraging friends and family to get library cards and use library services. If they haven’t visited the library in a while, come in and check out (no pun intended) what’s new, come to a library program (and) consider joining a Friends of the Library group.”